Swap Cost Comparisons: M30vsM50vsS50vsS52

[Garageaholic]

Not to mention that the M30 takes boost like it's nothing... Stock internals can handle as much boost as most people would consider throwing at a 3.5 liter motor that lives in a street car... We are talking 400rwhp easy with the TCD stage 2 and stage 3 kit (coming soon?).

i just emailed Todd about stage II questions. I am thinking about going stage II and he said that i'm looking at 325rwhp/340rwtq at 12psi intercooled. I think i'm making around 280-290rwhp at 7psi non-intercooled.
This is all with stock internals and stock headgasket/bolts

Upgrade some of this stuff, get a megasquirt, higher injectors, Now we're talking 450rwhp easy...

[Mike325]

Frank, you are not running any software with the turbo?

[euroshark]

Todd at TCD simply adjusts the AFM spring tension from what I recall... The later versions of Motronic (059 ECU and newer) can handle the boost pretty well I guess.

[Garageaholic]

That's right, I do not have any software. I'd be running 30# injectors, no software except a chip included with the kit. I believe i have the 179 ECU

It's still a very simplistic turbo setup and boy am I glad I got the Newest M30 generation. These things truly ARE bulletproof!

[JPL]

does anyone know of a site that someone posted that had the history and specs of everything BMW? all the models, engines etc.

I searched but couldn't find anything. i can't remember the title of the thread.

[Ahheck01]

wikipedia is always good, though not always comprehensive.

-Evan

[euroshark]

www.Bmwworld.com has a ton of good info actually...

[JPL]

basically what I am looking for is a list of differences between the m30 engine and its S sibling, the s38 i think.

also the m50 and s50.

any sites?
any knowledge?

[euroshark]

www.bigcoupe.com has lots of good info on both motors, though I have more or less explained the origin of the M88/3 and S38 in the M30 swap section and one or two other threads around here. They came from the M49 block that when mated to a 12 valve M30 head became the M90 motor... 93.355mm bore, 84mm stroke.

I don't know anything about the S50 though... Sorry.

[george graves]

I think a fair question to ask is if you are getting the most for your money with the m50 swap.

For some guys with blown motor, a m50 swap would make sense? Maybe so...

Otherwise for me I'd go with a build up m20 (like Jordan's, his dyno curve was very nice.) - but again, that motor is tapped out - no where to go.

Building up a s50 (like Stu's dad did for him) is a awesome motor I'm sure, but way out of most people's price range. What would that cost to build up?

So, the m30 really fits in there as an option. Most people don't realize how much TQ this motor has. I start off in second gear all the time And for me anyways, TQ make for a VERY fun daily driver.

HTH...

..

[der affe]

i have been following this thread and i have a few questions too. since i am looking to up grade with either a 2.9 m-20 (up until now i thought it would be my only choice) since i already have the dbilas itb's , maf conv, and piggy back or an s-52. the m-30 is now looking like a viable option.
here's my questions:
*do they make a manifold that will let me put the itb's on the m-30 head?
*what kind of cam selection is there out there...schrick, cat cams, etc?
*is it worth putting the ford hot wire conv maf on the m-30 or should i continue with my plans to go with the Wolf standalone and convert to speed density?
*with a P & P head, nice meaty cam, stand alone, itb's,& maf conv or speed density, what kind of hp am i looking at???
i don't want to go turbo here in az for a DD. in the summer it is just too dam hot!!!!!
* one more...can i still run a/c with the m-30 swap???
thanks,
greg

[euroshark]

*do they make a manifold that will let me put the itb's on the m-30 head?
*what kind of cam selection is there out there...schrick, cat cams, etc?
*is it worth putting the ford hot wire conv maf on the m-30 or should i continue with my plans to go with the Wolf standalone and convert to speed density?
*with a P & P head, nice meaty cam, stand alone, itb's,& maf conv or speed density, what kind of hp am i looking at???
i don't want to go turbo here in az for a DD. in the summer it is just too dam hot!!!!!
* one more...can i still run a/c with the m-30 swap???

There are ITB manifolds out there, Jenvey used to sell them but I don't know if they do anymore...

Cams from Schrick are available from a few sources, and Ireland Engineering sells regrinds for under $200.

Standalone will yield the best result I think, since you will have complete control.

With all that stuff, you'd be looking at over 300hp if you can get the ITBs to work. There are triple carb'd M30s making well over 300hp. - Edit: You will need higher compression pistons. I've seen 11:1s on all the 300hp+ M30s. With 10:1 or 10.5:1 you will still make in the 260 to 280 range with ITBs.

You can run AC, not a problem.

[der affe]

sweet! thanks for the quick reply!
so basically my best bet for a swap motor is to a late 80's early 90's 5'er for the best plug and play with my 91 325i. i'm still a little bmw ignorant, so sorry if this is a stupid question, but is the same era m-5 going to be a m-30 also? would this be a s-38?
are headers a prob with the swap also? and where can you find them?
thanks,
btw this is getting better and better, that is the type of n/a power i was looking for and never had a hope of getting out of an m-20!

[der affe]

dbilas sells a manifold for the m-30 for use with their itb's.........418 euros!!!! ouch!!! at least there is one available

[whiltebeitel]

sweet! thanks for the quick reply!
so basically my best bet for a swap motor is to a late 80's early 90's 5'er for the best plug and play with my 91 325i. i'm still a little bmw ignorant, so sorry if this is a stupid question, but is the same era m-5 going to be a m-30 also? would this be a s-38?
are headers a prob with the swap also? and where can you find them?
thanks,
btw this is getting better and better, that is the type of n/a power i was looking for and never had a hope of getting out of an m-20!

The M5 has a twin-cam, solid lifter de-tuned race engine. This is the S38/M88. :D