S52 best mods

[evandael]

You won't get 270whp+ unless you get VAC's race cams or Sunbelt cams.

264/256 cams have been around for eons. The best that you could expect without a compression bump would be 245-250whp.

i was making an estimate for flywheel horsepower, but you say that like 250whp in an e30 is a bad thing!


a stock-like, streetable 250whp e30 would imo be the best option, cost vs. performance in the e30 chassis. yeah an s54 is absolutely badass, and the ideal I6 swap.. but though they are way more affordable than even 3 years ago, it's still a lot of cash over an s52.

[nando]

it's not bad, but add your $1000 cams (plus you really should use stiffer springs, and maybe even different lifters, possibly headwork), then a tune, and you'll be pretty close to the cost of an S54 but still 100hp short (assuming you get a tune with your S54 flash which is reasonable).

[87e30]

Well at least you can't go wrong. I think doing the s54 you could in the end justify the cost with the great results, but doing the s52 you would be happy and wouldn't really feel like you're missing out.

Everyone is different though.

[nando]

Yeah, I think either way, a motor closer to stock is going to be a lot more tractable and enjoyable overall especially if the car is driven on the street.

[Bimmer_man]

The question is, what were you driving before you had an E30? I know you said you want to surprise yourself but we don't really have a "baseline" here to work with.

The S54 will be more expensive to build and maintain.

The only car I have ever owned is my e30. I have driven a e46 m3 smg and it was absolutely breath taking. And iv driven several other cars bmw, merc and a few American and Japanese cars. I love how the e30 handles. Honestly my dream car is a e30 with a s5x in it, 5 lug, updated abs, and revamped interior. So at this time I'm leaning more to the s54.

[digger]

thinking about this logically an E30 isn't worthy of an S54 engine IMO, its best in a more modern sorted chassis. regardless of which option at some point you'll want more hp and on an S54 its Uber $$$ in comparison. Start low and work up to it

[Bimmer_man]

thinking about this logically an E30 isn't worthy of an S54 engine IMO, its best in a more modern sorted chassis. regardless of which option at some point you'll want more hp and on an S54 its Uber $$$ in comparison. Start low and work up to it

well as far as the E30 is concerned im starting as low as you can really lol 325eta lol.

[PeteD]

Man up and go s54 already :D

My car r3vs very quickly with the 8.5UUC flywheel, something else to consider when calculating your fun factor.

The motors are really in two different worlds: s54 > s52 all day long. You could always do the s52 and then the s54 later down the road will be fairly easy.

[36brua]

What state is Auburn in ? got smog ?

[Bimmer_man]

cali but im going to register it in an area where smog isnt required in ca. so the smog issue is resolved. and i got a guy if i absolutely need to smog it.

[36brua]

cali but im going to register it in an area where smog isnt required in ca. so the smog issue is resolved. and i got a guy if i absolutely need to smog it.

You might drop by and talk to Ryan G lots of swap experience. " We have performed many swaps, from a 2002 with a 2.7i M20 to an BMW E30 M3 with a 3.2 S54 running full standalone" http://www.ryangmw.com/
Yeah you guys out in the wilds... come on down to the Bay Area and meet Mr. BAR/CARB :) .Any way good luck with what ever you do