E30 E36 S52 engine and 5-speed tran swap - BMW Forum

tri2fiveis · 10-01-2003, 06:39 PM

I am thinking about dropping a s52 engine and trans into an e30 two door. I was also thinking about moving th emotor mounts back a couple of inches. Is there any way to compensate for the hole that I would have to cut into the fire wall?

ghead

e36_m3_Turbo · 10-01-2003, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tri2fiveis@Oct 1 2003, 06:19 PM
I am thinking about dropping a s52 engine and trans into an e30 two door. I was also thinking about moving th emotor mounts back a couple of inches. Is there any way to compensate for the hole that I would have to cut into the fire wall? ghead

why move it back? there has been many of people that have dropped them in without movin the mounts back

tri2fiveis · 10-04-2003, 12:21 AM

The reason that I would move it back would be because of the handling issue. I know that with sway bars the e30 can out hadle 70% of the new cars coming out, but i'm looking for the ultimate track day car and daily driver. I would like to move the center of gravity back so it would be mo balanced for the new motor.

Fox · 10-04-2003, 10:39 AM

lol if you want extreme torque and way better balance drop a ls1 in there. It sits lower. Has a higher bottom for more ground clearence. it sits waaay farther back. And has a shit load more torque.

MrM3 · 10-04-2003, 01:39 PM

you could get an alluminum block 2.8L M52 which is around the same weight as a S14 4cyl and still has good tq, 206lb-ft stock

tri2fiveis · 10-06-2003, 03:18 PM

I'm really asking if there is a way to re-support the car if I cut into the fire wall. I'm not really looking to put anything else in there. Esspecialy an American V-8. I don't see the big point of putting all that weight in the front of my car. Why don't I just buy a v-12 and stick it in there?

MrM3 · 10-06-2003, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tri2fiveis@Oct 6 2003, 03:58 PM
I'm really asking if there is a way to re-support the car if I cut into the fire wall. I'm not really looking to put anything else in there. Esspecialy an American V-8. I don't see the big point of putting all that weight in the front of my car. Why don't I just buy a v-12 and stick it in there?

i really dont think that will make a huge difference in weight distribution. so are you saying now that your gonna stick with the M20 instead of the S52? i really think stroking the M20 to 3L's would be the best idea for track/street car. you start with a fresh engine, excellent power, and will be less costly to install over a M50