Handling with 24v swap

[Sagaris]

Can anyone who cares about handling comment on how the handling of your car changed after the 24v swap (assuming you kept the same suspension before and after the swap).

[MaksV]

I have a fully built suspension. The M/S5x swap add about 30-40lbs over a b25 to the front end. On a 500/750R car that is quite stripped down I didnt find the handleing change alot. Only difference is way more power, so the back end is more likely to step out.

[N2MYE30]

Tough call as I also put in a M3 rack at the same time. I couldnt tell any added weight.

[ACHTUNG]

I have a fully built suspension. The M/S5x swap add about 30-40lbs over a b25 to the front end. On a 500/750R car that is quite stripped down I didnt find the handleing change alot. Only difference is way more power, so the back end is more likely to step out.

This.


I don't notice any handling differences except with the added power which does make the ass end break loose easier.

[Jean]

Same here, m30/24v almost same deal weight wise, I've upgrade the spring rates a bit and sway bar. Still have good turn in and can rotate as well.

[ed94r]

Rotating the car is now quite academic, especially in lower speed corners (gears 1-3)...even with R tires.

High speed sweepers, all being equal, are not as -free- as the M20 set-up....but were talking minute differences that can be easily addressed.

My S50 is a hoot on track, way more fun for me than the M20.

Ed

[MaksV]

Bottom line, unless your a professional driver, you wont notice the difference in weight distribution or handling.

You will notice the power though. Also I STRONGLY suggest a e36/z3 rack.

[e30polak]

Bottom line, unless your a professional driver, you wont notice the difference in weight distribution or handling.

You will notice the power though. Also I STRONGLY suggest a e36/z3 rack.

Or if you're going from an m42 or s14 powered car...

[VinniE30]

If you want to improve or at the very least keep the weight distribution of the m20 with a 24v swap you will have to do either an aluminum block m52 or a m54 swap.

A m54 weighs less than the e36 engines and it makes about the same power as a US s50 while making more torque in the lower rpms.

You can argue weither you feel the increase in weight as that is subjective.. you can't deny the numbers.

Or you could argue that the extra weight can be compensated for with stiffer suspension or deleting AC and other things but if you did those same things to the car with a lighter engine in it then it would still be better with the lighter engine.

[e30rapidic]

If I take corners smoothly and fluidly, it has more overall grip. If I flick it about quickly and load/unload the front suspension erratically, it tends to make the tail end more twitchy than it was before. Part of it could be because its a cabrio and experience frame flex. But knowing what that's like, I can say I don't feel any real twisting going on. I think a stiffer rate up front is needed to negate the extra weight in those situations.

I have eibach pro's, bilstein sports, e36 rack, offset control arm bushings, offset upper strut mounts, front strut bar and oversize sway bars. I run 205/55/16's @ 36 psi

[Leo_328i]

Haven't had any first experience with this yet but will be swapping out my M42 for an M52 alloy block later this year and will be doing a whole host of suspension changes at the same time so I think the car will drive a lot better overall.

Currently it has standard worn 318iS suspension with E36 M3 FCA bushings and urethane front sway mounts. Will be swapping in 6 cylinder mtech springs, bilstein HDs, new sway links, E36 rack, M coupe rear diff bush in at the same time and I'm sure others change a lot of things at the same time so it would be hard for some of us to give a back-to-back comparison.

[Teaguer]

Because race car ITT.

[ed94r]

If you want to improve or at the very least keep the weight distribution of the m20 with a 24v swap you will have to do either an aluminum block m52 or a m54 swap.

A m54 weighs less than the e36 engines and it makes about the same power as a US s50 while making more torque in the lower rpms.

You can argue weither you feel the increase in weight as that is subjective.. you can't deny the numbers.

Or you could argue that the extra weight can be compensated for with stiffer suspension or deleting AC and other things but if you did those same things to the car with a lighter engine in it then it would still be better with the lighter engine.

With all due respect: He didn't ask how to keep the weight distribution equivalent, he asked for those with experience to comment on the "handling difference" with the swap.

For most recreational users, It doesn't really matter how much the swap adds to the nose (or overall weight) of the car...it's faster in every possible conceivable way than an 50/50 M20 driving around anything. Just add right foot.

[Sagaris]

I could feel a difference in how quickly my car changes direction after removing the A/C. I am doubtful it has any measurable impact on total cornering grip. I am basically trying to come up with a list of reasons why NOT to S5x swap.

Not being able to use my UUC shifter, and megasquirt PnP (future purchase) kit are two of them. I was hoping that the consensus would tell me that a 24v swap turns it into an understeering pig-dog so that I could get the thought of a swap out of my head for good :D

[straight6pwr]

went from a m20 car to an m50 car with nearly identical suspension setups (only difference was a bigger sway bar) and did not notice any increased understeer. if you did notice any, it could probably be remedied with a minor suspension or tire change.