Best way to make 300hp out of a m52?

[T.Dot_E30]

Originally Posted by SamE30e

But why? Just buy a M52, buy a used supercharger kit and be done with it. It's the cheaper route.

This.

Until the head-gasket or something else blows....

[richie_s999]

V8 swap ftw!!

[Tyman]

would i be able to fit an m60 in my e30 or would that be alot of work? So im thinking that swaping in an s52 would be the most reliable choice and close to the power i want

[richie_s999]

Any v8 will fit. Cheapest v8 swap is ford 5.0.

[SamE30e]

Originally Posted by T.Dot_E30

This.

Until the head-gasket or something else blows....

They're designed to use stock head gaskets... And at such low boost, it's un-likely that it would blow unless the engine was not previously maintained properly.

[SamE30e]

Originally Posted by richie_s999

Any v8 will fit. Cheapest v8 swap is ford 5.0.

Terrible idea....

LSx maybe. Iron block... No

[richie_s999]

Originally Posted by SamE30e

Terrible idea....

LSx maybe. Iron block... No

yes an LSx would be best but the 5.0 motor is much more affordable, with aluminum heads the motor weighs pretty much the same as an M52, and as it sits closer to the center of the car balance is just as good or better for handling.

the is a 380hp 5.0 mildly built, for $800, say $1000 for the other parts you need for the swap, that,s alot of bang for buck!!

Dan's E36 with the LS6 is a pure monster, and handles great, and the white E36 with the 5.0 thats been out at autoslalom a couple times is pretty crazy

[Tyman]

how hard would it be to fit one of these into an e30?

[richie_s999]

Originally Posted by Tyman

how hard would it be to fit one of these into an e30?

http://www.e30v8.com/details.html

no more work then swapping in an m50

[e30_kid89]

Originally Posted by richie_s999

http://www.e30v8.com/details.html

no more work then swapping in an m50

I disagree. More work than a m50 by far.....an m50 swap into an e30 is pretty much bolt-in besides some minor wiring.

[kenmar]

Originally Posted by SamE30e

They're designed to use stock head gaskets... And at such low boost, it's un-likely that it would blow unless the engine was not previously maintained properly.

What you do is buy a M5x with good compression, do a refresh on all the gaskets (incl. the head gasket) and then swap it in. With all the gaskets/seals done, the bottom end should last longer than your shell would hold up

[T.Dot_E30]

Originally Posted by SamE30e

They're designed to use stock head gaskets... And at such low boost, it's un-likely that it would blow unless the engine was not previously maintained properly.

I donno man, almost everyone I know of locally who went FI had issues eventually with the motor. Without opening the motor, FI on these motors is not proven to be reliable, unless you never drive it hard or make it a garage queen.

[DANIMAL]

Ah, Id say V8 swap of course but lets be honest here, its about half the price to do an M/S52 with FI. You do get a lot more torque and hp with the LS but its been you are paying for it and there is no guarantee its going to be any more reliable. Ultimately I am not so sure its for everyone, you really have to be into the 'project' frame of mind when you start going down that road as it never really ends. If your just starting out at the track you don't need that kind of power; chances are you wont really be able to use/appreciate it anyways, not that I presume to know your driving history. You would be better off just driving a refreshed M52 stock (as others suggested) and taking a few schools. Learn what you can do with your car and you would be surprised how much faster you can be compared to higher horsepower competitors. This is assuming that your primary use of 300hp is more than just highway pulls and bragging rights.

[SiR]

FI on the m52 is easily the best bang for the buck. no question

headgaskets can be an issue...id do updated arp's with a fresh oem gasket at a minimum....unless you want to see how far the engine will go without touching it. Sometimes they are perfectly fine. depends on usage/life.

[cormier]

Cheapest to 300 IMO is LSx, or SC m/s5x

More expensive, get SF to drop in an s54.