E30 S50 swap

[EtaSport]

WhiteE30: where in Maryland are you? Which dealership?

M50Webber: Where did you find your m50? I really wish I would have spoke up on the non Vanos that just sold for 800. What condition was it in and how many miles?

I would almost rather try an m30 based on their higher stock output versus the m50, their renound longevity, and price point. But with that what transmissons work? and then you run into the engine mounting, as well as computer, exhaust, and cooling system. Anyone have any input?[/quote]

[rwh11385]

Hey sorry to bring back a thread that has been dead for a couple weeks...anyway. I've posted on bimmerforums for a while but just checked this site out today. My dad has an E46 right now, I have a crappy Saab, and in a little under a year I'm going to have $20k to spend on a car.

I'm looking at E46s, but I am also interested in the E30/S50 swap. I've heard people talk about $6k for parts (just the engine?) plus around $3k for labor. Add in the $3-4k price of the E30 and we're already looking at around $12k, being very conservative.

I would also be needing to upgrade the suspension, obviously, and would like an LSD as well. Is it feasible to perform this swap under a budget of $20k? If not, what would be sacrified by sticking to that price point? What do you think a rebuilt S50 engine would sell for? I'ts probably alot easier to buy a rebuilt one (or one with low mileage) then it would be finding a higher mileage one and having to spend even more labor money rebuilding it.

Thanks alot.

Talk to Kris aka Bimmerphile. He's put some thought into building up an E30 to a high state of modification instead of leasing an E46. There is a couple threads around here I'll try to find for you. Here, http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4987.

Pretty much dumping all that $$ into a non-M I cannot agree with. You'd spend a lot on a body kit (most likely down the road), and swapping to 5 lug for better brakes. An E30 M3 already has the wide body going for it, and has 5 lug. If you have HP, put in a S50. M3's hold their value a lot better than non-M's. If you're intrigued, check out the FS forum, there is a 1988 M3 with a Z3 Aluminum Motor in it. Something to look at.

By all means, an e30 would be a more fun car, and much better for the ethusiant. Perhaps I can see a 330iP or 330Ci being exciting, but E46's are too lunky for 325's.....plus they'd appreciate quickly and maintence would be an arm or perhaps a leg.

[george graves]

S50's are too heave for an e30 - unless you are ready to loose a lot of front end weight.

[Stu]

S50's are too heave for an e30 - unless you are ready to loose a lot of front end weight.

Not so much compared to an M20.

My 318is with the S50, heavier tranny and differential weighs 18 pounds more than the factory weight of a 318is--2602.

Lightweight flywheel saves 19 pounds of weight, Mcoupe A/C compressor saves 7 pounds.

[fortysix]

Yeah basically I want a car just like Stu's :D

[mdistel]

I like this :P

"http://www.e30m50.com is a great source, and it follows one boys progress on doing the swap himself "

haha, one boys! I was 20 at the time and now am 23 but yes I do look young.

Anyways, I really wonder about the practicality of having someone else do the swap. Once a car is this modified, you always have to tweak and check on things. If you don't do the work or have a nack for figuring things out then you will be clueless on how to fix things. You'll have to check both the E30 and E36 Bently manual. If you like paying people to fix your car then go ahead. I did the swap with minimal tools. I now have a nice set of tools but they didn't even cost too much. I also did the swap with limited knowledge but I can follow directions and figure stuff out.

Mark

https://www.e30m50.com

[M50Webber]

EtaSport - I found my M50 on Roadfly in the classifieds section - I just kept checking every day until one popped up for less than 1000 bucks. I see them on Ebay fairly often as well, and some go for even less than I paid.

I had the good fortune to be able to go pick it up myself, so I saved on shipping.

Mine had 150K miles on it, but it had been hooked to an automatic its whole life. When I pulled it apart to rebuild it, I was amazed at how little wear it had. I took the block to the machine shop to get it honed, and the machinist simply said, "Wow. Why did you take this apart? It looks great."

The engines, like almost all BMW engines, are built like tanks.

As far as the weight goes, I used to autocross an eta with the battery in the front (rear had been hit so many times te ebattery box was mangled). That car had more weight in teh front than my M50/E30 will have. I simply dialed in some extra negative camber in the front, and called it a good deal. It handled great, and was one of the best autocross cars I have driven.

Yay for cheap fun.

Chris

[WhiteE30]

The one in Rockville on the pike. I'm surprised to see the thread I started picked back up. Still trying to save my money for the swap.

[rwh11385]

I like this :P

"http://www.e30m50.com is a great source, and it follows one boys progress on doing the swap himself "

haha, one boys! I was 20 at the time and now am 23 but yes I do look young.

Mark
www.e30m50.com

haha, I always dug your site. I was going to satirize the classic movie promo "one man's mission to save the universe......" And I don't like saying young man's.....so boy it twas.

but yeah, cool to see you around R3V

[george graves]

Not so much compared to an M20.

My 318is with the S50, heavier tranny and differential weighs 18 pounds more than the factory weight of a 318is--2602.

Lightweight flywheel saves 19 pounds of weight, Mcoupe A/C compressor saves 7 pounds.

Stu - Yea, your right! But you got a Al block...it's not your adverage US spec S50 motor - wouldn't you say?

[Rosica]

[quote="M50Webber"]

you can get an entire e36 325is in decent shape for 5k.

You can get a low mileage running totaled e36 M3 for $5-7k with a bunch of parts left over to sell.

[nando]

Not so much compared to an M20.

My 318is with the S50, heavier tranny and differential weighs 18 pounds more than the factory weight of a 318is--2602.

Lightweight flywheel saves 19 pounds of weight, Mcoupe A/C compressor saves 7 pounds.

Stu - Yea, your right! But you got a Al block...it's not your adverage US spec S50 motor - wouldn't you say?

I think you're mistaken. I'm pretty sure he has the regular M50 block.

[Stu]

Not so much compared to an M20.

My 318is with the S50, heavier tranny and differential weighs 18 pounds more than the factory weight of a 318is--2602.

Lightweight flywheel saves 19 pounds of weight, Mcoupe A/C compressor saves 7 pounds.

Stu - Yea, your right! But you got a Al block...it's not your adverage US spec S50 motor - wouldn't you say?

Standard cast iron block for me.

I do, however, have a few items to lighten up the front end, including an aluminum flywheel (-12 pounds) and lightweight stainless manifolds (-8 pounds).

[grk325]

you work for vob...and your asking us how to do the swap...ask the mechanics, there are few that know about this swap..and only one there really knows his shit and he can do it if you give him $$ If you want it done right in other words its cost you$$$$ ;)
but its best not to ask

Sigh.. another fast and furious wannabe street racer.

ask around your work....

its not a easy swap there is alot of custom fabrication to be done....

if this has been said sorry...call mchenry's and buy their kit for 600$,i think?
its also includes alot of correct information regarding the swap!

[george graves]

wow - I though (stu) you had a aluminium block motor...my mistake.

Anyways - regarding motor weights...

M20 117 kg

M50 136 kg

S50 152 kg

152 kg - 117 kg = 35 kg = 77.16 lbs

So what is it that I am missing?

(granted - there are the e30.de guys running huge motors, with out so much as moving the battery into the trunk - so all of this is somewhat relitive)