S54 vs LS1 Swap for my E30...???

[Bimmerfreak87]

I have an 87 325i and I want to make huge power with an n/a setup for the street/track. What would be my best bet? I have heard that both swaps are somewhat difficult and would need custom fabbing and what not. So far looks like the ls1 needs more fabbing, but is capable of more power cheaper. Either route this swap will take a lot of time and money so just wanted to get your guys opinions on which would be best when looking at cost, time, difficulty, and motor capability?

[Wh33lhop]

You've pretty much got the gist.

[Bimmerfreak87]

You've pretty much got the gist.

I have the gist and now I'm looking to estimate costs, how detailed each swap is, and opinions about what would be best.

[surebimmer]

S54 would have more cool points, LS1 is going to be cheaper for motor parts.

[Bimmerfreak87]

S54 would have more cool points, LS1 is going to be cheaper for motor parts.

I don't care about cool points since I'm cool enough. ;) Haha, but really I have a supercharged cobra that handles my cool points so I'm looking to build a street/track car with gobs of power. I'm leaning ls1, but I heard the swap's a bear with tons of fabbing so I'm trying to get more info and details about both.

[hoveringuy]

garretvs has a comprehensive "how to" CD on the LS1 swap and also has started to laser cut most of the components that he sells as a kit for $1500, I believe. Headers are off the shelf components.

[Bimmerfreak87]

garretvs has a comprehensive "how to" CD on the LS1 swap and also has started to laser cut most of the components that he sells as a kit for $1500, I believe. Headers are off the shelf components.

That would be helpful. He have a website...?

[bimmer_E30]

s54...i love BMW Power.

[Holland]

Sheer power- LS1
Power delivery- S54

[covertperformance]

where in norcal are you?

[hoveringuy]

That would be helpful. He have a website...?

PM him. That's his R3V name.

[Bimmerfreak87]

s54...i love BMW Power.

I also LOVE BMW power, but I'm not sure the s54 is capable of my hp goals. Looking for 400+ n/a and I know VAC motorsports made a 435hp 325tq s54, but that is about as much that is capable out of the s54 n/a I think and that would be fine for me, but I bet that motor costs over 10k...??? Not very realistic for me.

where in norcal are you?

Sacramento area.

PM him. That's his R3V name.

Ok I'll pm him. Thx

[El Gato Liso]

m20 is capable of 450rwhp on stock internals, just change the headbolts and gasket.

with an LS1 with added power, you're going to need rather wide tires to hold that power down!

if you want to be a fast driver, go S54
if you want to drive a fast car, go LS1

[Danny]

Whatever you do, it won't be smog legal. Just do an M50 turbo.

[Bimmerfreak87]

m20 is capable of 450rwhp on stock internals, just change the headbolts and gasket.

with an LS1 with added power, you're going to need rather wide tires to hold that power down!

if you want to be a fast driver, go S54
if you want to drive a fast car, go LS1

450rwhp on an m20...??? How do you figure that? Where is there a N/A track setup m20 that makes 450rwhp...? I would totally do this if it were actually possible. I thought 300hp was the magic # for the m20 and usually needs a turbo to get it. Very curious about this...

Also, I want to be both a fast driver and drive a fast car. :D