Decisions Decsions

[N00b]

I'm running an M20B25, and after lapping the 'ring with it last week it has left me wanting more power/economy(if possible) and better power delivery. The amount of info in here is staggering, so perhaps some of you guys (and girls) can at least start the ball rolling for me.
I can either:-

Rebuild the M20 to standard spec.
Rebuild the M20 with the 2.8 crank.
Swap the M20 for a different "6" from the range.

My budget won't allow to goto the lengths of FI, and while I've changed engines many times on other cars If an engine swap is the best cost effective option then I'd like to go for one that is the least difficult ie if possible I'd like to avoid the need to make parts up myself.

All help/advice is greatly appreciated.

[steve_k]

have a look in the wiki section at the guide to the 2.8 build as that seems to be getting popular

[fuzzy]

would a straight m30 3.5 swap be more cost effective for 218bhp out the box? ive read of it being done for between £600-£1000.

[N00b]

would a straight m30 3.5 swap be more cost effective for 218bhp out the box? ive read of it being done for between £600-£1000.

I'd love to do what you did with your touring, but my budget won't allow that. <£1000 is the ballpark I'm playing in.
TBH mate, I'm not even that greedy about power either. 200-240bhp would be more than enough but I would like to keep the economy of the M20 (or better it) when driving sedately and if possible have a nice progressive power delivery.

[steve_k]

well you could allways have a look in your local breakers for an m50 325 lump or an m52 328 lump as with both those you get a more modern engine extra power & (if possible) better feul economy as well.

[N00b]

Up to your budget and skills really.

Low and limited, in that order ;)

It's starting to sound like the M52B28 might be my best option, especially if I can get all the bits off the shelf other than the exhaust. Do people tend to use the 'box that the M52B28 was originally mated with, or the one that was bolted to the M20? My car has around 155k miles on it and the box feels (and sounds) worn, so replacing the engine and box as a complete unit would make sense.

[N00b]

After much thought, I think that rebuilding the M20 with the e36 crank is the best option for me. At least this way I know the lump will fit easily under the bonnet and won't need any parts fabricating. Depending on the rebuild cost I might go down the LPG route as well.

[driftmonkey]

Your in the exact boat as me n00b!
I went to the 'ring couple of weeks ago in my 89' 325i, pretty much standard, and need to get more power, my friends stripped out e36 325i was going round loads better than mine.

We're all going back next year and I dont want to be dragging behind again.
Now i have a loads of bits I was going to use to turbo it, but after looking into it without spending lots of money on the engine then its just not going to be reliable.

I could use the plug n play megasquirt ecu if i did a 2.8 using the diff crank etc, but would that be enough cheap power or should i sell the ecu and turbo bits and go m52 2.8?

I dont want to get rid of my e30 as another guy we went with in a 406v6 has called my car a shed so i want to show him that its no shed!

[N00b]

Your in the exact boat as me n00b!
I went to the 'ring couple of weeks ago in my 89' 325i, pretty much standard, and need to get more power, my friends stripped out e36 325i was going round loads better than mine.

We're all going back next year and I dont want to be dragging behind again.
Now i have a loads of bits I was going to use to turbo it, but after looking into it without spending lots of money on the engine then its just not going to be reliable.

I could use the plug n play megasquirt ecu if i did a 2.8 using the diff crank etc, but would that be enough cheap power or should i sell the ecu and turbo bits and go m52 2.8?

I dont want to get rid of my e30 as another guy we went with in a 406v6 has called my car a shed so i want to show him that its no shed!

I was also there a few weeks ago and the 'ring just made me want to sharpen everything up on the whole car.....and more power is on the list. However, I want to spend as little as possible if I'm honest (best bang for buck so to speak) and I'm looking hard at LPG systems as well.

[gareth]

for playing on the ring, remember that LPG is 0.4 euros/litre on the continent (so i hear). that makes it a lot cheaper!
I can get to the ring for less money than my brother in his diesel seat leon cupra, and that's with a M30 with a short diff, in a heavy arse 1400kg touring
it will add weight though, but once you're brimming the tank for £25 that's worry you less!

[N00b]

for playing on the ring, remember that LPG is 0.4 euros/litre on the continent (so i hear). that makes it a lot cheaper!
I can get to the ring for less money than my brother in his diesel seat leon cupra, and that's with a M30 with a short diff, in a heavy arse 1400kg touring
it will add weight though, but once you're brimming the tank for £25 that's worry you less!

Petrol prices in europe are a nightmare at the moment. I think the highest we paid was 1.40 euro. Diesel was around 0.3-0.35 euro cheaper than petrol (so you have to wonder why it's pretty much the same price here) and as you say LPG is much cheaper.
After reading a comment by Brianmooore about a sophisticated kit being overkill for an M20, I think I'm gonna have to try and find out what system I should be looking at.

[gareth]

you'll want a closed loop (lambda controlled, AEB leonardo or similar) single point mixer system.

if you're chasing power, a multipoint system is better but more costly and harder to fit.