What is required for E30 S38 swap?

[ILoveMPower]

No what I'm expecting is for someone who actually has some useful info to reply and help me out, rather than every other fuck out there telling me it's too much money and to use M30 spark plugs, etc.

My comment above was refering to the fact that US-spec s50s are simply not living up to the MPower legacy... this is what an s50 looks like:



If you don't have any advice or experience in e30 s38's, how hard is it to simply go look at another thread? No, I think I'd rather google a picture of dollar bills and post it.

[e21pilot]

The problem here is none of these people know what an S38 really is.

Take your silly Euro spec S50, now add a liter of displacement and TONS more power, that's an S38.

This whole S50 vs. S38 conversation is like comparing a M10 vs. S14, THERE IS NO COMPARISON!

There is more info than these people are offering but you will have to look for it, most avoid the swap because they can't even afford the engine to begin with. I know of a stroked euro 3.8L S38 making 400hp locally for $13k.

If you can afford the swap, do it, it will be one of the most fun, and rare, e30's around.

I bet 99.9% of these people have never even driven an 88 M5, and don't know the true meaning of Mpower.

[TwoJ's]

But seriously, there is a reason the swap is not popular.

And you're a lazy ass for not searching. Don't get defensive when people tell you what a bad idea you have. And why didn't you post in the swap section? A lot less "post whores" go to those sections and you might get a response.

And finally, quit bitching about s52's. If you want a euro one, then buy one.

[DarkWing6]

I would assume that the S38 swap is similar to the M30. There are a few good write-ups in that section of the forum. In many cases people make custom mounts, which helps such a large motor fit a little better. I think there is a premade mount that can be used (I forget which), but I think custom is the way to go.

[Farbin Kaiber]

No what I'm expecting is for someone who actually has some useful info to reply and help me out, rather than every other fuck out there telling me it's too much money and to use M30 spark plugs, etc.

My comment above was refering to the fact that US-spec s50s are simply not living up to the MPower legacy... this is what an s50 looks like:



If you don't have any advice or experience in e30 s38's, how hard is it to simply go look at another thread? No, I think I'd rather google a picture of dollar bills and post it.

Your asking for minority info that the majority has nothing on, aside from looking at pictures of vlad's stuff. Call Azevedo, PM vlad, jump in a lake?


BTW, thanks for the pic, I had NO idea what the s38 really looked like? So you mean the MPower logo on my s52 valve cover means nothing? I'm ruining the "Legacy". Drats... I knew I was doing something wrong in regards to my swap. Guess ill have to return all those M related parts as I am propigating a false legacy.

[Jean]

Guys, I own an s38 car as well as an m30 car, and I know the motors very well... I am refering to mounts quite obviously.

Now I remember why I stopped visiting this site, it's full of fucking haters rather than enthusiasts. If I wasn't interested in spending money, do you honestly think I would consider this swap?

If I wanted a fucking m50/2 car or a shitty underpowered us-spec S50/2 I would buy a shitty E36.

</end rage>

Wow, you take internet and forums really serious !

Having said that, you actually have m30 and s38 , so you should already be one step ahead with this info have you done some research (even comparing part numbers on realoem....).

Good luck with your project, would love you see it done!

[ILoveMPower]

Thanks for the info guys

BTW, thanks for the pic, I had NO idea what the s38 really looked like? So you mean the MPower logo on my s52 valve cover means nothing? I'm ruining the "Legacy". Drats... I knew I was doing something wrong in regards to my swap. Guess ill have to return all those M related parts as I am propigating a false legacy.

No sir, I mean that the S52 is supposed to have ~80 more hp. And that image is what came up when I searched on google for "euro s50," so I apoligize if that is not what it is.

If any of you guys are in the CT area and would like to feel what an early 90's 3800lb family sedan with a six cylinder is supposed to feel like, pm me!

[Farbin Kaiber]

Thanks for the info guys



No sir, I mean that the S52 is supposed to have ~80 more hp. And that image is what came up when I searched on google for "euro s50," so I apoligize if that is not what it is.

If any of you guys are in the CT area and would like to feel what an early 90's 3800lb family sedan with a six cylinder is supposed to feel like, pm me!

Thanks for the offer, I'd love to, but prolly won't be out there within the next decade. My scarasm was an response to the s52 disrespect. Yeah, bottom line, you own one, know how much costs are for maintnance, and this is the reason why it is not done regularly. An NSX engine can be dropped into an Integra with tons of custom work, but why when one can drop in an h22a and have more power than traction, but it has been tried and not a feasable option. All we are saying is, if you have oodles of cash floating around and need to spend it, go ahead, otherwise, you can get the power you want out of an s52. It's cheeper, and a lot less asprin required for late night stress induced headaches.

[ILoveMPower]

I'm not disrespecting your s52 swap in any way, of course that will turn a run-of-the-mill E30 into a "mind-blower" as Vlad would say. It is just simply personal preference, I for one have had a ride in my buddies' '98 M3's and was dissappointed to say the least.

I am asking about the S38 because I've riden/driven many BMW's, new and old, and none have given the enjoyment/experience that the S38 does on a daily basis. This isn't a project I want done overnight, it's just something I'm looking into in the future when I have some money to waste.

Then again, I've never even driven an E30 with a 24valve... maybe with the chassis weight even that is enough to cure my lust for a supercar go-kart.

Enjoy your gorgeous classic 3-series' and I will try to keep my mouth shut! ;)

Regards,
- JK

[SpecRaceM5]

I say go for it! I have an e34 M5 and will be the first to tell you I don't have the sac for a swap like this (by sac I mean nut sac not bank sac althought I don't have that either) even though I would love to do it since this swap puts all the s50 nonesence to shame. Of course the s50 is a great motor and is the practical thing to do, but if you look at the motor swapped cars in europe, there are quite a few more s38 e30's then there are here. In my opinion it is much more creative and fresh. The only swap I would do would be the euro s50, s38, or a custom built m50 from the z3 (get the alu. block).

I wish I could be more help other then support, but you are right. This forum should be about enthusiests, not haters. That's why I say go for it, and if I can help in any way (other then financially) let me know.

Cheers,

Brian

[ILoveMPower]

I say go for it! I have an e34 M5 and will be the first to tell you I don't have the sac for a swap like this (by sac I mean nut sac not bank sac althought I don't have that either) even though I would love to do it since this swap puts all the s50 nonesence to shame. Of course the s50 is a great motor and is the practical thing to do, but if you look at the motor swapped cars in europe, there are quite a few more s38 e30's then there are here. In my opinion it is much more creative and fresh. The only swap I would do would be the euro s50, s38, or a custom built m50 from the z3 (get the alu. block).

I wish I could be more help other then support, but you are right. This forum should be about enthusiests, not haters. That's why I say go for it, and if I can help in any way (other then financially) let me know.

Cheers,

Brian

Yes man! Love your M5, it is Alpine as well I believe? Not trying to be negative at all with this whole thread but it seems like a lot of guys are saying "no don't do it" without even ever having a ride in an M88/S38 car

[GarrettM]

My contribution: CAUSE IT FUCKING MATTERS WHAT OTHERS SAY.

[SpecRaceM5]

Yes man! Love your M5, it is Alpine as well I believe? Not trying to be negative at all with this whole thread but it seems like a lot of guys are saying "no don't do it" without even ever having a ride in an M88/S38 car

Yup. Alpine with 18" ACS type 2's. It is going to be my after school project. To hold me over for the next 2 years or so, I'm hopefully picking up another e30 to play with. I'll probably just stick to an m20 for a while since any sort of swap will cost me to much right now. I have an annonymous friend with an e30 touring who I have told I would swap my motor in if he gave me the car, but other then that, I can't bring myself to dissable my M5. It's my precious.

Brian

[Farbin Kaiber]

Just because I rode in a Viper, Isn't gonna change my mind about swaping the engine into My Ladies Dodge Neon. Could it be done? Yes. Would I harness the power of an engine that is mucho desireable? Yes. Is it worth the investment/time? No. WTF would anyone want a 8.0L Viper powered Neon for? Would a built SRT-4 swap be sufficent? Yes. Would it perform? Yes. What I'm getting at is, Why expend the extra funds to get the s38 in there, when for the same, if not less, you could boost (bolt-ons / FI) the m/s 50/52 to equal performance without a waiting list to get replacment parts.

[george graves]

Guys, I own an s38 car as well as an m30 car, and I know the motors very well... I am refering to mounts quite obviously.

Now I remember why I stopped visiting this site, it's full of fucking haters rather than enthusiasts.

Well, give it a few more years, the rebuild on the s38 car will cost more then the m30 car is worth....