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

[iflytii]

LS1

I've done the M20 turbo, S50 with bolt ons, S52 full race motor and by far the LS1 was the best bang for the buck when it comes to brute HP. Swap wasn't terribly difficult and with a minor massaging 400+ wheel horsepower is easy.

[Bimmerfreak87]

LS1

I've done the M20 turbo, S50 with bolt ons, S52 full race motor and by far the LS1 was the best bang for the buck when it comes to brute HP. Swap wasn't terribly difficult and with a minor massaging 400+ wheel horsepower is easy.

Nice to get input from someone that has done a lot of different swaps and can compare them. :) If I go ls1 swap, which it is looking very likely, I hope to get close to 500hp N/A.

[Jean]

Subscribed. I would love to see a local with ls1 swap.

[Jean]

The only somewhat valid reason ^above is the aerodynamics, which an e30 doesn't compare to a zo6. To improve that I ordered an aero kit and a front splitter so the difference won't be so drastic. The suspension, tires, and power down is unknown. You have no idea what suspension, tires, etc. I will run... I can tell you it's not stock... duh.

Either way the car will keep up w/ my buddies zo6 when I'm done and there sure isn't a good reason why I would be "called out" since every reason you gave is pure speculation. It's just funny to me you think there is no way a toally reworked e30 w/ lsx swap could possibly keep up w/ a zo6 around the track. I hope your not a bettin' man. :p



This will be part time track car so I would like to use N/A setup.



The s54 or s62 would be really nice, but at double the price of a ls1, I'm not sure I can justify that so I will most likely go lsx swap. Now I can start my performance motor research (my version of window shopping). :D

What did you get exactly, post some pictures up.

[Bimmerfreak87]

Subscribed. I would love to see a local with ls1 swap.

I only have a little bit more research left, but I'm gathering parts up for the build. :) I will get some pics up of what I have collected so far. I want this project done so bad I will probably downgrade my cable and cell phone plans so I can buy more parts faster. :D Lol.

What did you get exactly, post some pictures up.

Have not received it yet, but I went w/ the m3 style race front bumper and a cf splitter. :up: It is gonna be really low in the front since the bumper alone sits inches off the ground on a lowered car. Once I find some e36m3 coilovers for the front I will adjust the height accordingly and get some pics.

[whiltebeitel]

What track will you be going to with you friend? Good suspension and good tires go a really long way on racetrack times. If you get a lot of seat time, building a car like THIS is the way to do it. A stock LSx will give you plenty more power than you need. Ryan could lap TWS, a track with 2 big straights, great for a high-powered car, in 1:55. Most instructors in C6 Z06's run ~1:57, on race tires and suspension. If you really want a fast, cheap car with a V8, follow This Vorshlag E30 build for the GRM Challenge.

I don't think it'll take a crazy engine swap to catch up and pass your friend in the Z06 on a track day.

Then again, I always like seeing a ridiculous E30 build that goes way over the top.

[Ara]

guaranteed you'll be passed by 160hp miatas and hatches at the track , horsepower is only a part of the equation.

[Bimmerfreak87]

guaranteed you'll be passed by 160hp miatas and hatches at the track , horsepower is only a part of the equation.

Not likely. :D

[garretvs]

There ain't no substitute for cubic inches! More hp (340) and more torque (340lbft)! Another couple hundred for a new cam, and 50 more hp! throw in "a little" more money, supercharge the LS1 for another 125hp! See:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=154624&highlight=build+cd

and

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

So stop worrying, and get some big power1

[Bimmerfreak87]

What track will you be going to with you friend? Good suspension and good tires go a really long way on racetrack times. If you get a lot of seat time, building a car like THIS is the way to do it. A stock LSx will give you plenty more power than you need. Ryan could lap TWS, a track with 2 big straights, great for a high-powered car, in 1:55. Most instructors in C6 Z06's run ~1:57, on race tires and suspension. If you really want a fast, cheap car with a V8, follow This Vorshlag E30 build for the GRM Challenge.

I don't think it'll take a crazy engine swap to catch up and pass your friend in the Z06 on a track day.

Then again, I always like seeing a ridiculous E30 build that goes way over the top.

Infineon Raceway/Sears Point, Laguna Seca/Mazda Raceway, Thunderhill, and Sacramento Raceway (Drag Strip) will be the main tracks we run. GRM Challenge sounds cool... might think about that for next year. My ridiculous E30 build is going to be fun and totally over the top. :)

[whiltebeitel]

Infineon Raceway/Sears Point, Laguna Seca/Mazda Raceway, Thunderhill, and Sacramento Raceway (Drag Strip) will be the main tracks we run. GRM Challenge sounds cool... might think about that for next year. My ridiculous E30 build is going to be fun and totally over the top. :)

Spec Miatas run within a couple of seconds per lap to close to stock Z06's from what I can see on CorvetteForums and spec miata times. Spec miatas top out at ~120 whp for the better motors at ~2400 lbs, depending on the specific car. If beating your friend is what you want, get tires, suspension, and lots of track time. I'm just saying, other than drag racing, power isn't the most necessary thing to get good lap times. Plus, how satisfying would it be to crush his dreams in a low-powered car that cost little more than his wheels and tires. :p

But, YMMV.

[z31maniac]

LS1, no fucking question. Here is the dyno for a buddy of mine's E30 race car.........very lightly modded LS1.

Cam (reasonably mild)
LS6 Intake
Headwork (cnc ported)
Ported stock TB
Custom Headers

So there is a TON of fucking power left on the table. Flip side is, I bet this motor will easily last him a few seasons. Brings the CG closer to the center of the car while being lighter than an S54 (IIRC) and doesn't come with the "BMW" tax on parts.

[z31maniac]

That's at the wheel btw in a 2200lb E30.

[Bimmerfreak87]

Spec Miatas run within a couple of seconds per lap to close to stock Z06's from what I can see on CorvetteForums and spec miata times. Spec miatas top out at ~120 whp for the better motors at ~2400 lbs, depending on the specific car. If beating your friend is what you want, get tires, suspension, and lots of track time. I'm just saying, other than drag racing, power isn't the most necessary thing to get good lap times. Plus, how satisfying would it be to crush his dreams in a low-powered car that cost little more than his wheels and tires. :p

But, YMMV.

I know power isn't the only factor to good lap times. I plan on running race suspension, coilovers, nice race tires, etc. My friend has a ls6 zo6 w/ cam, lt's, afr heads, cf int, and ext, but everything else is stock including tires, suspension, and weight. He may get tires before we race though. We will just have to see what happens. I still gotta build my e30 though. :D Just started collecting parts...

[whiltebeitel]

I know power isn't the only factor to good lap times. I plan on running race suspension, coilovers, nice race tires, etc. My friend has a ls6 zo6 w/ cam, lt's, afr heads, cf int, and ext, but everything else is stock including tires, suspension, and weight. He may get tires before we race though. We will just have to see what happens. I still gotta build my e30 though. :D Just started collecting parts...

All I ask, is take LOTS of pictures. Good luck!