What's the next hot swap?

[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!!"

[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.

[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

[Toadleg]

I would like to see the euro s50 in more e30's.

[xwill112x]

nv m50 :P

[gobuffs]

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

[e30polak]

S85's are cheaper and more common on the ground than S65's - that would be my swap of choice!

That would be going into my e34 touring if I come into a large amount of money.... :p

The s65 is worht the wait for me! It's around the same weight as an s54, sits around 4-5" further behind the nose, is a rev happy engine, makes more then enough power for an e30 m3, and with the right headers and exhaust, makes some amazing noises!

[hoveringuy]

the N20. Want it bad.

I've been paying attention to the N20. Would be cool.

[89 e30]

Anybody ever swapped in a 5l v10 from an 2006 M6?

[Ray Smoodiver]

S85's are cheaper and more common on the ground than S65's - that would be my swap of choice!

[gobuffs]

Copart cars seem to be unreasonable to part and get the motor cost down.

[e30polak]

I've looked for an S65, they are $12k+...unless you know I can find one cheaper. Already have the ECU to run it...

That's why I want to find a crashed e92 m3. I can part out the car and hopefully get the entire drive-train for less then $10k...

Shit, I'm ahead of the game already!

Twin charged m10....

[Holland]

M10.

Shit, I'm ahead of the game already!

[lylefk]

I am leaning towards an s54 with standalone engine management atm. HPF is less than 2 hours away if I ever wanted to get really crazy with it. But I'm a year away from starting the project and have plenty of time to read and learn, so who knows where I'll end up.

[gobuffs]

I've looked for an S65, they are $12k+...unless you know I can find one cheaper. Already have the ECU to run it...