Decision time! Drivetrain.

[unclemat]

Evening!

I'm looking for some opinions if possible, I'm finally done with my shell, it's totally rebuilt and back to being solid as a rock, cage is fitted and it's sitting in primer.

I have a complete E36 Evo front end and 5 stud hubs for the rear, will be fitting Z3M coilover suspension, happy with that.

Now it's time to think about engine! I have the old 325 stripped, it's in great condition and would rebuild nicely.

I have a complete M3 S14 engine, dogleg box, prop and LSD which I popped in at the weekend just to see how it fits (lovely)!

So what do I do? I could go LHD and stick with the S14, stay with RHD and swap out the exhaust manifold on the S14 to fit, the manifold I have is a pre-cat in amazing condition so is worth a fair bit. I could sell the whole package and go for something else. I could rebuild the M20 as a 2.8 or I could chuck a S50B32 in there or something entirely different?

Anyone got an opinion? The car is purely track, not going back on the road. The rebuild so far has been extensive with virtually every panel replaced with new so the finished article will be pretty good. The car is a project so not aiming for a specific race series or anything at the moment, just enjoying the garage time!

What would you do?

Cheers

[GeoffBob]

Since she's purely a track-car I'd suggest fitting the S14 and go LHD with a dual master cylinder pedal box. I know there are others who might advocate a more powerful/modern engine, but the advantages of the lighter engine (more specifically with a reduced moment of inertia about the vertical) cannot be emphasised enough when it comes to handling out on the track. I also personally think that there is something particularly special about an S14 engine with a Getrag 262CR dogleg box, but if you plan to be competitive it's what wins races that counts and not sentimental value, so your opinion may differ.

Pics of your project would be nice.

Regards
Geoff

[MillRat]

Tough choice (a choice I certainly wouldn't mind having). For me, I would stroke the M20 for the same cost as it would to refresh the S14 and make twice as much power. And, if that for some reason doesn't work out, then fit the S14. Also, a LHD M20 would not be a bad thing either as you have a better selection exhaust headers.

The only downside, it will not have the wonderful S14 induction howl (with the proper intake plenum that is), and the the M20 weights more of course.

As above, pictures please.

EDIT: On second thoughts, one of the things that made the E30 M3 one of the most successful racing cars of all time was the S14 engine. Therefore, the S14 would probably be a better option over the heavier, more pedestrian M20.

[unclemat]

Morning!

Thanks for the input, I agree, a tough choice but a nice position to be in!

I'm definitely going for a twin m/c pedal box regardless of whether I go L/Rhd.

I guess it comes down to power! I bought the S14 because it is iconic but there is no doubt that you lose torque with that option although I agree that the induction and screaming top end goes a long way to balance the books!

The weight and balance is a big consideration, I'm going for as light as possible so S14 wins there. I have heard of a S50B30 with a 5 speed box, low miles and in very good condition so that could be an option, mod the bulkhead to put it as far back as possible...

Too many options!

I'll sort some piccies out over the weekend.

Thanks again.

Mat

[MrBenn]

Hi Mat, I'm in a somewhat similar position. I've had 318i (PBMWC) and 325i track cars and with good suspension (it was the same car with an engine swap) the difference in handling wasnt as large as I thought it would be. I now have a road going E30 M3 with S50B32 and the power is great but I cant really make a comparison on how the extra weight has mucked with the handling as I never drove it with the S14 (m3 shell bought without engine).
I've weighed all the combinations of engine/gearbox that I've had recently, results below

M20 +g/box = 225kgs
S14 +g/box = 225kgs
S50B32 +6spd g/box = 270kgs
M50 +M42 g/box = 223kgs

I'm trying to decide what to do with my track car, its currently fitted with an M50 but I have a part built M20B28 and an full S14and box in the shed.
I will keep mine road legal just so I can drive it on sunny weekends and to the local tracks, I also find LHD annoying so for that reason it will stay RHD.
The S14 is a wonderful thing but I just couldnt bear throwing the money at it if it goes wrong, for this reason alone its not going in my track car, but possibly an easier life in an '02
I'm think S50 with bulkhead mods would be up the top of my list, but some other food for thought, Turbo/Supercharged M42 - Simillar weight and weight distribution to S14 but with 250-300bhp quite possible on standard internals and probably a similar cost, have a look on M42club.
Regards,
Alex

[unclemat]

Hi Alex

You have good options too!

I've been thinking about this for ages, been through the V8 thoughts as a guy close to me has LS1's for a good price, thought about Cosworth as a way to stay with 4 pot and up the power, I hadn't thought about the M42 turbo route to be honest.

I think I will either stay with the S14 now it's sitting on the mounts, just because it looks nice! Or go for the S50 I have been offered, it's very low mileage and should do the trick on the torque side of things.

You could always sell me your black M3 shell and I'll stick the S14 in that! How much do you want for it? It's greedy having 2!

Cheers

Mat

[MarkT]

LS1!! All the way. Simmilar amount of weight to the S50B32 but with 400bhp/400ftlb with a filter, chip and decent exhaust system. And it will go on for hundreds of thousands of miles!