Best Drivetrain for $6000?

[MrConflicted]

Hey Guys,

I'm looking at dropping some decent coin into my E30. Having rebuilt the motor once already with higher compression pistons and and Schick 288 cam, I'm ready for a bigger power gain, and one that doesn't burn a quart of oil every 1000 miles :)

If it makes a difference, I currently have a WAR chip and 19lb injectors, which I imagine would definitely be useful in any M20 application.

I'm looking for a reliable engine, as it will see the track 5-10 times a year, and I tend to be an aggressive driver :D

So far I've looked at:
- Metric Mechanic 3000 Rally Engine Kit. Metric Mechanic definitely makes a super solid engine from everything I've read and heard. But when he asks close to $8500 for a short block that makes 230HP I wonder if there's a better route.

-DOHC Swap: Everything I've read said this is decent, but I feel like I wouldn't be satisfied unless it was S52 motor, and then I wonder how long it will last, seeing as I'd be buying a used motor.

-Turbo set up. I'd absolutely love to turbo my car, but can a turbo a good turbo build be had for the $6000-7000 range?

Ideally I'd like to have a 250HP car, but I'm not really sure what all is possible for the price.

Hope I posted this in the right section, I'm new here! All help appreciated!

[Eecen]

You could cobble together a nice turbo setup for that kind of money, and easily get 250hp/tq. But you'll have to decide what engine to go with etc etc etc etc. There is no all encompassing answer really...just a whole bunch of situation-al decisions to make.


I'd steer away from MM unless you recently won the lottery.

[Vivek]

From what I've seen, you can get 300whp from a $3000 turbo (with a good condition m20) fairly easily.

[Roysneon]

S54. Any other suggestions are wrong.

[Danny]

What all does this 6000 dollars cover? The motor alone or the cost of the swap as well? Are you paying labor rates? What's your overall goal with this car?

[nrubenstein]

For $6k, S50B32. (Euro motor.) You can not do an S54 swap for $6k.

The S52 is a reasonably reliable motor and they can be had for $2k. It's that big a deal to swap another in.

[MrConflicted]

I can do all labor myself that doesn't involve welding or machining. I'm trying to build a reliable track car. The $6000 covers everything it takes to get the car running.

[nrubenstein]

Get an S52, then. They aren't expensive and they are durable enough.

[SkiFree]

Based on your criteria, I'd highly suggest looking into an M30 swap.

[Danny]

Get an S52, then. They aren't expensive and they are durable enough.

I agree. Just a straight easy s52 swap will cost you between 3-6k dollars based on what extra goodies you get, whether you swap transmissions, rear ends, etc. For a reliable track car an N/A mostly stock s52 will fit the bill nicely. Use the extra money to go to the track and get seat time, upgrade the suspension, brakes, tires, etc. But mostly seat time.

[nando]

Jeeze, $6000? you can even find S54s for under $3k.. just sayin..

[MR 325]

LS1 w/T56 trans.

[nando]

basically - don't waste $6,000 on an M20. this coming from somebody who's spent a lot of time/money on M20s, and even likes them..

[Roysneon]

Jeeze, $6000? you can even find S54s for under $3k.. just sayin..

Yeah I was gonna say...

I didn't want to start an argument thread with a knowledgeable member, but I'm pretty sure that given a clean late 325is $6K and an internet connection I could do an S54 swap. Not saying it would be easy or quick, but I honestly believe I could.

[MrConflicted]

I agree. Just a straight easy s52 swap will cost you between 3-6k dollars based on what extra goodies you get, whether you swap transmissions, rear ends, etc. For a reliable track car an N/A mostly stock s52 will fit the bill nicely. Use the extra money to go to the track and get seat time, upgrade the suspension, brakes, tires, etc. But mostly seat time.

The car already has a pretty set suspension, and I run EBC yellows or HT-10 brake pads. As far a seat time I've got a pretty sweet deal going so I can usually go for under a $100 bucks a day (2+ hours of track time).
As far as the car, I'd love to do the s52 swap but I'm nervous about the total cost. I know the little parts need for swaps add up really fast. Things I've read say the total price of a S52 swap is close to $10,000. Does anyone have a complete swap build thread with prices, and more importantly where to find the parts.