how much would an s50 swap cost? engine + labour

[ACHTUNG]

Never understood why people would want to pay other people to do something on a car that they supposedly "love" and are an "enthusiast" of.


To each their own I guess.

It sounds like you have time which in my life is a precious resource. Writing a check has nothing to do with lack of love or enthusiasm.

When I was single I had time to do all my own wrenching. Now I run a business, have a wife, a 4 year old and an 8 month old. We own an antique house with a barn which requires constant maintenance and we own and I maintain a 3 unit rental building. I have moments where I would give anything to be able to hit the pause button and take a few hours or a day for myself. It's rare when I find that time.

I cherish my E30 and have dreamed of a S5X swap in it for years. Now I finally have some disposable income for the swap but I don't have the time to do it myself. I hired a shop to do it for me. Does this make me less of an enthusiast?



To the OP: I'm going to be at aprox. $9000 USD for my S52 swap (all parts and labor.) This includes a set of new schrick sport cams and tune which was an extra ~$1500 USD. I also have about $500 USD into a Torsen diff which is not necessary for a swap. I also opted for a many upgrades like the 3.5" MAF with 24lb injectors, lightened flywheel and street clutch kit, Mishimoto alum. radiator, pulley kit, skid plate and a bunch of other extra upgrade stuff that jacked the price up.

Let me know if you want me to send you my spreadsheet that breaks out every part and the cost.

[The Humjet]

Haha if someone were to swap in an s52 into my car for $9000 I would take that deal in a heartbeat. Even without the extra goodies like lightweight flywheel, performance clutch underdrive pulleys ect.
Those motors are very pricey over here. We only get the euro s52 motors with more power and itbs. Not a stroked m50 like you guys get.
That's why many guys here do Jap motor swaps like the sr20, rb25 or 2jz mainly because there is so much support for those types of motors here. Along with the ls1 which is very common here and is found in Australia's best selling car.

[Philo]

What is the cost of a 24v engine over there? There is an s52 on BFc for 1650. See if he will ship.

[The Humjet]

A 24v motor is pretty reasonable actually. A nice working complete motor would range from $600-$900. You can also get an m50 motor imported from Japan in excellent condition for $1000-$1400. It's still not as cheap as you guys sell it for. But these are prices for the b25 and b28. We also have b20's and b23 motors that are cheaper but not really worth the effort for a 2.0l

[The Humjet]

Ignore double post.

[Wanganstyle]

an S50/52 US spec is possible in AUS, you just need to have a shop that is willing to get/fit the 3200cc setup and cam set when they are rebuilding it for you. I know of one in melborne :)

Many aftermarket and upgrades are avail for the M50 family, so the price varies. I have seen S52's cost as much as S54 when outfitted to the tilt :)

Never understood why people would want to pay other people to do something on a car that they supposedly "love" and are an "enthusiast" of.


To each their own I guess.

Many people also choose Professional help because Tools, Facility, Expertise. Are all of consideration as well as TIME.

one's choice of professional shops reflects: effectiveness and professional execution, more speedy than DIY.

Facility/experience/supply chain is quite important actually, so many fail-boat DIY attempts at all sorts of e30 "modification" by reckless DIY attempts.

[DTM190]

Broom, things you may have missed,

S50us and S50euro are two different engines. The S50s that alot of the US guys are fitting for the rough price of $5000 are the US spec ones which are like a 3.0 M50.

The S52s are also US spec engines. We got the S50B30, S50B32 and S54B32 euro spec engines here. No S52s so forget them unless you want to import one, IMO not worth it.

$7000ish is what you need to pay just for a euro engine so $10k, no way. You will spend more than $10k in parts before you even fart.

As Humpy mentioned, the M50 engines are alot more affordable now but compared to the US we have more issues with headers because of steering clearance.

Oh and if you want to pay someone to do the whole job, get the anal lube on stand by.

TBH, if you want to budget around the $10k, sell yours and keep an eye out for a car already swapped with M50 or M30 etc. Quite a few have been popping up lately for the $7000-$15,000 mark.

[Wanganstyle]

$7000ish is what you need to pay just for a euro engine so $10k, no way. You will spend more than $10k in parts before you even fart.

yes, DIY full install on S54 was $10k; parts and outsourced specialty work only, I wired my own brain.

This was not a stock install, but not even a built motor -my s54 was untouched...

(pricing for s50b32 euro may be same in parts because its older and needs more work- they are easily 5+ years older, equally as abused). $10k goes quickly when you are playing with ITB's

[DTM190]

yes, DIY full install on S54 was $10k; parts and outsourced specialty work only, I wired my own brain.

This was not a stock install, but not even a built motor -my s54 was untouched...

(pricing for s50b32 euro may be same in parts because its older and needs more work- they are easily 5+ years older, equally as abused). $10k goes quickly when you are playing with ITB's

Thats why i hate you guys haha, if an S54 could be done here for $10k I would have 2 of them instead of 2 ba$tard children.

Then again its not just getting the motor in the hole, its brakes, diff, suspension, tyres etc etc etc etc that are worthy for the S5xeuro. Here in Aus $40k can disappear QUICKLY.

Looking forward to your thoughts on the KAAZ Wang, a mate here has one behind a turbo M20 and LOVES IT

[The Humjet]

As Humpy mentioned

Hey!!! :curse: Quit name calling. Jks

[DTM190]

Thats my affectionate nickname for you, I will make sure I refer to you as The Humjet from now on :p

[Wanganstyle]

Then again its not just getting the motor in the hole, its brakes, diff, suspension, tyres etc etc etc etc that are worthy for the S5xeuro. Here in Aus $40k can disappear QUICKLY.

Ya, thats why my last S54 was in a WBS body E36M I had done 12x track days on :).

Popped in S54 and went on to full wangan attack to 170mph OVER, chassis untouched between s52 and s54 :)

for serious track work the weight difference would have to be accounted for; I did it by removing AC, PS, aux fan.

this time around in e30 will be a pricy footwork as its not nearly up to par - the e36M was designed for S54 type of power.

[Broom Broom]

Never understood why people would want to pay other people to do something on a car that they supposedly "love" and are an "enthusiast" of.


To each their own I guess.

yeah i would if i could, but cant, i'm only 21 and only know the basics such as changing oil and oil filter and other kinda of stuff along that path. I joined R3V so i could hopefully gain some knowledge

[Broom Broom]

Broom, things you may have missed,

S50us and S50euro are two different engines. The S50s that alot of the US guys are fitting for the rough price of $5000 are the US spec ones which are like a 3.0 M50.

The S52s are also US spec engines. We got the S50B30, S50B32 and S54B32 euro spec engines here. No S52s so forget them unless you want to import one, IMO not worth it.

$7000ish is what you need to pay just for a euro engine so $10k, no way. You will spend more than $10k in parts before you even fart.

As Humpy mentioned, the M50 engines are alot more affordable now but compared to the US we have more issues with headers because of steering clearance.

Oh and if you want to pay someone to do the whole job, get the anal lube on stand by.

TBH, if you want to budget around the $10k, sell yours and keep an eye out for a car already swapped with M50 or M30 etc. Quite a few have been popping up lately for the $7000-$15,000 mark.

Thanks for the help DTM, cheers buddy

ill keep my eye out

[nmlss2006]

Uh, S52 for 1650? Does it have supplemental cooling in the block?