Swapping an M3 motor into an E30 Wagon

"saltcityeuros" (saltcityeuros) 07/27/2016 at 09:57 • Filed to: e30, salt city euros, e30 touring, bmw e30, s50 swap

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We were having a ton of fun with our 1989 E30 Touring, but it was lacking in the engine department with its 4 cylinder M40 cranking out around 100 hp (or maybe less, who really knows!)

We found a donor car and pulled out the s50 engine from a 1995 BMW M3.

We detailed the steps here in two videos:

Yes, we wish it was a proper Euro S50 with ITBs and more power, but what can you do? We’re very happy with the newfound power.

We took it for a first drive and it performed very well. Just a couple of final issues to work out and it’ll be ready to get back on the track.

We also vinyl wrapped it to make it look a little better while we get ready for a new paint job...

What do you think? Something you’d like to drive?

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > saltcityeuros 07/27/2016 at 10:07

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Yes. Very something I would like to drive.

E90M3 > saltcityeuros 07/27/2016 at 10:19

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Yes, we wish it was a proper Euro S50 with ITBs and more power, but what can you do?

Solution: S54

Seriously though, this is awesome.

Clemsie McKenzie > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 07/27/2016 at 10:27

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Me too! This looks awesome.

PS9 > saltcityeuros 07/27/2016 at 10:28

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Yes, we wish it was a proper Euro S50 with ITBs and more power, but what can you do?

This. This is what you can do.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > saltcityeuros 07/27/2016 at 10:34

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Short summary: YOU FIXED IT

LongbowMkII > saltcityeuros 07/27/2016 at 10:36

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Didn't the US M3 have ITBs too?

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Clemsie McKenzie 07/27/2016 at 10:44

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It fully confirms my want for an e30

petebmwm > saltcityeuros 07/27/2016 at 11:09

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Did you reinforce the front sub frame while you had the motor out? mine ripped the passenger side mount clear out and i still have the s14 in my car!

gawdzillla > saltcityeuros 07/27/2016 at 12:06

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looks awesome, would hoon 10/10

RallyWrench > PS9 07/27/2016 at 12:37

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In all seriousness, that’s a horrible engine. It sounds nice and makes 500hp, yes, but it’s awful.

saltcityeuros > PS9 07/27/2016 at 16:20

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Maybe. Maybe one day

saltcityeuros > E90M3 07/27/2016 at 16:22

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S54 would be amazing. That’s definitely on our to-do list for next year. Just need to find one.

saltcityeuros > petebmwm 07/27/2016 at 16:24

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Funny you ask, we just released a video on that:

though we did it while the engine was in the car for video purposes. Wanted to show people how it would be done without removing the engine.

saltcityeuros > LongbowMkII 07/27/2016 at 16:25

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No, unfortunately. I’ve seen a few kits floating around the forums for ~$2K. I don’t know if it’s worth it at that point.

LongbowMkII > saltcityeuros 07/27/2016 at 16:46

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That's just wrong. E34 M5>E36 M3 now.

PS9 > RallyWrench 07/28/2016 at 01:30

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Meh. It’s hard to build a high strung, high RPM engine with lots of cylinders in it and not end up with a glass cannon. I think the Viper might be the only V10 powered car that won’t just disintegrate when faced with the rigors of being DD’d for hundreds of thousands of miles.

You could just LS it instead if you want 500 reliable HP...but...BUT YOU WON’T HAVE A V10 IF YOU DO THAT