S52 or S54 Swap???

[mck]

I can get my hands on either of these motors, I would prefer the S54(out of a 2002 M3) as it has less miles on it.
How much harder is it the use the S54 motor to swap it into a 89 E30?
Is it the same swap, same parts, just diffrent motor? It comes with a 6 speed gearbox.
Any help would be great.

[matt]

Nobody does S54 swaps.

I didn't say nobody has... I said nobody does. There are a lot of things that make it harder and more expensive than the S50/S52.

[mazur]

It's only good for people that want the "cool factor" of having an s54. When it comes to performance, IMHO, it's a waste of money.

I wouldn't be surprised if the extra money spent on an s54 swap could buy you and s50 with enough money left over to turbo and make 400+hp, reliably.

The S50B32 would be a better option for you if you need a "real" M motor. Cheaper and almost makes same amount of power

[Garageaholic]

How muchis an S54 swap anyway including engine?

[BeirBrennerE30]

s54 is wiring nightmare... it is almost imperitive to do a full stand alone with it... however powerwise it makes the us s52 feel like your driving an m10...

euro s50... bets of both words and a great compromise in my opinion but if you can get the s54 for cheep go for it

[BeirBrennerE30]

How muchis an S54 swap anyway including engine?

you lookin at over 15k doing one on the cheep.... much much more if you keep the dual vanos and do a nice swap

[mck]

Low 3200 miles complete kit, car loom, rear diff FOR $2500US
So the wiring is dificult? but what about the other parts like brake booster, will the motor fit as well as the S52, basically the only reason I want to do this is because of the gooddeal on the motor, I wanted to do the S52, but this came up and....got the mind thinking.

[e30serg]

I've heard the motor is wider, and if so, the exhaust will have to be made custom to fit and the brake booster may be a bigger problem. any chance for you to measure?

[madjurgen]

At that price youd be stupid not to. You need to consider tuning expenses for the stand-alone as well. Low mileage S54s are 6-7k$ here in the US, the amount youre saving on the motor would definitely be worth the headaches imo.

[mck]

the headers will have to be custom anyway right, whether its a s52 or s54

[matt]

the headers will have to be custom anyway right, whether its a s52 or s54

No. Wait, you're RHD. Yes.

[BeirBrennerE30]

no booster will fit.... find the euro s50 thred for options.... the s54 swap is just liek the euro s5o except the wiring is much much harder