What is required for E30 S38 swap?

[Julien]

So you are trying to re engineer the most expensive, hard to maintain motor BMW from the 80s with a car that was designed late 1970 technology to achieve some kind of bavarian nirvana?

gl with that.
Julien

[ILoveMPower]

Yee haw... you sure showed me.

Look, I'm just thinking that a S50B30/32 is a hell of a motor, or a S54 - sure you can make a arguement for S38s, but their time as a Hi Po motor are dwindling, otherwise Motorsports division would be using them in 2007.

If you want to stick to the whole "period correct" thing, then sure - that's a semi-passable reason, just be prepared for the cost.

If you have the initial cash to do one, and the reserve cash to rebuild one than you are a thick wallet. Good on you, seriously.

You keep focusing on that M52, why? It was a passing reference.

I only used that as an example of cheap HP, nothing more. If you can't see that, then you are 'just retarded'. If we need to cut to the chase & flop our dicks on the table & measure who's bigger that's fine. You might win, I don't think I've got a big gun, just a sensible brain.

Opinions on S38s are like assholes, we all got one. I would choose a S50 varient with a snail over a S38 myself, but whatever.

I'm just curious how many S38 cars you've owned/driven? Seems a lot of your comments are just you talking out your ass because you can't afford an S38. If you don't like my ideas for project, why do you post?

I could stuff an S50 in an e30, but then it would just be another e30 with an s50. Personally, I'd rather live up to the nickname of "The Ultimate Driving Machine," and to me the S38 is the ultimate straight six filled to the brim with motorsport soul. Sure it could be more efficient, sure it could be faster, better gas mileage... but there is not much else that could be any more raw and enjoyable.

Just my opinion...

[smonkbmw]

Can you say Turbo'd 4.0 S38B35 that puts down 700HP at 14lbs. of boost?

yes i can say that. but were not talking about built motors here. if you keep searching theres some crazy norweigans (sp?) with a vertical mounted TT s38 in a tube chassis e36 running 1200hp....woo hoo.

im curious if the OP is even looking at this thread anymore.

[BenM]

Ah, I just found some pictures of this beast.

http://www.doggunracing.com/mye28/LucifersHammer/

[BenM]

Opinions on S38s are like assholes, we all got one. I would choose a S50 varient with a snail over a S38 myself, but whatever.

Why not an S38 with a snail?:p


And if you haven't heard of this car before, I present to you all, Lucifer's Hammer. Can you say Turbo'd 4.0 S38B35 that puts down 700HP at 14lbs. of boost?

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=26880&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=lucifers+hammer

Just go over to mye28 and search for "Lucifer's Hammer". That car just rocks my fucking socks off.

[LINUS]

so if cost is the only metric, we should all be building M10s right?

an M52 is like an M20 on steriods. an S38 is an entirely different beast altogether.. trying to compare them on a cost basis is just retarded.

Yee haw... you sure showed me.

Look, I'm just thinking that a S50B30/32 is a hell of a motor, or a S54 - sure you can make a arguement for S38s, but their time as a Hi Po motor are dwindling, otherwise Motorsports division would be using them in 2007.

If you want to stick to the whole "period correct" thing, then sure - that's a semi-passable reason, just be prepared for the cost.

If you have the initial cash to do one, and the reserve cash to rebuild one than you are a thick wallet. Good on you, seriously.

You keep focusing on that M52, why? It was a passing reference.

I only used that as an example of cheap HP, nothing more. If you can't see that, then you are 'just retarded'. If we need to cut to the chase & flop our dicks on the table & measure who's bigger that's fine. You might win, I don't think I've got a big gun, just a sensible brain.

Opinions on S38s are like assholes, we all got one. I would choose a S50 varient with a snail over a S38 myself, but whatever.

[FredK]

I feel the S54 isn't really boring. I feel it's high strung to the motherfucking max as well.

[James Crivellone]

I will one day run an S38 in my car, and I could careless if I spent 20 grand on the damn thing!

Newer motors are boring, the old high strung to the motherfucking max motors are what I like.

[euroshark]

Aren't the two blocks fairly identical as far as mounting?

Same block as the M90 motors used in the old old Euro E23s and E24s... The block is coded M49. It's the same exact block, crank, and rods as used in the M88/3 and the M90 (the street version of the M88/3 if you will, it had the single cam head), so mounting the S38 should be the same as mounting an early M30 (or M90) except that the headers might cause issues on the passenger side mounting bracket.

If you want more info on the M49 block or the M90, M88/3, S38 family buy the "6 Series Enthusiasts Companion" by Jeremy Walton, it's got the full history of these engines.

[Farbin Kaiber]

MY comparison

Based on Logic, Not cost...

In MY reality, coming from a guy that runs a Honda specialist, Nobody is swapping a b17a. Everyone and their mothers go for B16 - B18. The B17 is the Honda bastard child in the US. Can it be done? Yeah. Is there any other question? WHY? Why would someone go thru the rigors to source parts, peices, components for an uncommon, off the beaten path engine swap? It's like the choice between a SBC, or a BOP small block. Very similar, but use different parts. These are cars we're talking about, why make a choice that will leave your car on jackstands waiting for a euro part that costs 2.5 times the cost of it's contemporary counterpart? Instead of having the ability to drive down the street to pick up a replacment?


Why would you stuff a bastard in your engine bay?

[nando]

If you mean me, I was outlining cost, not apple-apple comparisons. 2 different worlds.

I personally think guys who **need** a S38 swap are the same kind of guys who run 37"+ tires on asphalt queen trucks. It's cool, but whatever. Glad someone **needs** those used S38's. Personal opinion, I guess.

so if cost is the only metric, we should all be building M10s right?

an M52 is like an M20 on steriods. an S38 is an entirely different beast altogether.. trying to compare them on a cost basis is just retarded.

[Farbin Kaiber]

If you mean me, I was outlining cost, not apple-apple comparisons. 2 different worlds.

I personally think guys who **need** a S38 swap are the same kind of guys who run 37"+ tires on asphalt queen trucks. It's cool, but whatever. Glad someone **needs** those used S38's. Personal opinion, I guess.

Amen brotha.... Preach on.

[LINUS]

did somebody seriously try to compare an M52 swap to an S38? LOL

If you mean me, I was outlining cost, not apple-apple comparisons. 2 different worlds.

I personally think guys who **need** a S38 swap are the same kind of guys who run 37"+ tires on asphalt queen trucks. It's cool, but whatever. Glad someone **needs** those used S38's. Personal opinion, I guess.

[nando]

did somebody seriously try to compare an M52 swap to an S38? LOL

[Farbin Kaiber]

I was judging by fendergap.