E34 M60/AT to S50/5?

[E30 Wagen]

I've read that a s50/s52 swap is easy on m50 e34s, but didn't read anything about starting with a m60 based car with an automatic transmission. I'm curious because, in my hunt for a "nice" winter car, I came across a '95 530i/AT. Thinking about what I do with the car once it warms up, I would want to swap in a low mileage s50 drivetrain I know of.

Seem like a good idea, or pass? Guy is asking $2200 for the car.

[M-technik-3]

Drive it the way it is. It's a winter car why modify it?

[slammin.e28]

It's easier to swap a V8 car to a 6cyl than to swap a 6cyl car to a V8.

[E30 Wagen]

Drive it the way it is. It's a winter car why modify it?

Well I haven't looked at it yet but if the body is clean I figure it might be worth swapping in a better, low mileage drivetrain in for the sake of making it more fun to drive and potentially keep its value up. I also want to know how a well sorted e34 feels. I can't imagine a m60b30 with an auto is any fun to drive. I've been driving nothing but slow ass e30s for years now and I'd like a bigger sedan that has more power.

I just don't know how plug and play a s50 swap would be compared to an e34 already equipped with a m50.

[slammin.e28]

Should PnP with the correct engine harness.

You'll probably run into some issues with mounts for things such as the air box. The radiator is different, M50 car has the res built in, V8 car has it on the firewall.

Basically, I'd just get an M60B40 and put in it.

[nrubenstein]

Why not make it an M60/6spd? Then you don't have to do any custom work other than the transmission conversion.

[E30 Wagen]

Should PnP with the correct engine harness.

You'll probably run into some issues with mounts for things such as the air box. The radiator is different, M50 car has the res built in, V8 car has it on the firewall.
Basically, I'd just get an M60B40 and put in it.

Why not make it an M60/6spd? Then you don't have to do any custom work other than the transmission conversion.

Ahh, these were the responses I needed, thanks.

[mattio523]

M60b40 + MT

[The Dark Side of Will]

I'll echo the above... bigger V8 + stick will be quicker and more fun than 50 series engine.

You could go a step further and build an M60B44 frankenmotor using M60B40 timing drive, heads and top end on an M62B44 shortblock.

[straight6pwr]

If you tweaked the b30 with the 4.0 intake, chip, and lose a little weight off the car you'll get the same basic performance of the s50. Find a 5 or 6 speed and keep the motor.