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

[hoveringuy]

I have the M54 in my e30. I can attest to its light weight and it makes great torque. For a daily driver it's perfect, probably even good as an auto-x motor, but I wouldn't say it's a track motor at all.

I think the S54 is only slighter better than an S52 up to the S52's redline but then keeps pulling up to its redline. If you're not going to operate it at those rpms you might as well get an S52, imo.

So, for the track S54. For the street LS1

[AWDE30]

Obviously you aren't afraid of a challenge and personally I would pick the S54. Have you considered a compromise between the two maybe a S62 (E39 M5) or S65 (E9X M3). The prices between the S54 and S62 are very close on ebay. The two V8s are BMW M engines, have 400+ hp out of the box along with that V8 growl and torque that makes the LS1 so attractive.

[Bimmerfreak87]

I have the M54 in my e30. I can attest to its light weight and it makes great torque. For a daily driver it's perfect, probably even good as an auto-x motor, but I wouldn't say it's a track motor at all.

I think the S54 is only slighter better than an S52 up to the S52's redline but then keeps pulling up to its redline. If you're not going to operate it at those rpms you might as well get an S52, imo.

So, for the track S54. For the street LS1

It will be for the street and the track so... which motor then? :D

Obviously you aren't afraid of a challenge and personally I would pick the S54. Have you considered a compromise between the two maybe a S62 (E39 M5) or S65 (E9X M3). The prices between the S54 and S62 are very close on ebay. The two V8s are BMW M engines, have 400+ hp out of the box along with that V8 growl and torque that makes the LS1 so attractive.

I just figured BMW v8's (especially M's) would cost both my arms and legs. I don't know anything about the BMW v8 swaps for the e30... I can assume good power with some added weight, but parts, pricing, swap info, and specs... I know not of. :puppy: If the motors are afforable... looks like I'll be doing a lot more research. Yay!

[318isbmw]

LS1, its cheap and parts are easily accessible and plenty more power to be made. Could pull hard up top in the rpm's and still have great torque for dding.

[Bimmerfreak87]

Excellent points! :)

[LuckyHenriksen]

There are tons of variants on the LSX motor, unless you are set on having the aluminum block. I like the 6.0 truck motors out of the junkyard :)

I hope you don't mind a little thread jack, but here is a photo of a 6.0 I built and swapped into the '68 Chevy (last project)

[e30polak]

For your goals, I'd say LS1. I'm going s54 to keep a real M engine in my e30 M3. I was going to swap an LS6 into my s52 car, but found the M# instead. The LS1 and s54 drivetrains will be very similar in weight, with the s54 actually being more front heavy then the LS1.

For power there is no question as far as hp/$ > LS1. Put a nice cam, LS6 intake manifold, do some head work, bolt-ons, headers and a dyno tune nets you 400-450 whp. The torque will be nuts, and the gear ratios that the e30 has to offer are perfect for the LSX + T56.

Either way WILL be sick! 8)

[Bimmerfreak87]

There are tons of variants on the LSX motor, unless you are set on having the aluminum block. I like the 6.0 truck motors out of the junkyard :)

I hope you don't mind a little thread jack, but here is a photo of a 6.0 I built and swapped into the '68 Chevy (last project)

I want the aluminum block to keep the weight down. That is nice. ^

For your goals, I'd say LS1. I'm going s54 to keep a real M engine in my e30 M3. I was going to swap an LS6 into my s52 car, but found the M# instead. The LS1 and s54 drivetrains will be very similar in weight, with the s54 actually being more front heavy then the LS1.

For power there is no question as far as hp/$ > LS1. Put a nice cam, LS6 intake manifold, do some head work, bolt-ons, headers and a dyno tune nets you 400-450 whp. The torque will be nuts, and the gear ratios that the e30 has to offer are perfect for the LSX + T56.

Either way WILL be sick! 8)

Yeah, If I had an M3 I would stick with an M motor for sure. I have a regular e30 so I want something that will make your jaw drop.

[Bimmerfreak87]

So I found an ls1+6spd for 3k, a s54+6spd for 5k, and a s62+6spd for 6k... Any thoughts on these? These all seem to be pretty good deals and I can afford to pop for anyone of them, but of course more money saved can be used elsewhere.

[Farbin Kaiber]

s62.

[Bimmerfreak87]

I wonder how hard the s62 swap is and how it compares to the s54 and ls1 swaps...???

[87e30]

I'm surprised nobody called you out on thinking a 400whp e30 will run with a z06.

[Bimmerfreak87]

I'm surprised nobody called you out on thinking a 400whp e30 will run with a z06.

:stupid:Probably because a lsx swap would have the same motor/upgrade paths as a zo6. My buddies zo6 has heads,cam,lt's,int,exh, and put down 465rwhp. Why wouldn't an e30 w/ same upgraded motor keep up w/ his zo6?

p.s. When :hitler: I say "zo6..." I'm talking about the ls6 zo6 that has 385hp or 405hp stock depending on year and put down about 340rwhp stock.

[Elysian]

LS1, any day of the week.

[Bimmerfreak87]

I want to keep a bmw motor in my e30, but as you can see from the prices I found they are twice as much as a ls1.