s14 or s50

[Matt86es]

If you are starting off with just a shell, then I would definately go for the S50, but I wouldn't remove a running S14 to replace it with a s50. The s14 was an amazing engine for its time, but with newer engines (s50/2) that make more hp and are much cheaper to maintain. Rebuilding an s14 properly costs more than many people on this board payed for their entire E30.

If you were grown with plenty of disposable income then I would stick with the s14, but if I was in your shoes I would definately rock the s50. After all, it is an M engine.

[Eric Giles]

Obviously, some of you just don't 'get' it. Yes, I am a purist and damn proud of it. IMO, only the S14 belongs in an E30 M3. That engine is the soul of that car and is a large part of what makes it special.

If you want to swap an S50 into an E30, then find a 318/325 chassis to do it with. I am not trying to put down the original poster of the question, but honestly if you have a limited budget, then an E30 M3 might not be for you. I make a decent living, and it still puts a strain on me at times.

[rwh11385]

I'M GOING TO BUY MY PALS E30 M3 SHELL AND PUT AN ETA ENGINE IN IT.

AND ROCK RONAL BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!! uggggggggggh

[Steve30]

I'M GOING TO BUY MY PALS E30 M3 SHELL AND PUT AN ETA ENGINE IN IT.

AND ROCK RONAL BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!! uggggggggggh

k

[bmwm3n528]

M20.

[Hick]

Nothing sounds like an s14

[dude8383]

I'M GOING TO BUY MY PALS E30 M3 SHELL AND PUT AN ETA ENGINE IN IT.

AND ROCK RONAL BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!! uggggggggggh

TWO WORDS

DO IT

[FredK]

I'M GOING TO BUY MY PALS E30 M3 SHELL AND PUT AN ETA ENGINE IN IT.

AND ROCK RONAL BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!! uggggggggggh

f dat heeter, M10 powa I haerd they turbod those engines in teh 80"s and got like 1000hp maybe some CSL reps and some IE STg III :drink:

Ronal Bears are . You need Mille Miglia Daisy wheels. Maybe some 20" chromes. ///M ALL UP IN YO GRILL :pimp:

Overhang, overhang, overhang. If I wanted to reduce the impact of the weight, I'd get a M52 Z3 block and save 60 lbs of the 125 lb difference, and make a custom 85x86mm 2.9L M52. I bet you could still feel the difference, but it'd be reduced a bit. Can't wait until the E92 M3 comes out with its V8, and if the E30 M3 is still around, someone oughta do a transplant. Just cuz.

[Il Duce]

If you're going to run an S50, why not just stick it in a 325 car?

An E30 M3 with an S50 isn't really an E30 M3 anymore, IMO.

YES.


the s50 would not only put more weight up front, it would be unbalanced weight.

as e30 m3's are getting more rare and expensive by the day, my soul hurts everytime i see one w/ an s50 in it.

GO s14. put the s50 in your 325i. rebuild the shell and have a badass, authentic e30 m3.

[erik325i]

If you want to have a fun car and really learn how to drive the thing then leave the S14 in until it blows up.

Well, the car currently has no motor in it, so I cannot just leave the s14 in there.
If I were to buy a complete running m3, I would not consider a motor swap. Since I just have a rolling shell, I have the luxury to chose the best motor for the job.

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

I am not on a tight budget. I already have a low milage s50, and I will have an s14 arriving early next week, so the cost of buying the motors is not an issue. I am in no way trying to build a "budget m3". I am prepared for the costs of doing it right. I just don't have an endless supply of money.

I am just looking for people's opinions that don't involve me spending thousands on a Chevy motor, or building up a race 2.5 Evo 3 s14


So far, I am leaning towards swapping in the s50. It has only 25,000 miles (whereas my s14 has unknown miles), and I already have most of the parts needed for the swap (except for a ZF tranny). I could sell the s14 for probably as much as I spent on the shell...

But since I will have an s14 at my disposal, I started thinking about using that. Years later if I ever decide to sell my car (doubt it), it would be worth more with the s14 because whatever purist buys it will want the correct motor.
The motor will recieve a leakdown test before I get it, but I have no idea of the milage, so I'm not sure how much longer the motor is good for...


Ohh, and just out of curiosity, how much does an s14 usually sell for?

-Erik

[Jand3rson]

I'M GOING TO BUY MY PALS E30 M3 SHELL AND PUT AN ETA ENGINE IN IT.

AND ROCK RONAL BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!! uggggggggggh

That yellow E30 M3 pickup that BMW Motorsport built as a special project has an eta engine in it.

[PeaveyBassist]

That yellow E30 M3 pickup that BMW Motorsport built as a special project has an eta engine in it.

You know this how?

Will

[Iron Giant]

I can't help but think that the e30 m3 is part of the small group of '80s era cars that are already appearing to be "classics" (the GNX and the Delorean are some of the few others). Having said that, I think that since you are starting out with a shell it's reasonable to put an s50 into it. I would be totally against ripping up a perfect m3 though.

[Jand3rson]

You know this how?

Will

There was a short little article about it in Total BMW a few years back. It was built by a Special Projects team at BMW Motorsport.

I'll see if I can find the article.

[E30 Wagen]

s14=e30 M3

sell the s50 to a guy who wants to swap his eta engine out.