Best Drivetrain for $6000?

[Jean]

Looks pretty flat to me -

http://www.corvettemuseum.org/specs/2001/performance.htm

I mean, we get you don't like LS engines, which is fine, but they are way better than any other engine for the $ IF you are capable of installing it and your rules/class allows it.

Don't just say "Say no to LS engines" just because you don't like it :)

[Jean]

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.

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.

Okay, mechanically it FITS like S50 ...but you do have to deal with the electronic throttle control among other things.

And the biggest issue? After you do all that, good luck passing BAR with that swap if you are in CA :) At least with S52/M60 you can if you do it right? .

S54 should not even be in the converstation if the budget is $6k :)

[VinniE30]

L
I mean, we get you don't like LS engines, which is fine, but they are way better than any other engine for the $ IF you are capable of installing it and your rules/class allows it.

Don't just say "Say no to LS engines" just because you don't like it :)

Sure, it might be a good way to go if you really feel that you need huge amounts of power in an e30.
For either a track car or a daily driver I think an S52 (or any of the e36 24v engines) is better. You will learn more at the track and won't have an overpowered car that you can't drive to the limit. Better reliability, lighter, costs less, and it's a more simple swap.
There's some ridiculous misconceptions about the LS engines that people just don't talk about like the fact that it's heavy. And i'm not sure where this misconception about the LS1 being super reliable for track use came from either. It seems like everyone on here just reiterates how reliable it is but i've read otherwise.

[Jean]

LS1 may actually be lighter than the S52 and the like, plus it's shorter to the firewall vs a longer straight 6 :) (since you started talking about track use etc etc).

But LS1 depending on year model was as "little" as 300hp, not a HUGE difference from a 240hp S50/S52 is it?

Just saying, both have pros and cons right?

But lets keep this thread on topic, and just say that with a 6k budget, swaps that make more sense are the typical m30/24v swaps period.

[VinniE30]

But lets keep this thread on topic, and just say that with a 6k budget, swaps that make more sense are the typical m30/24v swaps period.

Agreed.:)

[Wanganstyle]

Okay, mechanically it FITS like S50 ...but you do have to deal with the electronic throttle control among other things.

And the biggest issue? After you do all that, good luck passing BAR with that swap if you are in CA :) At least with S52/M60 you can if you do it right? .

Who says s54 cannot bar? Pay a knowledgable local bay area shop enough and you cam have a bar'ed s54 e30.

With e throttle on stock s54 Ecu. In your e30. Nothing new would need to be done.

Z3 late model e throttle can be adapted. Inexpensive.

There is e throttle running around in a e30 with m54b30.

If one is serious enough it would be LESS work than a m60/62 to install and bar. Legally

S54 could be installed and bar-Ed for less than 6k. But would be crazy DIY labor, not ordered from a shop. Not a rebuilt one either.

[Roysneon]

Market Motorworks told me it would be no problem to reflash an M54 'brain' to run the engine in an E30 without the EWS, DISA, etc. How different can the S54 be?

[nando]

Mss54 can be done just the same...

Why not keep ews? In a car you just spent $6k+ to drop a motor into?

Why does everyone get hung up on e-throttle? Its like 6 wires, its *simpler* and cheaper than converting to a cable, and arguably it works better.

[pandaboo911]

How is 6k not a budget for s54? The motors are cheap these days. DIY Labor and wiring shouldn't break 6k

[Wanganstyle]

Mss54 can be done just the same...

Why not keep ews? In a car you just spent $6k+ to drop a motor into?

Why does everyone get hung up on e-throttle? Its like 6 wires, its *simpler* and cheaper than converting to a cable, and arguably it works better.

Yes. E throttle is cheaper, my last mecha throttle conversion was $380 and not the greatest item.