NEED HELP PLEASE S54 VS S38B38 OPPINION - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

First e28 M5 · 26th February 2008, 08:13

Hello guys,
I am planning to do my second project car with an E30 M3 but this time instead of S38 B36, I`will swap the so lovely S38 B38 340hp 3.8. This car I am planning to keep! I like the S38 B38 because of the torque.

My dilemma is between the S54 E46 M3 or get the S38B38 torque house! Aslo on the E30 M3, do you think that with the S38 B38 the car will be faster than the S54 on the same car E30 M3?

Please reply to my post. I need oppinion.

Thanks
Anri

ilovemy_e34 · 26th February 2008, 08:30

The member VespaM5 may be able to get you info on where to get a good price on a S54 and for that reason I would choose the S54. PM him, he is a pretty cool guy.

As I remember a conversation with him he was telling me that a family member works at a tuner where they prep M3s and that the shop had been discarding the S54 and swapping it with the 2.5 motors. I guess it was more cost effective to turbo a 2.5 than try and work with the high strung S54. (cost effective for HP output I am assuming). I think they even discard the seats too, not 100% sure though...

Do not get me wrong I would love to have the 3.8, but you may be able to get the newer motor cheaper and faster...

Just my 2 cents.

farrell · 26th February 2008, 10:23

Hard one to call
Ultimately, it would be the handling dynamics that I would be most concerned
about, rather than the numbers unless you are doing 1/4 mileing etc.

S54 is a lighter engine & as it's going into a lighter car, the torque disadvantage of the S54
over the S38 that I personally percieve will not matter.

S54 = abundant parts & engines to a degree.

I would not entertain the S38 in this application, great as this engine is.
I tried to fight the fact that it's a "Boat anchor" for years.

An opinion is all it is

Cheers
Farrell

Sebring NL · 29th February 2008, 15:40

The S54 feels a lot faster and easy-revving than an S38, I'd take the S54 any day for in an E30