S38 or S52?

[mck]

I need help chosing a motor for the E30.
I can get hold a a S38B36 now. Although I did want a S52 before I found this.
What are the pros and cons of these convertions. I have been told that the S38 is heavy(I don't want the E30 to handle like crap) and expensive to maintain. Any one that has done these convertions or driven these cars please give me some advice.
Thanks

[backtrail69]

Two very different engines. I would go for a s38 if you can afford it, they aren't cheap to maintain or fix. I would go with a s52 if you want something with low cost and reliable. Its all about what you want.

Something Unique and have instant torque anywhere (s38)
A reliable DD type car, but fairly common (s52)

I went with a stroked and turbod m20, I love that motor as well, but not the best for a DD or even big city driving.

[MR 325]

S52.

S38's suck, just like S14's.

[mrsleeve]

My self I love the idea of a s38 in a e30 but unless you are made of money its just not cost effective. They need lost of attention but still very cool.

i was considering this route for my build next winter, but because of the costs of building a turbo friendly s38 and the shear cost of parts for it I have decide to go turbo s52. I am just starting to source the parts so it will be a bit.

[UNHCLL]

S52.

S38's suck, just like S14's.

You're such an ignoramus.
Your blanket statements are pretty obnoxious as well.

:roll:

[Hick]

S38B38 + DS E30 coupe = dream car

[scabzzzz]

Why doesnt everyone just do an S14 swap into their E30's?

Because
1) Harder to find
2) Half of them out there are broke as fuck
3) Expensive as shit

Apply all that to an S38 x 12312523

[Ray Smoodiver]

Remember he's RHD.

S38 is so much easier than S50 for RHD cars.

[george graves]

S52.

S38's suck, just like S14's.

[kansas-ix]

s52

[FredK]

As long as you don't pile up mileage and can source an S38 with lower mileage, I say do the S38. The reason being, if you can get a lower mileage motor, you can delay the mega expensive maintenance just a bit longer while you enjoy the pure power of 3.6 liters of M power.

But, don't do the swap if you're already going to be strained by buying the engine itself.

Sucka is long! But outright I believe it weighs nearly the same as a S50B30.

How much is an S52 in Australia? I imagine you'd be sourcing a crank from the US and boring out an M50. That would make for quite a powerful engine!

[MR 325]

You're such an ignoramus.
Your blanket statements are pretty obnoxious as well.

:roll:

If it's ignorant to notice a $10,000 S14 is still slower than my 100k mile S50, guilty as charged!

[WillisE30]

I would go with the S52 simply because you can actually afford to drive it and flog it, if something does break it'll be cheaper to replace by quite a bit.

[crunk3]

S54 Ftw

[mck]

I will deffinetly turbo the S..

I am going to turbo the motor either way whether its a S38 or S52(or S50, S54).
I have found two S38 here in Australia.
160,000km for $4500AUD or rebuilt in bits for $5500AUD , I can get the Gearbox w/clutch, drive shaft, diff for $3000AUD. At the moment I can't source a S52(or similar) but last one I saw was for $12,500 with gearbox.
Looks like I would have to import the S52 for the states as there aren't many here.