Looking for a comparison in person S54 S5X

[Asbradley21]

I wouldn't say that I wish I had gone another route, although, I bet if I had I would have been done by now!

[evandael]

honestly an s52 will likely scare the shit out of you in the e30.


s54 has the baller factor, but when all's said in done, i'm going to take the $5000 (or more) savings and do better stuff with it, like pay off loans and buy some Tesla stocks.

[Bimmer_man]

As someone who pretty much fell down the S54 money pit, I can say I won't/can't climb back out. Mind you, budget has gone completely out the window at this point, and the motor isn't even in the car yet. BUT, it is going to make me carry around spare pants for when I drive it, of this I am sure.

Since you're in Auburn (CA, I assume) you could try Ryan Gangemi of RyanGMW in Auburn. He might let you check his s54 car out if you caught him with some free time.

I have already talked to him hes a pretty chill guy. His S54 build is so sexy. He is suggesting a S52. As it stands right know i know the S52 is a lot easier and cheaper to do. On top of that i have seen so many people say im doing a s54 then fail. There are a lot of factors that are going into my decision. Seeing and failure rate of a S54, cost, and reliability ( compared to the S52). It really is a hard choice for a engine that has 90 more hp and one thats cheaper and easier. *sigh * damn you S54 why are you so sexy.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Go s52 now. Then, when you need more power, pull the s52, drop in an s54. Done.

[318isbmw]

Go s52 now. Then, when you need more power, pull the s52, drop in an s54. Done.

I agree, something to enjoy now, while you save up for the S54 if you so desire.

[Bimmer_man]

More than likely If I do a s52 to get a s54 I'd just buy an e46 m3. Time will tell what I do all I know is either way it's going to be a S5X.

[e30shmobberr]

s50's are kool.

but n54 big single in e30 =700whp all day e85 :)

[Dozyproductions]

How about an m54?

Lightweight and tons of info from some great people on here! The wiring and obdII is no longer an issue IIRC.

[Bimmer_man]

I actually never considered that lol. I will take a look into it.

[nando]

IV ridden in a e46 m3 it was a blast. And as for cost I can save for it yeah I it what's making me think on it is the level of difficulty between the two cause the s54 is a nightmare to wire.

no it's not. people are just afraid of wiring.

Just a side note on the complicity of an S54 swap. Here it seems to me that you're most worried about the wiring. Just to let you know, theres lots of "plug n'play" options available. This is not 2011/2012 anymore, and now several people around the world are offering easy solutions to the S54 swap wiring and DME reprogramming. The biggest hassle is, and will be, how to handle the brakebooster setup.

agreed.

I also don't think you could really do an S54 swap for $6000.. maybe if you don't do any maintenance and use all old parts (clutch etc), and do your own programming.

[Wanganstyle]

I'm in norcal: have had s52 and s54 in the same car.

I dd a mildly worked fresh s52; its a great economy engine for everyday use.

S52 is great for groceries: in fact I just drove my s52 to safeway. S52 sounds much milder than s54; even with supersprint exhaust many of my car friends never hear the s52.

S54 is ridiculous in feeling/sound compared to s54: if you like it and have the budget then go for it. Uncorked S54 with a stock bmw exhaust sounds insane.

The wiring of a proper s52 or s54 swap is the same; both need the original dme to preform 100%. I'll put up cash that no matter who tunes a obd1 s52 that it will not drive to the grocery store as smooth as my bmw original dme.s52.

Obd1 on a obd2 engine. ....bleh waste of the most reliable option available for a bmw engine: original unit that matches the engine.

I race a obd1 downgraded e30 24v. Its brain is unrefined compared to priper obd2 brains; feels like the scarecrow in wizard of odd. Fuel economy and response of original mapping and power delivery is better with original obd2 dme.

If you really want the car to handle perfect then s14b25 swap would be the hands down choice. If a s14 is out of budget then a built m20 would be the next option; its not at all cheap and costs more than the 24v swap; thats why the e30 I race has 24v; there was no budget allowed.

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