2.7 or not?

[Jamesb318is]

Right, i have a dilemma. I really like my car and the options it has so i dont want to sell and buy a 325, BUT i do want more poke.
My choice as i see it is to either -

>Mod the M42 engine as it is quite rare, and a nice buzzy lump, i can also start right away.
it has however done nearly 150k so maybe a little fragile , and will be expensive to tune, with little gains for money spent

>Drop another engine in. I work for BMW so have the knowledge and contacts etc to do a swap, and i know i'll enjoy doing it, but i will have to wait until next year to start as i dont have the space, money, or no claims bonus to start just yet.
I'm thinking a modded M20 2.7, but am wary as once again it seems a lot of work (or rather money) needs to be used to get power to a decent figure. My definition of a decent figure being enough to make my e30 an animal and worth the time/effort/money of doing a swap.

Any input or suggestions welcomed, just dont say 'buy someting quicker'!!!

Cheers

Ps- sorry if this is in the wrong section, didnt really seem technical to go in the other sections

[Brianmoooore]

If you have the contacts, and can sort insurance, go for a M50 or M52 conversion.
2.7s OK, but a bit old technology.

[player6]

do it 2.7 there the way to go

[Jamesb318is]

One of my thoughts exactly, seems a bit silly to go from a four vavle per cylinder,and DIS engine, to something more dated albeit more powerful

[m-dtech]

2.7 all the way buddy.

Think of the torque....

[fuzzy]

best power gains are to be had by turboing, once the jobs done its pretty cheap to tune it up

[REEDY]

Yeh defo 2.7

Crossing my mind also!!

[Simon13]

i'm going 2.7 but i have a good start by having a 2.5 already. Just waiting for the money to buy my bottom end i've found and it's the best bottom end i think that i could start with.

I like the nature of these engines, plus i can use my head and block, thus keep the car somewhat original!

they just have that extra torque which makes them seem more fun driving, and easier to woft along when u don't want to hammer it

plus they use no more fuel really than a 2.5 when economy takes your mind!

[Jamesb318is]

I really am tempted by the 2.7 route, but im just concerned i'll go to all that effort and be left wanting more! Am i right in thinking these are relatively lazy/torquey engines, as ive driven a old 635 (different engine i know, but similar technology) and wasnt really impressed with the engine, just felt quite lazy and uninspiring if you know what i mean (fair enough it had a slush box though)
I think i have more of a taste for peaky/revvy engines

[m-dtech]

im going 2.7, then i will turbo it later for more

[Andy_magic]

My experience of 2.7 engines is that they will pull happily from low revs and wind up nicely, my particular car isn't fuelling right (Still on 320i system ) so it runs a little flat over about 5250 rpm.

As has already been pointed out, loads of torque so its very easy to drive quickly without playing tunes on the gearbox, just open up and go.

[6potWil6pot]

2.7 a great "stealth" choice when insurance is factored in!

Id vote M52 tho, those engines have nice power stock and you can always mod it up for more power quite cheaply if you get bored!