s14 or s50

[bmwm3n528]

Is that an authentic E30 cabrio? Damn, that's as rare as rocking horse shit.

You've got it. There's another one in red not too far from this fellow also.

[rwh11385]

Um 325ic done with M3 shit and one hell of an engine install/tranny, with factory parts. Zionsville Autosport work.

http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/store/shop.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=6134&Category_Code=MC

[bmwm3n528]

Um 325ic done with M3 shit and one hell of an engine install/tranny, with factory parts. Zionsville Autosport work.

http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/s...tegory_Code=MC

Is that so? That fellow was explaining it, atleast from what I got, that it was a factory M3 Cab.

Doh!

[bmwmike]

S38 ftw

M62 ftw

there, that should piss a few more off

[rwh11385]

Jeff. No, it was made the same way BMW made them, but by ZA

[uofom3]

why do you need an s50? more hp? thats bullshit bar talk.

but OK, fine, you need more hp. What not do a 2.5 with alpha N and a CF intake on the s14. done right - this should get you over 300 hp.

This discussion does not seem to revolve around money, but rather what engine is better. If you want some fun hp, dump the money into a 2.5 with the affor mentioned goodies. Not only will it put a huge smile on your face, but it will also be "pure".

I don't know why people get off so hard on the s50. I mean yeah, the m20 is a total pile of shit in direct comparisson. But the s50 gets placed on this pedestal that it really does not deserve. Why not go get an s54? that is a special motor, FAR more special than the s50.

I really dislike other motors besides the s14 in e30 m3's. I have a lot of reasons for this, and the least of which is horsepower.

If a swap HAS to happen - then i would suggest an s38 or an s54... maybe the s60 (m5 v8 i think?)... any one of this motors seem to have more spirit than the s50... i drive an s50 everday - and it really does not do anything that special. I would drive my "underpowered" e30 m3 on the track or for fun with the s14 in it any day over some s50 lump. between the cam, and valve train noise on the s14, it just sounds so much more aggressive and fun. Plus with cams it will walk the e36 and or hold it top end.

what do I know though, i'm e30 and s14 biased.

final note: when i hear people saying, "yeah bro, i'm going to dump an s50 in here and its going to be FAST!" i get the mental picture of a bunch of meatheads at the gym starring at each others muscles. its a fucked up, cockwagging mentality. The s50, or the s14, is not "better"... but it takes a special, need to be a big dick, mentality to drop the s14 to put in an s50 because "there's no replacement for displacement". Get your head out of your ass and get beyond hp. there is more to it than the numbers on the dyno plot.

/rant

[Jand3rson]

Very well said, Ted. Your reasoning is very logical, but you do see the logic behind what I said, right?

[rwh11385]

but OK, fine, you need more hp. What not do a 2.5 with alpha N and a CF intake on the s14. done right - this should get you over 300 hp.

hell, same goes for S54.



Ted, if you want every E30 M3 to be S14-powered, buy them all. You've got a start already.

[uofom3]

^total bull shit.

Thats what happens when you don't do it right.

[erik325i]

What not do a 2.5 with alpha N and a CF intake on the s14. done right - this should get you over 300 hp.

If you want some fun hp, dump the money into a 2.5 with the affor mentioned goodies. Not only will it put a huge smile on your face, but it will also be "pure".

Just out of curiousity, how much would those mods run me?
What is involved in building a 2.5? I heard I would need a slight bore, and a new crank... is this right?

A 2.5 does sound tempting.

-Erik

[Brew]

^total bull shit.

Thats what happens when you don't do it right.

Sorry, but that kind of hp/liter is not reliable, period.

[bmwmike]

yeah i dont think a 300 hp s14 would last long. Now a 311 hp S38...

[Steve30]

S50s aren't even good!

Bad!

[uofom3]

Just out of curiousity, how much would those mods run me?
What is involved in building a 2.5? I heard I would need a slight bore, and a new crank... is this right?

A 2.5 does sound tempting.

-Erik

search s14.net for 2.5 liter conversion etc. you will find more than enough info on there to explain everything.

a/n = about 2k
2.5 parts = 2k
cams= 1.5k

portwork is optional... then there is labor if you're not doing it yourself.

[uofom3]

Sorry, but that kind of hp/liter is not reliable, period.

I disagree completely.

If you go buy the RIGHT parts and DO NOT cut corners - you can produce an s14 that will make near 300 CRANK (not wheel) horsepower and will be a reliable car. There are guys that do 30-50 laps a year on the ring with their highly tuned s14's and do not tear them down annually or even bi-annually. Point being they take the abuse. Chances are whatever this person might shell out to it will not be as harsh as that much time full tilt on the ring.

That said - an s38 will handle that power better - but if you think the s14 is expensive, the s38 is a good sized step above that. Especially for aftermarket parts.

my mostly stock (bolt on modded) 2.3 did nearly 200k before it was rebuilt, and it once it was torn down it was found to be not needing much.

Also - who has first hand stories of s14's grenading? There are known problem areas, like rod bearings and replacing the timing system at 100k, adding an oil pan baffle, etc. But this is not limited to the s14. I am not about to make the assertion that the s14 is as reliable or cheap to maintain as the m20. The m20 might be the most bullet proof motor bmw has made (minus the belt driven timing system). However, like anything else, if you maintain it properly it will last. I know of 2 e30 m3's doing track days on orriginal motors that have over 200k on them and they pull just fine.