Heart Transplant...for the e30

[VinniE30]

5.0 swap .. reliability, parts availability, alluminum head makes it lighter than the m20, and infinite power options



^ e30 with a 93 cobra swap

...you said no LSX swap, so this is the next best thing

(also 302 and T5 trannies can be had for almost free since they're eeeverywhere)

That engine bay is an ugly mess.
Also, there is no way it weighs as much as an M20. Even with an aluminum head, it's an iron block V8.
This engine doesn't do anything for me and this swap will never be cool to me.
Just buy an foxbody mustang if you want it, it would be way cheaper.

[nrubenstein]

While I don't have the spec sheet in front of me and don't care enough to look it up, I have some bad news:

V8s have vastly more efficient packaging and the block isn't *that* much heavier than an I4. It's entirely possible for that V8 to weigh the same or less, especially since it's a pushrod motor which means that the heads have practically nothing in them.

And really, what's so bad about that engine bay? It's got a V8 and a turbocharger in it. Of course it's full. Yes, the plumbing isn't pretty, but that's normal for an older american motor.

[Mercury[BKM]]

That engine bay is an ugly mess.
Also, there is no way it weighs as much as an M20. Even with an aluminum head, it's an iron block V8.
This engine doesn't do anything for me and this swap will never be cool to me.
Just buy an foxbody mustang if you want it, it would be way cheaper.

Pulled from the crate with oil, 302 5.0 weighs 298lbs w/ aluminum heads.
the 5.0 is legendary, and one of the best motors that has ever been released to the general public.

it may never be cool to you, but that swap in an e30 crushes most any swap other than the LS1, and dollar for dollar is the best swap available and gives the e30 "real" power.

also, fox body mustangs fall apart, and stock suspension is lacking, their engine is the only real worthwhile pieces.

[bmwguy325is]

Im all for the SR20. But then I like the balance you can still have in the car. Plus the backwards header look funny on 5.0. Though the sump in in the right place. But so is the SR's

[Pantless Spency]

their engine is the only real worthwhile pieces.

you speakin some truth.i saw a 5.0 swapped S13 coupe a few weeks ago at the local drift event, totally had me thinking, because i know ford motors are cheap to come by. then i saw this thread as well as others, people better get there 5.0's fast before the market goes up....

[Robotin]

Rotary motor..... duh!!




maybe???????????????


M30 is dope!

[JasonC]

If one was to spend money on a 302. I'd look into a stroker kit for it.

[Pac1373]

the 91-93' Roller rockercam/ forged crank 5.0's are a fucking great little engine, sort of the final product of a 30 year evolution.
there is a set of heads available (AFR)that gives you a clean 100hp boost over stock as well.
you can actually see gains with cams, and headders and...etc.
if you ever wanted a motor with aftermarket support that wasn't a bow tie, this would be the one.

[whterice]

As the owner and builder of a sr20det e30 I don't think I would ever go with a Nissan motor in these cars ever again. Everything is on the opposite side. Not a huge deal just a pain. Now if your car is rhd then go for it otherwise deal with the turbo elbow coming very close or hitting your steering colum.

If I had the choice to start over I would go with a 1jz

[Uber E30]

However badass the 5.0 may be, I would still feel embarrassed to open my hood... even if I was alone.

[Pantless Spency]

i wouldn't :)
just paint german flags or bmw racing colors on the valve covers hahaha

[garretvs]

Are there any well documented 5.0 swaps?

Really well documented 5.7l V8 & 6-speed here....

Don't just look at Ford 5.0 swaps (which are fine); look at how others have done theirs -- check out BritishV8.com for ideas using the Buick 215 V8, which has a nice aluminum block & heads, and is more compact than either a GM gen1 small block or any of the Ford V8's. Do what seems like fun; a challenge, & you can afford & have the place to do it & the skill

[VinniE30]

however badass the 5.0 may be, i would still feel embarrassed to open my hood... Even if i was alone.

+100

[Mercury[BKM]]

crack open hood and show off the trick flow heads, junkyard turbo set up boosting however high your tune will allow, throwing down 500+ ponies on your mexican 302 block (because those are the indestructable ones)

X pipe straight through exhaust that releases that incredible sound that only 302 fox body mustangs can make

shoot, Id want to drive around with no hood if i could out here showing that sucker off

[JasonC]

X pipe straight through exhaust that releases that incredible sound that only 302 fox body mustangs can make

And thats all they are, all bark and no bite :p