S14 craving

[M5pilot]

After driving numerous different engines E30's I still crave an E30 M3.

After owning one for 6 weeks its just addictive. I crave that engine noise, those super tight gear ratios and that unbelieveable handling.

I have driven some of the most high powered M20 2.7's (GUG and Alpina C2 2.7) and the S14 is still the best.

Ive also been in 2 turbo cars and these are something special but dont offer the noise nor handling of the S14.

A standard 200bhp M3 is not as quick as a the above 2.7's from a standing but once some mods are done the S14 can give phenominal power. Ive been in Nigel's 275 bhp S14 and that was just insane. Pure race car noise and 8500 rev limit. I been in Martins 235 bhp E30 m3 and that also bloody fast + that amazing noise.

What Ive realised after 6 years of E30 owner ship is that its not all about straight line speed even though an S14 engined car can be very very quick.

I may well take the plunge!

[dazleeds]

what sort of money are we talking for a 270bhp s14 ??

[M5pilot]

Probably in the region of Ԛ£6k.

The noise just has to be heard - Touring cars eat your heart out! And the brute acceleration from 2000 rpm onwards is phenominal.

Even a standard 215 bhp model with cams, Carbon fibre Intake and Alpha N does wonders.

I know Andrew is going to have some input to this thread.

[dazleeds]

guess i better get searching and see what i can find in salvage land

what price would you put on the standard engine??

got plenty to do on my car but also looking for a long/longterm project so will keep watching and see what happens in this thread
you got me interested in that sound

[M5pilot]

No idea on 2nd hand engine prices dude.

Its a very aquired taste, get a ride in an M3 before you set out to do anything like this.

[c76jon]

i agree

s14 noise is amazing and gains can be got
iam about to go down the schricks,alpha-n maxx and carbon box route

cams you are looking at 600 quid plus
alpha and air box about 1500 quid give or take

then theres all the bits eg new airfilter etc plus mapping costs plus wb02 and installation costs etc

270hp for 6k maybe a little conservative but boy they are incredible when done and as sal says the noise is pure porn


john

[dazleeds]

been in love with m3s since my first ride in one around 1989ish

just never had the spare cash for one but nowdays prefer to have the enginge in something different
will cadge a ride next time 1 turns up at a meet to remind me

anyone bringing 1 to donny??

[Simon]

Probably in the region of Ԛ£6k.

And more !


If I was to go the whole way, then I would go 2.5 also, you're looking at a good 10k to do it proper, I'm looking at the Carbon airbox and Maxx, will sound a proper racer, coupled with a straight through system from supersprint!

[koos]

Found a engine on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E30-M3-EVOII- ... dZViewItem

Be a nice swop

[DawieM3]

Hi Guys,

S14`s are expensive to mod, if you want to get good horse power gains. I have 3, a 2.0l ex supertouring lump, a std 2.3l and a 270Bhp 2.5L in the track car. Yes its awesome but also has it drawbacks, and these need to be considered before you start, transplanting.

Cost is the biggest thing as to make power they need to rev. Budget Ԛ£1000 for every 10Bhp above standard, and double from 250Bhp onwards.

Spare parts are not as easily available as your M20 325i, and if you into the DTM catalogue then a second mortage is on the cards.

If you want to track your car, and have fitted a carbon airbox, whilst the sound is orgasmic, you will run into noise issues which will straight away limit the circuits you can run on.

The S14 does not bolt up to a std 325i gearbox so you are also in the market for a close ratio dogleg box and propshaft, which also then requires the suitable ratio in the LSD. More expence.

Don`t want to piss on the transplant, but just to make aware that they are not just straight simple bolt in`s.

Regards,

Dave

[Demlotcrew]

I know Andrew is going to have some input to this thread.

LOL Sal, you know me too well!

I really think the S14 is a great engine! Like you have said, the sounds it makes! You can literally hear the note of the engine change as it heats up, the exhaust sounds very different when the engine is cold and just idling.
Like Sal and John have said there are plenty of tuning options for the S14 and every last bit just adds to the already awesome driving experience of a S14!
They are expensive too look after and do like to drink fuel really badly around town, but on the open road 34mpg is with in reach on average!

Cant really add much as the other guys have said about everything!

Andrew

[Rich_W]

Found a engine on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E30-M3-EVOII- ... dZViewItem

Be a nice swop

I haven't met Sean personally, but I would certainly say bid on that engine. Hes mainly known for his 600+BHP Escort Cosworth, and the amount of money he threw at that leads me to believe this engine has had the work dont that he claims.

Unlike a certain trader in Sussex who claimed an engine on ebay was fully rebuilt, when it didnt even look cleaned!

[karlp]

Found a engine on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E30-M3-EVOII- ... dZViewItem

Be a nice swop

I haven't met Sean personally, but I would certainly say bid on that engine. Hes mainly known for his 600+BHP Escort Cosworth, and the amount of money he threw at that leads me to believe this engine has had the work dont that he claims.

Unlike a certain trader in Sussex who claimed an engine on ebay was fully rebuilt, when it didnt even look cleaned!

Will need a few more items to go with it like - ECU , loom, gearbox + propshaft or some means of attaching s14 engine to the normal box.

Karl

[Demlotcrew]

^ How so?

I would like to know why its on the floor with no sump?

Was the sump torn off by a kerb? Was the engine left running long enough to do any damage if it dumped all the oil?

And he says its a Evo II engine but the exhaust manifold is not from a Evo II and the rocker/plenum dont have the Evo II colour markings.

Andrew

[Rich_W]

These are question you should direct to him.

Though now I read the advert a bit more Im just as suspicious. I read it that HE had it rebuilt. Though it now seems more like he bought it to sell on

[M3Pilot]

An S14 with a CF airbox makes an awesome noise, I should know I've got one it's not like a loud exhust that drones all the time, it only comes in when you bury the throttle. Still it's not exactly a cheap thing to do, but you can make reasonable gains especially in low down torque depending on what else you have in the set up.

[M3Pilot]

So on Sal you know you want too!

[Karan]

id love an e30 m3 too...... one day.......

[M5pilot]

So on Sal you know you want too!

Ive been in a quite a few E30's now and an M3 with 230+ bhp really make s very very quick car. But thats not really the point, its everything else that comes witht he package.

Will be buying one in the near future hopefully.

Hows your Evo coming along?

[m-dtech]

id love to have a rhd E30 M3

lhd i just cant manage unless its auto.

[M5pilot]

The first time I drove an m3 Id never driven a LHD car in my life.
I bought it and drove it home 50 miles without any problem at all.

All i did before start the car wasto memorise where the gears where and the fact that that my right hand was being used to change gears.

Within about 10 mins it was totally natural.

With a car which is as narrow as the E30 LHD is not really an issue.

Try driving a LHD S clasS Merc - thats a different story!

[M3Pilot]

Hows your Evo coming along?

Fine thanks.

I have my CF airbox fitted now and the Alpha N and my Schrick 284/276 cams are in there as well.

[M5pilot]

Whats the power/Torque figures?

[Dan318-is]

is alpha N easy to use?

something im looking at

[M5pilot]

Not that easy no, takes quite a bit of skill tp map it all and wire it in.

Demlot is looking into this these days.

[Dan318-is]

ye hes the genius that gave me the idea

i wont it mate cos im well in to computers also so it is something that would easily hold my interest

n e ideas what its like in comparison to megasquirt?

[M5pilot]

Probably the same sort of versatility as MS to be honest.

Youll get alot of help with the Alpha N though from the Demlot.

[Dan318-is]

no doubt the guy is a fucking legend

ant knows his megasquirt tho so does lentec

im sure andy335itouring will soon too

maybe u shud sell alpha N on the zone sal

[Jhonno]

i'd love an m3 - think maybe after the current project..

altho im hoping i'll get a good noise from the s50 seein as its 6 pot and tb'd

[UweM3]

MAXX Alpha-N is NOT difficult to wire in. But to tune it yourself you WILL need a Wideband Lambda kit.
WOT is fairly easy to set up, ith the low throttle openings and midrange which need some experience and trial and error.
But nothing impossible here either.

I am running mine without carbon box and the sound is still better than stock.

I disagree with others that the S14 is expensive to maintain. It all depends on how much you can do yourself. Once the S14 is in a healthy state, it a very reliable engine clocking loads of miles.
Also fuel consumption is less than a 325. (unmodified S14!).

If you need parts for the transplant, I have an engine loom and a set of 46mm throttles.

[Demlotcrew]

Uwe, alpha-n is easy to wire into a S14 (as it comes with the instructions) not a M42 or M20, i have told 318is that he will have problems as the throttle position sensor will not fit and he will need to find an alternative.

Andrew

[Dan318-is]

and what mite the alternative be mate?

[philn]

I would definitely say to drive one before you go for it.

I loved my sport so much that I went and got an M3 as I thought it would be even better . In my eyes it wasn't as much fun to drive as the sport. I eventually sold it to buy another sport (2.7) which was amazing!

LHD is a real pain in the arse too if your using the car everyday, buy an e34 M5 instead!

[M5pilot]

If your used to the big torque of a 2.7 an M3 may not be for you as PhilN has said.

Buy an E34 M5 - best advice you could give anyone.

[Karan]

If your used to the big torque of a 2.7 an M3 may not be for you as PhilN has said.

Buy an E34 M5 - best advice you could give anyone.

yeh if u have deep pockets........ and make it a tourer