S5X e30 or turbo m20

[CabbE30]

Craig, don't be a pooper. We need the beast going. You already have most of the pieces.

[craiggroves91]

Craig, don't be a pooper. We need the beast going. You already have most of the pieces.

I still need quite a bit of stuff.

If I kept going I wouldn't be able to by look pretty things for it or do anything fancy with the interior like I want to

[CabbE30]

I think doing a swap will cost just as much as you finishing the turbo. And you have to get the m20 to sell first.

[craiggroves91]

I think doing a swap will cost just as much as you finishing the turbo. And you have to get the m20 to sell first.

What makes you say that? A turbo is much more expensive. I'm not sure if you know how deep I am.
Here are a few examples
$300 manifold adapter
$100 intercooler, still need piping
$200 used injectors
$595 Megasquirt plug and play
$150 BOV
$170 Wastegate


Thats already more than the parts needed for a s5x swap probably, besides the engine haha

[Devil Inc]

I'd do a turbo M20, but I don't live in a testing state, such as California. As others have stated a swap would be easier.

[$hane]

Id go with the s5x. Turbo is cool but its comes with a price. In the end i think youll be just as happy with the swap. I still agree with "take your swap budget and triple it" but i still think youll come in under what the turbo swap would be.

[Wanganstyle]

S54 i think is out of the question.
What does a s54 cost these days?

Buying another e36 m3 has been a consideration too! I miss mine :(


Thanks for your opinion :)

s54 is the only 24V swap worth the time/money/effort. s52 and garbage s50 are just pedestrian engines; might as well just keep the M20 stock engine in there for the difference. M52 and s50 and S52 are all the same thing; my butt dyno dosnt care about increments of 10-30 hp. Give me an 340 Horsepower or more and I will be interested. Drive a corvette/M5/STi or Evolution once in your life and its over; 240hp is not enough; I'd honestly like about 500hp.

Probably cheapest to buy the entire e46M3 s54 car and drive it / mod it than to swap s54 into a e30.


M20 turbo makes more power than s54 swap if done right.......I voted m20 turbo; I have a s54 on the shelf literally and a M20 in my e30. I also live in the bay area and would boost a M20 over a pedestrian engine swap regardless of what the cali man/smog/etc has to say.


e36M3 I have seen locally for 3-4K range; clean title 3.2L models with S52 engine. Buy an auto if needed and manual swap it; the chassis/engine will be less beat.

Your turbo kit expense/parts budget could buy the complete running E36M3; AND have your e30 parked in the driveway.

2 cars > one swapped car (for reliability and usability and BUDGET)

[MR 325]

If it were me I would go with the swap. I prefer the immediacy of NA power to the lag you get with boost, even if it is a bit less. And remind me to never move to California.

NA FTW, turbos are for kids

s54 is the only 24V swap worth the time/money/effort. s52 and garbage s50 are just pedestrian engines; might as well just keep the M20 stock engine in there for the difference. M52 and s50 and S52 are all the same thing

Some very questionable advice/words here.

[CabbE30]

Just an fyi guys, He sold his e36 m3 to get back into an e30. I doubt he'd want to get another one that wasn't the one he sold.

[OOMPH!]

I've already had (2) swapped e30's. One being a S52 e30 M3 and the other a S50 e30. They are EXTREMELY reliable motors. The only reasons I'd go for a M20 turbo is because I haven't done it yet and the M20 gives you more clearance underneath than the S50/S52. I don't know how low your car will be but that's always a concern for my cars.

[MR 325]

Oh and you can't BAR a S54 swap. ;)

Why not just swap in the 2.8 and run it NA for now? Do the boost later.

[craiggroves91]

Some very questionable advice/words here.

There sure is haha Everyone has their own opinions though!

Oh and you can't BAR a S54 swap. ;)

Why not just swap in the 2.8 and run it NA for now? Do the boost later.

Well that was the original plan, but that still doesn't take care of the law.
I just really miss having an exciting car haha. I went from an e36 m3 to a 87 325... I cry every time I drive

Just an fyi guys, He sold his e36 m3 to get back into an e30. I doubt he'd want to get another one that wasn't the one he sold.

I've actually been looking into e36 m3s again. Just exploring. They handle damn well and are fun cars. Yeah I wish I could find another estoril 4 door 5 speed!

I've already had (2) swapped e30's. One being a S52 e30 M3 and the other a S50 e30. They are EXTREMELY reliable motors. The only reasons I'd go for a M20 turbo is because I haven't done it yet and the M20 gives you more clearance underneath than the S50/S52. I don't know how low your car will be but that's always a concern for my cars.

They are crazy reliable!
I will definitely be running a skid plate no matter what engine is in.

[craiggroves91]

Why don't we like s5x supercharged?!

[Mlarsen]

Oh and you can't BAR a S54 swap. ;)

Why not just swap in the 2.8 and run it NA for now? Do the boost later.

How is your turbo car legal in Cali?

[Unearth078]

you have no experience with turbo and shoulda played with stock first
/turbo

s52 for you.

i dont think its a bad thing. i dont have time for turbo build, hence why im s52 and like the reliability to boot..