Hello
Im new to the forum but i have been reading through alot of posts (especially in the forced induction area) and i want to start gathering parts for a 2.7 turbo engine. I have read through the how to build a 2.7 section in the e30 wiki area aswel, but i still have a few questions, mainly if what im thinking is a good idea or not....
heres what i'm thinking..
m20b20 block bored to 84mm
eta or 324td crank (prefer the diesel crank but opinions would be appreciated)
m20b25 pistons, m20b20 rods, new OEM rings, and little end bearings with VAC "coated" big end bearings
VAC mls headgasket (apparnetly no need to o-ring the block) again opinions welcome
ARP headstud kit
Can any one recommend a clutch (capable of holding 500ish ft/lbs) if not it'll probably be a VAC item
pretty standard (but rebuilt) m20b25 head
and obviously all new gaskets / seals water pump, oil pump etc
opinions are welcome, and i know i have to run management etc, i just really want to start gathering the correct parts for the bottom end. Any tips on what else is possible (dont really like the idea of the m50 2.8 crank though) would be appreciated
2.7 for Boost
Moderator: martauto
Could you not use M52B28 internals to build a 2.8? I think eta/324td cranks are like hens teeth these days.
I've got a clutch made by Spec which will happily take that sort of power, non sprung paddle... Should be fun in traffic
Edit. Just read your last paragraph lol.
Whats wrong with the 2.8?
I've got a clutch made by Spec which will happily take that sort of power, non sprung paddle... Should be fun in traffic
Edit. Just read your last paragraph lol.
Whats wrong with the 2.8?
E30 340i project in progress now 328 turbo
Breaking '97 728i Auto box, tubular manifolds and other morsels.
For sale E34 M50 sump, pick up and dip stick. PM for de
Breaking '97 728i Auto box, tubular manifolds and other morsels.
For sale E34 M50 sump, pick up and dip stick. PM for de
Job, jobed then.
What turbo are you going to use?
What turbo are you going to use?
E30 340i project in progress now 328 turbo
Breaking '97 728i Auto box, tubular manifolds and other morsels.
For sale E34 M50 sump, pick up and dip stick. PM for de
Breaking '97 728i Auto box, tubular manifolds and other morsels.
For sale E34 M50 sump, pick up and dip stick. PM for de
- Sidewaysfasal
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 11:00 pm
To MarkT, i dont really fancy machining the crank and or chucking in spacer plates etc really (just not my style lol) hence the eta or 324td crank and im initially planning on running a t4 and then after i get used to it probably rebuild a better flowing intake mani (or get one fabbed) with a ported and flowed head new camshaft etc and probably a decent gt series garrett, but for now i want to concentrate on getting it all together really
btw could you pm me a price on the clutch and a phone number of the suppliers, cheers
Theo thanks for the offer but i really fancy having the block freshly bored (hence the b20) and i dont really like the idea of shaved pistons either, im not too worried about a little extra mass on the piston as im not planning on revving too high, if you have any 324td cranks, m20 130mm rods, b25 pistons, or b20 blocks (late model with fairly low mileage) please pm me
thanks for your input lads
btw could you pm me a price on the clutch and a phone number of the suppliers, cheers
Theo thanks for the offer but i really fancy having the block freshly bored (hence the b20) and i dont really like the idea of shaved pistons either, im not too worried about a little extra mass on the piston as im not planning on revving too high, if you have any 324td cranks, m20 130mm rods, b25 pistons, or b20 blocks (late model with fairly low mileage) please pm me
thanks for your input lads
- Sidewaysfasal
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 11:00 pm
From what I have read I believe its when using an eta block you have to either shave the piston crown, or have the skirts machined down, is this true when using a b20 or b25 block with an eta or diesel crank aswell? As from what I understood it was the difference in deck height of the eta block that makes this machining mandatory, or have I got the wrong end of the stick?
Thought about using a Holset HX40 a lot cheaper than the T4 seeing as you'll upgrade to a GT series at a later date.
I'll take a look for their website
I'll take a look for their website
E30 340i project in progress now 328 turbo
Breaking '97 728i Auto box, tubular manifolds and other morsels.
For sale E34 M50 sump, pick up and dip stick. PM for de
Breaking '97 728i Auto box, tubular manifolds and other morsels.
For sale E34 M50 sump, pick up and dip stick. PM for de
http://www.thmotorsports.com/spec_clutc ... 73327.aspx
I bought mine new but second hand, so not too sure where's best but here's the one I have. The chap I bought it off is called bigbhpwannabe iirc he's not using the forum any more. Top bloke mind... He was aiming for 700Bhp ;)
I bought mine new but second hand, so not too sure where's best but here's the one I have. The chap I bought it off is called bigbhpwannabe iirc he's not using the forum any more. Top bloke mind... He was aiming for 700Bhp ;)
E30 340i project in progress now 328 turbo
Breaking '97 728i Auto box, tubular manifolds and other morsels.
For sale E34 M50 sump, pick up and dip stick. PM for de
Breaking '97 728i Auto box, tubular manifolds and other morsels.
For sale E34 M50 sump, pick up and dip stick. PM for de
- Sidewaysfasal
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 11:00 pm
$360 thats sweet, i'd probably go for the stage 3 kit though, i didnt see how much torque the manufacturers rekon it would hold but at that price i wouldnt mind changing it every year or two
and blimey 700bhp out of an m20? wow lol, i doubt the transmission or chassis are upto that but would have been sweet to have seen that out of an m20!
and the manifold im after is a t4 flange jobbie, does the holset mate up to a t4 flange? if it does i would be very interested in atleast comparing the compressor maps (not that the t4's are that brilliant anyway lol)
and the manifold im after is a t4 flange jobbie, does the holset mate up to a t4 flange? if it does i would be very interested in atleast comparing the compressor maps (not that the t4's are that brilliant anyway lol)
IIRC the HX40 is T4 flanged and simmilar frame sized too. Have a word with Gunni on here as he seems to know the most on here about these turbos.
Quite certain that the transmission can take it to a degree, but I really wouldn't want to drive an e30 with that much power. Personally I think that 350-400 bhp would make a staggeringly quick track car, but remain useable. Depends what you want from it.
Quite certain that the transmission can take it to a degree, but I really wouldn't want to drive an e30 with that much power. Personally I think that 350-400 bhp would make a staggeringly quick track car, but remain useable. Depends what you want from it.
E30 340i project in progress now 328 turbo
Breaking '97 728i Auto box, tubular manifolds and other morsels.
For sale E34 M50 sump, pick up and dip stick. PM for de
Breaking '97 728i Auto box, tubular manifolds and other morsels.
For sale E34 M50 sump, pick up and dip stick. PM for de
- Sidewaysfasal
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 11:00 pm
OK i will definately have a word with gunni about the turbo, and yeah i think 700 ponies is abit outhere lol, i think i would have gone 2jz if i wanted that kind of power, i am aiming for about 400ish at the wheels, anything more than that would be a bonus 


