What's the next hot swap?

[lylefk]

So...seems the S50/2 is old news...the S54 seems to be the current hot swap.

But what's next?

N55? This seems the most likely. Has anyone looked into it? What are the obstacles? Full power from 1200 RPM on?

S62? Seems this has been done, but will it be mainstream?

S65?

I presume we'll be skipping the N54 due to the problems...which is a shame, you could get cheap gains over stock out of it. It's also plentiful and comparable to the S54 price wise.

Just curious where folks who are much more in tune with this stuff than I (that's you) think we're headed...Unless something crazy happens in my life in the next 6-8 months, I will be in a position to take on a project, either an e30m3 or an e30 touring. Sleepless nights in a hotel room get me thinking, you know?

Lyle

[RUFFLZ]

nah I think you're getting ahead of yourself..s5x are still pretty hot.
I've only seen like 2 s54 swaps and they were in an undisclosed location

[ak-]

s5x was hot like in 2003 and so on.
It's just gotten more affordable these past 5 years.

[Leo_328i]

Good topic, I think S54s are only starting to get hot now as the engines are affordable. I personally would hope the N52s become the next hot swap as soon as we figure out what sump would work with the E30!

N52 rocks my jocks - that magnesium/aluminium hybrid block is just so sexy, what amazing dedication to keeping the engine lightweight.

These engines are EVERYWHERE in the USA and it will only be a matter of time till someone figures out how to do it with minimal expense.

[nando]

the only barrier to N52/N55 etc is in people's minds (or wallets).

but, S54s are relatively cheap. the entire swap still isn't, though.

[M-technik-3]

Problem is imo that the newer engines will have 100K plus by the time they are going in to an e30. S50-2 were cheaper in comparision to S54 big time.

More and more M cars are daily drivers vs the old adage of them being garage queens or weekend use only cars.

[nando]

do the modern BMWs even last 100k? :p

[ZM Blue Devil]

the N20. Want it bad.

[lolcantturn]

S52 is still hot, not impressive anymore though sadly.
2012 is the year of the M6x swap
S54's are still too damn expensive.

[lylefk]

nah I think you're getting ahead of yourself..s5x are still pretty hot.
I've only seen like 2 s54 swaps and they were in an undisclosed location

Seems almost commonplace on s14. Even if I am getting ahead of myself, I'd still like to have the conversation =)

the N20. Want it bad.

That would be an cool swap for the e30m3! Too bad redline is at 7k.

do the modern BMWs even last 100k?

People are reporting X3's going well over 200k, which is one big reason I bought one. I've put 30k miles on mine in the last 8 months and it's been flawless, love it to death. Except someone keyed it, which makes me want to murder everything that moves.

2012 is the year of the M6x swap

I'm not particularly excited about the v-8's. Not sure why.

the only barrier to N52/N55 etc is in people's minds (or wallets).

From a mechanical standpoint, do you see it having any larger hurdles than say an s54?

[Wanganstyle]

N54/N55.

nothing else compares to bolt on performance upgrade setup (BPU) for a N54/N55

[lylefk]

The N55 has the same easy power upgrade potential that the N54 does? That's good news, wasn't aware of that.

[PeteD]

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

[mikeb23ft]

M10.

[M3 euro ltw]

S65?

Doubt the S65 will ever be cheap enough for E30 crowd.
More importantly it has a verycomplex and special oilpump and pan set up that is a rear sump. This will make it quite a challenge to put into an E30.

It may eventually be a nice swap for E36/E46 given rear sump-age.

I'm surprised more M62 pre-vanos swaps are not out there. Seriously heavy duty torque and pretty impressive HP can be made with these, especially if one strokes it with commonly availalble factory parts. Can easily be run on simple standalones too, or, wiring is easy for stock computers....the earlier M60's even having Miller WAR chip tune-ability I believe.

S62 is more likely, as its front sumped, flashes are out there, but still not cheap.

As a side note, it is a shame that BMW has gone back and forth within series and between series with front/rear sump set ups. If they had somehow decided on one that they favor and kept it common across more models, we would have a much easier time with our pursuits!