S52 or E39 V8 swap?

[Dan-O]

I'm a newbie :D But I've been lurking for months. I finally found an E30 325i with 68k miles. I want a lot more power. I've been searching for a week and have found some helpful info (apparantly the e34 V8 us popular).

I have an E46 M3 and have owned 4 E36 M3's. I'm planning full M-tech wide body with (like I said, big motor) but have never done a swap before. I've pulled E36 motors and know my way around repairs. I do ALL my work myself.

What is required for an s50/52 swap? will the E39 V8 fit? If so, what's required? OR, what is the best swap for power? I'm not going forced induction,

Please, don't flame me! I'm a good guy and am on many forums (M3Forums, Bimmerforums, etc..) but none for this.

You guys would help me a ton if you could point me towards a DIY for any/all these.


Thanks guys,
Dan

[Dan-O]

Ok, M60 (I think is the way I wanna go). Help?!?!?!?!?! Any DIY's?

[xwill112x]

i would say s50, plenty of power, and is still OBD1

[Adrian_Visser]

S50/52. Much easier than a V8 swap, no real fabrication necessary all you have to do is buy the right parts. Also there is much more aftermarket support for the 6 cylinders, there isn't much you can do with the V8.

[JoeMadoo]

What's your budget? Usually separates the S motors from the M's right there

IMO you're probably get more out of the box power with the M60/M62 than a US spec S50/S52. Although the s50 swap, or an m30 swap for that matter, is a lot easier than a v8 swap.

How important is handling, straight line power, low end torque, and mileage to you?

[Dan-O]

i would say s50, plenty of power, and is still OBD1

OBDII was a concern, V8 (from what I've read V8's are very complicated swaps ($$$$$). I don't want to spend a ton so I'm leaning toward S50 with schrick cams, AA Gen III exhaust, headers, cat delete, all the bolt-ons and a stroker kit. What parts are req'd for the S50?

[Hey_You]

The Stickies in the 24v section will be your friend...
Here http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=45442

[Dan-O]

PS: you guys are awesome for not flaming me. If you ever need any E36 or E46 M advice/help, I'm your guy. To show you I'm not some idiot asking rather than searching, I'll post up some of my street cred. Here's my flat white E46 M3:

M3 before matte white wrap:



My fav shot (my friend Wes is an AMAZING fotog)




During the wrap (I do vinyl work on the side)



OFF TOPIC, I KNOW but I did my friends GTR the same flat white/carbon roof as mine:



I do alot of interior wraps. Here's another friends CLK63 AMG:

before


after:



ok, back on topic. So S50, what do I need to buy? Does anyone have a complete write-up/DIY or parts list?

[Dan-O]

Damn, looks like I can't embed.


Link to fotoshoot with a nice burnout at 2:04:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fpiu0FE2zs

DONUTS! I love my DINAN exhaust:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOOHk0svTEY

[Dan-O]

ok, back on topic. So S50, what do I need to buy? Does anyone have a complete write-up/DIY or parts list?




By the way, that's not my house. I'm not some rich punk kid. I do ok, just don't want you guys getting the wrong impression of me :)

[EN318isPDX]

http://www.e30dohc.com/wiki/index.php?title=DOHC_Swap_Basics

[Dan-O]

http://www.e30dohc.com/wiki/index.ph...HC_Swap_Basics

Thanks man. i was hoping someone had a specific list they could just post up.



Also, my donor is an auto, what 6 speeds mount up to the S50 without replacing the drive line (or is that required)? Ok, ok I'll start searching. Conversation about the topic is always decently amusing for most.

[stormspike]

Went the us s52 route on mine and ended up going to the euro s50b32 this last summer. Damn fast now. I would suggest starting there. Save you time later when you get tired of the us motor.

[E30SPDFRK]

V8 swap isn't a popular swap, mainly because there is actual fabrication and work involved. S50's can be done in a weekend.

[Mike The Bavarian]

es fitty fo