Looking for a comparison in person S54 S5X

[Bimmer_man]

as previously stated.

with luck you can get away with an s50/s52 swap for a couple grand, but more like 4k-6k if your not playing the waiting to get lucky type of game.


with the best luck in the western hemisphere, you could probably do an s54 swap for sub 6k. your honestly probably going to shell out near 10k + when all is said and done and you've got a huge grin on your face but a giant hole in your pocket.

I have no problem with that. My favorite car hass my favorite engine and i dont have to worry about payments or anything on buying a E46 M3 THAT WOULD COST $16,000 and abouts 20,000 to 25,000 depending on apr. So I am happy to save and bide my time to get what i want in my car. In the end if it happens to be a S52 then its an S52. My main reason for the two comparisons is the complexity of the swaps not the cash.

[ak-]

Why do you want an s54?
Why do you want a ride in someone's s54 car? What do you specifically want/what is it you're after?

You have like 10 threads asking opinions on s54 swaps.
Most people who swap s54's in this era do it because they have the money to do it and to maintain the motor along with the satisfaction of saying they have this complicated motor successfully put in their chassis.

People who swap s52's nowadays do it because they are getting cheaper, it's reliable, well documented, and a fast upgrade.
It's not year 2002 where an s52 in an e30 would be as bonkers as what an s54 in an e30 is.

If you're really asking for opinions and help between the two(especially more than once), you're probably not going to do the s54.

[Bimmer_man]

Why do you want an s54?
Why do you want a ride in someone's s54 car? What do you specifically want/what is it you're after?

You have like 10 threads asking opinions on s54 swaps.
Most people who swap s54's in this era do it because they have the money to do it and to maintain the motor along with the satisfaction of saying they have this complicated motor successfully put in their chassis.

People who swap s52's nowadays do it because they are getting cheaper, it's reliable, well documented, and a fast upgrade.
It's not year 2002 where an s52 in an e30 would be as bonkers as what an s54 in an e30 is.

If you're really asking for opinions and help between the two(especially more than once), you're probably not going to do the s54.

im one of those wierd guys who gets all the info i possibly can about something before dropping over $500 on something.

im the same exact way when it came to buying a computer and HDTV.

[ohthejosh]

Id just save and go with the s54. Once i have enough money for an s52 Id put it in a jar and super glue the jar shut. I would probably get tempted to just buy an s52 then regret it LOL

[Bimmer_man]

Id just save and go with the s54. Once i have enough money for an s52 Id put it in a jar and super glue the jar shut. I would probably get tempted to just buy an s52 then regret it LOL

LOL i pretty much did that lol

i have about half saved for the engine already and im so tempted to get the S52 cause im so bored of the M20.

[ak-]

There is a disgusting amount of info on s52's and swaps on this forum and a shitton more online.

I just don't really understand why you are comparing these two motors lol.
If you are really considering the s54 for whatever personal reasons, then just research it exclusively and figure it all out since cash isnt an issue. The s52 is child's play to compare/talk about/fret over.

Another fun fact:
s52 water pump $50
s54 water pump $380

[Bimmer_man]

There is a disgusting amount of info on s52's and swaps on this forum and a shitton more online.

I just don't really understand why you are comparing these two motors lol.
If you are really considering the s54 for whatever personal reasons, then just research it exclusively and figure it all out since cash isnt an issue. The s52 is child's play to compare/talk about/fret over.

Another fun fact:
s52 water pump $50
s54 water pump $380

yeah i already knew that.

[ohthejosh]

I think what he is trying to do to is really see if it worth waiting and saving up for since it sounds like he can the s52 rather quickly.

I am the same way to be honest. I want the s54 but if I have saved enough already to get the s52 swap I would be super tempted to stop saving and have that s52 in there like swimwear.

It's satisfaction now and regret not waiting for the s54 & more power or satisfaction later and regret not going with the easier cheaper swap dilema.

[Bimmer_man]

I think what he is trying to do to is really see if it worth waiting and saving up for since it sounds like he can the s52 rather quickly.

I am the same way to be honest. I want the s54 but if I have saved enough already to get the s52 swap I would be super tempted to stop saving and have that s52 in there like swimwear.

It's satisfaction now and regret not waiting for the s54 & more power or satisfaction later and regret not going with the easier cheaper swap dilema.

exactly. I have done the reaserch in the actual swap and what im really trying to compare is how they feel i suppose when they are in the E30 already. Tomorrow ill see the S52 and see how that is and later the S54.

[Loupoz]

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.

[mrcheezle19]

my biggest thing is once you go s54 then what? Within a year you will be looking to supercharge or turbo that engine and be out even more money in the pursuit of power on top of the original swap costs.

[Vtec?lol]

I wanted a s52 swap but saved for an m60 swap instead.
reason why I stay away from the s54 is cost of maintenance and the fact that for longevity you need to be really nice to it. With the cost of the s54 I'd be afraid to have too much fun with the car. That's from my own experience with an e46. I didn't like it's extreme lack of torque either. I'd blame the heavy ass e46 for that though. never been in one thats swapped into an e30. I'd imagine its awesome but it wasn't all that in the e46.

I compared all the engines i've driven and that's how I made my decision so I know exactly how you feel. torque wise s52<s54<m60

and another thought, an s52 e30 is still quicker than an s54 e46.

edit, I think I'd be more satisfied with the simplicity and reliabilty of the s52. The overall cost would help me relax a little more when it comes to play time.

[Bimmer_man]

So I have come to a decision on what im going to do. I am going to let my car decide what engine it wants. If the engine dies when i have enough for the S52 then it gets an S52. If it lasts till i have enouph for the S54 then it gets the S54. Ill be hoping for the S54 but there are too many pros and cons for both engine to make a proper comparison as to what is the better choice. Its a good thing both set ups use the same Driveline set up.

[Asbradley21]

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.

[Loupoz]

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.

Couldent agree more. S54 is a giant moneypit, looking back i wish i just did something like a M52 turbo.