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

[mpire]

someone explain how swapping in an s54 makes it any less original than converting it to a 2.5 liter motor. neither is original equipment and both make the car unoriginal.

[aaronmjr]

Changing the brake pads and tires from what it left the factory with technically makes a car no longer original. You're really starting to split hairs here. I think we all see your stance on the issue.

[Carfantiti]

someone explain how swapping in an s54 makes it any less original than converting it to a 2.5 liter motor. neither is original equipment and both make the car unoriginal.

you serious?
It is the same motor.
how is it you ask that question.
it is a s14 2.3 right?It is also a 2.5 s14 right?
pop the hood of a 2.5 and a 2.3 do you see any difference?
Is it the same motor yes?
there is stock and there is oem modified/ options.
the s54 was never a option and it sure wasn't stock.
did they make a s14 2.5 for the e30 m3 yes.
did they make a s54,s50,s52 ect for the e30 m3 nope.
some guys like pure oem no mods at all.
some guys like oem and period correct performance parts.
swapping a cam and throttle body with a oem performance option part to me is still oem.
now if you want it bone stock than thats okay too.
the evo is 2.5 s14 so u can buy one .
your question is same as saying how is it different if you put a 1997 ls1 in a a 1969 camaro vrs taking the stock 350 motor and making it a stroker 396.

[Carfantiti]

Well, as I said, PROPER swaped car...
S50B32 E30M3 is fast, talking about 0-100km/h in 4.8sec.

I do agree with you on proper done.
my e36 m3 was 0 to 60 4.2 well thats what the crappy g -tech said lol.
If the s14 dies you have a motor sitting around and it can drop in until redo the s14 guess its okay.
I know to each is own do what makes you happy .
I just don't agree that it is better with a different motor.
Please anyone with a e30 m3 and has never looked.
go to utube look at the videos of these cars in 1987,1988,1989,1990 .
check out rally and DTM racing.
It really looks like to me the e30 m3 was plenty fast enough .
I bet faster than any of us can handle it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Alpina]

These numbers ,, 4.2 and 4.8 :peekaboo:

Are you running slicks .. and redline with clutch-drop

[Anders]

someone explain how swapping in an s54 makes it any less original than converting it to a 2.5 liter motor. neither is original equipment and both make the car unoriginal.

Do you really need that explained??

[mpire]

I think you are missing the point.

If the title is not in your name, it really doesn't matter what they do to the car.

The rarer the car, the more special your car is.

[Larsen-Racing]

These numbers ,, 4.2 and 4.8 :peekaboo:

Are you running slicks .. and redline with clutch-drop

I clocked mine manually several times on flat road, new asphalt and Proxes T-1R tires. Tried several times. Clocked as slow as 6 seconds on the most crappy start, there it died when releasing the clutch, like a S14 would do :hee:

[Carfantiti]

I'm just happy driving the s14 little 4 cylinder .I love the sound of that engine.I'ts funny it really sounds allot faster than it is lol

[bimmer]

I just don't agree that it is better with a different motor.
Please anyone with a e30 m3 and has never looked.
go to utube look at the videos of these cars in 1987,1988,1989,1990 .
check out rally and DTM racing.
It really looks like to me the e30 m3 was plenty fast enough .
I bet faster than any of us can handle it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The stock cars have little to do with the DTM race monsters!!!!

[Anders]

The stock cars have little to do with the DTM race monsters!!!!

I agree with ^^^. Almost every part of the car was replaced or modified on the DTM cars.

[e30polak]

lol
I been in a s50 swapped e30 325i.
I really wasn't that impressed.
I think my stock engine in my super eta that
I stroked by putting the 325i top end is pretty close in acceleration.
I know my supercharged e36 was faster.

While your 2.7i m20 car may have "felt" as fast, there is a considerable difference acceleration wise between the 2 set-ups. A 2.7i e30 will still have trouble keeping up with an e36 M3, while the US s50/2 e30 can keep up with/beat a e46 M3.

This debate has been beaten to hell so many times it's not funny.

In the end, each owner can do what they please with their car. I personally love a properly built s14, but I prefer them in a light 2002. :gotcha:

While they can be pretty fast in fully worked 2.3/2.5 versions, they simply don't have the torque that the 6 cylinder swaps offer. I realize these cars weren't built for straight line racing, but they can become very robust with 200+whp * wtq.

I used to own a nicely set-up s52 325, with a dialed in coil-over setup, big brakes, etc. My car handled just as well if not better then my friend's similarly modified s14 M3. The biggest difference in front end weight is tight downhill turns, however this can be remedied for the most part.

I can't wait to have my s54 swap going. The 300+whp, 8000+ reldine, and intoxicating CSL sound, will make my M3 an absolute monster, with a real M engine!

To each his own. Purists will hate, but most enthusiasts will apprecoate a properly built M3 with either the s14 or a 6 cylinder variant. [peace]

[Reelizmpro]

For my S38 swap, I'm keeping the S14...slowly doing a 2.5 which I've acquired all of the parts for already and I'm not modifying anything (other then the air box bracket) that I can't drop the original S14 right back into it. If your going to swap, keep the original equipment. That's the only way to do it.

This is actually a pretty good idea if you have to have a swap. Although I doubt anyone would swap the S14 back in unless they were selling the car to a purist or just missed the characteristics of an S14'd car.

[Dave @nz]

Hi,
I like the idea of returning it to original or keeping all the parts for resale or when you want to restore it it is all there.

On that the M3 is a factory built race car and and won all the races in the 80s and 90s under S14 power and has history and pedigree which is unmatched.

Most M3 owners know of the development history of the S14 and BMW Motorsport chief Paul Rosche designed it.

Sure a big six would make a nice drive and if you brought a rolling shell would be a good option, but removing a sweet running S14 to install a sweet running six I am not sure about.

Seems to me there will be a shortage of pristine examples M3s, with some conversions which wont be finished for various reasons.

I don't know of the the development history the of the BMW six cylinder engines other than the S 38 engine and if any of them have won any races to speak off.
I agree in the end the owner can do what they please with their car.

Dave.

[mpire]

The truly ironic part of this is that if you could buy the rear window and trunk-lid setup cheaply, no one would bother using the E30 M3 shells.

However, it would also make your beloved E30 M3s almost worthless.