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Lof8
Lof8 GRM+ Memberand Reader
10/8/13 2:31 p.m.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: The extra torque is what really gives it the edge over the other motors. It pulls harder coming off a corner and you get to keep those extra MPH all the way to the next one.

I've been tracking my S50 E30 for almost 4 years now. It's no rocketship, but I love it. Its been super reliable and I'm normally battling with 944 turbos, Boxsters and older 911s at the PCA track days.

Lof8
Lof8 GRM+ Memberand Reader
10/8/13 2:36 p.m.

oops doublepost

Grinch337
Grinch337 New Reader
10/8/13 4:51 p.m.

Does anyone think that the cost and increased hassle of an S52 (having to convert it to OBD-1 and all) is worth it over an S50?

Giant Purple Snorklewacker
Giant Purple Snorklewacker MegaDork
10/8/13 5:06 p.m.

In reply to Grinch337:

In lap time, yes. In fun quotient at a DE? Maybe not.

z31maniac
z31maniac UltimaDork
10/8/13 5:11 p.m.
Grinch337 wrote: Does anyone think that the cost and increased hassle of an S52 (having to convert it to OBD-1 and all) is worth it over an S50?

Where's the added hassle? Swapping an intake manifold?

I mean if you're already swapping an engine, wiring harnesses, etc.....how bad is changing the intake manifold and a few sensors?

Grinch337
Grinch337 New Reader
10/9/13 7:34 a.m.

In reply to z31maniac:

Good point, other than the slight increase in cost when you are on a fairly tight budget as I am.

z31maniac
z31maniac UltimaDork
10/9/13 8:22 a.m.

You should be able to pick up an OBD-I manifold for less than $100.

Strike_Zero
Strike_Zero SuperDork
10/9/13 8:57 a.m.

Let me know if you can't find one. Pull-a-Part has two when I was ther last weekend. I'll pull them for you for free. Should be anymore than $35 + shipping for tbe bare manifold.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker
Giant Purple Snorklewacker MegaDork
10/9/13 8:57 a.m.
z31maniac wrote: You should be able to pick up an OBD-I manifold for less than $100.

I have one in my cellar I'll sell for $99 plus shipping just to prove you right :)

Grinch337
Grinch337 New Reader
10/9/13 10:39 a.m.

I need to buy an engine first before I go buying intake manifolds for it, lol. Thanks anyway guys.

Grinch337
Grinch337 New Reader
10/9/13 10:43 a.m.

This S50 is attractive to me mostly because 1) its local 2) it comes with a lot of extras and 3) I think he would be quite flexible on the price. At that mileage I would want to do a compression test.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2037143-s50-and-ZF-trans-Complete-swap

z31maniac
z31maniac UltimaDork
10/9/13 11:23 a.m.

Offer him 19, $100 bills and see if he takes it.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker
Giant Purple Snorklewacker MegaDork
10/9/13 11:39 a.m.
z31maniac wrote: Offer him 19, $100 bills and see if he takes it.

I'd offer him less.

The trans is $400 at any junkyard.

The extras like AA track pipe, trans mount, CAI, motor mounts are E36 so of no use in this swap unless you plan to alter them.

The rest, harness, ECU, AC, PS pump and starter are all what you expect to get when you buy a motor like this.

You still have to swap the pan to E34, weld in baffles, do the oil pump nut, etc.

It has 144k on it and you are putting it in a track car. How long before you want to refresh the head and put ARP studs in it? Refresh the bearings? Does he have compression and leakdowns to back up his "runs perfectly"? Otherwise you are taking a chance on having a head gasket job to do anyway the first time you use it in anger.

Just food for thought.

Lof8
Lof8 GRM+ Memberand Reader
10/11/13 8:22 a.m.
Lof8
Lof8 GRM+ Memberand Reader
10/11/13 8:27 a.m.

^ keep in mind that passes are with point-bys, so speed differentials are a bit exaggerated.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker
Giant Purple Snorklewacker MegaDork
10/11/13 8:36 a.m.

In reply to Lof8:

E30 S52 on track :)

Lof8
Lof8 GRM+ Memberand Reader
10/14/13 6:42 a.m.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

Nice! You were driving around everyone!

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