Dirty E30 Project

[ToXicXxX]

As of now I am trying to plan my next move on the E30, but I need your guys opinion/advice.

I am looking to touch 250-300RWHP, so currently I am exploring the possibility of A) Turbocharging the stock M20 (turbochargingdynamics makes a decent "kit") B) Engine swap (S52 as it is not incredibly complex, I'd like to do a S54 but it requires some serious fab work that I am not capable of), or C) building a race engine (which peeks my interest). Cost wise I am not sure what is more practical, I am kind of leaning away from boosting, as I love the power curve of the I6 and the glorious exhaust note.

[JW]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

A boosted M20 could be a really fun car, however you only have 12v per cylinder. If you're going to do a swap/boost I would go with an M52, you can get an M52 in nice shape for about $700 and that will leave you with lots of cash to build a turbo system.
An S50 will run you around $3000 for the engine alone, maybe more. An S52 swap is actually more complicated than you think, those engines go for considerably more than an S50 and are hard to find parts for (unless you're prepared to give up your arm and leg for it).
An S54 would be really sweet, If you have the cash then go for it, those engines run for around $10k in good condition, plus all the other things you need to run it in an e30.
If you're boosting I would go with an M52 swap and boost it, most cost effective.
If you're looking for N/A I would got with an S50 swap, basically bolts right in depending if it's OBDI or OBDII. OBDII will be more expensive and more work.
S52 = $$$$$$$$
S54 = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[P Arkus]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

Agreed with everything states above except for the S54 cost. Not sure where you got your price from, but you can find numerous S54 engines in good condition for about 3-5K. Many come with transmission included for about 5-6K. Either way, the fab work on that swap will kill your wallet much more than the engine will.

If you are into forced induction cars, then yes an M5x turbo will easily achieve 250-300WHP. My buddy has an E30 with a S50 turbo that put down 511 RWHP on a base tune. There another guy in Edmonton that has an M52 turbo that put down just over 400 I believe at autounion last summer. The possibilities are really quite endless if you have the time and money.

Check out r3vlimited.com and do some reading. You'll find any answer you are looking for in their swap section.

[JW]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

I may be wrong on the cost of an S54. I did reasearch them quite a while ago so prices have probably changed quite a bit since then. But still....5-6K and all the fab work = $$$$$$$$$$

[P Arkus]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

Wont argue with you on that. When I looked into them last year, they were going for roughly the same price, but with tune, custom wiring harness, and fab work, everyone said expect a ~$20K swap. They are amazing engines, but you better have alot of mechanical skill and some deep pockets if you wanna swap one of those in!

Post up your car Jon!

[JW]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

Honestly...for the cost of a swap of an S54 into an e30, I'd rather just buy an e46 M3

Post up your car Jon!

I will when I get more mods done to it. It is sitting ridiculously low right now and is no fun to drive so I will be raising it up tonight and hopefully get a decent stance for performance/looks. My bilstein pss coilovers were a very good purchase haha

[CGY_GTI]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

I'll be going the M20 turbo route if I keep mine. I found a kit a little while ago for a good price that would give me ~350hp and smooth power delivery.

[ToXicXxX]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

I'll be going the M20 turbo route if I keep mine. I found a kit a little while ago for a good price that would give me ~350hp and smooth power delivery.

Which kit? Only ones I can find are eBay specials and the turbochargingdynamics one.

Wow, apparently a mustang 5.0 swap is also a viable option and not insanely expensive. I'd prefer to keep it German though.

[CGY_GTI]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

Which kit? Only ones I can find are eBay specials and the turbochargingdynamics one.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=307513

[ToXicXxX]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=307513

Oh boy, I'll be looking further into that

[ToXicXxX]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

Well after a visit to screamin paintworks today I have learned that the rust is more ten I though. It will likely cost me close to 10k to restore the exterior completely. So that will be the focus for now.

To be clear 10K is a COMPLETE restore, screamin misunderstood what I asked to quote. It's about 1500-2000 to fix all the rust, and the current paint is in beautiful condition, it does not need to be redone.

[JW]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

That's not bad to completely restore the exterior of a car btw. If you're talking about fixing that little bit of rust on the bottom rocker panel, then I would suggest you find another shop

[ToXicXxX]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

That's not bad to completely restore the exterior of a car btw. If you're talking about fixing that little bit of rust on the bottom rocker panel, then I would suggest you find another shop

I'm looking to restore it entirely over time. I bought this as a legacy project for my deceased father.

That price was using the OEM prices of the parts, I have priced it out parts wise from ECSTuning for about 1400, compared to 3500 in parts. I prefer to deal with screamin as they did phenomenal work on my 335i.

Sofar this looks like the parts list I need:

http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2190275/
http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2190269/
http://www.ecstuning.com/ES72256/
http://www.ecstuning.com/ES72255/

Thats not just in the rocker pannel, it's in the doors too. It can be covered up, but it will resurface within a year or so. The rockers and doors must be entirely replaced to permanently fix it.

[91wolfie]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

I'm looking to restore it entirely. I bought this as a legacy project for my deceased father.

That price was using the OEM prices of the parts, I have priced it out parts wise from ECSTuning for about 1400, compared to 3500 in parts. I prefer to deal with screamin as they did phenomenal work on my 335i.

Sofar this looks like the parts list I need:

http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2190275/
http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2190269/
http://www.ecstuning.com/ES72256/
http://www.ecstuning.com/ES72255/
http://www.ecstuning.com/ES71818/
http://www.ecstuning.com/ES71571/
http://www.ecstuning.com/ES71817/

Thats not just in the rocker pannel, it's in the doors too. It can be covered up, but it will resurface within a year or so. The rockers and doors must be entirely replaced to permanently fix it.

I second screamin paint works! They did a great job doing some work on my GTR. They are priced quite well as well.

[ToXicXxX]

Re: Dirty E30 Project

I second screamin paint works! They did a great job doing some work on my GTR. They are priced quite well as well.

Fixed parts list, it had fenders in it.

If anyone knows of a shop that can spot me in to do the work let me know. I'll pay cash!

I second screamin paint works! They did a great job doing some work on my GTR. They are priced quite well as well.

Oh heck, you're the guy Dave was talking about with the full paintjob on a skyline aren't you! Was that beginning of the year? I saw one in the back when I went to pick up my 335i.

Looks like I can get away with welding in new rockers, and having them painted. Only about 1500-2000 to do that and touch up the fender as well. May end up ordering an entire EVO body kit, as I found one for cheap that is ready to paint!

Will be happy when everything body wise is planned out and priced so I can see if I can budget engine work in!