Bmw M3 E36 Euro S50B32 and US Engine,

[SoL]

Hi to all DTM People,

im new here and i have some question..

Here i start, Im about to buy and BMW E36 M3 Euro, i want this models becose of the engine 3.2L (321hp and the 6Spd Trans) but i hear the S50B32 engine 96+ model is known for being more difficult to tune for performance, due to slightly smaller intake manifold runners and more complicated electronics (OBDII), is it just for the US version or the Euro too?

I want to buy that car only for the tuning, so is it really really more difficult to tune it up or what? and what about the piece? i see alot of website selling 95 M3 part but no 1996+...

I dont know if you know the ICS World Eater (1025hp m3) he have an S50B32 engine, and he swaped it on a 95 body. what you think about it? i dont know much in tuning im a n00b and i want to know if i can swap the 1996 trany in the 1995? (6sp man)

so in resume : what is the bether Engine for the tuning and what im bether to do... (Money is not a problem, but i dont want to paid somebody like ICS for the tuning of my car, i want to do it myself with friends and some professional in the tuning i know.)

Im not telling i want an 1025hp car but i want a real Highway & Lapping killah. (maybe 500 to 800hp)

Thx for your future respond.!

-SoL

(P.s Sorry for my English it is not my native language!)

[SoL]

some respond will be realy apreciated.


thx

[Mark M3 GT]

I only know the euro engines and the 3.0 US engine, which isn't a M block, but a re worked M52.

The 3.2 S50 has larger intakes than the 3.0 and the head has the larger intake ports to match. There are people over in the UK who are fitting the 3.2 intake systems to the 3.0 and porting the head to take advantage of the increases, however I don't think the gains are massive to be honest, I would only consider doing this if I had a problem with my head and then I would fit a 3.2 one and the intake to match.

If your looking at hiking up the power then the standard intake system would need to be altered, you would need to either look at a custom set up or a carbon plenum chamber. In the case of the later, the 3.0 is easier to mod, you can remove the maf, fit 2 chips and your running alpha n management, the 3.2 requires a live map to get the best out of it.

One of the major concerns about the 3.2 is the vanos, it seems that this is a bigger problem in the UK (as was the whole nikasil thing) than elsewhere, but its enough to warrant a mention. The 3.2 uses a single vanos, the 3.2 a double, this double vanos system is a bit more fragile. Its also not a case of just replacing the vanos if it goes, its common to do that, but if you have wear in the cam gears then you will have problems with the vanos pretty quickly (I have known them fail within 10k miles) and when tuning a car to anything over normal tuning standards you have to be aware of this.

The general consensus in the UK is that the 3.0 is the stronger engine, but the 3.2 has some nice part (intake, dual oil pick up etc etc) and is a bit fragile. However, if your working on an engine to the kind of degree that you seem to be thinking then all in all it shouldn't bother you which one you have. Both are expensive to fix if you go wrong.

[AlpinweissM3]

If you have the ability to get a Euro E36 than I say go for it and forget the US spec engine. Although if you are just power hungry and want to build a turbo monster than the US spec engine is the one you want. I would still go for the Euro though only because I would rather have one than my E46

[Mark M3 GT]

3.0 euro engines in the UK are still fetching circa £1300, which with the current exchange rate is going to be about $2500, then you have to factor in shipping. I would imagine its always going to be easier to find a tuner to work on a US spec m52, as thats what they are used to.

After all if you do go down the route of FI then the power you will get from a US engine will out do a stock euro one easily.

How much power can $2500 plus the shipping costs get you from a US engine?

[AlpinweissM3]

He is in Canada though and BMW did release a select few Euro M3's in Canada when they first came out. Plus the engine in not radically different from the S54 so any BMW specialist wouldn't have much trouble. I think the main problem would be sourcing parts that are readily available. Judging from what the OP wants he needs the US spec.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Mark M3 GT

3.0 euro engines in the UK are still fetching circa £1300, which with the current exchange rate is going to be about $2500, then you have to factor in shipping. I would imagine its always going to be easier to find a tuner to work on a US spec m52, as thats what they are used to.

After all if you do go down the route of FI then the power you will get from a US engine will out do a stock euro one easily.

How much power can $2500 plus the shipping costs get you from a US engine?

can you find me a S50B32 with ECU and gearbox for 1300 quid? I'll drive up to the UK and get it in my E30 318iT so no worries about shipping

[Mark M3 GT]

Thats about how much the engines (3.0) are, gearboxes are far more common than engines here, the 328 uses the same box as the the 3.0 M3, so there are loads about. As for ecu's well they can be had for a fair price.

[Mark M3 GT]

You have to realise that complete cars are going for as little as £2000 over here, people are buying them and stripping them for parts.

Edit: I see your in Germany now, so surely they are about the same price there? E46 engine and ecu for £2250 thats just a quick look on ebay. Obviously the 3.0 will be cheaper.

[bergie_318is]

i though that if money was no object that the s50 would be better, but if you had the money to tune something the m52 would of been easier because of the OBD1? isnt it that anything pre 1995 is better for modification?

[E36M3Drifter]

Get the Euro. You will like it.

[SoL]

ok thx for your respond! but another question : i want to turbocharge the euro... is it possible?

[AlpinweissM3]

Originally Posted by SoL

ok thx for your respond! but another question : i want to turbocharge the euro... is it possible?

Yes it is. I have seen a couple but they are fairly rare. It would still be much easier and cost effective though to just turbo a US spec.

[SoL]

ok thx.. like i said cost is not a problem, and with 6speed and the euro spec i am sure its really intresting

more opinion?

[philsans5]

Don't turbo either of them. If you're going FI then the US 2.8 M52 is the way to go. If you want big NA power, the euro 3.2 with stand alone and ditch the dual vanos.