E34 M5/ E28 M5/ E36 M3 (Which one)

[TheMoose]

Hi Boxers.
I get the feeling that this topic has been discussed before. But I have limitations once peeps start mentioning engine codes e.g. S50, S???.
Therefore, all my searched have led to me even more confused.
Basically, I am planning an M-transplant early next year and am not sure which of the following engines would yield best power for money:
E34 M5, E28 M5, or E36 M3 (3.0 0r 3.2).
I want a naturally aspirated beast. I already have found a guy that can sell me a E28 M5 engine with the getrag 260 gearbox, as well as the wiring harness and control unit for the equivalent of 1200.00 pounds.
But I don't want to buy a cat in a bag and end up paying a lot of money on the rebuild and stuff.
Once again, apologise for repeating thing topic guys...

[Jhonno]

For an M swap the engine cost is only the beginning.

[BigBavarian]

we were offered a e34 M5 engine and box with all ancils for £1500

[UweM3]

For an M swap the engine cost is only the beginning.

why? Can you explain a bit more please. I migh tbe naive, but what else expensive do you need after buying engine and gearbox??

[Gunni]

exhaust, motor mounts, radiator, driveshaft, hoses, gearshift linkage mods,
and the list goes one.

[Jonsku]

exhaust, motor mounts, radiator, driveshaft, hoses, gearshift linkage mods,
and the list goes one.

Yes, and when you're putting +300hp engine to a car which was factory built for max. 192hp engine, you need to think of the brakes and suspension also..


Anyways, S50 is way easiest swap of those mentioned. It's almost "plug'n'play".
S38 and M88 are little bit more trickier, they're like "M30 swap extended" - nothing major but lots of little things need to be sorted.

And what comes to costs, S50 is the cheapest one by far. Just buy crashed E36 M3 and strip it, you get your engine with all the bits for almost free.
S38 and especially M88 are lot more expensive in every way.

I'd check www.e30.de, there're lots of pictures and project topics about M30 / M50 / S50 / S38 / M88 etc etc.. swaps. Don't worry if you don't understand the language, as the saying goes "one picture tells more than thousand words" ;)

[oldroydsr4]

S50 = e36 m3 engine
s38= e34 m5 engine
m88 = e28 m5 engine

This is a great build for the s38

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... sc&start=0

And the whole set up is now for sale , this is the easiest and cheapest way to m power

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 02#1233602

[TheMoose]

Wow, thank you guys. I think that I might have been quite naive. Perhaps I should wait another year or so before doing the conversion. I must be honest thought, Love the sound of an M5 engine it beats the sound of the E36 by far. I was hoping that the M5 engine would have gotten the go-ahead. Therefore, I sould wait until I have saved enough to slap that M engine and have fun, fun, fun.

Thank you guys, this is a true community/ forum...

[robbo86]

S50 = e36 m3 engine

Barry aka Bss325i is the chap to speak to about this one

[UweM3]

exhaust, motor mounts, radiator, driveshaft, hoses, gearshift linkage mods,
and the list goes one.

Oh i see! Sometimes I forget that I have many parts already in my car (M3) All I need is an exhaust and rad. Everything else is more or less sorted. (suspension, drive shaft etc)