E30 Zone

Ive currently got a 2.7i lump installed in my 318i lux, its well specced inc ported head schrick 284/272 cam. Alpina chip.

Ive been looking into dropping a 3.5 lump into her from a e34 5 series.
Would I really benefit from this or would I be better off spending the hard earned on a six branch & full s/s system for my 2.7 lump.

It goes well as it is but I get bored easy.

A good 2.7 will make 200bhp + and is lighter than the m30.
If your 2.7 is a good one I would sick with it.

A good 3.5 will make 220bhp bog standard, along with 230lb/ft torque. you'll be lucky to see that from your 2.7 even with the exaust mods. and if as you say you get bored of it, you can always tune the 3.5 in the same way as the 2.7.

the m20 might be lighter, but not by a significant amount; it'll affect handling if anything rather than performance.

basically, if you want it to go fast, m30 is the way forward!

well the performance tuner 'Ring car seems to be doing ok..

You could probably do an M30 conversion for the price of a new 6-branch manifold!

do the m30 conversion, and when you get bored of the extra 20bhp, go turbo !

carl325i wrote:Ive currently got a 2.7i lump installed in my 318i lux, its well specced inc ported head schrick 284/272 cam. Alpina chip.

Ive been looking into dropping a 3.5 lump into her from a e34 5 series.
Would I really benefit from this or would I be better off spending the hard earned on a six branch & full s/s system for my 2.7 lump.

It goes well as it is but I get bored easy.

Ive seen a 3.5 twin turbo. A real beast.

Id go for the 3.5 knowing full well that the potential for lots of power would always be an option on hand.

Id really like forced induction, I dont think you cant beat the sound of a turbo setup.

Ill have to see what the future brings maybe not as extreme as a 3.5 twin turbo but maybe build a nice low comp 2.5 m20 & strap a T3 to it.
I enjoy playing with my motor so time & elbow grease wouldnt be a problem.

The 2.7 is pretty impressive for a n/a motor tho, but after owning a 340bhp cosworth it seems a little tame.

Any ideas where I could buy a turbo manifold for a m20 from, there is a exhaust centre near me where I could get one hand made but I think the price will be around the £500.00 mark.

but after owning a 340bhp cosworth it seems a little tame.

Get a cosworth engine and put in the e30.
There are a few around I think spadge is putting one in his touring.

ed325i wrote:

but after owning a 340bhp cosworth it seems a little tame.

Get a cosworth engine and put in the e30.
There are a few around I think spadge is putting one in his touring.

and of course i have one as well although not as powerful as 340bhp yet.

Yeah

Spadge is the man for the cossies.

Manifold wise, Im on a turbo project at the moment and on Ebay you can pick one up for about $200 plus. I believe that the quality is not that grand though. Also if its for a LHD watch out cos changing the plugs would be a hassle.

Ant could get a proper one made up for you. Chat with him.

The other alternative is getting the std manifold flipped, re-ported and redrilled. I believe that its cheaper than the custom made ones. Blingsta has one on his car. Although the running around to get it done is quite a nightmare Ive been led to believe.

Cheers

Cheers for the info m8.

Thats it now, once ive sold the 5-series going for coilovers & big brakes. Then start sourcing parts for a turbo build for over winter.

Should be fun.

turbo build ihas to be the way!

if you want big power difference the m30 isnt the way. go turbo as you will get better results esspecially as yu have a big torque engine anyway!

when i was at the rollers the other day one guy from the zone (sorry bad with names) got 169bhp from his 2.7 and over 200 torques!

sweet! so slap a turbo on it and that way you wont be adding much weight either

M50B25 TURBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! youll never look back

I am going turbo on my M30. Bought a 45 turbo manifold, KKK K27 Turbo (stock off the 45turbo) and 440cc Hitachi injectors. Already have a SMT so I won't have any problems tuning it... Just waiting for the intercooler now. Should be done in a coupla months...