Can a student afford an m20b25 engine swap?

[MaltaBMW]

Hi all,
I own an e30 316 with an m10b18 carb engine, i only used it in sunny sundays as i want to keep it in its pristine condition. Lately i have been wondering about swapping the engine with m20b25 but the only setback is the expenses needed to do so considering that i am still a student and i believe that some serious changes need to be done (exhuast system, suspension, brakes, gearbox, water pump and others) also will it lose its prestige due to not being standard? (in malta e30s are going for high prices ranging from 5k euro to 7k). regarding fuel thirst its not an issue since i wont use it as a daily. any help and guidance would be greatly appreciated

[Speedtouch]

Welcome to the Zone! You'll ideally need the 325i's beefier front suspension struts and rear disc brakes fitted prior to doing the conversion.

Don't underestimate the amount of work involved converting a non fuel-injected four-cylinder car into a six-cylinder injected one; you'll need all the associated wiring loom, ECU, exhaust, gearbox, propshaft, diff, etc, etc.

It may well be more economic to sell yours and buy a six-cylinder model.

This Zone Wiki guide gives you the basic low-down:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... Swap_-_M20

Additionally, the M20 engine swaps section of the forum may give you useful info:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... forum&f=54

[MaltaBMW]

Nahh won't be selling it its sentimental, i love it so much. Thanks for your reply though

[Speedtouch]

Probably best to leave it as standard then, if you do such low mileage in it...

Perhaps just ditch the original Pierburg carb for a Weber conversion, to get the best out of the venerable M10 mill.

[martauto]

Perhaps just ditch the original Pierburg carb for a Weber conversion, to get the best out of the venerable M10 mill.

My thoughts entirely.
I bought an e46 330ci sport for my daily but still really enjoy the 316 Baur (with a weber)

Mart.

[MaltaBMW]

yeah did some research on it and i think i'll do it this summer. Found that 32/34 dmtl weber carb is the most reliable used carb in this case, what do you guys suggest about this? to make the most of it and help it push that little extra with this modification? I know its nothing extraordinary just want to make the most of it .

Thanks again for your help guys i really appreciate it

[Speedtouch]

Yes, that was recommended to me when I had a 2-litre Fiat twin-cam. They were used on a good many Ford Pinto engines to good effect, as I recall.

[aimlessrock]

Many moons ago I had a 316 with a Webber carb set up, once properly set up it was a superb runner. The pierberg is well designed but it does not age well, I replaced mine as it was becoming unreliable.

The M10 is a great engine and from what I've read is capable of being turbo charged- food for thought.

[MaltaBMW]

[quote="aimlessrock"]Many moons ago I had a 316 with a Webber carb set up, once properly set up it was a superb runner. The pierberg is well designed but it does not age well, I replaced mine as it was becoming unreliable.

Which Weber did you use? Its a bit difficult to turbocharge in here since it is licensed and insured as a classic, if turbocharged it won't be regarded as a classic anymore and it would increase the annual pay :/

[MaltaBMW]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WEBER-32-34-D ... XQzB5RBTeS

I think that this is the one i need, but what about the 40 DCOE weber, what is the difference? whats the power difference? i've seen some sweet conversions to these but don't know anything about them, any info please

[scallyally]

40 DCOE is a "side draught" carb and would require inlet manifold alterations i believe.

[Speedtouch]

Indeed, you would need a suitable inlet manifold (and flexible mounting rubber O-rings) and throttle linkage to fit a 40DCOE, then there's the matter of tuning it properly with twin sets of chokes, jets, emulsion tubes, etc., which can get to be very expensive and time-consuming!