S38 vs. S50/S52 swap

[e30ryan///m3]

Hey All,
I am starting a new project. I bought another e30 M3 and I am going to be doing an engine swap in this car like my vert. I can't decide between another S50/S52 like the vert or do I go crazy and do a sick S38 swap?
I know that the S38 swap will be more expensive but what kind of great power increases will I get by using the S38 motor? I would be getting the motor from a 1991 M5. I assume that since the S14 is basically an S38 minus 2 cylinders that the S14 tranny would be able to be used?
I guess I am looking for any info on parts needed or if anybody has done the S38 swap and has any input please feel free to chime in!! I did a search on S38 motor swaps but there really isn't that much info out there.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Ryan

[erik325i]

You bought another one?! So, that's 4 now?
(sorry, no info on s38 swap)

-Erik

[e30ryan///m3]

You bought another one?! So, that's 4 now?
(sorry, no info on s38 swap)

-Erik

No, No just 3 well 2 if you don't count the vert!!!! The Zinno Car is the one I'm talking about.

[trent]

Whats wrong with the S14? :)

[LINUS]

That Zinno looks sharp - so I'm with Trent unless the motor is TU.

Maybe you have deeper pockets than myself (not a tough task actually), but you say S38 and I wince just thinking of the cost of parts. Aside from that, cool, and it does still resemble a E30 M3 engine bay with the shape of the intake mani & valve cover - but then you'de have the coin to keep the S14 in shape, or go 2.5 - are you just bored?

What about a Euro S50, or a Euro S-3.2? I hear that you don't call it a Euro S52, but I don't understand why.

I realize it's a case of "do as I say, not as I do" , but mine was a 8 owner, no service record, 2 Maaco paint jobs peeling off, 173K car for $5500 - so it wasn't like I was killing a prime specimen. Heck, they even managed to put a standard e30 windshield ?!? in mine.

[325Projectz]

s54>s38

[digger]

S38b38 > S54

[trent]

Thats what I was gonna say. :)

[325Projectz]

I'd agree with that!

But I think the one he's talking about would be a S38B36.

[e30ryan///m3]

I was going to do a euro s50 swap but I think that an s38b36 would be very original and fast as hell, plus it weighs about 5 pounds less than an s50, so why not! I am fully aware of the cost to upkeep a motor like this and since I already have another e30 m3 with a stock s14 I am not worried about losing the s14 motor. I had thought about about upgrading to a 2.5 liter and that just isn't practical for me(not that an s38 has anything to do with practical!!!) I am going to be selling the s14 engine to offset some of the cost associated with this swap. I just can't find a good write-up on the s38 swap basically the motor mounts used and tranny/driveshaft/differential used.

Thanks,
Ryan

[matt]

I don't believe for a second that an S38 is lighter than an S50.

[Garageaholic]

i think the s38b38 is lighter than the s50......not sure about the s38b36

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

i think the s38b38 is lighter than the s50......not sure about the s38b36

Do even read what you post?

[e30ryan///m3]

I did a search here and there was a site that listed the specs for all the BMW motors from 1968 - on it said that the s50 was 152 kgs and the s38 was 150 kgs. Other than that specific site I could be wrong.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

no way could an S38 be lighter than an S50.

I mean, S38 = 3.6/3.8L S50=3.0L it would just be common sense for an S50 to be lighter....noo?!