m30 and m50 owners

[shedrool83]

Trying to compare the 2 but the search brought up too many threads to look through.

Looking for 0-60 times and 1/4 mile times for both.

[E30BeemerLad]

M52 here, stock engine, M50 inlet manifold & M3 exhaust manifold to stock 325 system. No idea what power it is doing.

Best 1/4 time so far 14.52 @ 95.
0-60 - guessing mid 6's

[gareth]

there's not going to be a lot in it really.
I've never got a decent 1/4 mile in as i've never done it without camping gear in the boot, or detonating the diff best i have managed is the low/mid 15's somewhere.

on the rollers though, i've got 221bhp and 238lb.ft and that's with a LPG blowback valve fitted which will restict airflow. standard low milage M30B35, E30 M3 scorpion exhaust on standard M30 downpipes, 1mm skim from the head to increase CR from 9:1 up to 10:1. standard chip and air filter / airbox.

[leeparkes]

Shall i get the popcorn!

I was in the same boat as you when deciding on a swap,but seriously if i was going 24v i would do the m52 over the m50.

I run an m30 as a daily and it is good fun and a worthwhile swap,the torque is immense in such a small car and the torque is there if your at 1.5k or 5k but m30's are not revvy engines and they run out of breath at 5k,also they are heavy, i went from m20/b25 to m30/b35 and the car gained 69kg! you do notice the extra weight but you get used to it plus its only 5% of the overall body weight.i havent been up the strip but i have also researched 1/4 mile times for m30 powered e30's and most were mid 14's, 60mph should be seen in 6.5 seconds with a 3.64 diff, the m30 is a good strong engine but it is a very old design (late 60's) but they got the design right to deliver the power,just a shame they didn't make it lighter.

IMO the 24v lumps ARE a better engine with proven power/time's but the way they drive is very different to the m30, they seem to come alive past 3.5k and dont seem to have that low down power the m30 has

Some one on here who had been in both swaps once quoted "m50's are good but not as much fun as an m30" ill try and find the thread.

My decision was based on whichever donor car came first because i couldn't decide either.

Edit: it was theo who said it

I've driven an m50 e30 and it really is nothing like as fun as an m30 transplant. Further positives to the m30 include it's ability to withstand untold abuse, a really lovely exhaust sound, cheap parts, cheap engine, only custom part needed to fit to an e30 are the engine mounts, very simple conversion.

Stick a turbo on an m30 and you are going seriously quick, I still laugh when I think how rapid Toby's was.

Here's the thread
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 30&start=0

[Rav335uk]

I had the same dilema as Lee, but opted for the M30 as it looks right in the engine bay.
I have no problems with keeping up with standard Scooby's, Honda Civic Type R's, and on the motorway, it's torque, torque, torque all the way!!
I've taken the cab off the clock no probs at all, and that was in the first week I had it.

[Bob_S]

another thread another day... the m30's getting old now.
M52's are becoming very cheap now and are absolute belters. I have been in most swopped cars, s50, m50, m52, m30, m20b27, for noise the M20 sounded the bollocks and for out and out flat out action? bar the s50 it's an m52. I just sold my M52 and regret it, my mind might chance in a few hours though

[shedrool83]

Shall i get the popcorn!

I was in the same boat as you when deciding on a swap,but seriously if i was going 24v i would do the m52 over the m50.

I run an m30 as a daily and it is good fun and a worthwhile swap,the torque is immense in such a small car and the torque is there if your at 1.5k or 5k but m30's are not revvy engines and they run out of breath at 5k,also they are heavy, i went from m20/b25 to m30/b35 and the car gained 69kg! you do notice the extra weight but you get used to it plus its only 5% of the overall body weight.i havent been up the strip but i have also researched 1/4 mile times for m30 powered e30's and most were mid 14's, 60mph should be seen in 6.5 seconds with a 3.64 diff, the m30 is a good strong engine but it is a very old design (late 60's) but they got the design right to deliver the power,just a shame they didn't make it lighter.

IMO the 24v lumps ARE a better engine with proven power/time's but the way they drive is very different to the m30, they seem to come alive past 3.5k and dont seem to have that low down power the m30 has

Some one on here who had been in both swaps once quoted "m50's are good but not as much fun as an m30" ill try and find the thread.

My decision was based on whichever donor car came first because i couldn't decide either.

Edit: it was theo who said it

I've driven an m50 e30 and it really is nothing like as fun as an m30 transplant. Further positives to the m30 include it's ability to withstand untold abuse, a really lovely exhaust sound, cheap parts, cheap engine, only custom part needed to fit to an e30 are the engine mounts, very simple conversion.

Stick a turbo on an m30 and you are going seriously quick, I still laugh when I think how rapid Toby's was.

Here's the thread
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 30&start=0

I have decided all ready to go m30.
My mate is going m50 and i just wanted to compare the figures.

Thanks for the replies so far.

[/// KAMI]

M50 is better i think....

[Rav335uk]

M30 looks right

[DanThe]

[Rav335uk]

That's put a swift end to it!!

[shedrool83]

Dont look at it then

[DRIFTBOY]

My M30 (pre-turbo) at Santa Pod with 3.73:1 lsd did 14.9 @ 98.5mph, launched in second gear.

I don't buy the "M30s are getting old" argument, so are M50s and and M52s (not that I'm slating those fine engines), it's more important that it's been well looked after.

[DanThe]

Surely you knew it would just end up as a slanging match though? As per kami/ravs posts above...

If you want 1/4 mile times check out the santa pod threads

[shedrool83]

So around the 15sec mark is were both the m30 and the m50 will be

[DRIFTBOY]

Generally speaking, yeah!

[Morat]

In my totally unscientific way, with no experience of either engine and using only my internet-mechanic forum ninja skills....

I would suggest an m50 in a 2/4door and an M30 for cab/Touring.

2/4door will be more sensitive to weight over the front end

Tourings have extra weight over the back axle and would still be in decent balance with the M30. Plus the extra weight will (slightly) exaggerate the more cammy nature of the smaller sixes.

Cabs suit the big lazy slugger rather than the revvy M50/2 because they're for cruising with the top down.

[gareth]

agreed. the torque of the M30 is more beneficial on a touring / cab. They're not featherweight to start with

[Rav335uk]

In my totally unscientific way, with no experience of either engine and using only my internet-mechanic forum ninja skills....

I would suggest an m50 in a 2/4door and an M30 for cab/Touring.

2/4door will be more sensitive to weight over the front end

Tourings have extra weight over the back axle and would still be in decent balance with the M30. Plus the extra weight will (slightly) exaggerate the more cammy nature of the smaller sixes.

Cabs suit the big lazy slugger rather than the revvy M50/2 because they're for cruising with the top down.

That was very well put

[Driftben]

Plus M30s are more cheaper and easier to rebuild for a good starting point

[shedrool83]

In my totally unscientific way, with no experience of either engine and using only my internet-mechanic forum ninja skills....

I would suggest an m50 in a 2/4door and an M30 for cab/Touring.

2/4door will be more sensitive to weight over the front end

Tourings have extra weight over the back axle and would still be in decent balance with the M30. Plus the extra weight will (slightly) exaggerate the more cammy nature of the smaller sixes.

Cabs suit the big lazy slugger rather than the revvy M50/2 because they're for cruising with the top down.

Got me thinking now.
The m30 was going to be going in the 4 door as i have just did an engine swap on the touring.(didnt have the donor at the time)

Now i'm thinking of pulling the tech 1 lump out the touring sticking it in the 4 door and the m30 in the touring with the 3.64 slipper out the 4 door.

[Rav335uk]

Oh decisions decisions, what to do.



























































M30 IT!!!!!

[Driftben]

and sell me the the 3.64 Slipper

[Rav335uk]

and sell me the the 3.64 Slipper

What about a 3.91 slipper

[zaust]

M30, I'm on a 3:64 slipper, and I need to swap for an m3 item. I launch in second and still struggle for grip. Only done a chip and bbtb. Still managed a 14.9 with no traction and a slipping clutch.