Thinking of doing an LS Swap

"Old Red Wagon" (wr10)
04/26/2016 at 12:44 • Filed to: None

Lately I’ve been thinking about starting the build on my E30 Touring. The car runs beautifully now but it’s very low on power. It’s an ‘88 320i, it is stock with the M20B20 which is a 2.0 liter straight six. Brand new it made 130 horsepower. My plan was to swap the engine out and replace it with an S52 or something else BMW. Now part of me wants to do an LS swap or perhaps a 5.0 liter Ford engine. What say you oppo, stick with BMW or drop a V8? Picture of said wagon for your time.

DISCUSSION (31)

CB > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 12:46

I’d stay BMW, personally, but it’s your call.

duurtlang > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 12:48

Keep it BMW, and keep it straight 6. I tend to like these cars the best when they’re at the very least somewhat stock. That at least is my opinion as a 2 fold former E30 Touring owner.

just-a-scratch > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 12:48

If you’re up for the challenge, and you really want a project, not so much an easy and dependable car, go for it. Otherwise, something closer to original may be best.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 12:48

LS swap all the things!

Old Red Wagon > CB
04/26/2016 at 12:49

I am leaning more towards sticking with BMW but the thought of an LS in this chassis sounds glorious.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 12:49

Don’t fall for it.

You don’t need tons of power to have fun.

djmt1 > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 12:49

What about a turbo?

E90M3 > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 12:51

Why not a BMW V8, just get an M62 and put in it there

OPPOsaurus WRX > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 12:53

could you do a BMW V10.... in the Back? please?

Old Red Wagon > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 12:53

I would probably stick with an S52 and possibly turbo it but I would wait to see how I like it without boost. My original plan when I got it was to make it look completely factory. No go fast bits, original engine, respray, replace all the plastic trim on the exterior and in general just get it looking really clean. Then I thought to myself I want more power then the thought of an s52 swap popped into my head, now it’s a V8 swap. Will probably stick with BMW, just wanted to get other peoples thoughts on it.

Berang > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 12:54

No V8.

How about a Subaru flat 6? Lower center of gravity and you effectively move the engine’s weight back too.

Party-vi > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 12:54

M54B30. 225hp/220lb-ft, sold in damn near everything BMW made for the better part of a decade, and they’re reliable as hell.

PlasteredClover > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 12:55

How will you/do you use the car post engine swap? That might help you make the decision.

Old Red Wagon > E90M3
04/26/2016 at 12:57

That wouldn’t be bad either but I think of the cost and would assume it’s significantly more compared to finding an LS. An S62 out of an E39 M5 would be ideal. I need to do some more homework.

Steve in Manhattan > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 12:58

I like the factory look. I like mods that can’t be seen - heard is OK, but not seen.

Old Red Wagon > PlasteredClover
04/26/2016 at 12:59

It’ll be a garage queen for the most part. I daily drive my mk7 GTI so the e30 won’t be driven too often.

itschrome > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 13:01

Be different, be awesome, Swap a LH2 Northstar into her!!

Dru > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 13:07

S52

/Thread

PlasteredClover > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 13:08

Bmw all the way! The s54 will look prettier than an ls and will probably sound better too!

Nibby > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 13:12

stuff an 800 cc motor in there

Future next gen S2000 owner > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 13:16

LS9 all the things.

aebome > Party-vi
04/26/2016 at 13:19

I like this idea. Straight six with significantly more power and a proven record. What’s not to like?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 13:25

VW ALH TDI engine. Because why not? Easily 200hp 300ft/lbs of twist plenty for an E30. Plus you keep the inline 4 simplicity, and engine bay space. I’m not sure what trans you’d need to use, but I think you can get bell housings for several different transmissions. I’ve seen a Volvo 240 with an ALH, and I think they used 5 speed from a foxbody mustang.

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 13:53

What about the S54 (E46 M3)? I think you can find them for a round $3k.

DoYouEvenShift > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 13:57

Kinja'd!!!

Its the right answer.

E90M3 > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 14:33

The m62 was what they put in pretty much every v8 BMW from like 96 to 04, finding one shouldn’t be hard. Might be worth it to get an s62 or even an s65, cheaper option is probably the LS, i think the more pure option is the BMW v8

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 14:45

M62 or bust.

torque > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 14:48

If you wanted to stay with inline config. + keep costs managable...

I6 out of a Nissan and/or Infinity?

Know Nissan/Infinity for years relied on an I6 and I’d think they’d be less expensive to build up than any BMW motor, plus reliable, lots of power and buttery smoothness that I6s deliver

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 15:42

Since everyone else is being a baby: do it.

^Former E30 Touring owner.

MM54 > Old Red Wagon
04/26/2016 at 18:54

Turbo the M20?

gmctavish needs more space > Old Red Wagon
05/06/2016 at 20:41

M62 has been mentioned, which isn’t a bad idea, but if you’re fine with “only” 28ohp, the M60 is a relatively common swap into E30s because it’s still OBD1. Wiring is much simpler, and form what I understand it’s comically easy as far as V8 swaps go into old BMWs. The hardest part is finding the 6 speed for the M60, they’re not a common transmission. Other than that, motor and trans mounts are sold for this swap, some wiring that I don’t remember the details of, and you need to relocate the brake booster, or get one out of a 740 I believe. Or an E34 M5. Or go manual brakes like some people do.

They also sound fantastic.