What is required for E30 S38 swap?

[wagonizzle]

Wait...

the s38 is a STRONG motor. it is period correct. but it is to bad its only advantage is it weighs 12 pounds less than a 24 valve. makes about the same if not less than a s52.

... nope.

[wagonizzle]

yes i know what a s38 is. i stand corrected (i was looking only at the 3.6) it makes 8 less or 13 more hp depending on which version you look at on this http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/enumber.html
oh and it weighs a pound less than a s52.

Okay, this chart shows euro spec s5x motors - probably no cheaper than a US s38 (assuming you live in the US). And even early s38's had more to give but got choked out with emissions crap. Not that this even has to do with what the OP asked, but this is R3V, not some other e30-technical based website (come to your own conclusions). At least give irrelevant correct information. S38's are REAL M-motors.

[So Live]

holy shit dont do that!!! there has be be a better way to mount an s38 than that

Learn how to weld and make your own motor mounts. (tig if the oil pan needs attention. maybe just mig if you have to make the motor mounts).

Do the swap bro! you know youll be the shit and so will your car haha.

If i had the funds and the motor i totally would dude. why the hell not?!

[ILoveMPower]

Have been doing some research, found something you guys might like...



Here's some specs as quoted by the owner:

- Inlet camsaft 296
- Exhaust camsaft 280
- Adjustable Camgears
- Cylinderhead works by Hannu Makkonen
- Throttle body M5 3.8 (S38B38)
- Inlet valve 39 mm
- Wiseco Piston 94,5 mm
- Stock S38B38 Cranksaft + conrods (3785 cc)
- Whit out airbox
- Adjustable air horns
- ITG Megaflow special made air filter
- Adjustable RST race exhaust 6-2-1 + exhaust pipe made by Marko
- ECU Haltec E11 v2



470,6 Nm / 6000 rpm
4000-7000 rpm + 420 Nm
124,33 Nm / litre / 1000 cc


435 Hp / 7000 rpm
114,9 Hp / litre / 1000 cc

Check out the pictures here and try not to get too hard:

http://Camber.kuvablogi.com/

[Farbin Kaiber]

Look at the "power-bulge" in the hood.

[UNHCLL]

Look at the "power-bulge" in the hood.

That's not a power bulge.
That is shitty aerodynamics because there isn't a hood pin in the center and its a composite hood. The wind/air is getting under the hood and causing a high pressure area because it can't easily escape out the backside of the hood.

-C

[JGood]

That's not a power bulge.
That is shitty aerodynamics because there isn't a hood pin in the center and its a composite hood. The wind/air is getting under the hood and causing a high pressure area because it can't easily escape out the backside of the hood.

-C

Somebody needs a "Trent style" hood vent. On that topic, anyone know where to get a decent quality fiberglass hood and trunk on the cheap?

[Farbin Kaiber]

That's not a power bulge.
That is shitty aerodynamics because there isn't a hood pin in the center and its a composite hood. The wind/air is getting under the hood and causing a high pressure area because it can't easily escape out the backside of the hood.

-C

I had assumed someone found a better mounting than some shitty peices of pipe for the subframe. If you saw above I had said, couldnt you put some type of hood cowl to clear the height difference on the s38.

fuck it, zip ties and alignment shims FTW!!!!!





On a side note, why the hell cant you cut the cowl off a Camaro hood or something? Are people that anal about lookin oe with that engine? I'd sacrifice asthetics over safety anyday.





Id bet three bucks thats not a grade 8 bolt either.

[UNHCLL]

I had assumed someone found a better mounting than some shitty peices of pipe for the subframe. If you saw above I had said, couldnt you put some type of hood cowl to clear the height difference on the s38.

I did see.
I was still going to correct the incorrect statement.


-C

[Farbin Kaiber]

I did see.
I was still going to correct the incorrect statement.


-C

If your so sure, can you prove it? It looks to me like the installer of this hood in question adjusted the points used to secure the hood pins to allow central flex creating more room. Can you prove me wrong? Maybe we are both right, or both wrong. I went back and looked at pics of it sitting still, still looks slightly bowed.

[UNHCLL]

If your so sure, can you prove it? It looks to me like the installer of this hood in question adjusted the points used to secure the hood pins to allow central flex creating more room. Can you prove me wrong? Maybe we are both right, or both wrong.

Sure.
Come to the racetrack with me anytime... Come watch any race car (e30) at high speed with a composite hood and only 2 pins at the front. It's a common flex issue.

But we can continue to debate whether I know what I'm talking about or not... I've only been around race cars for 10+ years. ;)

-C


EDIT:

Here is the car sitting idle (unmoving). Notice the front hood gap spacing directly above the kidney grills.


Compare to the "At Speed" photo:

[Farbin Kaiber]

Sure.
Come to the racetrack with me anytime... Come watch any race car (e30) at high speed with a composite hood and only 2 pins at the front. It's a common flex issue.

But we can continue to debate whether I know what I'm talking about or not... I've only been around race cars for 10+ years. ;)

-C

Thank you wise and all knowing UN. It's a great thing you have been around racecars for 10+ years, I feel so much better with you pulling out the figurative "Big Dick" stamp of clout. Does my pressure checking tires in the 1989 Baja 1000 at 8 years of age give me more clout? NO, please don't pull out some childish pissing contest shit again. Thanks.


EDIT: Thank you....

[Farbin Kaiber]

I was judging by fendergap.

[nando]

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

[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.