Best Drivetrain for $6000?

[nando]

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.

yes it could be, but you'd be hacking the stock DME on your own (which is definitely possible, but tough). :)

[Jean]

LS1 w/T56 trans.

yep.

[Jean]

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.

You can spend 10k (or 20k)if you wanted to, or can probably do it under 6k as well. M50/M52/S50/S52 ARE the most common swaps with ALL of R&D already done many times over.

[nrubenstein]

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.

Anything is possible. Theoretically, you can do it with the EWS harness and the electronic pedal and not much else. I say theoretically because lots of people say that you can do it that way, but I haven't seen anyone actually do it. So, it's true. In theory an S54 can be done pretty inexpensively.

Realistically, most S54 swaps that I have seen ended up costing a lot more than $6k.

I would be absolutely ecstatic if one of you guys takes up the gauntlet and pulls it off. As it stands, though, that's a theoretical option with a real chance of either cubic dollar (for the DME flashing and harness modification to get rid of EWS) or failure, or using some hacked up standalone system (which is either a lot more expensive than flashing out EWS, or not that good).

So yeah, I personally can not recommend that someone on a budget should go down the S54 road unless that's what he really, really wants and understands that getting it done is a serious project requiring real exploration. Not something I'm going to bring up in an unfocused "what do I do?" thread.

[MrConflicted]

I don't have the time nor electrical knowledge know-how to properly wire the S54 swap, that's for sure. I'm going to take about a week off work once the parts are in then try to get the swap done. As a college student who works almost full time as well, I don't have a lot of time to spend trying to get this thing running. I need a pretty clear cut build.

[Danny]

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.

I did my S50 swap for right around 4k dollars.

s50 - 1800 bucks
E21 booster - 50 bucks
Poly motor and trans mounts - 180 bucks
Custom trans brace to use getrag 260 - 65 bucks
Wiring harness adapter - 150 bucks. (Don't get an adapter btw. 328iJunkie can rewire your harness and make it like stock cheaper and it will be much better.)
Mishimoto radiator - 200 bucks
Silicone rad hoses - 150 bucks
Bolt ons for more power - 800 bucks for injectors, MAF, Tune and LTW flywheel.

That's 3395 dollar right there. I say 4000 because there's little odds and ends you'll need to buy as you get into it more. Like bolts and seals and clutch kits and deciding whether you want to refresh the motor with some new seals or not.

[eoddom]

I actually just found a stupid good deal on an S52....hurry up feb 2nd so i can buy it ^_^.

[boostownsme]

yep.

What they said. Bang for buck Ls1 is way better than any BMW motor your gonna drop in.

[VinniE30]

What they said. Bang for buck Ls1 is way better than any BMW motor your gonna drop in.

But not everyone wants stupid power like that. IMO if you want an LS just get a vette. It doesn't go well with the e30. You're not gonna be able to even make use of the power it's just gonna be for tire burning. Keep it inline 4 or inline 6.

He wants around 250HP.(which is great and more than enough for an e30) The best, most reliable way to get that is with an s50 or s52.

[Danny]

I also don't believe you'll ever be able to buy and swap in an LSX for 6000 dollars.

[Jean]

But not everyone wants stupid power like that. IMO if you want an LS just get a vette. It doesn't go well with the e30. You're not gonna be able to even make use of the power it's just gonna be for tire burning. Keep it inline 4 or inline 6.

He wants around 250HP.(which is great and more than enough for an e30) The best, most reliable way to get that is with an s50 or s52.

LS1 is not 500hp you know, what do you say about people that run more than 300-400hp on the inline4-6 engines?

YOUR right foot is the traction control, it's not an ON/OFF switch so you can apply power as needed or as your particular suspension/tires etc allow. Get a vette lol, the whole point of engine swaps is to put MORE into LESS chassis to make it MORE fun. With your logic we can just skip swaps altogether, and get a bigger car with the bigger engine.... back to square 1.

Unless of course you have stupid narrow power band turbo setup lol then good luck.

[Garageaholic]

Wow. I'm surprised that not 1 person mentioned M60.

For 6k, a 5spd m60 swap is doable assuming you're putting no extra work into the m60 or installing any aftermarket parts.

Heck, I'm doing an m60 swap right now, but it will cost more than 6k due to the upgrades and rework I'm putting into both the e30 and the m60.

[Jean]

Wow. I'm surprised that not 1 person mentioned M60.

For 6k, a 5spd m60 swap is doable assuming you're putting no extra work into the m60 or installing any aftermarket parts.

Heck, I'm doing an m60 swap right now, but it will cost more than 6k due to the upgrades and rework I'm putting into both the e30 and the m60.

Not exactly as straight-forward and easy swap as any of the 24v swaps (minus the S54) though...and if you do this swap right you will take the engine apart and AT LEAST replace the plastic guides and all the gaskets. Then comes the expensive flywheels for these, and exhaust work, and brake booster work.

LS1 is actually EASIER to swap since you can get hydroboost for example to work and the engine is more compact vs a wider M60/62.

M50/S50/S52/M30 are way easier to do and cheaper.

[VinniE30]

LS1 is not 500hp you know, what do you say about people that run more than 300-400hp on the inline4-6 engines?

YOUR right foot is the traction control, it's not an ON/OFF switch so you can apply power as needed or as your particular suspension/tires etc allow. Get a vette lol, the whole point of engine swaps is to put MORE into LESS chassis to make it MORE fun. With your logic we can just skip swaps altogether, and get a bigger car with the bigger engine.... back to square 1.

Unless of course you have stupid narrow power band turbo setup lol then good luck.

That wasn't my logic at all. What i'm saying is that with power, there is a point of diminishing returns, where more power isin't making your car that much faster if any faster at all at the track. The OP wants to know the best way to get 250hp for $6k. Based on that an LS1 is a terrible recommendation.

I didin't say the throttle was an on/off switch either; what i'm saying is that with huge amounts of power from an engine like an LS1, it's harder to modulate, especially since it doesn't have a very flat torque curve, and a huge amount of torque comes at a low rpm.

Just say no to LS engines.

[Wanganstyle]

Not exactly as straight-forward and easy swap as any of the 24v swaps (minus the S54) though....

S54 is 100% straight forward and easy. Please try it before you say its difficult. Fitting a S54 = s52 =50b32, same as any 24v dohc swap.

Costs are more and is not a garbage parts bin craigslist action to compile it. R3v is afrrraaaaid for the most part.

s54 is more like a $7-10k affair than a $6k affair. S52 is similar money if you rebuild it, cam it and play with it.

people are simply afraid of spending money, understandable. BUT s54 is straight forward and easy AS-IS right now. Just have to see if you have the brass balls to do it.

S54 oil pan can be retained, just send your front X member and S54 oil pan to T-T. then you get a plug and play item for your e30 in the mail.

No wiring/dme hacking on your own part is needed if you have the funds to outsource it. Standalone maps and harness are avail for plug and play; you just have to PAY FOR IT.

S54 swap for one with funding for one would be 1 phone call to ABL in chicago, harness and brain would come ready to rumble. OR make an order @ bimmerworld and ship goods directly to MMW and send them your OEM S54 harness also. Pay the invoice and you have plug and play. S50b32 OEM wiring harness and DME and all sensors will also run the S54b32. Proven done etc; would be the most economical way to run a s54 with close to OEM ability.

Even the G260 Transmission can stay in the E30 if you want to use it with the S54. G240 and G250 and ZF sg320 are direct PNP items with corresponding fly/clutch set.