M6x vs LS1 into a E30 Touring. Pros/Cons of either power plant?

[Viking445]

Howdy guys. :) I'm looking for advice on which power plant to put in the E30 (probly a 318i) touring i'm gonna be getting while i'm stationed here in Italy.

Please dont say M60 series motor just b/c its a bmw. I care about rock solid reliability, ease of repair and cheap mods not what symbol is stamped on the valve cover. Looking for 350rwhp after the mods.


Should i budget for a new rear end? Does the stock unit come with a LSD and will it stand up to the abuse? I plan to take the car to the track and street abuse.

[Vtec?lol]

both will end up costing around the same depending on what you want.
What it boils down to is what transmission do you want?
if you want the 6spd then the M60 will be cheaper up front. The t56 for the ls1 will cost more than the m60 swap entirely.

350whp is ls1 territory. cheapest to mod and maintain/upgrade. This swap would be easiest.

M60 is bigger and heavier, only about 270-280whp and virtually no real affordable upgrades or mods other than a tune/chip. Cost more to maintain. this motor with a 6spd is still fun and reliable.


Do your research. Only you can really figure out whats best for you and which way you'd like to go.

I did months of research before I started my m60 swap. I was going to go s5x but the more I listened to exhaust clips, the more I wanted the V8. Then I pondered on the lsx for a while but couldn't find a 6spd anywhere so I went M60... Just the sound of it.... Lawd!

[driftingminor913]

M60 and Ls1 aren't that heavy, there is like a 30lbs difference

[pandaboo911]

If you want "rock solid reliability" dont buy an LS1
If you do m60 do the timing chain guides

For me it would be no question..m60

[slammin.e28]

One of them doesn't still use 1950s technology.

[JoeMadoo]

one of them doesn't still use 1950s technology.

+1

[garretvs]

Do an LSx series engine. Fits nicely, plenty of power, plenty of options for more power and lighter than just about anything else that has 8cyls. Ours added 85lbs to our finished weight vs the M20 that was in it.

[Viking445]

If you want "rock solid reliability" dont buy an LS1
For me it would be no question..m60

Why do you say that?

Why for you no question M60?

One of them doesn't still use 1950s technology.

The newest 911 still has the engine hanging out over the back wheels and uses a boxer 6.......Thats 50+ year old tech borrowed from the beetle and the 356.

THe ZR1 uses pushrods......doesn't stop it from making 640hp, the new C7 makes 450hp on pushrods.

[slammin.e28]

Sounds like you've made up your mind then.

I'm about the biggest hater on pushrods, so you're not going to convince me. Hate them just about as much as I do M20s.

[Viking445]

Its not that i have decided its just that your argument of "its 1950's tech" isn't enough.

Why do you have such a burning hatred of the pushrod setup?

[slammin.e28]

I mainly have a thing against American power plants in general.

I do, however, like old Mopars. Only American car I'd own.

Also, I'm biased. Mixing makes in swaps is a no-go. BMW engine for a BMW. Chebby engine for a Chebby, or a Foxbody ;) . Tomato tomahto.

[mcr_driver]

Doesn't really answer his question nor anyone elses. Out of the two the LS motors are easier to maintain, more reliable and will make more bang for buck power. The M60 has it's merits as well from a performance aspect aside from staying "in the family."

The swaps will both cost about as much and both will require a lot of modification in comparison to an S50 swap to fit and run well. There are kits out there for both engine's that will make it easier so that's a big plus.

The biggest headache is going to be sourcing the right gearbox and reinforcing the rear end bits to handle all that power for the LS. For the M60 it's just a headache and definitely do the maintenance like the guides before you put it in the bay to give yourself piece of mind along with also reinforcing the rear end for the low end grunt.

[_JohnnyD_]

The LS swap is far more expensive then the M6x swap because of the cost of the motor and transmission. If you want an aluminum block LS series engine with a T56 your paying at least $4k. A M6x with a 6 spd is less then half that.

If your planning on doing the swap while your still in Italy then the LS and T56 will be a fortune and impossible to find vs the M6x.

If your in Europe and want 350hp, I'd go 24v turbo.

[Jean]

Depends....LSx for the $ will probably give you more bang for the buck. M6x are cheap, but not cheap when you build them up right....6speed tranny isn't cheap either...

It's all relative. If you are building a car for fun, do what you like ! If you are building it to spec, sometimes you have to stick with the same brand engine as the car.

[JGood]

Well, nobody seems to have mentioned anything about your need for 350whp.

Do you know what it will take to get 350whp from an m60? Boost or a built engine (sleeved, s62 crank, pistons, head work, etc...) Even s62's only put down ~330whp. So if you want to boost it, that's an extra couple thousand dollars and a whole new aspect of extra stuff on the car. If you want to do it N/A, you need a couple thousand dollars to build the engine.

What's your budget?

If you're set on 350whp, and want reliability, and aren't looking to spend a lot, I think you'd only want to be looking at a mildly built LS1.