What's the next hot swap?

[Lag]

I agree that the S65 would be bad ass! I shopped around for these and also found them for 12k range without the transmission. If it were in the 12k range with trans I might have gone that route.

I am betting the LSX swap will be the next hot one.

Sam

[frankenbeemer]

Written by Daniel Wong, Published on February 9, 2012

http://www.cbt.com.my/2012/02/09/n20-series-engines-bmw-goes-for-less-delivers-more/

The only complaint we levy against the N20 is that it lacks the sparkle of BMW’s traditional inline-6 engines. While supremely competent, powerful, refined, and efficient, the N20 lacks that soulful howl and creamy smooth feeling that you would find in BMW’s old inline-6 engines.

Furthermore at 5,000rpm and beyond the new 4-cylinder engine doesn’t produce a pleasant note.

[RobertK]

I think the M54B30 will become more popular as more OBDII tunes become available for them with the emissions crap flashed out. Its an affordable smooth running modern engine that is lighter than a S52 and puts out a nice torque curve. It also doesn't require that much more modification than a M5x/S5x motor swap.

The S54 is a really cool motor. That said it also requires a lot of proper maintenance to keep on the road. So much that it turned me off from wanting to own an E46 M3 altogether. Also, it and the S62 seem to be plagued with transmission problems associated with the 420G so if I ever did go that route I would probably swap it out for a ZF 6spd or 5spd box instead.

The V8 swap seems to be picking up a lot of popularity mainly due to cheap availability of engines. If money were no object I would drop a S62 in my car over a S54 anyday. The LSx swaps are really cool but because its an engine that is swapped into so many different cars in so many different car subcultures I don't see the price coming down on them anytime soon.

The N54 would be an awesome swap but it looks like a custom oil pan will need to be fabbed to make this happen. I test drove a 135i with a JB+ :shock: it pulls so nice. In the middle of my test drive I asked the guy "you know what I'm thinking!?" and he says "speeding ticket?.." and I says "no, I wonder how it would feel to put one in an E30!!"

[VinniE30]

Regarding the modern turbo engines...
I'd choose the N20 over the N54/N55. The N20 is extremely light, you would have better weight distribution and a lighter front end than pretty much any stock e30 or swapped e30 if done right. BMW claims it's significantly lighter than the magnesium N52 it is replacing, and obviously since it's an i4 it can sit farther back in the engine bay. This would make for a very fun e30. Fast in both a straight line and lots of potential to make it handle like no other e30 with great turn in.
There will be many N20s since they will be put in the 328i, which sells more than any other model and used across multiple chassis. And the aftermarket is already seeing what they can do, ~300HP with just a tune.

[hoveringuy]

Regarding the modern turbo engines...
I'd choose the N20 over the N54/N55.

Yup. In a heartbeat.

I know the N20 is direct injected. How big of a pain is that? I think the high pressure pump is mechanically driven off the engine so maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

Unfortunately would need stock ECU to get the full benefits of DI.

[Chaz]

I find myself amazed that people are putting such modern engines into the e30. I always would have thought a swap like that would be only in my dreams but after seeing this thread I realize there are people out there who will and can do these swaps. Absolutely awesome!

[Jonny Cash]

It'll all come full circle back to the m20.

Yes. thank you.

[VinniE30]

The N20 has a plastic oil pan! interesting... found it here.

Just behind the steering rack is the other big surprise. The oil pain on the F30 N20 328i is plastic! It is likely a composite plastic of some sort but it has some give to it. Both the steering rack and oil pan have a large under tray cover over them but the cover is equivalent to stiff felt and only 3/16" thick at best. It is not the hard plastic cover like you'd find under an E46 and isn't going to do much to absorb impacts. I could easily see something bouncing off the road right into the oil pan. Game over for your engine unless you catch the drop in oil pressure quick.

[shiboujin]

It's fairly simple, you swap engines as they become affordable. So M54s and S54s will become cheaper. Since they are the same block type as the M50/M52 variants, it will still be a fairly easy swap. Tuning is becoming simpler and thus the next logical leap.

But, bear in mind our chassis are aging and supplies are being consumed. I see about 5 more years in the E30 world before it starts noticeably starts to wane. My question is what most of us will swap into. Probably E46s IMO.

Now, for my own tastes. At the current cost of the S54/M54 swaps, I'd sooner swap in an LS. Most other non M/S5x swaps require significant reworking of things like brake boosters and need custom drive shafts. If I'm spending that much money, I'd like to have 300whp by 2500rpms.

[-negrito-]

I wonder why many dont do a 2jzgte swap? Theyre cheap now a days, reliable (not being overly modified), and pretty easy to get hp. I'm almost have all the parts sourced just need to find out where to make a custom drive shaft here in Costa Rica. Whats your opinion about the engine?

With a s54 swap will still cost close to $10k, correct me if Im wrong.

I completely understand if youre a purist at heart.

[shiboujin]

I wonder why many dont do a 2jzgte swap? Theyre cheap now a days, reliable (not being overly modified), and pretty easy to get hp. I'm almost have all the parts sourced just need to find out where to make a custom drive shaft here in Costa Rica. Whats your opinion about the engine?

With a s54 swap will still cost close to $10k, correct me if Im wrong.

I completely understand if youre a purist at heart.

Parts are kind of hard to come by. I'm helping do a 1JZ swap currently. Heater core lines are near impossible to hook up. The engine doesn't sit as well as I would like. There is literally no chance of a brake booster. The engine/rad clearance leaves much to be desired. Again, if I'm spending the cash, I'd go a bit farther and do the LS.

[lylefk]

E30 M3 with S85 and E90 suspension? Yeah, its been done. Very amazing build.

Any links?

I like the M54, have it in my X3. I was daydreaming about swapping in the S54 once it hit 200,000 miles, but it's not the easy swap I was hoping for. Also, I don't have the know-how to be the first to do such a thing. In that vehicle, will likely build up a replacement M54 with some extra power...I'm putting 45k a year on it, won't take me long to hit 200,000 or have some catastrophic failure. at 82k now. It'll pass the mileage on my e30 in 6 months lol.

[hoveringuy]

The N20 has a plastic oil pan! interesting... found it here.

I think the days of e34 oil pans are over. Custom subframes are the future.

[gobuffs]

Any links?.

http://www.s14.net/forums/showthread.php?28437-E30-M3-w-E90-suspension-and-M5-V10

[VinniE30]

Regarding the N20...
This engine is very light but the power is very disappointing. Rated at 245hp and yes it is underrated and has dyno'd close to that at the wheels, completely stock. But that is very disappointing for a modern 2.0 turbo, especially at the high boost it's running, around 18PSI I believe. The kia optima 2.0 turbo and hyundai genesis 2.0 turbo are rated at 270HP running less boost than the N20. And I would be hard pressed to even call those sports cars. The Mitsu Evo engine has been doing this for a long time now, on way way lower boost in stock form.
And here's the kicker... The M10 with bone stock internals at 16.2 PSI at the peak can make 248.5whp/253wtq... check it out. http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96376
That's right, stock internal M10 makes more peak power than the N20 with less boost.
And that was on his first time at the dyno.
Now sure the N20 has the big advantage in less lag and the power comes on way way sooner but still it's underwhelming.
The N20 must make it's peak boost at very low rpm and flow really horrible probably for emissions reasons.