s14 or s50

[erik325i]

What motor would be best in an e30 m3?

I was originally planning on swapping my s50 motor into my '89 m3 shell, but a bunch of people keep telling me that the s14 is better. I should have an s14 arriving on Tuesday, and I already have an s50, but I would like to know which you would put in and why.

Here is what I was thinking about each motor:

s50:
+240hp stock
+newer/less miles
-heavier
-purists will make fun of me

s14:
+"correct" motor for car
+lighter /well ballanced car
-unknown miles
-less power


If I use the s50 motor, I could sell the s14, and have enough money to pretty much pay for my entire m3 shell.

Keep in mind, I don't have all the money in the world. I am just a student working part time, so don't try to tell me I need to build up race 2.5 s14.


So, what is the best motor to use in the e30 m3 shell while staying within a reasonable budget. (don't think I am trying to build a cheap m3) I just don't want to go broke in the process.


*EDIT* WHich would be faster around a track, an s50 m3, or a stock s14 powered m3? I know the s50 m3 is more powerful, but the s14 m3 is ligher and more balanced...

-Erik

[nando]

the S14 is a cool motor, but rebuilds are extremely expensive.. if you are a student, I think the S50 would be a great way to go, although the M3 purists will hate you.

[Jonathan M3]

If you're on a tight budget, then the s14 is not the way to go.

[hugh jass]

i think the s14 is an ok motor, but it is very complex, very expensive, and only makes 190hp. it was a great motor for its day, but there are much better motors out there now (like the s50). and screw the purists. its your car, not theirs.

[MrK]

s14. Because the US s50 is just a big-displacement m50. But again, if your budget is tight, that would be the very reason s50s are cheap to maintain.

[Jand3rson]

S50, especially if you're going to have the M3 be a somewhat daily-driver. The S50 is much easier and cheaper to maintain, and also will be a lot easier to drive day to day. The S14 is a GREAT engine. But it's also very high-strung. If S14's aren't driven hard a lot, and constantly maintained, they will very steadily go downhill. If I were ever to get an M3, I would almost immediatley put an S50 in it. Hell, if you can, go for the gusto, and try to source a euro S50.

[formula driver]

Your probably hearing that the s14 is the better motor from the purists. The s14 is more expensive to work on and own. The s50 will have a better tourqe curve and pull alot harder. s50 is deffinatly the way to go.

[ptownTSI]

Ls6

[Jordan325iC]

As long as the S14 goes to another m3 owner, I suppose I could live with you putting in an S50.

[PeaveyBassist]

s50 FTW

Will

[Digitalwave]

S50, especially if you're going to have the M3 be a somewhat daily-driver. The S50 is much easier and cheaper to maintain, and also will be a lot easier to drive day to day. The S14 is a GREAT engine. But it's also very high-strung. If S14's aren't driven hard a lot, and constantly maintained, they will very steadily go downhill. If I were ever to get an M3, I would almost immediatley put an S50 in it. Hell, if you can, go for the gusto, and try to source a euro S50.

Have you even driven an S14 powered E30 M3 Josh? You are always quick to downplay them.

[rwh11385]

M50

[Digitalwave]

2jz.

[Court M3]

s14 provides the right amount of balance and power for the car.

[shiftbmw]

The s50 will be cheaper to maintain and will have enough power to overcome the balance difference of a stock s14 around a track...

That being said I still like the s14 better in the e30 m3. The e30 m3 is a car that's all about spirit, and I feel some of that would be lost with an s50. To each their own...but if I had an m3 it would have an s14.