general satisfaction on s50 swaps...?

[87-325ic]

I would like to know what everyone who has done their own, or experienced any e30 with and s50 swapped in, feels about the results.

Are you happy with the power, what else did you do to the s50 for more power?


What about price? how much did you end up spending on everything?


with a 5k budget, we'd like to figure out if we want an s50'd e30 or a turbo m20 from hell. the budget needs to pay for suspension and brakes as well.

[Jason89i]

with a 5k budget, .......the budget needs to pay for suspension and brakes as well.

um, do a spread sheet. it all adds up. 5k budget is about half way for a solid s50 conversion, new stock brakes and suspension.

[FredK]

I ended up spending around $7.5K or so, including light suspension refresh with used but not used up springs and shocks.

I spent a lot on conversion parts, because I didn't shop around too much. I've done another spreadsheet and I could have probably saved $700 here and there.

I went with a new brake booster, and I paid way too much for my oil pan. I also replaced the valve spring retainers, which required buying around $200 in tools. I did not splurge on the flywheel. I'm using the stock dual mass. I have a new cooling system. I did the popular mods--24lb inj, 3.5" HFM.

I did a second swap, this time with an M50, and I got a junkyard Porsche booster for $25, and an M50 525i oil pan for $18. So that's a huge savings right there, especially on a budget swap.

[grib]

um, do a spread sheet. it all adds up. 5k budget is about half way for a solid s50 conversion, new stock brakes and suspension.

+1 $5,000 will get you started but plan to spend at least $7-8,000 (more if you plan on modding).

I LOVE my S52 swap. The power is unreal in the e30, and with all new gaskets, sensors, etc. it runs almost like a new car.

My engine mods include 3.5" MAF, 24lb injectors, UUC flywheel & clutch, Riot Racing throttle body, CAI, Stromung exhaust, full OBD-1 conversion and of course a Turner chip for the above.

[dougsic]

$6k for S50 swap, plus $500 or so to fix the little things afterwards. $1.5k+ for headers and better exhaust a year later.

Doesn't include any suspension or brake work. S50's were more expensive back then. I'm sure you could save some $ with a high mileage motor but I didn't want to go through all the trouble knowing it would have to be redone.

Very happy with the final results: much faster, better gas mileage, nice WOW factor - the only downside I can even think of is the loss of some OBC functions that I miss.

[mazur]

I'm real happy with my S50 swap.

If you're planning on staying N/A I would suggest the S52, because that extra torque will definately make it more enjoyable. Or a euro motor if you have the money.

If you plan on doing a turbo down the road I would HIGHLY suggest and M50/M52. Reason: costs a hell of a lot less and they have slightly thicker cylinder walls which will help keep that headgasket from blowing.

[smonkbmw]

5k is not gonna do it for everything. im in my car 7500 including the car and maybe 700 in non essential bits i.e. lights, hids. and i did my swap BUDGET style. and im not even running a s50, add about a grand to get the 3.0.

[surebimmer]

You can put a old leaking tired s50 in for $5000. But i spent a lot more doing it right the first time.

[Storm-trooper-army]

I know that "iwantone's" car was a great deal the people that built the m5o in his car i know personally they got an m50 for liek 400-500 that was in a car that caught on fire, at least that is what they said to me. it has way lesss then 5000 in it but i am not sure about brakes and suspension he bought it from there brother in-law for around 3400 i believe

[BigD]

5k is tough but it's not unreasonable. It took me 2 years to find the right engine for the right price but my S52 E30 project only needs a few rad hoses which I can get for free and it has cost me under 10k Canadian. This includes the car itself, all new suspension with urethane bushings, H&R race, Koni SA, camber plates, suspension arms, treehouse eyeball arms, amazing condition S52+ZF+driveshaft, all new sensors and seals and some extra crap (like a water pump, aluminum t-stat cover, cleaned/refurbished/flowmatched injectors etc), 17" Kosei K1, new 235/40 RT615 tires, all swap parts like the M5 booster/mc+mounts etc, new UUC Stage 2 wheel, custom kevlar clutch, UUC RSC36 exhaust, M3 cluster and a pile of other crap that I know I'm forgetting.

I can totally see it if you use an S50 that you find for a good price, a car you already have, nothing too crazy with suspension and upgrades and really shop around for everything, 5k is doable.

[ed94r]

I spent around 10K on mine. It was either buy a brand new -fill in the blank with a bland slow economy import- or spend the 10K on a good shell that's been in the family years.

I wanted a no-compromise swap. A/C, big$$ audio, full leather interior..all the luxuries the car came with and then some.

My car is a poor man's E46 M3. Just as quick, handles great, looks classic. It's track worthy, and my daily on a 70 mile round trip to work and back every day in rain or shine, hot or cold.

If BMW would have built my car in the late 80's, it would have been a super-car.

I love it.

Ed

[e30polak]

5K will cover u for the engine and parts if u get a higher mileage one and do the work yourself...but don't even think about brakes and suspension

[PiercedE30]

5k? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I've spent that much just rebuilding/refreshening/customizing my motor.
HAHAHAHAHA

[Mike B.]

How about an M50 with that supercharger kit that is for sale? You would be looking at about 4K for the install and that would leave about 1K for suspension work.

[87-325ic]

if i got an s50, tranny, dme, and harness for 2000, will that leave enough for the swap parts and suspension?


and will i be happy with that compared to turboing the m20 instead?