5.0 engine into an e30? discuss

[makaio]

its got to be just about the cheapest engine ever made to add power to.

Close, the SB Chevy is the cheapest to add HP to.

[OrganicMechanic]

this is only cool if you have a mullet.

[LivingLegend06]

Close, the SB Chevy is the cheapest to add HP to.

its got to be just about the cheapest engine ever made to add power to.

[e30littlechris 22]

Again why would you want to break the spirt of a great bmw engine for some crappy ford engine??

[JasonC]

I thought Chevy was the cheapest way to make power also. That's pretty much why i sold my 67 Dodge Coronet and got the 72 Vega i got now. But it is pretty much the same with any make of motor JDM/Euro/or Domestic. It takes money to go fast.

[Q5Quint]

Again why would you want to break the spirt of a great bmw engine for some crappy ford engine??

because they both use bosch injectors?

my buddies ls1 camaro is putting down 360hp with a cam, headers and a tune..... not sure if thats engine or wheels but thats pretty decent. And it gets 30mpg on the highway because in 6th gear your turning 1500rpm at like 70mph

You cant go to a classic car show without seeing 5.0/ls1/corvette engines swapped into EVERYTHING. After the first car with a huge engine swap your impressed... but after the 50th it becomes pretty normal. Just do it and let us know how it works out~ the replacement for boost is displacement. :idea:

[Jbs]

the replacement for boost is displacement. :idea:

.

[mrsleeve]

302 ford= spendy to make go fast and 2 its a ford.

Chevy 305 = 5.0 also junk steer way away from them.

Chevy 302 = bad ass best 5.0 you can get for cheaper than the s62.

If you really want V8 go chevy LS-X swap stupid cheap to make go stupid fast in a chassis like an e30

[91Saleen#15]

I'm always astounded when I see such fierce brand loyalty in people. It makes me wonder what the hell BMW ever did for such people to warrant it. Sure, I like some of their cars, but I'm not stupid enough to think they have a patent on everything that cool automotive. But then, to each his own...

An e30 is a neat looking car. I particularly like the style. I like the harder lines more than those of the e36 and lots more than the later BMW models. I also like the way the e30 handles. I bought my first one after trying to race my Saleen. Switching to an e30 was a breath of fresh air. I just wish it had more power. OTOH, I find that there is nothing as pleasing as the snarl of a supercharged 302. I can't help but think that the combination of a supercharged aluminum 302 together with the style and handling of an e30 would be very enviable.

As far as LS1's are concerned, I have one. It puts out 405 hp, and it's great fun to drive (Z06). I don't particularly like all the complexity built into it to deal with 21st century emission requirements. Since the e30 I have is a car that's two decades old, why should I saddle myself with current emission and fuel economy constraints? Seems unnecessary.

So what if a 302 is not a BMW engine? BMW came up with a winner for me 20 years ago, but what have they don't for me lately except overcharge me every chance they get? They wanted 1200 bucks to change the alternator of my 740iL when it died on me 700 miles away from home. I changed it myself in the Marriott parking lot in less than 2 hours.

So is it a travesty to put a non-BMW engine in a BMW? Sorry, but as far as I'm concerned, I just don't see it. I like a lot of things BMW has done, but I'm not fanatical about it.

[mikeedler]

dude, the chevy 302 was in like 1 year "69 camaro"- and really wasnt even all it was hyped up to be.
if you really knew what your talking about with small block Chevy's then you would know a 383 stroker is the same block "size/weight" as the tiny 302 and would put out a ton more power, and you could find one- unlike the 302- but a carbed e30 is kinda dumb and ancient anyway. I agree LS1 is the V8 if you want cheap.
and the 302-- 5.0 Mustang motor wasnt crap either, just look at some old DTM film material from 1990. the Mustangs were run by 2 teams out of Munich in the DTM circuit, and sucked in a very bad way. had no chance. the FOX body wasnt made for road courses. they were dinosaurs compared to the european cars of the time.
and to think a Mustang is superior in any way is also ignorant. 2.5 ltr S14s were killing them on the track-- but in a 1/4 mile- yes, the mustang is where it is at.

[mrsleeve]

Mike::: the chevy 302 was 67-69 Z28, also also used in 1/2 pick ups with difrent heads cam an carbs. Any one remember the Trans am with the 301??? same thing.

Easy and stupid cheap to build out of NON 302 orginal parts too. all you need is pre 65 283 bore the shit out of it .125 over that a 1/8 inch leave the stock crank in an you have the mistical chevy 302. Thats where they got the idea was from the hot roder's The supper short stroke (3in) of the 283 crank an the new 4 inch bore makes for a very "PEPPY" push rod V8. I had this set up in a S10 with soild lifters, and holy shit it would rev too the moon just *snap your fingers* that fast.

I know lots more on this if you care to ask instead of telling me I am an idiot an have no idea what I am talking about.


Edit: the 383 is not the same block its a punched out 350, which while was the main stay of the GM small block it is a inefficient boat anchor. Plus the 383 will not rev as quick and makes more power down low which is excataly what you dont want in this type of situation. you want to make the bulk of your power at the top of the revs not the bottom. We are not pulling stumps out with a fucking E30. Detroit has always put power down low, makes a great tire shredder, and easy to drive but in a light e30 you dont need it there. If you move it higher it will be more rewarding in everything.

Edit #2: I am sleepy , where did I say a fox body was better than a S14??? I hate fox bodys an the 302 that was in them was allready wrung out fairly well stock. Why do you think Ford Go fast parts for the 302 are fucking expensive????? Its just another shitty ford engine. reliable maybe torque yes, good NO

[gearheadE30]

If you do a V8 swap, do an LSx. Light weight, lots of mods, lots of power stock, and better than most of the old Ford motors. If you could swing a cobra R swap, that would be pretty awesome ;)

[mikeedler]

dude, no need to get your undies all in a bunch. noone called you anything.-
boring a small block that much= not very good-- I would imagine.
and as far as it being in a 67-69, I was meaning it in a round about way by using the year 69.- which by what you even said, it is not a very popular or easy motor to locate. sorry, hard on the internet to be sarcastic.
and I know its not the same block, thats why I put "same block "size/weight" there.meaning outer overall diameter.
will not rev as quick????? WTF, were talking about putting 50 Y/O technology in a car. the 302 and the 350 were the same damn thing, pushrod smallblock V8s with.

dude, whatever

and I was never saying it wasnt an ok motor, just not all you seem to think it was.

and remember people drive torque, not hp a maority of the time. as well as a 383 will put down more hp and more torque--------which is what the point of a v8 in a e30 is right.

whatever, Im not trying to argue so whatever. just trying to add to what was said here

and the Mustang stuff, I was just putting out there for info, and just because i am a chevy/BMW guy and dont like fords one bit.

[DSP74]

For an X-prepared car it's actually a pretty good idea. I'm curious how the cost would stack up VS an LS1 swap.
And aluminum block 5.0 will probably be lighter than an LS1.

[mrsleeve]

Mike the reason the 302 didnt last in the camaro was at the time dertoit was upping displacements ever year an the 302 was small.

Short stroke with a big bore will rev much quicker than a long strok with the same or larger bore. Plus the rotating assy weighs much less than that of a 383.

They used in the CanAM camaro's for a reason light and high strung kinda like the S14.

usually taking a Sb .125 over is not a good Idea, but in the pre 65 283's there is enough meat there to do it. The only draw back to this combo is that you have a narrow journal crank.

Yes you have more power potential w/ a 383 but what good is it if you cant get it too the ground in a reasonable manner.

I too am a chey/BMW guy and hate fords.

If you were to build the combo I stated above (it can be done with modern injection) and put it in a e30 w/5or 6 spd behind it you will have a land based rocket ship. Trust me its a well prove an great set up.