Hopefully in the coming weeks I'll be picking up a 993 c4s and doing an slow build on my current e30. I originally planed to just restore it but now I'm thinking of doing an engine swap. I'll likely be doing an s50 swap. I've read that the engine to get is out of an 1995 e36 m3, which has me thinking why to get this specific model year engine. Aren't they all the same? Also with this swap I want it to have an auto trans. I wanted to know if an auto trans out of an e36 m3 would bolt right into the e30 with little to no modification. I'm no expert when it comes to engines, and the idea of me doing an engine swap is wayyyyy over my head but I'm going to take a shot at it.
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Congrats on the 993 purchase! Ive been looking into a P-car and they are certainly wonderful cars, but a 24v swapped E30 is no slouch either.
The 95 M3 is a S50 motor which is OBD1 from the factory. This used to be considered the go-to because of the additional emissions equipment the OBD2 cars have. This may still be something you want depending on what your local emissions laws are. Here in California, OBD1 swaps can be made street legal much easier than an OBD2.
That being said, if you are going with an auto transmission I think you'll have better luck finding a wrecked later model M3 (likely a vert or 4 door sedan) with the S52 and use that car as a parts car and could very well make most of your money back by parting out what you dont end up using. Most of the OBD2 emissions stuff can be flashed out by a guy whos actually fairly closeby (328ijunkie). Ive never personally dealt with the auto but I have to believe that the stock E30 trans mount would work, just as it would with the E36 Zf manual transmissions. I think your biggest issue will be the driveshaft, but you might be able to find that answer with enough searching.
Good luck!Simon
Current Cars:
-1999 996.1 911 4/98 3.8L 6-Speed, 21st Century Beetle
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Well there are two engine that came in the M3 in North America S50 and S52. The S50 is 3.0 liters and OBD1 and the S52 is 3.2 liter and OBD2. Both make the same power because the S52 has a different intake. The reason most people go S50 is because it used to be easier to go swap in a OBD1 engine instead of a OBD2 engine, but that not really the case anymore. The S50 was also only offered in the 1995 M3 and thats why you've heard to get that specific year. Definitely do a lot of research and reading build threads can be VERY helpful. Just don't look at the pictures, but also read other members comments.
Also........ Why an auto?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?My Garage
2001 Z3 2.5i Steel Gray/Black (Lexi)
1988 325ix Diamond Schwartz/Black (Izzy)
1989 325i Cirrus Blue/Houndstooth (Stitch)
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Thanks man! I've wanted a 993 for a while and I found a local one I have to jump on! Where I live we don't have emmission law (or strict ones like CA) so now that you've help clear it up for me I think either engine would be a good choice for my situation. Now, all that's left is to search for an suitable donor.Originally posted by 2mAn View Post
I'm going auto because the car will be my dailyish cruiser. I hit traffic here a good bit and don't want to deal with a manual. 993 will be for spirited drives and track.Originally posted by stonea View PostComment
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I'd like to see an m5x/s5x with auto swap thread. I was thinking of going this route myself. Maybe with another build later on for my GF and I to drive... I am tired of the stop and go traffic here in San Diego with a manual trans... it's the main reason why I ride a moto bike most of the time lolLast edited by 4DR_Lou; 10-11-2015, 06:12 PM.1990 325i - Current Project
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