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

[brandonj1]

IF you have the money you can get HPF to turbo your s54 to 1100 horse and still be dd able....for like 40k i think lol

[Bimmerfreak87]

While many think doing an S54 swap sounds easy, it isn't....unless you bring it to a shop that has done conversions with a stand alone system. Aside from Rui's car at Azevedo, I have not seen any other car running, all I have seen so far are a few videos of start-ups...anyone can get the engine to start-up, running it with no issues is another story.

You may spend more time trying to make it run and may give up. There are wiring harnesses available via Bimmerworld and VAC but it will cost you $ 3 g's, and still have to make other mods. If it was a simple task there should be a lot of conversions by now:) since S54 came out since 2001.

I don't give up so I am not worried about that,:p but I thought s54 conversions were becoming the wave of the future and were going to make the m5x swaps kind of obsolete...??? Jason's s54 in his "pinky" car is awesome even though he had to build that car from the ground up. He had it dyno tuned and races it on the track. He even moved the engine and firewall back for proper weight distribution. I know this swap can be done and it usually yields exceptional results as far as Ive seen.

[BingM3]

While many think doing an S54 swap sounds easy, it isn't....unless you bring it to a shop that has done conversions with a stand alone system. Aside from Rui's car at Azevedo, I have not seen any other car running, all I have seen so far are a few videos of start-ups...anyone can get the engine to start-up, running it with no issues is another story.

You may spend more time trying to make it run and may give up. There are wiring harnesses available via Bimmerworld and VAC but it will cost you $ 3 g's, and still have to make other mods. If it was a simple task there should be a lot of conversions by now:) since S54 came out since 2001.

[Bimmerfreak87]

Stang guy. At least it's better than the Honda/Drifter guys.

Ha! Yeah... WAY better.

Still looking for more s54 swap info... Haven't seen too many of these swaps done, but I know that it can be done and this is one of the few bmw motors capable of my power goals in an n/a setup and can be had for an affordable price.

[gobuffs]

have you considered an m54b30 with cams and headers? it wouldnt be as much power, but MUCH lighter and would probably beat an s54 or ls1 around a track and be WAY cheaper to do
This should help you decide
http://www.bimmerforums.com/engine_faq.php

Shirley you jest. cheaper? yes. Lighter? debatable. faster? no.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Stang guy. At least it's better than the Honda/Drifter guys.

[PxTx]

LSX since it has a better aftermarket track parts, like a dry sump.

Heck, the LS7 gets you a factory drysump AND Ti connectimng rods (which can run about $1000 each by them selves) All for $12k!

You just can't beat the performance per dollar, let alone the build time becuase the hop-up parts are off the shelf, not custom time and fab.

[Jean]

have you considered an m54b30 with cams and headers? it wouldnt be as much power, but MUCH lighter and would probably beat an s54 or ls1 around a track and be WAY cheaper to do
This should help you decide
http://www.bimmerforums.com/engine_faq.php

What's the total weight of m54b30 with all the things attached to it? The weights on the site above are not for complete engines with all accessories etc. You can tell by the very low weights for the m10/m20 etc when people have put these on scales and they are almost 2x the weight with everything attached+tranny.

[Bimmerfreak87]

Anyone know where I can find more info. about the s54 swap...??? Found a couple people that have done it, but not too much info. about the swap process.

[Bimmerfreak87]

if you're dead set on 400whp power go ls1.

I want to keep up with the big boyz on the track including my best friends heads, cam, lt's, int, exh ls6 zo6. He is putting down 465+ rwhp n/a and I would like to somewhat keep up on the track.

If you really want to know what it takes to stuff an LSx engine into an E30, look here:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=175197

Thanks. This is a big help.

i don't want to be that guy, but have you done enough track events and had enough seat time at the track to be able to control that power? Not saying you can't drive, but 400 hp on the track is completelyyyyyy different.

But i'd go with an ls1, unbeatable power for the price!

good luck and post your build :P

Heh... I have a kb cobra so I think I will be able to handle it. ;) I also raced my 420rwhp stroker n/a fox body before I sold it to get my kb cobra.

LSx , light, compact and more hp/tq! If you are capable of doing the swap that is.

I hope so. :roll:

have you considered an m54b30 with cams and headers? it wouldnt be as much power, but MUCH lighter and would probably beat an s54 or ls1 around a track and be WAY cheaper to do
This should help you decide
http://www.bimmerforums.com/engine_faq.php

I like that this would be cheaper, but my hp goals are probably not very realistic with an m54 n/a setup. It would get around the track nicely, but I want it to race around the track furiously. :D

[weedshoes]

have you considered an m54b30 with cams and headers? it wouldnt be as much power, but MUCH lighter and would probably beat an s54 or ls1 around a track and be WAY cheaper to do
This should help you decide

http://www.bimmerforums.com/engine_faq.php

[MR E30 325is]

I make 400bhp in my E30, and I gotta tell you, sometimes it isnt enough.

Go S54. Keep the BMW tradition alive.

[Jean]

LSx , light, compact and more hp/tq! If you are capable of doing the swap that is.

[e30s50dan]

me..... S54 and lighten the shit out of it!

[Schwarz325]

i don't want to be that guy, but have you done enough track events and had enough seat time at the track to be able to control that power? Not saying you can't drive, but 400 hp on the track is completelyyyyyy different.

But i'd go with an ls1, unbeatable power for the price!

good luck and post your build :P