Why do people pick the E30 M3 to do an engine swap?

[Mark S.]

For the life of me I can never understand why people pick this car, of all cars, to do an engine swap.

Because it's my car.

[datsunfreak]

Because it's my car.

Best answer yet. And would be my answer too.

I have no problems with an engine swap if it's well done and makes the car faster without too much (preferably zero) downside. But if the stock engine is still in the car and running good, I'd say keep it.

Swaps should be the domain of cars with dead (or missing) engines, IMO.

[Piper Motorsport]

Good answer, its only a hunk of metal fella's. We did it because we could and cut up a perfectly good M3 to do so We havn't received much scrutiny probably because we are using all OEM BMW parts and its a radical project I guess. Do what you wish and have fun doing it!

[mpire]

Hmmm...

Why?

Well, considering I am currently hunting for an E30 M3 to butcher, I can tell you that I don't care for bangle styling. Its not classic. I have met Chris Bangle more than once, and he is a very charming guy, but I think he is full of bullshit. He is very good speaker, and he is very entertaining...

That being said, I would rather have a Luthe design. Something about the E30 M3 seems timeless. Something that can't be said about the E30. Why? Don't ask me. The E30 seems weak without the addition of the M rear window. Can't tell you why exactly, but if we could just buy the rear window and trunk lids, we would not be butchering your beloved M3s.

Besides, you gotta be a little crazy to love the E30 M3 anyways. Luthe was pretty crazy, he killed is youngest son on Good Friday. That speaks of a pretty strong personality if you ask me.

As for your beloved S14, its just not enough to justify the maintenance required. You can get much better gas mileage, better power, better torque, and a much less service demanding motor for less than an S14 on the used market. Sure, it was good for its time, but it would be even better if it was the S38. Its pretty weak, and sure it sounds good, but its not good enough.

Take the S54 M Coupe. Same basic suspension, plenty of power, it will stomp an E30 M3 on the track without a second thought. I intend to find myself a nice M roadster that has had a chance encounter with a wall and just swap everything over. Interior, subframes, drivetrain...

Now that would be an awesome car to have.

[evans61]

engine swaps in an e30m3 are absolutely braindead. that engine and that car is the winningest race car ever. if the most reknown racers ever won with it, why in the world would i want to change it. it was designed from the ground up to race. i attend the rolex24 every year for 16 years now. sebring too. i ask drivers like randy pobst (porsche gt cup) the question, "what's the best race car you ever drove?" "e30 m3 that korman put out." the mustang 5.0 ushered in an era of plain power drivers that expect to power their way out of any situation... it doesn't work. on track day, they are the first on the hook, or flatbed. the e30m3 has 50/50 weight distribution. any other engine destroys that ratio. i love that engine. i get nervous when i get asked the question, "how did you get the vibration out of the shifter at 6500?" i run away. instead, i call my wife and say, "this car is awesome... can you hear this over the phone?" i have it's ringtone. nothing sounds like the s14. and any swap is... braindead. i wich i could tell you how i really feel. of course, you are talking to a fanatic that spent 12 hours yesterday washing the car. i started with removing the grill so i could clean the henna to show through better. what a car. s14. no swaps. get a mustang gt instead and plow away. it takes a real driver to get the power out of the s14. no joe six packs here.

[mpire]

bla bla bla...

Its great that you think its so wonderful. I personally think the new V10 at full song sounds pretty sweet. But who really cares? These aren't collectors cars. They are rare, and they are a little special, but if you could get the rear window on a 325 then the M3 would retail for less than $3000 today. Its just a styling exercise. Get over it. The motor doesn't make enough power to justify the cost of maintaining it. I haven't missed a Rolex since 2000. I am fully aware of what they think is great. I bet you that they would all say that the M3 V8 GTR was a much better performer than the E30 M3. Regardless, if the spec series would allow them to run a larger motor, BMW would have made the E30 M3 with a larger motor.

So instead of whining and complaining that they are butchering the engine swaps (that are cheaper than actually rebuilding the S14), I suggest that you be happy that the chassis is loved enough that people want it. If people still drive the cars then you will still be able to find aftermarket parts to fix it.

The day that you can't get parts is the day you will not be able to drive your beloved M3.

While I know you love your little car, no one else really cares.

Why do you think that 90% of cars sold are slushbox transmissions? Women are the primary decision makers on cars bought in this country.

[chutrain]

bla bla bla...

Its great that you think its so wonderful. I personally think the new V10 at full song sounds pretty sweet. But who really cares? These aren't collectors cars. They are rare, and they are a little special, but if you could get the rear window on a 325 then the M3 would retail for less than $3000 today. Its just a styling exercise. Get over it. The motor doesn't make enough power to justify the cost of maintaining it. I haven't missed a Rolex since 2000. I am fully aware of what they think is great. I bet you that they would all say that the M3 V8 GTR was a much better performer than the E30 M3. Regardless, if the spec series would allow them to run a larger motor, BMW would have made the E30 M3 with a larger motor.

So instead of whining and complaining that they are butchering the engine swaps (that are cheaper than actually rebuilding the S14), I suggest that you be happy that the chassis is loved enough that people want it. If people still drive the cars then you will still be able to find aftermarket parts to fix it.

The day that you can't get parts is the day you will not be able to drive your beloved M3.

While I know you love your little car, no one else really cares.

Why do you think that 90% of cars sold are slushbox transmissions? Women are the primary decision makers on cars bought in this country.

What was the point of you signing up to S14.net? Your posts have essentially nothing to provide to the E30 M3 community? Be happy with your S54 and move on.

[mpire]

The point is, I really enjoy reading the swap forum. The S54 has been done already, and I am eager to learn more.

Thats the point.

Sorry if my enthusiasm for the E30 doesnt extend to the drivetrain.

Don't be a hater.

[chutrain]

The point is, I really enjoy reading the swap forum. The S54 has been done already, and I am eager to learn more.

Thats the point.

Sorry if my enthusiasm for the E30 doesnt extend to the drivetrain.

Don't be a hater.

I'm not trying to be a hater. I was just curious as to why your posts have only pertained to the S54 motor. That's all.

[Magnus]

Thanks Mpire... Those are probably the stupidest remarks I've
heard in awhile. Each sentence makes me dumber for reading
it. Clearly you know nothing about the car, although it doesn't
prevent you from making a fool of yourself...

I hope you don't offer technical help. :rolleyes:
----------------------------------------------------

Why do dumb people feel comfortable about saying ignorant things in mixed
company?

[Low Level]

My thought is that this is S14.net. The key element being the S14. There are plenty of other E30 forums. This one centers around cars powered by the S14.

[aaronmjr]

if you could get the rear window on a 325 then the M3 would retail for less than $3000 today. Its just a styling exercise.

I can't pick apart the rest of what you said because it's your opinion and you're entitled to it, but the sentance above shows you have no clue what you're talking about, haha. Why don't you try doing some research before opening that fat, un-informed mouth of yours. :hi:

Sheesh, some people's kids.

[1fastcosmo]

haha you guys crack me up,who really cares what some one else does with their car. "that engine and that car is the winningest race car ever",who cares those places had huge budgets and that was the technology at the time.The s14 is cool but some people just want something different and in my case i wanted something cheaper that fit my budget.I wouldnt mind an s14 powered e30 but at this point its just easier for me to go with a 24v swap.Oh yah and cars are horrible investments !!!

[BingM3]

Because it is always getting picked on by ricers

[mpire]

I can't pick apart the rest of what you said because it's your opinion and you're entitled to it, but the sentance above shows you have no clue what you're talking about, haha. Why don't you try doing some research before opening that fat, un-informed mouth of yours. :hi:

Sheesh, some people's kids.

Kids? Whose kids are you referring to.

Reality states that the differences between the E30 325/318 and the E30 M3 are in the rear window, are they not? You can buy the fenders all day long. You can buy larger aftermarket rear fenders as well. If your going to replace the subframes and the drivetrain, what are you left with thats so unique? The rear window. You can always buy an E30 M3 trunk lid. You can't buy the rear window, if you could, then we would be buying 325s instead of M3s for this conversion.

Anyone know where I can get an m3 rear window to graft onto a 318? Seriously, I would love to find a way to avoid paying 10 grand for a whole car when all I want is the shell.