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Thread: Need help deciding e30 engine swap

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
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    Las Vegas
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    2016 M235i Dinan S2

    Need help deciding e30 engine swap

    I have a 325is and have been hungry for more power. I’m having trouble deciding between swapping in an ls1 or doing an m52 swap with a turbo. I’m building the car for track but still be reliable on the street. I have a budget of around 8k and have the power goal of 350-400 rwhp which option would you guys recommend. I’m leaning towards the m52 due to weight.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    Seoul, phoenix, missoula
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    galant vr4 S13
    Both are great options for an E30 swap but also VERY different from one-another. The m52 has a lot of RPM to work with but will make it's power from 4000rpm up. The LS can easily be set up to make big torque from 2500rpm to redline BUT you'll be limited to a much lower 6500-7200 rpm range compared to the m52 8-9000rpm range.
    I personally love both engines, I don't think you would be disappointed with either one!
    PS. Hit up Alex King: sales@brewedmotorsports.com and tell him Eric from Bimmer forums said he would hook you up with buddy buddy pricing Alex is also one of my favorite people to bounce different options ideas off of for a project like yours.

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Seattle
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    99 M3

    Need help deciding e30 engine swap

    LOL!! You can safely spin an M52 past 7K RPM?
    Obviously you mean S54 w/8000 rpm RL.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by bluptgm3; 03-15-2019 at 09:50 PM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    LOL!! You can safely spin an M52 past 7K RPM?
    It'll hit 8-9k once.
    Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
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    corpus christi, texas
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    No e30s, again :(
    Ha ha ha
    No e30s again.

  6. #6
    323i E30's Avatar
    323i E30 is offline ⅂!ʈө !ƨ l!ʞө ɐ ʇөlөbµouө
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stück View Post
    It'll hit 8-9k once.
    ^ true story



    D̶i̶b̶s̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶E̶2̶1̶

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    galant vr4 S13
    8000rpm is not out of the question with a mildly built M52 but yes the S54 is MUCH MUCH better choice and way happier in the higher RPM ranges compared to M52

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