If you can do an s14 swap for the same cost as an m50? Which would you choose?

[nando]

M50 = zzzzzzzzzzzzz

[calz4m]

depends on the year. The last versions were 2.5 in the evo III

Technically you are correct, but a lot of people upgrade to the 2.5. If it's a stock 2.3 with little or no work done to it then I would generally say it's fine if the engine came out of a street car. All things considered S14s can be a risky proposition. When they detonate it's really bad. S14s are amazing engines, but they belong in track cars (this is my opinion) and MUST be maintained properly. A rebuild on a 2.5 done the right way can run you north of 10K.

Parts for the S14 are so expensive it makes ownership prohibitive for many people. As cool as the S14 is, I would either pass on it or buy and resell to someone with an M3 and use the extra cash to go S5x in your E30.

[BoxDriver86]

I have to admit I absolutely love the sound of a properly tuned s14 in the higher RPM range. At idle, it sounds a little raw. I've autocrossed an e30 M3 a few times and I would say it's one of the most fun cars I've ever driven.
That being said, the M50 is a great motor and would be right at home in the daily driving world. I'm in the process of picking up parts to do my M50 swap as we speak. My reasons for doing M50 over S50 or S14 are simple: excellent fuel economy, low-end torque, smooth powerband, cost and accessibility of parts and most importantly a loooong list of people who have done the swap to support you if there are issues.

If you have driven any car that requires you rev the piss out of it to get power such as an RX-8 or similar, you'll know the frustrations of driving a car with an anemic bottom end. It can be frustrating to drive in a situation where you can't let the engine stretch it's legs. If this was a dedicated track car I would say S14 but if you are daily driving it would be silly to not go M50. The long-term investment would be lower and your satisfaction level would be higher. As an E36 owner, you already know the benefits of the M/S50 motors. Then again, the sound of an S14 wound out is euphoric.
S14: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHrig...eature=related
M50: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQXr2...eature=related

Not sure if those would help but...good luck and keep us posted.

[Dirtsquirt]

All the people in this thread leg humping the S14 have never actually driven a e30 with one...

Its a fun motor, sure, but its pretty anemic. There is literally nothing off the bottom.. it is like driving a damn Honda. Granted when the needle rolls past 4K it starts to come alive and makes some cool intake noises.

M/S5X and don't look back! If you're worried about weight distribution and all that bullshit (it doesn't matter in a street car) then go find a 2.8 out a Z3. They are aluminum and lighter than the standard 6s.

[Butler]

S14 and don't look back.

[reelizmpro]

I'm not looking for loads of power. i just want it to be a fun daily. something that when i get on the throttle it responds. i have a 98 m3 that im most likely selling once the e30 is built. so i know what it feels to have that type of power... I like how the 318 feels in the corners and overall driving, it just feels a little under powered at times.

Sounds like you'd be happier with the M50, simply because it's newer, reliable, cheaper to obtain, mod, etc if anything breaks and has the torque to move an E30 along nicely from the jump. No need to worry about valve adjustments either. The thing is you could sell the S14 and upgrade to an S50 (maybe even S54) if you go that route like many have already stated. So, if I could get an S14 or M50 swap for the same price...it would be S14 all day long because it's worth more. Or just keep the M50 and call it a day, it's up to you.

[325ix]

Is the S14 a 2.3 or a 2.5?

depends on the year. The last versions were 2.5 in the evo III

[bimmerteck]

For a daily driver, I'd do the M50. Lots more torque, easy, and parts/engines are super cheap.

For a track bitch, I'd probably do the S14. But it's hard not to look at the cost delta there. Realistically, an S14 is not a cheap motor to run all the time.

^this especially the underlined portion. I have 2 e30m3s this spring both opting for s5Xs instead of maintaining/rebuilding their s14s. I could have easily put either s14 in my car after rebuilding since it wouldn't cost me nearly as much. . . I'm still putting an m50 in my 'vert b/c I like driving my cars more than working on them. :)

[M-technik-3]

How much is said S14? or better yet have you driven a s14 powered car or a M/S5X powered car?

You might decide after having driven either. Many of us speak from having owned one or more of said combos so the decision come easy.

[Brandon12V]

buy s14. sell it. make money. s50.

[e dub]

Who did the rebuild and why and too what specs? Very low mileage for an engine to rebuild it.

It was rebuilt a few years ago and has 60k on it since the rebuild. i believe it was built to stock specs with the exception of some cams.

[e dub]

true but the 6 is torquey I have all 3.. s14 02.. m52 turbo 318 and a bone stock e30m3. They are all good for different things but an e30 s14 car is anemic to me. Its awesome on the track but too heavy and gutless for me on the street
s14 02 is a fun car that does everything pretty well but wont scare you in the power delivery unless its a built 2.5
stock m50 e30 isnt anything to brag about either but it has so much potential to make big power more cheaply. thats all. I like them all for different reasons. And you are absolutely right about the s14. properly maintained they are dead reliable. It just takes some dollars to get them there

I'm not looking for loads of power. i just want it to be a fun daily. something that when i get on the throttle it responds. i have a 98 m3 that im most likely selling once the e30 is built. so i know what it feels to have that type of power... I like how the 318 feels in the corners and overall driving, it just feels a little under powered at times.

[M-technik-3]

Who did the rebuild and why and too what specs? Very low mileage for an engine to rebuild it.

[e dub]

Is the S14 a 2.3 or a 2.5?

2.3l

[blunttech]

But the M50 isn't more powerful than the S14 Blunt. ??? The only maintenance the S14 requires over the M50 would be valve adjustments, cap/rotor vs coil packs. Tensioner if it is a problem can be upgraded to S50. Keep it good tune, not too aggressive chip, the oil level up, watch ur pressure and it'll last you 200K+ miles.

true but the 6 is torquey I have all 3.. s14 02.. m52 turbo 318 and a bone stock e30m3. They are all good for different things but an e30 s14 car is anemic to me. Its awesome on the track but too heavy and gutless for me on the street
s14 02 is a fun car that does everything pretty well but wont scare you in the power delivery unless its a built 2.5
stock m50 e30 isnt anything to brag about either but it has so much potential to make big power more cheaply. thats all. I like them all for different reasons. And you are absolutely right about the s14. properly maintained they are dead reliable. It just takes some dollars to get them there