New to e30 thinking about a 325 with S50

[OhFiveM3]

I've been casually looking at 325's and the ones with S50 swap have peaked my interest as a daily and possible track car.

Like most swaps it looks like getting everything to work correctly is the major hurdle.

Any input on what the usual trouble areas are would be appreciated.

[bernzpeed]

welcome. there's plenty of info around here. here's one link for example

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=129

[Pantless Spency]

god forbid you get a 318 with an s50 swap, it's so much different ;)
theres tons of dudes here with all sorts of s/m/50/52/54 swaps. theres a 24valve swap section where you can learn many things!

[OhFiveM3]

Thank you, not sure how missed that section.

[Mercury[BKM]]

lots of options, and schools of thought on it.

I prefer the 5.0, LS1, or hell sr20 (inb4 catching a premium)...m30 etc over the s5x swaps.

so research and get familiar with all of the options out there and figure out what you want the vehicle to accomplish for you


ps welcome to r3v

[OhFiveM3]

I had a '69 Camaro with an LS1/T56 swap and I'd prefer not to go that route with a BMW. I'm sure it's fast as hell but can't imagine it would handle that well. However maintenance would be simple, Chevy V8's are are so simple.

What don't you like about the S5x swaps?

[Pantless Spency]

there just very abundant so people are branching to alternatives, theres nothing wrong with them, there fairly straight forward and theres a lot of aftermarket shit out there to move an sXX into an e30, such as wiring looms and all that jazz

[VinniE30]

Dude. Drive a stock e30 before a modded one, especially an engine swapped one.

Get used to how the e30 handles and feels when the tail comes out before you drive one with that much power or you'll end up wrecking it.
You'll also end up enjoying the swap way more after driving a stock e30.

[Mercury[BKM]]

go with an M10 powered e30 first, then no matter what you put into it .. it will blow your socks off =D!

[bernzpeed]

Dude. Drive a stock e30 before a modded one, especially an engine swapped one.

Get used to how the e30 handles and feels when the tail comes out before you drive one with that much power or you'll end up wrecking it.
You'll also end up enjoying the swap way more after driving a stock e30.

go with an M10 powered e30 first, then no matter what you put into it .. it will blow your socks off =D!

agree

[OhFiveM3]

go with an M10 powered e30 first, then no matter what you put into it .. it will blow your socks off =D!

Yes, I'm sure it would.

[325ix]

Dude. Drive a stock e30 before a modded one, especially an engine swapped one.

Get used to how the e30 handles and feels when the tail comes out before you drive one with that much power or you'll end up wrecking it.
You'll also end up enjoying the swap way more after driving a stock e30.

This! The E30 will suspension tends to unload very easy especially in wet conditions when you let off the throttle in a turn.

I had a '69 Camaro with an LS1/T56 swap and I'd prefer not to go that route with a BMW. I'm sure it's fast as hell but can't imagine it would handle that well. However maintenance would be simple, Chevy V8's are are so simple.

What don't you like about the S5x swaps?

The LS1 is only about 50lbs heavier from what I found with quick research. However, it is also two cylinders shorter so the engine would be placed a little further backwards. I can't imagine it messing with handling that much.

[OhFiveM3]

Yeah the weight isn't that much but still has to be considered but I was thinking more the roughly 100+ hp/torque the LS1 puts out. In a 2500+/- lb car that's a big difference. I'm sure it would be a blast to drive though.

If I end up going this route I would prefer to buy an already completed swap. Thanks for all the input.

[Mercury[BKM]]

This! The E30 will suspension tends to unload very easy especially in wet conditions when you let off the throttle in a turn.

The LS1 is only about 50lbs heavier from what I found with quick research. However, it is also two cylinders shorter so the engine would be placed a little further backwards. I can't imagine it messing with handling that much.

its that t56 transmission that weighs a ton, centered weight, but you can also use a T5 ford transmission with the Ls1 with a little bit of installation effort if weight is a factor.

dollar for dollar the LS1 (or the 5.3 truck motor with ls6 junk) is about the same cost as the s5x swaps.. and can run on 87octane piss water and be superior to the s5x in nearly every regard

[OhFiveM3]

its that t56 transmission that weighs a ton, centered weight, but you can also use a T5 ford transmission with the Ls1 with a little bit of installation effort if weight is a factor.

dollar for dollar the LS1 (or the 5.3 truck motor with ls6 junk) is about the same cost as the s5x swaps.. and can run on 87octane piss water and be superior to the s5x in nearly every regard

Cant argue with that, pretty sure they'll run on kerosene. I'm guessing you've really narrowed your resale audience once you drop a GM motor in a European car.