What should my new build have for a heart?

[madjurgen]

I know brew's been thinking about it

[McCoolidge]

Hamster in a wheel. 1hp = 1 hamster power.

[Brew]

On a budget do a 328 lower end with a NV head. Been looking at numbers and this seems an easy way for good numbers.

Not worth it. I started to go a similar route (S50 bottom-end) and, after getting all the parts, scrapped the whole thing. You run into a lot of issues by using the non-vanos head, harness, and dme. The hot-wire MAF is easily maxed-out and there are no simple retrofits for it like the the vanos motors. Custom software is obviously necessary, which is $$$. In the end, it is a whole lot simpler, and not much more expensive, to drop in a complete, low-mileage S50. And you have almost unlimited upgradeability with proven mods.

[Brew]

I know brew's been thinking about it

I have wet dreams about it...
But I can't afford it right now, and likely won't be able to justify spending $7k+ on a engine mod for quite some time.

I'll probably end up doing the VF kit. I would love to go custom turbo but I can't not drive my car for that long.

[SchnellerVert]

Not worth it. I started to go a similar route (S50 bottom-end) and, after getting all the parts, scrapped the whole thing. You run into a lot of issues by using the non-vanos head, harness, and dme. The hot-wire MAF is easily maxed-out and there are no simple retrofits for it like the the vanos motors. Custom software is obviously necessary, which is $$$. In the end, it is a whole lot simpler, and not much more expensive, to drop in a complete, low-mileage S50. And you have almost unlimited upgradeability with proven mods.

Now while I agree with you but most S50 are not low mileage and seems that they are becoming increasingly harder to find.

I will be doing this for my Eta Sport anyway or at least try it.

[Stu]

Brew, what about using the Hot-wire meter off an S38 on a large CC non-VANOS motor? I think it is 4" (though maybe 3.5")

[Brew]

Its not so much a matter of finding a MAF that will fit; more of getting your DME to properly read its signals. For the S50/2 motors, you can get the euro/540i MAF and matching software from a number of different vendors. No such luck with the non-vanos.

[aeryk7]

Low mileage s50's are out there you just have to be patient and search . I picked up a 75k mile one for 2700 with out obd1 accessories which i felt was worth it because of the mileage.

[KangamangusDriver]

Low mileage s50's are out there you just have to be patient and search . I picked up a 75k mile one for 2700 with out obd1 accessories which i felt was worth it because of the mileage.

That is true, they are out there!
I have come across a steal of a deal on a S52 with 80k.
Very close to what you paid eric7
I may still look for somthing with lower mileage, just be patient daniel son.

[FredK]

Kangamangus, what are you driving now, since your e30's out of commission? Just curious!

[KangamangusDriver]

Kangamangus, what are you driving now, since your e30's out of commission? Just curious!

A Nissan Frontier I purchesed a week before my E30 died.
Bought it for the winter/utility truck. Somthing to hall my sleds/bike/boat/kegs/fishing stuff vehicle.
Lucked out I guess

[bmw332i]

bmw332i said he dynoed at 282rwhp. However, he has extensive headwork and aftermarket valvetrain (+2 sodium filled valves, Ti retainers) AND all of the power mods -- Schrick cams, Euro HFM, 24# injectors, software. Plus, he has aftermarket headers, high flow cat and exhaust.

Cost was probably obscene. He mentioned the cost was the same as a Eurosport twinscrew.

Yes, it is I. All of the afore-mentioned engine work, plus more. Cost was rediculously obscene. The headwork alone was the cost of an inter-cooled TS from Eurosport.

I have been tossing around the idea of having the car TS'ed by Turner next spring. The wife would have a complete litter of 8 puppies if I dropped that much loot on a supercharger this year (next year, however, is a whole new ballgame). However, I've been going over the logistics with the guys from Turner, and they believe that with everything located where it is now (oil cooler, lines, etc...), the use of an intercooler would probably not be able to happen. They did mention something about maybe the possibility of using an aftercooler (such as AA's kit), but are not completely sure, as they have not seen, less installed, a TS supercharger yet. Unless someone has one done this winter, I actually might be the first one they do. And on an e30s52 too. I'd hate to see the tuning bill.

Of course, if I had to choose a motor for the thread starter, it would be a low-mileage, built (full custom exhaust, Schrick cammed, custom tuned) s38b38 like the one my brother has in his 1995 M5. But in all reality, finding a gem like that would be harder than finding a straw needle in a haystack. But it would be sweeter than anything I've ever seen. e30s54, e30s62, you name it, it would still be cooler.

[LINUS]

If you go S52, leave the metal coolant pipe alone, it's a solid improvement. Modify your OBD1 wire harness carrier to work around the pipe, and all is good.

The coolant temp sender thing can be averted by using the Turner part for OBD1 adaption. I know they have it, but I have no idea if it's on the website yet.

Obviously I'm a vote for a S52 - you got the parts for conversion in hand, and solid, low milage S52's will only get cheaper since S50's are rare by comparison.

-B

[Brew]

Yes, it is I. All of the afore-mentioned engine work, plus more. Cost was rediculously obscene. The headwork alone was the cost of an inter-cooled TS from Eurosport.

I have been tossing around the idea of having the car TS'ed by Turner next spring. The wife would have a complete litter of 8 puppies if I dropped that much loot on a supercharger this year (next year, however, is a whole new ballgame). However, I've been going over the logistics with the guys from Turner, and they believe that with everything located where it is now (oil cooler, lines, etc...), the use of an intercooler would probably not be able to happen. They did mention something about maybe the possibility of using an aftercooler (such as AA's kit), but are not completely sure, as they have not seen, less installed, a TS supercharger yet. Unless someone has one done this winter, I actually might be the first one they do. And on an e30s52 too. I'd hate to see the tuning bill.

Of course, if I had to choose a motor for the thread starter, it would be a low-mileage, built (full custom exhaust, Schrick cammed, custom tuned) s38b38 like the one my brother has in his 1995 M5. But in all reality, finding a gem like that would be harder than finding a straw needle in a haystack. But it would be sweeter than anything I've ever seen. e30s54, e30s62, you name it, it would still be cooler.

Both the AA and Eurosport twin-screws have built in water-air intercoolers. The heat exchanger if fairly small, too. http://www.eurosporthighperformance....stem_large.jpg
I can't really see you not being able to fit it.