S38 or S52 motor swap delima

[510e36]

buying a e30 roller this weekend and wondering should i do

a s38 m5 swap from a e28 ( cant find that much info on the swap)

or a s52 swap from an e36( i know the basics what i need for swap)

im getting the donor cars for about the same price.
what must i do to make the s38 fit my e30

[ACHTUNG]

what must i do to make the s38 fit my e30

Have a lot of money

[510e36]

lol well im getting the car for almost free so how much money are we talking?

[balooshinakus]

From what I have heard, the s38 is very expensive to rebuild. A cheap donor car doesn't necessarily mean a cheap swap if the motor ends up needing attention, so if you are on a budget you should keep that in mind.

[ACHTUNG]

From what I have heard, the s38 is very expensive to rebuild. A cheap donor car doesn't necessarily mean a cheap swap if the motor ends up needing attention, so if you are on a budget you should keep that in mind.

This. It's a super expensive motor to maintain.

[Mde36]

Cool factor go S38
Otherwise it's S52

[IRON-E]

This. It's a super expensive motor to maintain.

x164345876768298765442267896243

[Reckless_Havoc]

Cool factor go S38
Otherwise it's S52

This...

[BeirBrennerE30]

s54.. best of both worlds

[colorado_cabrio]

s52 is way more realistic than s54 or s38; if you are asking us then you are a dreamer...

[samiam3356]

s38 is more involved to get it to fit correctly. Here is a great thread of one being built right now.

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95704

[etxxz]

s52.

but, s54's are becoming increasingly cheap. THIS will become the best bang for the buck soon if it isnt already.

[Good & Tight]

S52 + boost

[deansbimmer]

Here's my view on the subject.
I have an M88 I was intent on putting in my car. I bought the engine with 54k on it for $4k, and have put another near $2k into refreshing the engine. Add another $2-4k for peripherals and other installation requirements and you're talking a good chunk of change for 'just' 300whp. Maintenance is marginally more intensive but is not particularly any worse than other ///M engines, but it is more costly should service be required, plus parts are harder to find.

PROS:
Rare swap = + Rep points / Baller status
Raw performance/character, true ///Motorsports spirit
Unique power curve with good torque while delivering freight train power up top.
Arguably best sounding BMW I6 ever.

CONS:
More in depth installation requirements = $$$
Higher maintenance cost.
Old engineering, not as refined, v-belts, etc.
Tall engine difficult to fit under hood without mods.
If you're power hungry, you'll end up wanting more power.


Alternatively for the same $ amount, you could install a turbo S50/2 and have a very easy 400whp with very smooth power delivery, and easy to get even more power. Weight differences between the engines aren't as big a deal as everyone makes out...

PROS:
As close to a bolt in swap as it gets. Highly documented.
More HP per dollar.
More aftermarket support (also = lower cost)
Very smooth and reliable, modern design.

CONS:
Everyone has done it. Too easy if you want a challenge.
Sound shouldn't be a deciding factor, but an S5X doesn't hold a candle to a nicely tuned S38/M88.

I'm going to finish building my engine, but I'm having a hard time deciding whether or not to install it. I could sell JUST the engine and pay for well sorted turbo S52 install.

Summary:

Both cost money. The decision will come down to what you want the car for, or what your long term plans are. If you're only after HP, then you need to turbo an M/S5X. If you want a nicely balanced "pure-bread" genuine Motorsports engine with "enough" power, then you want an S38. The S38 is the period correct engine to swap in.

[Wh33lhop]

Other swaps are easier and cheaper, but then you don't get this.





Listen to that shit!