Turbo M30 versus M5 engine swap

[Jay 535i]

Just a hypothetical question, for the moment...

This (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-BMW-M5-ENGINE-COMPLETE-NO-RESERVE-WARRANTY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQitemZ80 34869878QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW) would give me roughly the same result as spending the same money on a turbo kit. Which is the better route?

I guess with 98k miles, this engine is due for a ($$$) rebuild?

[rreimund]

"950.00 CORE CHARGE APPLIES, FULLY REFUNDABLE UPON RECEVING YOUR CORE"

Unless you've got another M5 engine to send back to them, add $950 to the price

[wingman]

Personally I would go for the M5 engine. Everything in the M5 engine is built to work together. Turbo charging an engine not built for it IMHO would put loads on certain areas that may not be able to cope. You'd end up spending a fortune on uprated parts and/or balancing to make it cope. Don't forget to put some money aside for brake and driveline upgrading.

[bfd]

Just a hypothetical question, for the moment...

This (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-BMW-M5-ENGINE-COMPLETE-NO-RESERVE-WARRANTY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQitemZ80 34869878QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW) would give me roughly the same result as spending the same money on a turbo kit. Which is the better route?

I guess with 98k miles, this engine is due for a ($$$) rebuild?

You have a perfectly good car now, why bother? IF you really want a M5, why not sell your car and get one. You get everything you want in one package,designed by BMW, and you won't waste any money. By the time you're finish "upgrading" your car, it won't be worth squat. In contrast, a real M5 will always be that and worth more than any wannabe fixer upper. I say, stay the course, or go all the way and get the real deal!

[pundit]

You have a perfectly good car now, why bother? IF you really want a M5, why not sell your car and get one. You get everything you want in one package,designed by BMW, and you won't waste any money. By the time you're finish "upgrading" your car, it won't be worth squat. In contrast, a real M5 will always be that and worth more than any wannabe fixer upper. I say, stay the course, or go all the way and get the real deal!
Ditto!

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

You have a perfectly good car now, why bother? IF you really want a M5, why not sell your car and get one. You get everything you want in one package,designed by BMW, and you won't waste any money. By the time you're finish "upgrading" your car, it won't be worth squat. In contrast, a real M5 will always be that and worth more than any wannabe fixer upper. I say, stay the course, or go all the way and get the real deal!

That's what I did, Jr too. No regrets except maybe the extra fuel burned. Of course, all memories of the cost vanish when the tach needle passes 5K...

[SRR2]

You can probably buy this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8035031498&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting

for under $2kUS. He's had it for sale for months with no takers.

[Torque]

Google Turbocharging Dynamics.

98k and you're thinking you need a rebuild? I've seen people turbo 535s with 3 times as many miles and run with no issues ... of course, you would probably need a 5sp swap.

[Incantation]

just buy a bike dude
:)

[kyleN20]

a bike is one thing completly diffirent then a car. there are huge diffirences between a fast car and a sport bike, i myself would rather a car. i want to turbo a e30 325is, its always been a dream and i dont think a bike would do the same thing for me.

kyle

[BimmerDude]

Personally I would go for the M5 engine. Everything in the M5 engine is built to work together. Turbo charging an engine not built for it IMHO would put loads on certain areas that may not be able to cope. You'd end up spending a fortune on uprated parts and/or balancing to make it cope. Don't forget to put some money aside for brake and driveline upgrading.
Dude ever heared of the Alpina turbo I'm not sure but I heared something about seq. dual turbo, the Alpina used the m30 and boosted it up the :D .
Go for the turbo, but don't forget the 5 speed to handle the at least 400hp the boosted m30 will dish out.

[pundit]

Dude ever heared of the Alpina turbo I'm not sure but I heared something about seq. dual turbo, the Alpina used the m30 and boosted it up the :D .
Go for the turbo, but don't forget the 5 speed to handle the at least 400hp the boosted m30 will dish out.
Whadyamean! Only 400HP?

http://europeancarweb.com/features/0409ec_bmwmonster/

610 whp @ 4500 rpm; 703 lb-ft of torque @ 4400 rpm!! ;)

[Incantation]

lol.. you obiously have never sat on 150whp bike that weighs 400 pounds and hammered the throttle. saying they're "diffirent" worlds is like saying we need air to breathe.

my point is that you can spend a shitload of money with a turbo or swap.. yet you still will be nowhere near the level of juice that a bike gives you.

probably best to reserve comment for comparisons where you have experience. ie if you haven't been on a bike and you're saying "you think" you would prefer a turbo e30.. what are u talkin about? lol. even a harley would be faster than that

[BimmerDude]

Whadyamean! Only 400HP?

http://europeancarweb.com/features/0409ec_bmwmonster/

610 whp @ 4500 rpm; 703 lb-ft of torque @ 4400 rpm!! ;)

At least not only. I think I've seen some dumping out over 1000hp.

[onewhippedpuppy]

You can probably buy this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8035031498&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting

for under $2kUS. He's had it for sale for months with no takers.

$2k!? He has it at about $7500. I've always wondered, what would be involved with swapping in a later M62 such as that one? Might be a cool project if my Nikasil ever craps out.

As far as the M5 engine, at 98k it should have lots of life left. I wonder though, is it worth the trouble? Once you sank the cash into the engine and tranny and the work to put it in, you could just about buy an M5. Upgrade the brakes, suspension, seats, steering, etc to M5 type levels and you could just about have a euro 3.8 6 speed M5. Would be a fun project though.

[Jon K]

turbo, hands down.

[Alexlind123]

I agree, the m30 has veyr high potential under boost, more so than most engines.

[Torque]

Whadyamean! Only 400HP?

http://europeancarweb.com/features/0409ec_bmwmonster/

610 whp @ 4500 rpm; 703 lb-ft of torque @ 4400 rpm!! ;)Last I heard, the engine is now making 850hp ... guy used to be real active on bimmerforums ... search for his username e34biturbo and look up some of his kill stories ...

[beetos]

Turbo if you have the time / cost. Power is insane, and its more of a project you can do in stages as you can play with different turbos / engine set ups.

[Jay 535i]

Thanks all for the feedback. It's about what I expected, but it's always nice to get the community's opinion.

I'll stick with my original turbo plans. :)

[kyleN20]

i have rode bikes, nothing monster, but im not a bike guy plain and simple, and not everyone is, clearly you are. first of i do not feel safe on a bike at high speeds, and if i did buy one id probally kill myself. for me ill take a fun little sporty car and be happy.

[Jay 535i]

Bike's are great, and I'd love to have one, but you can't seriously claim that a bike is in any way a substitute for a car. Both are nice, but one cannot replace the other.

That's why I wanna juice my fiver :D

[stx133]

was thinking of turbo'ing a 535, went the 540 instead. less insurance hassles etc..