I am curently in the market for a 3.0CS. Not wanting a stock car..prefer to be modded. Springs, wheels etc. Also wanting to up the power. I have seen some S54/6 speed conversions but have not found any additional info. Do any E9 guys make a "kit" or is there a good project thread with this conversion?
S54 and 6 speed conversions
- Thread starter CSlover
- Start date
An S38/M88 engine with a mating Getrag 265/280 5 speed would be your best option. Quite a few E9s have made this same conversion. These 2 engines can trace their lineage to the all conquering twin-cam racing IMSA CSLs from the late 1970's. A stroked S38/M88 can make similar or greater horsepower than an S54 motor and will look much better under the hood.
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rb1971
Well-Known Member
I had an S54 on hand and decided to go with the S38 as previously suggested but for chassis correctness and due to the fact that all the discussions I had found on E9/S54 swaps didn't have any pictures or descriptions of completed projects. Not saying there isn't one out there, but it seems like that swap is started a lot more than it's finished.
Don't forget that if you up the HP significantly you should consider how you are going to reinforce the chassis.
Don't forget that if you up the HP significantly you should consider how you are going to reinforce the chassis.
Bert, I did a bit of research on this motor. It appears ti be a direct bolt in motor for an E28. Does this motor bolt into the E9? I understand a lot of other things will need to be done but not having to have motor mount fabbed and tranny mounts fabbed will save me money
rb1971
Well-Known Member
These guys make E9/S38 motor mounts (which I used in my conversion):
http://www.koalamotorsport.com
Talk to the owner Brett - great to deal with.
http://www.koalamotorsport.com
Talk to the owner Brett - great to deal with.
RonP
Well-Known Member
If you want S54 horsepower, the S38B38 motor from a euro M5 has 340hp. Make sure you change the bearings no matter how young the motor is.
Is there a readily available BMW 6 cylinder motor that is a bolt in and I can get at least 250+ HP out of? In reality all I need is that much HP. I do not mind doing a build with a mild cam, 9.5 pistons etc.
I want an injected, non turbo, non supercharger 6 that can produce that HP and be a simple installation. I had no idea of the work and money involved to get an S54 or the S38 purchased and installed
Thanks for your responses...is helping narrow the search a lot
I want an injected, non turbo, non supercharger 6 that can produce that HP and be a simple installation. I had no idea of the work and money involved to get an S54 or the S38 purchased and installed
Thanks for your responses...is helping narrow the search a lot
RonP
Well-Known Member
The best (and affordable) platform is an M30B35 with a 284 cam and a set of headers with stand alone. This will give you what you are looking for and you can keep your kidney!
Thanks Ron....here is what I found on that motor.......The M30B35 is BMW’s designation for the final iteration of the M30 series of engines. It displaces 3430cc, has a compression ratio of 9:1. It was delivered in late production 87-89 e24 635CSis, all 1988-92 e32 735i(l)s and all 1988-93 e34 535is. The engine was rated at 208hp @ 5700rpm and 225 ft-lb @ 4000 rpm. The b35 can be distinguished by its valve cover with the text "BMW" instead of the Roundel on the b34 valve cover. Also, the intake manifold has "3.5" cast on the plenum instead of "3.2/3.4" on the previous models
My friend has a wrecking yard and has several 7 series cars that are in this year book. He said I can have a motor for 50 bucks. Looks like I will jump on that one. Witha starting point of 208HP. Some bigger pistons, 284 cam and tweak the injectors. I bet these motors can be chipped as well so I see potential and bang for the buck..Thanks so much for your guidance
My friend has a wrecking yard and has several 7 series cars that are in this year book. He said I can have a motor for 50 bucks. Looks like I will jump on that one. Witha starting point of 208HP. Some bigger pistons, 284 cam and tweak the injectors. I bet these motors can be chipped as well so I see potential and bang for the buck..Thanks so much for your guidance
TodB
Well-Known Member
motor changes
if you are going to do that much to the motor, you may consider some sort of engine management to get the most out of it, something on the order of the Miller warchip or Megasquirt.
You may also want to get in touch with Paul Burke. He makes his own piston and grinds (not regrinds) his own cams from billet stock. His build quality is second to none and his prices are very reasonable. Paul built a head for me for my B34 motor and I love it. His cam is awesome.
if you are going to do that much to the motor, you may consider some sort of engine management to get the most out of it, something on the order of the Miller warchip or Megasquirt.
You may also want to get in touch with Paul Burke. He makes his own piston and grinds (not regrinds) his own cams from billet stock. His build quality is second to none and his prices are very reasonable. Paul built a head for me for my B34 motor and I love it. His cam is awesome.
Thanks Tod...I will keep that info. Always good to have resources...especially referred resources. My nephew runs a race tuning an dyno shop. He is really good at Megasquirt, wiring etc so I will be using him to get the car setup and running properly once I get the motor in...that is once I get a car to get a motor in LOL
The expert on the ///M motor conversion is rb1971 as he has already done this on his beautiful Inka coupe. As for a high horsepower normally aspirated M30 motor, you may want to contact these guys @ METRIC MECHANIC.
i don't remember seeing where you are from. there are good engine builders in different parts of the country. great engine builders are a little rarer. first on my list to contact would be Mario Langsten at VSR - my experience is that he will give you straight advice. i have personally had good luck and excitement with Korman engines. if you want a race motor or close to it, which i don't think is the case, also consider VAC motorsports - Tony Saloom makes a great motor. i drove an e30 m3 with one of his and it was awesome.
seems to me that Bill Arnold but an M3 engine in a Bavaria - and won the Targa Newfoundland with it. i presume it was an s54. it might be worth speaking to him if you are interested in working with an s54.
seems to me that Bill Arnold but an M3 engine in a Bavaria - and won the Targa Newfoundland with it. i presume it was an s54. it might be worth speaking to him if you are interested in working with an s54.
Mario L.
Well-Known Member
Thank you rsporsche for the kind words!
It was Bill Arnold that installed an S50 3.0 engine into the Bavaria. We did an extensive amount of maintenance on that car before and after its Targa win, and I drove it to Austin TX for Ofest. google search Frankenbav to lead you to a website on that car.
That car also had lots of other modifications, mostly converted from E28 M5.
A few years ago we did an S50 3.0 into an E28 chassis, with the big gear box. The transmission tunnel in the early chassis is not large enough to accommodate the gear box easily, and as such we has to mount the engine very low in the front to have enough clearance for the tall bell housing. This resulted in a very low oil pan to ground clearance.
With the standard BMW components used with these engines and inspite of the older 528e utilizing this engine block motor mounts were all custom fabricated.
The car was fast and fun but for the price any S38 engine would have been better.
Mario L.
It was Bill Arnold that installed an S50 3.0 engine into the Bavaria. We did an extensive amount of maintenance on that car before and after its Targa win, and I drove it to Austin TX for Ofest. google search Frankenbav to lead you to a website on that car.
That car also had lots of other modifications, mostly converted from E28 M5.
A few years ago we did an S50 3.0 into an E28 chassis, with the big gear box. The transmission tunnel in the early chassis is not large enough to accommodate the gear box easily, and as such we has to mount the engine very low in the front to have enough clearance for the tall bell housing. This resulted in a very low oil pan to ground clearance.
With the standard BMW components used with these engines and inspite of the older 528e utilizing this engine block motor mounts were all custom fabricated.
The car was fast and fun but for the price any S38 engine would have been better.
Mario L.
I Dallas, Vorshlag would be the people to talk to about engine swaps.
rb1971
Well-Known Member
Was that the same car that Precision Gearing down near LA built a special diff for?
Mario,
you are quite welcome and deserving of kind words ... your work is legendary. in addition, very few people put the kind of thought / engineering into these kind of challenges - and then make it look like it was there originally.
cheers
scott perkins
atlanta
you are quite welcome and deserving of kind words ... your work is legendary. in addition, very few people put the kind of thought / engineering into these kind of challenges - and then make it look like it was there originally.
cheers
scott perkins
atlanta
TodB
Well-Known Member
M30 options
Your goal of 250HP from an M30 without turbo or super charger is attainable.
As for a high horsepower normally aspirated M30 motor, you may want to contact these guys @ METRIC MECHANIC.
I would encourage you to do your research and look at other options also. I have no direct experience, but the feedback on the Metric Mechanic folks is hot and cold and is pricey.
Sounds like you have a good "connection" for engine management which is terrific because that will be important later . Most importantly, if you are really going to get the most out of an M30, you need to have an overall plan first. I'd be happy to PM you Paul's contact info if you are interested in speaking with him and/or share my approach. I'm well north of 250 HP.
Your goal of 250HP from an M30 without turbo or super charger is attainable.
As for a high horsepower normally aspirated M30 motor, you may want to contact these guys @ METRIC MECHANIC.
I would encourage you to do your research and look at other options also. I have no direct experience, but the feedback on the Metric Mechanic folks is hot and cold and is pricey.
Sounds like you have a good "connection" for engine management which is terrific because that will be important later . Most importantly, if you are really going to get the most out of an M30, you need to have an overall plan first. I'd be happy to PM you Paul's contact info if you are interested in speaking with him and/or share my approach. I'm well north of 250 HP.
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