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Thread: s54 vs s52 SC regrets?

  1. #1
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    s54 vs s52 SC regrets?

    so im debating going with an s54 with top half done or s52 SC on a 98 4 door i just picked up. I've searched and read all the relevant prior threads. My question is has anyone gone s54 route and then wished they had gone s52 SC or vice versa?

    the car will be used 100% as a daily driver and never on the track. The goal is to get as much reliable HP as possible.

    i'll be doing a 6 speed either way.

    thanks

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    Yes, go turbo over supercharger on the S52. I'd go S54 only if you don't want that much power, want it to come in very predictably and slowly, and like to row the gears.

  4. #4
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    thanks. not sure turbo makes sense for me as i dont care much to get in the 400s for hp given the potential headaches/effort.

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    I was debating the same issue.... but felt I would be limited with a supercharger. So I decided to s54 swap which I bought the engine for it a month back and have been accumulating parts. I figured once I got used to the power I can supercharge the s54 and I'd be way ahead of a s52 supercharge.


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  6. #6
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    I have had better reliability with the turbo than the supercharger but I was pushing the limits of the supercharger. What seems like a lot of power now may change after you get used to it. 400-500 rwhp turbo with cutring and spacer is the way to go.

    Also consider buying a faster car. E90 335i with N54 are findable at $10k. E46M3 can be bought for $15k. E90M3 can be had for $25k.

  7. #7
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    I'll let you know on the S54 in about a month. But this totally depends on what kind of engine you prefer.

    S54: High revving NA, race inspired technological beast. Instant power the moment the 6 ITB's are slapped open. 375 bhp easily attainable, more with cams and custom tuning etc.

    Turbo: Awesome sounds, TORQUE, more HP potential. Less reliable than NA. Delay between gas pedal and what you feel.

    SC: Kinda a hybrid mix of the 2 above, seems to be slightly less reliable than turbo from reading forums...?

  8. #8
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    Thanks - looking forward to hearing your feedback on the s54. Im an NA fan when it comes to my m3. I know there are faster cars to choose from but i have an emotional connection to the e36 m3


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    If money is no object and you want 8000 rpm and mild torque spend $10k on a modded S54 conversion. It's not the most bang for the buck but it's closest to the way the car was built in its best form -- obd2 Euro. I have a modded NA 08M3 limited at 8600 rpm and a turbo 99M3 limited at 7200 and I take the 99M3 whenever I can because the torque is so much fun -- it will run away from the 08M3. I drive each about 8k per year and put snows on both in winter.

  10. #10
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    Yeh ive always wanted a euro e36 so maybe worked s54 gets me to that


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    Quote Originally Posted by pbonsalb View Post
    If money is no object and you want 8000 rpm and mild torque spend $10k on a modded S54 conversion. It's not the most bang for the buck but it's closest to the way the car was built in its best form -- obd2 Euro. I have a modded NA 08M3 limited at 8600 rpm and a turbo 99M3 limited at 7200 and I take the 99M3 whenever I can because the torque is so much fun -- it will run away from the 08M3. I drive each about 8k per year and put snows on both in winter.
    Wow Phil! You drive your E36 beast in winter too! Now that's impressive!


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    I bought my cars to drive. If I am not driving them, I am not enjoying them. I know some buy cars just to own and drive on special occasions while they drive a Honda or SUV most of the time, but that is not how I enjoy them. And when I get my Porsche 991TT, it will get snows as well in winter.

    We have a couple of antiques -- a modded 2002 and a modded Bavaria that are not driven in winter. They aren't really driven at all any more and are waiting for someone to work on them but I don't have much interest.

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    Quote Originally Posted by pbonsalb View Post
    I bought my cars to drive. If I am not driving them, I am not enjoying them. I know some buy cars just to own and drive on special occasions while they drive a Honda or SUV most of the time, but that is not how I enjoy them. And when I get my Porsche 991TT, it will get snows as well in winter.

    We have a couple of antiques -- a modded 2002 and a modded Bavaria that are not driven in winter. They aren't really driven at all any more and are waiting for someone to work on them but I don't have much interest.
    Nice! I would like to see your classics one day especially the Bavaria! Back in the day Bob Marley and my Uncle both had Bavarias. I should ask my uncle if he still have it and also his e28 535M. Those cars are probably still at the garage rotting down to nothing like my dads 70's Mach 1. Lol.

    Btw, sorry to jack the thread!


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    Having owned a modded s54 e36 m3(346whp/264wtq), sc'd m3(389whp/316wtq), and turbo'd m3(636whp/584wtq). The s54 had the most usable powerband if you like being able to have the car do everything from trackdays, drag racing, or just driving it to pick up groceries. Its not a cheap swap, but the least amount of issues when done right.

  15. #15
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    GG///M3, What was modified on the S54 engine to get those #s, airbox/cams/exhaust? Which cams did you use and was the exhaust custom or off the shelf parts? Thanks.

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    If you want a fun, fast, enjoyable car, and track classing/reliability is not a priority, go with S52 + FI. Especially if you live where smog laws aren't a major concern.

    If track use is a priority, as is reliable constant power for your entire 30min on track, then S54. Or, S52 without FI, and treat yourself to $10k worth of track time/beer/whatever it is.

    The basic theme here is that unless you just gotta have an S54 or the killer combo for your specific race class requires one, don't do it.
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    Quote Originally Posted by GG///M3 View Post
    Having owned a modded s54 e36 m3(346whp/264wtq), sc'd m3(389whp/316wtq), and turbo'd m3(636whp/584wtq). The s54 had the most usable powerband if you like being able to have the car do everything from trackdays, drag racing, or just driving it to pick up groceries. Its not a cheap swap, but the least amount of issues when done right.
    Best Post of this thread.
    Also, in serious contention for Best Post to a A vs B thread, Of All Time.
    Eat, drink, and be merry - for tomorrow we drive.

  18. #18
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    GG is doing a highly modded S52 E36 now. We will have to see where that slots in. Probably favorably on costs, but offering the least performance.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bimmerman535i View Post
    If you want a fun, fast, enjoyable car, and track classing/reliability is not a priority, go with S52 + FI. Especially if you live where smog laws aren't a major concern.

    If track use is a priority, as is reliable constant power for your entire 30min on track, then S54. Or, S52 without FI, and treat yourself to $10k worth of track time/beer/whatever it is.

    The basic theme here is that unless you just gotta have an S54 or the killer combo for your specific race class requires one, don't do it.
    The problem with FI motors is sluggish response and limited power in normal driving ranges.
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  20. #20
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    I don't agree. My turbo 99M3 has great response and great power in normal driving ranges. A properly set up system can make 200 lbs rwtq by about 2000 rpm, which is about the same torque as the peak torque of a stock S52. I have attached a dyno of one such car.

    I do agree that throttle response with a turbo is not as measured as with natural aspiration, but the tremendous torque makes that OK with me. I have an 08M3 with 6MT as well that has a very nice naturally aspirated motor that revs to 8600, but I think its response is pretty slow in normal driving ranges. You have to beat the crap out of it and really work the gears to drive it fast and mine is modded to about 400 rwhp. Maybe some of you consider 5500-8500 rpm to be normal driving range, but I can drive my turbo 99M3 around in the 2500-4500 rpm range and make more power. I drive them each about 8k miles per year.

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by GG///M3 View Post
    Having owned a modded s54 e36 m3(346whp/264wtq), sc'd m3(389whp/316wtq), and turbo'd m3(636whp/584wtq). The s54 had the most usable powerband if you like being able to have the car do everything from trackdays, drag racing, or just driving it to pick up groceries. Its not a cheap swap, but the least amount of issues when done right.
    This is why I'm considering this for my track car when my S52 decides to retire.

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by golgo13 View Post
    This is why I'm considering this for my track car when my S52 decides to retire.
    I’ll be building an s52 which I believe may be cheaper then doing an s54 swap. I think it will make better power every where for less. Time will tell.


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    s54 vs s52 SC regrets?

    Quote Originally Posted by JEC928 View Post
    Best Post of this thread.
    Also, in serious contention for Best Post to a A vs B thread, Of All Time.
    Thanks. I’ve always liked being able to experience everything you can do on the e36 platform. I still believe it’s the best model bmw has ever built.

    Handles great, and is nearly limitless in what you can do with it .


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    Last edited by GG///M3; 10-24-2017 at 10:32 PM.
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  24. #24
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    s52 SC - Dependable but limited on hp potential

    s52 Turbo - Fast with ample hp potential, sounds awesome. Broken down 95% of the time.

    s54 - Power, power, NA, One of the worlds best factory engines. More reliable than FI s52. No downsides that come to mind.

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by KnudsonsM3 View Post
    s52 SC - Dependable but limited on hp potential

    s52 Turbo - Fast with ample hp potential, sounds awesome. Broken down 95% of the time.

    s54 - Power, power, NA, One of the worlds best factory engines. More reliable than FI s52. No downsides that come to mind.
    I bring to you the s52 with high comp pistons, euro ss full exhaust, and cams.





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