Which engine conversion?

[JGG1]

Well I was about to sell my Touring but the 3.5 is throwing in the towel so I am going to keep it now, question is what do I drop in its place??

I will be doing all the work myself so just looking for advice/opinions on the options really. Info on costs, parts needed and level of involvment would be much appreciated!

Cheers all.

[jmc330i]

Depends what you want from it. If its had an M30 already, you wont want anything 'lesser'.

From a curiosity point of view, Id say an M50/M52 - you could have first hand experience of the differences and outcome of each conversion. Shouldnt be much more difficult than an M30 conversion and can be done fairly cheap if you are sensible on buying bits and selling bits you dont need.

If you only want to go bigger, V8 the bugger
It will cost more and not be so easy to do nicely though.... but think of the sound

[oldroydsr4]

Turbo the m30, with the right turbo 425bhp will be easy. Leave the bottom end alone, arp studs and thickerhead gasket , Injectors, megasquirt and a holset hx40. It would be a weapon.

If not.

Toyota 1jz

[JGG1]

Turbo m30 would be great if it was just used for smoking tyres!

I want a bit of an all rounder really, ample performance to keep me grinning but not too stupid on fuel. I am thinking more along the lines of e36 325i or 328i lump at the minute.

[E30BeemerLad]

M52 is your all rounder then, doesn't need to be worked as much as M50, especially the early non-vanos ones. They all enjoy having the fanny revved off them though, but when you don't want to be a hooligan the 2.8 M52 has enough shove to make progress without needing to rape it and they aren't bad on fuel