S52 to S50B32?

[M3Dynamic]

If I wanted something silly, fast, and cheapish, I'd do an M52 swap and built it for a turbo. Can get 450whp on stock internals for pretty dang cheap.

this

[MParallel]

People seem to be, as usual, focused on numbers on paper.

There is more to the equation than that. You can have a turbo'd 500+ S52. It will be fast, sure why not. But from a driving experience point, nothing beats driving a high revving, high compression, breathing in through ITB's, breathing out through equal lenght headers, engine. Nothing. This is classic pure motorsport derived tech, one should not miss out on.

This beats bartalk where you can say "but mine's got 500+ horses for much less money!". Well, good for you.

[notMpowered]

Agreed 100%.
In a car as old as an e36, I can also safely say that 500+ HP isn't what the chassis is built for. I'd spend 10k on an s54 swap over 6k on a turbo any day. Even if the turbo doubles or triples the power increase.
Theres something to be said for building a whole package, as opposed to a dyno queen. People can do what they like, both are fun, but for me, an NA screamer with usable power in a balanced car is my idea of fun.

[propcar]

Agreed 100%.
In a car as old as an e36, I can also safely say that 500+ HP isn't what the chassis is built for. I'd spend 10k on an s54 swap over 6k on a turbo any day. Even if the turbo doubles or triples the power increase.
Theres something to be said for building a whole package, as opposed to a dyno queen. People can do what they like, both are fun, but for me, an NA screamer with usable power in a balanced car is my idea of fun.

I haven't had the opportunity to drive an S54 E36 myself, but I did get a ride with an instructor at Road Atlanta where an S54/E36 passed us, it was very fast, and for a track car, I think the S54 is the answer.

That said, I've ridden in an 460whp E36 (M52 I believe), it was awesome on the street. It was alot of fun the way it made power and had tons of torque... on the street, I could see it being a alot of fun vs the S54 because the power was everywhere. It felt like a V8 in terms of torque and power, and made some awesome noises too.

Properly done E36 M3 turbo won't feel like a peakey, laggy, dyno queen, it can have quick spool and make power all the way up to +7000rpm... Our M50 based motors do very well with FI easily up to 500hp and I can easily see myself having as much fun with a turbo M5x/S5x based setup as an S54 motor. The fact we already don't already have a 'true M motor' means I don't feel as bad with the thought of turbocharging one.

Heck, one reason I like turbo M3's is because back in the day European Car magazine had an M3 turbo project that was fun to read about and the owner was putting it up against Vipers and other semi-exotics of the time. It really made an impact in the potential of the E36 M3. But turbocharging also bring sadness when things can break or you have an issue etc. compromises with everything..

[pbonsalb]

People seem to be, as usual, focused on numbers on paper.

There is more to the equation than that. You can have a turbo'd 500+ S52. It will be fast, sure why not. But from a driving experience point, nothing beats driving a high revving, high compression, breathing in through ITB's, breathing out through equal lenght headers, engine. Nothing. This is classic pure motorsport derived tech, one should not miss out on.

This beats bartalk where you can say "but mine's got 500+ horses for much less money!". Well, good for you.

I enjoy driving my turbo 600 rwhp E36M3 more than my modified roughly 400 rwhp naturally aspirated ITB equipped 12.0:1 CR equal length header 8300 rpm E90M3.

[adamnur]

Agreed 100%.
In a car as old as an e36, I can also safely say that 500+ HP isn't what the chassis is built for. I'd spend 10k on an s54 swap over 6k on a turbo any day. Even if the turbo doubles or triples the power increase.
Theres something to be said for building a whole package, as opposed to a dyno queen. People can do what they like, both are fun, but for me, an NA screamer with usable power in a balanced car is my idea of fun.

This. To me, balance>>>high hp.

[MParallel]

29473672[/URL]]I enjoy driving my turbo 600 rwhp E36M3 more than my modified roughly 400 rwhp naturally aspirated ITB equipped 12.0:1 CR equal length header 8300 rpm E90M3.

It's the exception that proofs the rule.

[breakfast]

People seem to be, as usual, focused on numbers on paper.

There is more to the equation than that. You can have a turbo'd 500+ S52. It will be fast, sure why not. But from a driving experience point, nothing beats driving a high revving, high compression, breathing in through ITB's, breathing out through equal lenght headers, engine. Nothing. This is classic pure motorsport derived tech, one should not miss out on.

This beats bartalk where you can say "but mine's got 500+ horses for much less money!". Well, good for you.

sounds like youve never driven a fast car...

"classic pure motorsport derived tech" lol. pls youre worse than a civic owner.

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These cars are slow anyways these days. So do whatever route you fancy. Thats the bottom line. No one way is better than the other. Some are better $/hp. Others may appeal more to what you are looking to do.
Can't go wrong really.

[propcar]

this is 'only' 412whp and it looks like it'd be plenty of fun... these motors seem to do very well with boost. I just gotta save up some money and drive down the road to TRM.

[pbonsalb]

The guys with the fast cars usually see no need to justify why they need the power -- its enough that its fun and they like it. The guys with the slow cars are frequently explaining why they dont want more power.

I think splitting the difference is fine. Put a modded S54 with maybe 325 rwhp in an E36.

[MParallel]

sounds like youve never driven a fast car...

"classic pure motorsport derived tech" lol. pls youre worse than a civic owner....

Says the, let me guess, US M3 owner?

You have no idea what cars I have driven and what not. Again, if you're too narrow minded "There is more than just going fast".

E30 M3 is very slow by todays standard, yet it's handling is out of this world.

And yes, Motorsport derived tech. I don't see any regular production cars with ITB's, equal lenght headers etc.

Worse than a Civic owner? Not impressed really. You have to come up with something better than that.

[Dandrum76]

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...B30-amp-S50B32

I still enjoy my S50B32 swap, 8+ years down the road.

MauiM3mania: we are about to buy an E36 S50B32 swap. I wanted to pick your brain. Can you email me? dandrum76@gmail.com

[MauiM3Mania]

I'm not the expert here by any means. You might do better asking here and getting input from everyone.

Who did the swap?

[RRSperry]

I'm in with popcorn... If you are changing engines, you don't have a collector car. So maybe open up your thinking..

I'd actually think about a LS swap at that point. cheap, 400-500 N/A Hp easy peasy, parts available everywhere, ability to fix with with a rock and a hammer. Serviceable by any Goober...

Oh, and while you have the engine out, take care of that sagging trans tunnel insulation. (you know they all have it, and they are all failing...) lol

[SIIDEWAYS]

Interesting to read all this talk about wanting so much power. I only have a K&N air filter, and I love my bucket exactly the way it is. PLENTY of power, in fact, perfect for the chassis and more than enough to get me in plenty of trouble in no time (Lord knows I have enough experience with that lol)!

[MParallel]

Interesting to read all this talk about wanting so much power. I only have a K&N air filter, and I love my bucket exactly the way it is. PLENTY of power, in fact, perfect for the chassis and more than enough to get me in plenty of trouble in no time (Lord knows I have enough experience with that lol)!

Hence reply #27.