What would be a good swap to consider?

[herbivor]

I'm debating on whether or not to swap out my old M42 for some more power. Since handling is what I enjoy best out of a car I'm reluctant with adding weight. Some considerations I've had were swapping an S14 or MM rally engine to keep the weight down, or maybe forced induction with my M42. Other considerations are the usual S50 and S52 but then I would need to really stiffen the chassis, increase the brakes, swap out the suspension and it may not handle any better in the corners. For those that have done swaps, which would be a good one to consider? What kind of acceleration times are you seeing? Is handling noticeable diminished?

My budget is $10k for absolutely everything. The goal is more power with handling as good or better than my current 318is or a newer BMW of comperable cost.

[T Verdier]

s50b30 can keep up with a stock sti or evo. but it sounds like you really dont care about strait line. but im sure an s50 with full built up suspension and 5lug m3 brakes will still beat a 318 in an auto-x type corse. turbos are illegal and s50s aren't, so that's a no brainer to me.

[graphikg]

I agree. Plus there is soo much avail for the S50.

[10Toes]

s50b30 can keep up with a stock sti or evo. but it sounds like you really dont care about strait line. but im sure an s50 with full built up suspension and 5lug m3 brakes will still beat a 318 in an auto-x type corse. turbos are illegal and s50s aren't, so that's a no brainer to me.

turbos are illegal?

[Adrian_Visser]

Not at my local auto-x, shit that's the only way the miatas had a chance.

[SpecM]

turbos are illegal?

in CA, yea

the op is in NC, where turbos are very legel

[FredK]

What are your aims with the car? Are you just driving on the street? If so, I say there's barely a difference in handling between a six and a four, because quite frankly, few people drive over 5/10ths on the street (or at least, should be).

Get a six.

At your budget, you might be able to install an S54 with a Bimmerworld harness.

[TexasTerp]

in just about any swap you're gonna be adding wait over the m42. If you rebuilt the m42 and turbo'd that would get you up to around 200whp (i think....I'm guessing). With your budget i would either do an m52 or s50 swap and upgrade the suspension. you're talking5-7k for the engine swap and 3k is plenty for a decent suspension upgrade, I would suggest using solid rubber bushings in most places instead of poly, but that's just me. Is your car a daily also? if so then solid rubber will be a far better ride while retaining good handling than poly bushings will be. Also the amount of money you'd b spending on an MM rally engine is about the same as an s50 for less power.

[ThaiRacer]

With a bugdget of 10k S50b32 comes in to mind. Or S52 I mean there is a guy selling a complete swap for 4k i think.

[omar85]

i did my s52 swap for under 5k. just wait for the right deals to come up if you have the time and patients.

[xwill112x]

in just about any swap you're gonna be adding wait over the m42. If you rebuilt the m42 and turbo'd that would get you up to around 200whp (i think....I'm guessing).

a fresh rebuild turbo m42 would be around 270whp if done up right, and could easily have more.

MM motors cost like 8k, s5x throws that idea out of the question when you could swap one in for like 5k easy.



herbivor- swap in a s52, or hell even a s50b32 then e30 m3 brakes/suspension. a m42 powered car wouldnt stand a chance. (trust me, i know for a fact lol)

[Alpina]

S5xB3x

[accident]

turbos arent illegal in california either, they just have to have a CARB certification...

[herbivor]

So it sounds like a S5x swap of some sort is the consensus. This is mainly a daily driver, so although I don't really need that kind of power I would like to put her on the track occasionally, but not competitively. How does this swap feel from a handling perspective? Is it nose heavy? Does the turn in still feel crisp? Does understeer worsen or stay the same?

[e30s52]

My car wieghts less then when I had the old m20. It handles alot better now too but I also have e30 m3 suspension. The s52 in these cars are alot of fun on the track and handle great. I have not had anymore nose dive then when I had the m20. Trust me you will love it.