# E30 options **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [March 8, 2011, 2:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878 "2011-03-08T14:17:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Daddie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/daddie/32/7621_2.png) [@Daddie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Daddie)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/1 "2011-03-08T14:17:38Z")
Hi. I have an E30 325i. Want to do something to it. Should I just swap an S50 into it and call it a day, or boost the crap out of the stock motor, and watch everything grenade… or something else? Just want to check the options out there. If it doesn’t have A/C I won’t cry, that’s what the Audi is for. This is pretty much going to be tracked a bunch, but will remain a handy back-up car when the Audi dies. FYI, it has full suspension and a cage in it already. The rear probably will need replacement anyway. ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/2 "2011-03-08T14:19:01Z")
boosted s50. ---
**Author:** ![Daddie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/daddie/32/7621_2.png) [@Daddie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Daddie)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/3 "2011-03-08T14:22:08Z")
Uh, weathered S50s aren’t so good with boost, so I hear. (that’s pretty much all you can buy nowadays without spending a small fortune.) Also, I’m not looking for more than ~325 WHP ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/4 "2011-03-08T14:31:05Z")
well my vote is still s50 then ---
**Author:** ![Jam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jam/32/7235_2.png) [@Jam](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jam)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/5 "2011-03-08T14:31:36Z")
m50 or s50, with bolt-ons, beat the snot out of it ib4someonesaysls1swapit ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/6 "2011-03-08T14:32:23Z")
Buy mine. ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/7 "2011-03-08T14:34:44Z")
^^ lol. LS1! ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/8 "2011-03-08T14:39:58Z")
> [@newman](#): > > Buy mine. WTF I offered you 10K yo’ ---
**Author:** ![66impalass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/66impalass/32/7429_2.png) [@66impalass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/66impalass)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/9 "2011-03-08T14:49:31Z")
Boosted M52 ---
**Author:** ![Axis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/axis/32/5149_2.png) [@Axis](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Axis)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 2:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/10 "2011-03-08T14:53:03Z")
s62 ---
**Author:** ![Coldaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/coldaccord/32/7272_2.png) [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/11 "2011-03-08T15:03:43Z")
s50 or s52 will get you 240hp, obdI s52 cab get you ~270 at the crank… motor/zf trans/harness accessories will cost you in the $2500-3500 range for either. m50’s cost ~$500 with accessories and harness. getrag trans is probably 250, zf trans is 400 or so. then boost the fuck out of it, [blunttech.com](http://blunttech.com) has been a favorite for m50 turbo kits, turbociv may be doing kits too I’m not sure (I called him when I was moving my business back here but never heard back). euro s50b30 is a fairly straightforward swap getting you 286hp. euro s50b32 is a fairly straightforward swap, witha 6 sp, and will get you 321hp. both swaps have been done a ton, motors are available stateside in the $5k range with everything. s54, there are probably a handful of swaps out there now (5-10 in the US/Canada). we were going to start looking into those next but decided to just become a retail dealer instead. s54’s can be found in the 5k range, and will get you 333hp. but the swap is new and not documented easily like others ---
**Author:** ![steve2k1116](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/steve2k1116/32/5230_2.png) [@steve2k1116](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve2k1116)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 3:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/12 "2011-03-08T15:09:26Z")
id say ls1 but you dont need to because your not looking for that much power. having said that my vote is a m50 or s50, boost one or none, and heaters all day. done deal, thats my plan. dont need a ton of power to have fun ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/13 "2011-03-08T15:30:13Z")
how much do you want to spend on this motorwork and will you be doing the labor? then we can answer. ---
**Author:** ![livin4hockey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@livin4hockey](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/livin4hockey)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/14 "2011-03-08T15:30:23Z")
> [@Coldaccord](#): > > s50 or s52 will get you 240hp, obdI s52 cab get you ~270 at the crank… motor/zf trans/harness accessories will cost you in the $2500-3500 range for either. > m50’s cost ~$500 with accessories and harness. getrag trans is probably 250, zf trans is 400 or so. > then boost the fuck out of it, [blunttech.com](http://blunttech.com) has been a favorite for m50 turbo kits, turbociv may be doing kits too I’m not sure (I called him when I was moving my business back here but never heard back). > > euro s50b30 is a fairly straightforward swap getting you 286hp. > euro s50b32 is a fairly straightforward swap, witha 6 sp, and will get you 321hp. > both swaps have been done a ton, motors are available stateside in the $5k range with everything. > > s54, there are probably a handful of swaps out there now (5-10 in the US/Canada). > we were going to start looking into those next but decided to just become a retail dealer instead. > s54’s can be found in the 5k range, and will get you 333hp. but the swap is new and not documented easily like others This man knows his swaps. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/15 "2011-03-08T15:52:15Z")
I was looking at this car before… [http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car\_id=272343996&dealer\_id=100015904&car\_year=1988&doors=&systime=&model=M3&search\_lang=en&start\_year=1981&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search\_type=both&distance=500&min\_price=&drive=&rdm=1299628056999&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords\_display=&sownerid=599733&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end\_year=1993&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&page\_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body\_code=0&transmission=&default\_sort=newsortbyprice\_DESC&max\_mileage=&address=14052&color=&sort\_type=priceDESC&max\_price=&awsp=false&make=BMW&seller\_type=b&num\_records=25&cardist=387&standard=false](http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=272343996&dealer_id=100015904&car_year=1988&doors=&systime=&model=M3&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=500&min_price=&drive=&rdm=1299628056999&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=599733&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=1993&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=&default_sort=newsortbyprice_DESC&max_mileage=&address=14052&color=&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=&awsp=false&make=BMW&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=387&standard=false) Buy it and save yourself a bunch of time and headaches. 😃 (That dealer seems to be the Mecca of M cars. drool.) ---
**Author:** ![OriginalSterm](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/originalsterm/32/4964_2.png) [@OriginalSterm](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/OriginalSterm)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/16 "2011-03-08T15:57:17Z")
> [@Daddie"](#): > > FYI, it has full suspension and a cage in it already. The rear probably will need replacement anyway. Stock rebuild on the engine and rear end and come racing! ---
**Author:** ![Coldaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/coldaccord/32/7272_2.png) [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/17 "2011-03-08T16:59:00Z")
heh. race classification is the only reason m20’s go back in these cars. otherwise when an m20 comes out, for the cost of the rebuild m50 goes in. timing chain instead of belt, 24 valves instead of 12, hydraulic lifters, 20 more hp, etc ---------- Post added at 07:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:55 PM ---------- > [@Blue Eyed Devil](#): > > I was looking at this car before… > > [http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car\_id=272343996&dealer\_id=100015904&car\_year=1988&doors=&systime=&model=M3&search\_lang=en&start\_year=1981&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search\_type=both&distance=500&min\_price=&drive=&rdm=1299628056999&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords\_display=&sownerid=599733&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end\_year=1993&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&page\_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body\_code=0&transmission=&default\_sort=newsortbyprice\_DESC&max\_mileage=&address=14052&color=&sort\_type=priceDESC&max\_price=&awsp=false&make=BMW&seller\_type=b&num\_records=25&cardist=387&standard=false](http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=272343996&dealer_id=100015904&car_year=1988&doors=&systime=&model=M3&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=500&min_price=&drive=&rdm=1299628056999&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=599733&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=1993&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=&default_sort=newsortbyprice_DESC&max_mileage=&address=14052&color=&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=&awsp=false&make=BMW&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=387&standard=false) > > Buy it and save yourself a bunch of time and headaches. 😃 > (That dealer seems to be the Mecca of M cars. drool.) s5x m3’s are only worth ~$13 range, that price is outrageous. e30m3’s are definitely becoming collector’s cars, but only with the s14. I promised myself I’d go s54 in an e30m3 when my business is up and running to make up for selling my euro s50b30 touring, but I may just buy an e30m3 with a blown motor and go 2.5 s14 ---
**Author:** ![Axis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/axis/32/5149_2.png) [@Axis](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Axis)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/18 "2011-03-08T16:59:31Z")
Try and get a parts car for w/e swap you want to do. Makes things really easy in terms of making sure you have everything you need, and you can make some of your money back. ---
**Author:** ![MPD47](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mpd47/32/7383_2.png) [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 6:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/19 "2011-03-08T18:26:25Z")
m60b40. V8 awesomeness from the 540i. I’m putting an e30 together with one right now, I moved fairly close to you in North Jersey, should have it done early next month if all goes to plan. Entire swap + purchase price of the car will be under $5k. Only non factory BMW part involved is a custom wiring adapter I’m making, and motor mounts I ordered from overseas. So repairs are pretty straight forward. ---
**Author:** ![turbociv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@turbociv](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbociv)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878/20 "2011-03-08T18:31:31Z")
BOosted m52. Win in every way. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/e30-options/209878.md?page=2)