e36 2.0

Post Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:54 pm

how hard would it be to fit this engine into an e30 316i ive been offerd one cheap.. btw i know nothing about bmws thats why ile ask you guys

Post Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:56 pm

I wouldnt even consider the 2 litre in all honesty, i'd go for the 2.5. a 2.0 would be stupidly slow!

There is a thread stickied in one of this section title something like "considering an m50 swap..." have a flick through that and it might help you. Although it is a long thread and there are several ways to doing the conversion

Post Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:59 pm

Cook318IS wrote:a 2.0 would be stupidly slow!

WTF?

150bhp, so more than a M10, M40, M42, M20B20 and M20B23. The only standard E30 engine with more power is a 325i. Plus without a cat fitted it should make more than 150bhp.

I was offered a M50B20 for £50 the other day, so alot cheaper than a 2.5 and easily upgradable to a 2.5 in the future.

I think a 2.0 24v engine in an E30 would make a nice car, and if you can do all the work yourself it would be a good budget swap.

Post Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:09 am

First of all how cheap?

edit welcome btw

Post Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:15 am

hi mate,

a lot of effort for not a lot of power, m50b20 is a heavy lump & should stay in the e36.

the m50b25 is a better bet as it has more power to justify the weight increase.

Post Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:20 am

I'm going to go with chu346 - a M50B20 is going to be a significant upgrade for anyone used to a 316, both in terms of power and fuel consumption! Not everyone on here is trying to produce race cars for the road!
Once the work is done, swapping in a 2.5 or 2.8 in the future will be a relatively simple job.

Post Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:23 pm

If you are after a decent bit of power you will be highly disappointed with the result

Post Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:30 pm

DanThe wrote:If you are after a decent bit of power you will be highly disappointed with the result

But as Brian said, it will be a decent bit of power compared to a 316i and not for a lot of money if the engine is cheap enough, and lets face it, an M50B20 will be cheap.
Im fairly sure the M42 (possibly even the M40???) gearbox will fit the M50's so you wouldnt even need to change the diff etc, so a 40-50bhp increase for a few hundred quid seems good to me.

It will be easily upgradeable to the B25 or B28 in future, but as is will make a nice everyday mile muncher - with a decent sound track

Yeah, it wont be as quick as the B25/B28 or an M20B25 but not everyone is after performance. Plus, stick a 320i badge on the boot and I reckon you would surprise some 325i owners

Post Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:02 pm

please.... dont chuck the m50b20 in there... for what the engines cost you might as well chuck a b25 in(or the b28)... the grin factor alone will be worth it.

Post Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:20 pm

The same amount of work will see a 'proper' engine fitted.
OK,a £50 M50 2.0ltr is cheap enough,but a 2.5 is not a lot more...and fits in just the same way.
Seem to remember that 'Random Dave' from the M50 thread got suckered with a 140bhp M50 first time round...

Post Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:57 pm

daimlerman wrote:The same amount of work will see a 'proper' engine fitted.
OK,a £50 M50 2.0ltr is cheap enough,but a 2.5 is not a lot more...and fits in just the same way.
Seem to remember that 'Random Dave' from the M50 thread got suckered with a 140bhp M50 first time round...

140bhp? was it detuned?

Post Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:20 pm

chu346 wrote:
daimlerman wrote:The same amount of work will see a 'proper' engine fitted.
OK,a £50 M50 2.0ltr is cheap enough,but a 2.5 is not a lot more...and fits in just the same way.
Seem to remember that 'Random Dave' from the M50 thread got suckered with a 140bhp M50 first time round...
140bhp? was it detuned?

Brain said 150bhp,fingers decided on 140.....

Post Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:24 pm

hi again. i can get the whole car for £300 e36 320i 4door.. but now im not sure if itl be worth it regarding power?? if i got the whole car what else would i need in a nutshell to do the job?

Post Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:10 am

Main thing you'd need is a sump, oil pick up pipe and dipstick from an E34 M50 engine.

Post Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:08 am

and m52 manifolds..
and 325i prop
and a longer final drive..

oh and an m50b25 I really wouldnt like to go to all that effort when a 2.5 isn't all that much more expensive in all honesty. I can see Brian's point but if your going as far as an M50 conversion might aswell make it definately worthwhile

Post Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:47 pm

dannyb1987 wrote:hi again. i can get the whole car for £300 e36 320i 4door.. but now im not sure if itl be worth it regarding power?? if i got the whole car what else would i need in a nutshell to do the job?

I bought a 525i for £350.......

Post Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:16 pm

ok so ive let the 2.0l idea go! 2.5 seems alot better powerwise.
theres so many things i want t ask but ile keep it short!
how much roughly would it cost to do the conversion m50b25b?? i mean all in every thing i need.....

plus yould it be possible to trap a turbo onto this space wise?? new to the e30 but ive bin looking on youtube and WOW it gets me excited lol
thanks dan

Post Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:10 am

also if its not to much trouble a little shopping list would be of much help.

Post Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:36 am

just get a 24v 525i with a manual gearbox, sell what you dont need.
e36 engine mounting arms.
m52 tubular manifolds.
differential with suitable ratio.
mount the e34 rad in the e30
weld flange from e34 propshaft onto e30 propshaft.

you could do it for about £1000 if you do the work yourself.