Here's Why Every M3 Fanatic Should Build an S54-Powered BMW E30.

[@ebbyadavid]

Thanks for all the kind words guys! Unfortunately I tend to forget stuff and was fairly nervous for this interview so wound up making a few mistakes 😬. If you have any specific questions about the build feel free to ask away, the more swapped cars the better! Thanks to Roads Untravelled for being super professional and a pleasure to work with 👍 Shout out to VCM Auto Service and Carmena Performance for all the amazing work!

[@therealboofighter]

Ebby David great car! This is a great set up and how did you get your header so clean? Also have you been watching Jimmy Oaks channel and his E30 swap?

[@ebbyadavid]

@@therealboofighter the headers are stock E46 M3 with the cats cut and vband flanges welded on. Headers were then ceramic coated. All done by Carmena Performance to a high standard 👍 I haven't seen Jimmy Oaks channel but will check it out, thanks!

[@stacked911]

vcm is great!

[@scottbrown1454]

Fantastic mate, brilliant build. Check out my S54 E30 @scottyboye30m3

[@detox1146]

Well done Ebby! How much it cost all in all?

[@86Digilio]

Imo new M cars aren’t missing something, they have too much of something. Weight. Love the e30 content!

[@denoplumley7362]

I'm pretty sure that is what he is saying. BMW have missed that, they don't understand. But in a world guided by over-safety, the new m cars are the result I think.

[@clumsygarage1578]

The thing that bothers me more than the weight is the electric steering, and the turbos

[@aneeskara6776]

The power to weight ratio goes up with each generation. So does the stiffness. Seems like they're always getting better. The f80 is twice as stiff as the E30 M3 with a bolt on roll cage. Check out Albert Bierman, the guy in charge of the F80 development discussing the car. He also worked on the E30 M3 rollcage so was there for that cars development too.

[@turbobox7234]

That's a real driving machine... goes to show you don't need 1,000 whp to have a good time.

[@stefanfreestylez]

300-400 is all you need in a road car. (Depends on where you live)

[@stefanfreestylez]

@@nedboase7909 that too...im just talking about sports cars in general(911, m3, corvette....).

[@Burdpvt]

I have fun with my e30 318is with just a chip lmao

[@thinkoflovelight]

Living on an island my base 325 is plenty fun!

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Ned Boase this is what every person who doesn’t own a fast car says 🤣

[@fairizzeero5269]

Agreed. E30 have some kind of soul. Especially when u drive it around the corner. I've own an e30, sold it. Bought an e36 n e46. Sold those two and i got my e30 back.

[@fuckingallthesehoes3295]

Fairiz Zeero you much preferred the E30 over the other two?

[@jdmeire7535]

2:33 - 3:07 is almost a life-altering couple of seconds of video. It further increases my passion for old cars. That BMW straight 6 noise without the sound of turbos or blow-off valves to ruin its rawness. Big smile on my face here thinking of ways to make a chunk of cash to build my own. Huge respect for the owner of this automotive masterpiece for allowing us to experience such a thrill and major thanks to the Roads Untravelled gents for capturing this time-proof footage for us.

[@nlouisf]

I see an e30 with s54 I clicked like

[@wilhelminmahtikanava]

And subscribe.

[@EagleTheGreat]

And comment

[@M3LKS]

Dude: ''E30 bit of a dark horse, a lot of people tend to abuse the cars'' E36, E46: ''*Ahem*''

[@ebbyadavid]

This cracked me up because it's true lol

[@johnpearson492]

I'm currently putting a lot of work fixing the previous abuse of my e36 M3. When I'm done with that, I'm going to go out and enjoy it myself, it's a brilliant, brilliant car, absolutely love it.

[@maximilianlindner]

Original M cars: Raw, high revving n/a engine, manual transmission, rwd with mechanical lsd Did I miss something? New era M cars: Comfy, lower revving turbo engine, dct or torque converter automatic, electronically controlled awd or rwd system

[@eagta3347]

At one point in early 00s BMW said they didn't believe in turbos so everything was NA. How ironic almost everything that they have now is turbo XD

[@friguy4444]

@@eagta3347 They also swore in the 1990's that there would never be an M car with an Automatic Transmission. HA!

[@Krozhin]

@@eagta3347 Well in their defense, turbos just ended up being better

[@eagta3347]

@@friguy4444 I can smell SMG and DCT owners are going to chime in how their rodeos are not auto lol

[@eagta3347]

@@Krozhin all I can say is that I will never own a turbo BMW haha

[@nello1591]

I saw this car in a few stages of its development. One thing is for sure, Ebby refused to cut corners with this build. Very cool to see his E30 here now! Great video.

[@frankburn6312]

Brayden Faganello great car but 300+ hp on 4x100 ? E30 m3 came with 5 lugs at 200+

[@ebbyadavid]

@@frankburn6312 4x100 e30s have been holding way more than 300+hp for a while now. No issues yet!

[@ricardonunes7595]

the problem is not the 4x100 but the stock brakes@@ebbyadavid

[@RoadsUntraveled]

Hey guys! Hope you enjoy this one :D One of the greatest BMWs i've ever driven hands down. Don't forget to grab an S54B32 jet tag if you haven't already! Shop.roadsuntraveled.com

[@Jackhabchy]

Roads Untraveled hey man great work , I am from lebanon , love your videos thanks for clearing that RTD is lebanese . Btw E30 is legendary here lots of great builds , check the lebanese drift and hillclimb championship videos you’ll get an idea😁. Keep up💪🏻

[@meagleo]

My E30 is the only car I've ever owned where selling it just isn't an option. They really get under your skin.

[@laidback93]

They certainly do. I've spend years and a bucket load of money restoring my E30 and I regret nothing. Things still break and fall apart, but I don't care. I keep fixing her because this car feels like is has a personality. Automatic smile on my face every time I shift from 1st to 2nd.

[@strahinjaboskovic305]

True...i just done s54 swap on mt2 e30 :) Will never sell

[@hanielnasheed7189]

Bro my E30 is like an additional member of the family that’s staying with me!

[@Hybrid330i]

About 13 years ago I did a e30 motorsport s50b32 euro conversion. Still have the car and it just gone off for a very expensive paint job. Love the car, the way it drives, and everything e30 about it. Out of all of my cars over the years this is the one that I've kept. Will keep it for my son to drive when he's of age.

[@laidback93]

This might be one of the best E30s ever. Late model, Glacierblau, black sport seats, very tasteful mods that are pretty much required to get the most out of this chassis and that glorious work of art S54 engine. Yes, yes and yes!

[@ebbyadavid]

Thanks! It's Cirrus Blau though, very close :)

[@MaxSpeedMike]

This was a great review. Owner knows his stuff. Built a real driver's car. Nothing like rowing your own gears and living higher up in the rpms. "There's a point at 7,000 rpms..."

[@thof8287]

Why I fell in love with BMW as a kid: high revving NA motors!!

[@TerrificFlow]

Owner of an e30 325i with upgraded suspension, i 100% agree with your comment on the car having two issues: steering and gears. Especially with assisted steering and normal 325i gearbox. There is a rare 325iS gearbox that improves gearing but they sold for 2k-2.5k, not worth the cost imo. Classic upgrade is e36 gearbox

[@qimi5883]

Wow S54 in 25+yrs chassis.Great engine and exhaust sound.Ive 1990 E30 318is and love this baby.

[@BlakesGarage]

DOPE!!! S52 Swapped E30 owner here and these hands down are the funnest BMW you can buy and I daily an M4 so I can say that.

[@Motoicon]

Fantastic. I've owned 2-E30's, an E36 M3 and now an E28. I love them all and this has really got me inspired to do an S52-54 engine swap. The M30 I have in it now is just too old and not upgradeable...Thanks for a great vid

[@Itsmeyourbuddyguy]

Motoicon turbo it, m30s are one of the best bmw motors for it. You’d make 400 wheel under 1 bar easy if the motors not toasted

[@Motoicon]

@@Itsmeyourbuddyguy That was an option I considered but thought the cost might exceed the gain. But hearing it from someone that has expertise in this area will compel me to take another look. Thanks

[@Itsmeyourbuddyguy]

Motoicon valve springs with a mls head gasket and abuse the hell out of it

[@monikhushalpuri]

Not that knowledgeable on m30 motors but I know they are reliable and have seen a few go 400,000+ miles without a rebuild...but with the turbo technology out nowadays you can spec out a turbo with minimal lag and have a decent power range

[@Motoicon]

@@monikhushalpuri That seems to be the consensus....I ended up buying an E39 M5 instead and will leave my E28 535is stock for now. Pretty expensive to turbo it correctly. You are correct- That M30 motor is built like a tank...

[@jamest5149]

The throttle response issue is more likely the open itb’s- e46 m3’s don’t like the air box removing or moding - it always effects throttle response and power delivery... better to refit the m3 airbox or CSL airbox if you can afford one

[@ebbyadavid]

It partially is. Car will eventually get a MAP sensor added similar to the M3 CSL.

[@andrecooper6466]

I'm thinking to an e46 sedan swap to m3 csl...it'd be craazy

[@danielb2145]

Nice car. I have an E30 325i, it's sad that most e30's are being messed up by spinning and burn outs, everyone wants mine, but I know it will be messed up in 2 days flat.

[@Givenbigal1]

Dil Lee E30’s are perfect for drifting. That’s what I do with mine. Lol not that I’m very good at it, but it’s fun. Sure, I break stuff on it every now and then, but I keep up with maintenance and keep it on the road so I can keep enjoying it. All stock. Of course I don’t go too crazy with it because i want to keep it for the rest of my life. I guess the point is that they’re meant to be used and it’s up to the owner to decide how they use it. Although I do agree that it bugs me to see them abused by people who don’t take care of them mechanically, and just keep breaking them. Messing them up. Then sending them to the junk yard. Don’t sell yours. I can tell it’s in good hands.

[@placeholdername3206]

@@Givenbigal1 They aren't perfect for drifting. They got a short wheelbase which means they are more twitchy and less forgiving if you compare them to for example an E36. If you want to do skids keep the E30 fresh they are going up in value, then get an e36 which wont ever be anywhere near as valuable. E30's have that retro look about them while E36's just look like a 90's relic and is widely considered the low point in BMW build quality. They drive and handle great tho and can be turned into track weapons.

[@BostaGold]

@@placeholdername3206 im building mine for burnout and drifting :) currently stripping it all back to the shell so I can rust repair it and weild in chassis reinforcements to future proof it for a engine swap later down the road.

[@longbowdt]

Major props to the owner. Excellent end product. Happy it's met his expectations. Best Bimmer story yet, imo.

[@ebbyadavid]

Thanks, really appreciate this comment as it's been a long road but totally worth it in the end :)

[@ryanthomastew]

DEFINITELY HAVE EBBY BACK WHEN HE GETS HIS BRAKES UPDATED AND LET'S SEE THIS ONE AGAIN! It will be worth hearing your feedback after some time has passed. I think returning to former cars is really helpful b/c your perspective and experience evolves over time.

[@GarageSupra]

If anyone has a T56 Magnum equipped car you should give it to him to drive. Also great video and the note of that engine is pure lushness

[@mucix]

Only 2 things on earth could have made this better: - pre-facelift body with MTech1 body kit - Apline White 2 on that same body P.S. 8:15 the shell is that of a 4 cylinder, or just fixed rust?

[@ebbyadavid]

Thanks for the comment. I personally find the IS look the best of all versions of the E30 including Mtech 1 and Mtech 2. We have an Alpine white sedan project coming :) 8:15 is a rust fix - it will be fixed completely when this car gets a glass out colour change in a few years. It's likely going Daytona violet or calypso rot. Shell was originally a 325e.

[@am2155]

2:16 oh what a meanie! Love this e30! My e36 tells me the same thing: "Trust me...I've got more grip"...as I spin out on the highway stupidly. 🤣

[@scottbrown1454]

I absolutely love this. I thought mine was perfect but I fitted the ESS 475 charger, omg even better

[@d3lev]

E30 is a very good car to tune and build for sure

[@Stelf101]

To be recommended a video about a e30 s54 swap within hours of it being uploaded when I've been searching for this all this week. Gg KZbin

[@eddiesheeran5791]

Wow that e30 RIPS and looks awesome! Nice work bro

[@mrpistonrecaro6483]

Love e30’s. I own an 88 😉

[@BroughBuilt]

I love that you've kept the look of the car "oem". You are for sure helping to make the e30 become a legend in its own right. What engine management system did you use?

[@ebbyadavid]

Thanks! It's a stock E46 M3 ecu with an OTS CSL tune. Still have to dyno tune it to get it dialed in. The engine, transmission and ECU are from the same donor car so I like to think the spirit of that car is living on in this one :)

[@BroughBuilt]

@@ebbyadavid I agree. It's like a heart AND brain transplant in one🤣

[@BlakesGarage]

@@ebbyadavid Kassle Performance harness? Who did the oil pan and subframe for ya?

[@ebbyadavid]

@@BlakesGarage Kassel/Andrews, doesn't matter it's basically all the same. Look up the s54 e30 group on FB to find the custom oil pan and subframe fab guy - Ben Sipson. Great guy and a professional.

[@Romu1us]

Very well said and put together!

[@AliasHSW]

Don’t need to retrofit the throttle with cable linkage. Just tune the DBW throttle response.

[@sugarrfree]

One of the best looking cars ever made. Imo

[@The_Albino_Dino]

Awesome job on the car best of bmw in 1 vehicle

[@cadisetramadiraizel9993]

This video is just my dream. Well done

[@bimmers_etc]

Good to see the club shirt Ebby! 👌✌looking forward to getting our rides together sometime! 😃

[@millll111lllI]

This video looks great cropped to 21:9

[@coltcantrell9433]

Hahaha my buddy and I were saying the same thing about the rear end being predictable in his e46 m3 the same day we rolled it 8 time and he lost a foot… the s54 survived and now it’s going in my e30!😂

[@okanzihni9992]

I got the euro spec S50B30 in my E30 the goesbumb i get when i rev it to 8100rpm is from a other level nothing beats the sound that comes out the carbon intake!!!

[@ViceCityNightcrawler]

Wow such a sick build!

[@ArcticAutoWerks]

Keep the e30 content coming plzzzz

[@patrickrene2351]

The car sounds great! Nice job.

[@fastec5]

Man I have been thinking of building one of these this past week or so, so what are the odds you make a video on one lol

[@arttafil6792]

Well done!

[@cjsawinski]

Wish I would have never sold mine from back in high school. Was a sedan with 117,000 miles… a true “grandmas” car back then that I picked up in 2002 (ish) for $1,500… and no not a roller for that price, the car was mint! $1,500 for a mint “low mileage” e30. The good ole days lol

[@sergiupavlov9953]

Awesome build!

[@Ivan_Ivanovich_Drago]

How balanced does the car feel under braking, trail braking, and in general?

[@eagta3347]

Amazing car and the video quality, I have S54 E36 and love to make a video like this!

[@dystopia2386]

Lovely and classy without the spoiler on the cargo. It looks like an innocent 316.

[@kenfung664]

Beautiful car, thumbs up. Seems like the added weight upfront along with stiff springs is causing quite a bit of bounce

[@panel11111111]

Fantastic sound!

[@goku781]

Sounds great, probably crazy in person.

[@RoadsUntraveled]

Ebby was right, it's the perfect balance of power, handling, and brakes for the E30 chassis.

[@GunsAreFun945]

E30s are the best!

[@manduswihlstrand3026]

Please do a Alfa Romeo v6 Busso!!

[@masscomnet]

There are drive by cable kits for the S54 btw . . .

[@guidobottazzo]

great stuff, where did you guys film this?

[@rishabhbhatt1393]

Best channel on KZbin🍧

[@ryanmoloney99]

thats perfection right there

[@ebbyadavid]

Thanks!

[@jayt8027]

What is the color code on that thing?? Beautiful.

[@kushpaladin]

looks like 'Sterling silver' came on a lot of e30 and e36

[@scanspeak00]

Nota a fan of the wheels but the rest is epic.

[@bimmerlife5452]

What suspension his running. ?

[@Soh90]

I feel like KZbin is trolling me. Recently I’ve been scouring the internet for E30 3 series and different used motors and then I come on KZbin and get bombarded with a bunch of E30 swap vids. The conspiracy.

[@brandonhill6143]

Lol Google is doing it's work

[@thinkoflovelight]

It’s known already. Also I things my coworkers look up show up on my feed....

[@williamboyd4671]

Who built your subframe?

[@jwb4bb]

Any estimate on the cost for this build? I haven't finished the vid yet, sorry if it says later on...

[@RoadsUntraveled]

A lot. lol. @myclassicbmw is the owner's IG if you'd like to get in contact with him!

[@ebbyadavid]

It really depends on how much you get the engine/trans/swap parts for and how far you want to go with it. dm me @myclassicbmw if you want to chat further.

[@akdomun]

What kind of dials did you use to display the full RPM range? Are they custom?

[@ebbyadavid]

Yes they are custom

[@LboogieG12]

@Roads Untraveled is that a CAE Ultra Shifter? btw awesome vid. one day when my S52 goes, the S54 is going right in

[@ebbyadavid]

It's an RTD shifter

[@ElTyranto]

I love the front splitter. Is it available to purchase?

[@ebbyadavid]

Yes it is! There's a guy selling it on FB

[@johanemmenes9236]

@3:50 Weakest point of the E30. Those doorhandles. Love his one, if you ever want to sell her...

[@migelprager1097]

Leave the owner do the talking... His words and the way he talks about the car reflects knowledge and passion. (I've fast-forwarded all segments when the bald kid talks, drives or both)

[@m3s69ll]

What state is that? Canada?

What front spoiler does the car have? Is it an is one?

[@ebbyadavid]

Yes, IS

[@HamzaK0098]

I really REALLY want an e30.

[@RoadsUntraveled]

me too

[@ebbyadavid]

Get one! They're still affordable

[@DamonBMW]

@Béla Bá waaaat you can get one for like 2 grand

[@DamonBMW]

@Béla Bá i am from europe. i have 4 e30s. all bought for under 1500 euros and very little rust.

[@DamonBMW]

@Béla Bá which country are you from?

[@philippsteudle8750]

Fantastic car 👌

[@troncat4604]

lol yeah you should build one if you're an M3 fanatic, as long as you have ~$15k for the swap alone go for it. and that's on the cheap side.

[@dacads]

It's not bad as you can just pick up a cheap 318i or something?

[@troncat4604]

@@dacads I mean you can do what I did and buy a rolling chassis for $500 but that doesn't mean the swap itself is any cheaper. the s54 swap is a lot of custom work, despite what people say. at least if you want to do it right. that means doing the rod bearings, new ecu, new cooling(bc e46 cooling won't fit and e30 standard cooling isn't enough) buying the actual engine, buying the trans that mates to it, bc the getrag260 doesn't work I believe. you also have to get a custom oil pan as the guy in this video mentioned. your exhaust doesn't fit off a standard e46 or an e30 so you have to do a custom full exhaust. your steering column gets in the way so you have to change that. you'll need new axles, you'll need a rebuilt or possibly custom driveshaft if the length isn't the same as the e30's. You'll need a custom front subframe, and I'm sure I'm scratching just the surface here. The point is, it's not an easy swap and it's not cheap. its probably actually cheaper to put a 2jz or an LS in(definitely cheaper for the LS) but none deliver power like the s54 and none sound the same so if you want that you have to go with an s54. Its by no means and easy or cost effective swap. you'd get away cheaper just buying and modding an e46m3 but then it wouldn't be an e30. Also sourcing an s54 is hard since they're all in working cars or cars that are fucked. You basically have to buy an e46 anyways to get the engine.

[@anggihutagalung4363]

very cool e30 man, what color code is that?

[@ebbyadavid]

Cirrus blue!

[@MkII-cw3rw]

Can you have A/C in a S54 swap?

[@ebbyadavid]

You can but I don't - don't need it where we live.

[@mracer69]

Yes

[@grunx_1202]

@@ebbyadavid i wonder how much this build cost from scratch

[@Christian-wu2py]

Wow! The sound of the car satisfies me. It makes me feel everything in my life is ok. When I’ve finish college, I will buy a 325i with M-tech 2 and make an S54 swap on it. Ps: Color’s gonna be red :)

[@ebbyadavid]

Make a video when it's done, can't wait to see it!

[@kushpaladin]

id rather have a m50. cheap and readily available as they came stock in a lot of e34 and e36

[@detox1146]

Well done Ebby! How much it cost all in all?

[@ebbyadavid]

It really depends on how much you get the engine/trans/swap parts for and how far you want to go with it. dm me @myclassicbmw if you want to chat details.

[@Unknown-fu9gn]

hy what about fuel economy

[@lop8828]

I have a hate and love thing with all my s54s.

[@DIYskate]

Never seen this before, so forgive me, but is the host Alex Roy's son? The resemblance is uncanny. Also, yes... as a current e30 owner, yes, this is awesome

[@Diiviine-fj]

Maybe next couldbe a m62b44 swapped

[@leqthai]

what paint color is that?

[@ebbyadavid]

Cirrus blue!

[@stacked911]

s54 power!!!!

[@MrPastor1121]

What rims size are those?

[@ebbyadavid]

16"×7.5" front, 16"x9" rear

[@rockhop8595]

wtf this sounds so much better than an e46 m3 or am i crazy

[@ebbyadavid]

Thanks man, lots of work went into making the exhaust sound good.

[@felipemautei]

Ok, I think I've now set a life goal.

[@ebbyadavid]

Yes! Do it!

[@AllAspectsCrew]

now i need to put a s54 in the e30

[@randy438]

Be careful. I’m $20k into my swap so far. But I’m having the engine completely rebuilt. Still isn’t cheap either way

[@ebbyadavid]

Do it!

[@muismaniac8781]

The only thing is off of this video is the owners red pans 🤣🤣🤣

[@ebbyadavid]

Best comment haha, love my red pants though 🤣

[@PlaybacksingerVipinSNanden]

E30 is the best BMW

[@pduffy83usa]

God that thing screams!!!!

[@harrison2870]

What colour is the car?

[@ebbyadavid]

Cirrusblau Metallic or Cirrus Blue Metallic

[@ItsMikeArre]

Bc NA I6 are the best that’s why

[@W333dm4n]

Love love video had me going wow that is quick that's fast Im a fan of Japanese cars but I work in a BMW shop and I drive them and they are some proper fukin machines now I wanna get into the German game it's not bad if you're willing to take care of your car Truth is 2jz eats too much gas and you have to buy parts from Japan and fkin build a car from scratch not everyone wants to fuck with wiring and putting engines in much easier to just get a nice used beamer and baby that shit people don't need a million miles from an engine gas is fkin expensive 150-200k is a solid number for a turbo 4 banger from bmw you have to replace chain and guides or they will break I got bare n20 parts if anybody is interested

[@W333dm4n]

Tourer v for day win tho

[@Unknown-fu9gn]

hy whats about fuel economy

[@ebbyadavid]

No clue, sorry

[@fiisho]

Does it have ac tho

[@ebbyadavid]

It has AC lines but I removed the AC, don't want it.

[@majster5741]

sooo... im going to buy an s54 engine in 2020 and put it in my e30 copue that stays in garage for like 10 years... its in perfect condition so it should be driving not staying in that damn garage