how fast is your s50e30????

[Mr Two]

You can definitely pull on an e46 M3 with a well sorted S5X e30. I'd pull on my friends stock Z4 M Coupe all day and that car is significantly lighter than an e46 M.

[jrdeamicis]

I had a 3.73 and an S50. With the car @ 2500#. It was fast. Fast enough to kill me. RIGHT QUICK.

[mohamadr89]

3.73 LSD and a 240 getrag, car at about 2600lbs, full bolt ons and a TRM tune I can pull even with an e90 M3 through third. At higher speeds aero starts working against you, though.

wow that sounds pretty quick. i dont think i will ever be satisfied unless i turbo my car. but we will see what happens after some bolt ons

[mohamadr89]

I love my S50'd E30. If you're looking for that "Holy Mother of God what in the fuck was that?" fast, you'll want to turbo. But, for a DD? Well worth it. Plenty fast for street driving and most of the cars that are in the "same class" as far as looks, year, styling (general styling) such as Honda's and all the other little tuner types out there, it'll surprise them. If you can pull on a next generation sports car (E36 M3) in a 25+ year old shit box I don't see why that's not fast enough. Obviously you're not going to compete NA with E46 M3's. It's a different class of car. Saavy?

yea i got you. i was racing a s2000 with exhaust last night and he barely got me. i was just thinking in my head, "your lucky my s50 isn't in!" lol but i feel like it was a close race. he didnt know how to shift because thats when i pulled on him lol

[5Toes]

Tafts car is QUICK. I know...

[ck_taft325is]

I love my S50'd E30. If you're looking for that "Holy Mother of God what in the fuck was that?" fast, you'll want to turbo. But, for a DD? Well worth it. Plenty fast for street driving and most of the cars that are in the "same class" as far as looks, year, styling (general styling) such as Honda's and all the other little tuner types out there, it'll surprise them. If you can pull on a next generation sports car (E36 M3) in a 25+ year old shit box I don't see why that's not fast enough. Obviously you're not going to compete NA with E46 M3's. It's a different class of car. Saavy?

[psyber_0ptix]

My e30 is pretty quick, i don't race people or anything but to give a comparison, it was faster than my girlfriends wrx swapped 2.5RS with 4" downpipe, 3" catless exhaust and tune.

She upgraded to a different turbo with an 18g wheel, and it's now faster than the e30.

The e30 is cheaper on insurance and the total project cost 1/3 of her car (includes the car, two sets of wheels, brand new tires, brakes, suspension, and motor swaps). Cost:Fun ratio....pretty damn high.


I swapped mine using the stock Getrag240 and 4.1 LSD from my 318i, 3.5" HFM, 24# injectors, Silicon elbow,K&N Filter, TRM Chip. It's short gearing, but it's fine. I'm not a highway bomber, but I like backroads and autocross. Torque is plenty for what i need. I do wish i had a bit more, but i know i'd get in trouble. So it's perfect for me

[Mr Two]

3.73 LSD and a 240 getrag, car at about 2600lbs, full bolt ons and a TRM tune I can pull even with an e90 M3 through third. At higher speeds aero starts working against you, though.

[Lof8]

On a scale of 1 to super fast, its pretty fast.

[giantkeeper]

It's not very quick. It's down 40whp from my E46 M3 and doesn't have double vanos to make torque down low.

With cams, I could get close to the same power peak output as the S54, but it's all delivered up top where it's of strictly limited utility.

I miss my E46 M3 - and the S50'd E36 I sold to build my S50 E30 was boring. So I knew this car would not be ridiculously fast, just be hella fun because of the weight and size differences.

Also, I always thought 3.15 rear ends with the ZF 1/1 was kind of tall with an S50 that has very little torque. Bump it to a 3.25 or similar and it may get that seat of pants impression everyone looks for. Clearly does not make it quicker, just feel that way.

[gobuffs]

No motor, no suspension = slow.

[mohamadr89]

OP, I don't think you'll ever be happy.

S50 swapped cars aren't fast like you think they are fast. They are fun as all hell though.

I've driven many cars and I can honestly say that a swapped car is one of my favorites. Paired with the right suspension/tires/brakes and nothing compares.

Well thanks for all of your opinions. I'm already in the project a few grand so there is no turning back now. In the future i want to build the motor than turbo it so if I'm not happy at first I'm sure I'll be happy in the end lol

[phreshkid]

OP, I don't think you'll ever be happy.

S50 swapped cars aren't fast like you think they are fast. They are fun as all hell though.

I've driven many cars and I can honestly say that a swapped car is one of my favorites. Paired with the right suspension/tires/brakes and nothing compares.

[CHIF8008]

my e30 is powered by crying babies

[nrubenstein]

It's not very quick. It's down 40whp from my E46 M3 and doesn't have double vanos to make torque down low.

With cams, I could get close to the same power peak output as the S54, but it's all delivered up top where it's of strictly limited utility.