e30 m52b28 vs v8 4,0

[603Racing]

The M30 motor I referenced is, for the most part, from the 1980's e24's and e28's. The 3.5L is the biggest of the M30's, the M30b34 and M30b35. I have a euro M30b34 in my race car, completely stock, with 95,000 miles on it. The I've put about 3,500 racing miles on the motor and have only rebuilt the head, everything else is original.

For you in Europe, this should also be a cheap option, which is why I mentioned it. The M30's are extremely durable, common, not to expensive to purchase or repair. The only drawback is they are bit heavy for the original horsepower numbers, but they can be modded.

If you are truly contrained by a budget, then in my opinion your best options are M52 or M30. But I am a bit biased towards e24's and M30 motors! :D

[sasha18yug]

the us s52 (the m3 engine) is the same as the m52 just with bigger displacement and cams. maintenance costs are pretty much the same in an e30. the s52 is just harder to find and more expensive.

I was talking about costs to maintain the euro m3 3.2 l engine...wich has 321 hp evo version...its expensive to purchase ... but i have no idea how much it will cost to maintain it in comparison to m52b28... that is my concern...:D

[mitchlevy7]

the us s52 (the m3 engine) is the same as the m52 just with bigger displacement and cams. maintenance costs are pretty much the same in an e30. the s52 is just harder to find and more expensive.

[sasha18yug]

well i never said that i have so much knoledge ... i am trying and will gather as much information...as possibile from here and other that have done the swap...then i'll get all the parts needed to do it...i mean every part that is needed to have the car runing in stock form ... after we have all that we can start modding the engine and all that... i know it is optimistic...but since there are allot of these swaps documented ... i guess i can get all the parts togheter and not miss anything if i do my homework well...what hidden costs are you guys talking about...give me some examples please so i can understand that truly...
I'm trying to do it once and properly...and as efficient as i can... would it be better to start out with a doner car and swap from there ...or just get an engine trans and parts for whats needed for the swap...i could always find a car and sell everything else when the swap is done....
@Pete D...i would love to do the 3.2 swap ... but i am afraid of the maintaining costs ... it is a m3 engine and as i hear it is expensive to maintain... correct me if i'm wrong...

[PeteD]

Between the two choices - I would go m52 with mods. With all due respect to your knowledge, experience and budget (which I think you are not that experienced and you don't want to spend a lot) - I think this would be the most fun for you.

The hidden costs everyone is talking about is true. Even with the m52, if you plan on modding it you'll probably spend more than you anticipate. Plus once you get your feet wet with this swap, you could always build a 3.2 motor in the future and drop it with ease!

[Adrian_Visser]

Well unless you have done it before you are going to run into lots of little items you didn't realize you were going to need, especially hardware items. It will take longer than you anticipate and cost more than you planned, bank on that. I would say plan to double your budget and double the time spent. Just an FYI.

[sasha18yug]

@Adrian_Visser ... The s50b32 swap is one of my dream swaps...but i dont have the money to do it...its an expensive engine to buy ..and the parts for maintanence are also expensive ...
I am not worried about doing the swap...cause i am going to do it in a garage with tools and 3 of my friends are mechanics with allot of know how... the only thing that i have pressure from is time...
I plan to do the swap in Romania and i live in germany... i have 2 weeks to do it ... up and running perfectly so that its reliable and can take 1000 km trip back with no issues...
I know it sounds crazy but i think it can be done if i gather all the parts before and have everything i need to do it...
@sector6 ... thanks for that link ... i have already been true it ... the problem with the v8 is that i dont have allot of info about maintanence costs after the swap....
For motor mounts there is no problem cause there is this: www.300mm.de ... they sell motor mounts and some other stuff....


Cheers sasha

[sector6]

I didn't read any of it but maybe this will help

[Adrian_Visser]

S50B32 is my vote. Honestly though the m52 is practically a drop-in with the right parts where as the m60 requires custom motor mounts and relocation of the brake booster the s50b32 requires a brake solution as well though.

The m52 is very well documented, the m60 much less so, if this is your first swap I say go with the m52 it will be much easier.

[sasha18yug]

Well i am not set of any motor...these are in my opinion the best swaps av available out there ... the m52 is one of the cheapest engine i can get here in europe...hell i can get a hole car for like 1000 euros... and take everything i need from it...
I think the v8 is unique and requires allot of attention ... i am not willing to have a complicated weekend car and also always worry about maintining...
As a daily i drive a523 ... its basiclly the same m5x series...reliable and smooth and no problems... i think its better suitted for my needs...
As for sport driving on mountain roads i think its also a nice engine to start with especially if i add some bolt ons ...
The e30 engine ... i am not familiar with it and dont know anything about it... so chime in on that please ... maybe its an option to consider...
If i choose to go with a 2.8 tough...its going to be NA all the way ...cause it cannot take allot of boost cause of its aluminuim block here in EU...thats my understanding...

keep the good information coming cheers...

[603Racing]

Are you set on one of those two motors? I'm just curious on the comparisons of power/cost/reliability, what else would compare? M30 built NA, M30 turbo, s38? If I'm not mistaken, the stock euro M30 starts out with 230+ lb ft torque at the crank. They are cheap to purchase and extremely durable.

Obviously the v8 will be the most powerful in stock form, but maintenance... oh the maintenance.

I'm not trying to change your mind... just thinking (or typing) out loud. Good luck with whatever you choose, I'm sure it will be fun!

[_JohnnyD_]

I think you also need to consider the difficulty and time it takes to do the swaps. If you have garage space, tools, some mechanical know how and most important time then M60 swap can be very rewarding (it is more unique). If you don't want your car sitting around on jack stands for monthes then the M52 is better.

Regarding the cost of the swap, the M60 is far more expensive then the M52 because there are more hidden costs and fewer parts cars and aftermarket support (at least here in Canada).

As far as enjoying the car as a weekend warrior in the German Alps both will have their advantages, the M60 will be more fun up the mountain and the M52 will be more fun down the mountain.

I am doing the M60 swap, but I would strongly recommend the M52!
(you can always add a turbo later if you want more power :nice:)

[sasha18yug]

A stock m52b28 is about 160hp at the wheels. You aren't going to see the 220-235 with the mods you listed.
Anyway, my vote would be the m52.

i was getting my information from here :

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=478545

There are allot of guys making 220 and up without opening the engine...with just bolt ons...cams etc...maybe i am a little bit optimistic...

[nrubenstein]

M60/62 and reliability and easy maintenance don't really go together. They are cranky engines that are difficult to service.

[Keith M]

A stock m52b28 is about 160hp at the wheels. You aren't going to see the 220-235 with the mods you listed.
Anyway, my vote would be the m52.