E30 engine swap options

[Tbolt]

I want an s50. turbo'd eventually.

[StereoInstaller1]

Having driven a camm'd S50 and a stock M30, the M30 feels better to me. WAY more "balls", way more natural feeling, easier to drive...just all in all better for my taste.

I am pretty sure the M30 was faster, too. Maybe not on the top, but what a stoplight brawler that pile of shit is...damn...

[cferb]

Having driven a camm'd S50 and a stock M30, the M30 feels better to me. WAY more "balls", way more natural feeling, easier to drive...just all in all better for my taste.

I am pretty sure the M30 was faster, too. Maybe not on the top, but what a stoplight brawler that pile of shit is...damn...

I haven't been in either, I'm just going off numbers here, haha.

[318isbmw]

Having driven a camm'd S50 and a stock M30, the M30 feels better to me. WAY more "balls", way more natural feeling, easier to drive...just all in all better for my taste.

I am pretty sure the M30 was faster, too. Maybe not on the top, but what a stoplight brawler that pile of shit is...damn...

I'd agree. I think the m30 is just all torque and down low, I wouldn't want it up high a ton. Whereas the s50 loves high rpm's a heck of a lot. But that all comes down to displacement and how much mass is spinning.

OP just figure out what you want and go for it. There's sections on the forum for the common swap, w/ tons of stuff already answered. Search around and you shall be rewarded.

[323iNathan]

are you talking about the US spec S50? because I'd say the euro type would cream any M30, and you get 4 cylinder fuel consumption in an e30.
Some guys on e30zone.net get 40MPG+ on 24v swaps

[cferb]

are you talking about the US spec S50? because I'd say the euro type would cream any M30, and you get 4 cylinder fuel consumption in an e30.
Some guys on e30zone.net get 40MPG+ on 24v swaps

Of course. The euro s50 swap is probably getting up to ls1 swap cost, maybe higher.

[smonkbmw]

m50/52 is getting down to the same price to swap in as a m30. has better reliability, fuel economy and makes decent power. not to mention its lighter. and if its not enough add s50 cams, 540maf, pulleys and a good tune wont solve. sorry if youre gonna do a swap, drop the old tech.

[323iNathan]

that's my opinion, for peace of mind I'd rather go newer engine than M30.
Although I'd imagine an M30 3.5 with a lumpy cam and nice exhaust would sound awesome!

[Julien]

are you talking about the US spec S50? because I'd say the euro type would cream any M30, and you get 4 cylinder fuel consumption in an e30.
Some guys on e30zone.net get 40MPG+ on 24v swaps

um.... how?

[Charlie]

um.... how?

Imperial gallons vs US? I've seen 28-29 mpg at highway cruising speeds with a 3.73, I imagine with a 3.15 or a 3.23 you could probably see 34 mpg or so, which would be close to 40 in imperial.

-Charlie

[cferb]

I don't get it...Imperial? Shouldn't mpg be mpg? I would imagine other countries go by km/L

[James]

I don't get it...Imperial? Shouldn't mpg be mpg? I would imagine other countries go by km/L

Its your funny US gallon vs the rest of the world's gallon

[DCColegrove]

My nut job buddy is putting an S54 solid lifters, twin VANOS, ITBs and a paxton blower in an e30...

He has way more money than good sense.

[blunttech]

My nut job buddy is putting an S54 solid lifters, twin VANOS, ITBs and a paxton blower in an e30...

He has way more money than good sense.

hows he adapting twin vanos to it?

[turboeta]

Non vanos M50 + Turbo = any amount of power your heart desires