track car engine choices

[shaun_89]

Hi, ive got a broken m20 engine in my e30 at the moment.
Ive read up on m50/52, m30 conversions and tuning the m20.
I want a reliable 200-220 bhp.

Its going to be used hard so i was looking for opinions on what engines you run in your track car?

Thanks

[e21Jason]

I would swap in a m52 rather than build a 220hp m20

Jason

[fowler]

i would use a boosted M40 cheap as chip engines and they love a bit of boost and damm they can be driven hard i have had one and it got driven very hard
drive train parts easier to get hold of etc...
plus they weigh less than m20 m50 m52

[shaun_89]

i would use a boosted M40 cheap as chip engines and they love a bit of boost and damm they can be driven hard i have had one and it got driven very hard
drive train parts easier to get hold of etc...
plus they weigh less than m20 m50 m52

That cant be as cheap as a m52 conversion can it?

4cylinder is something i hadnt considered due to wanting to stay n/a for throttle response and 6 cylinder noise

[Duke137]

DanThe will give you some good advice, I think he has a track car and what he doesn't know isn't worth knowing

[shaun_89]

DanThe will give you some good advice, I think he has a track car and what he doesn't know isn't worth knowing

Yeah ive spoke to him already on wiring loom adapters for a m52 conversion which he recommended.

Would like to get it done all done under a grand if possible

[e21Jason]

I think a 200 bhp in e30 for grand is a going be hard

Jason

[shaun_89]

I think a 200 bhp in e30 for grand is a going be hard

Jason

I know, thats my challenge, no corners will be cut though!
The chassis is already sorted so just the engine left now.

Just want the most reliable (and if possible cheapest) route to the bhp stated. Want around 200bhp per ton. The car weighs near as 1 tonne

[mattrs]

Surely if he installed a decent cam, chip, exhaust manifold and possibly a bigger throttle body on to a healthy m20 then he could realise 200+ bhp for a grand!? (granted some of the bits might have to be second hand).

[shaun_89]

Surely if he installed a decent cam, chip, exhaust manifold and possibly a bigger throttle body on to a healthy m20 then he could realise 200+ bhp for a grand!? (granted some of the bits might have to be second hand).

The issue ive got with the m20 is the cost of doing the broken rocker arm, cambelt, headgasket etc ontop of modifying it

[mattrs]

Oh ok, I guess I didn't read it properly, it’s all doable, it depends on your abilities/confidence and your kit and where you are gonna do it!

I have 2.7 m20 with chip, exhaust manifold etc it goes well enough but i want more, looking at supercharging it.

Buy the way, m20 engines can take vast amounts of abuse providing they are looked after, iirc one of the main weaknesses is oil starvation under very hard cornering, which can be partly solved by modifying the sump!

[shaun_89]

Oh ok, I guess I didn't read it properly, it’s all doable, it depends on your abilities/confidence and your kit and where you are gonna do it!

I have 2.7 m20 with chip, exhaust manifold etc it goes well enough but i want more, looking at supercharging it.

Buy the way, m20 engines can take vast amounts of abuse providing they are looked after, iirc one of the main weaknesses is oil starvation under very hard cornering, which can be partly solved by modifying the sump!

Im capable of building engines did the one in my last car a polo g40, built that with forged pistons etc. I just know how expensive rebuilds can get.

Ive seen scrapers and baffled sumps for the m20, not sure on the m52 as your putting a m50 sump on (Do these get oil starvation?)

[Duke137]

No the sumps are fine mate

[ImysE30]

200bhp for under a grand, M30

[shaun_89]

200bhp for under a grand, M30

What are these like for handling? Dont really want to put any weight into the car.

[DanThe]

60kg heavier than an M20

[shaun_89]

60kg heavier than an M20

Thats alot!! Ruled out m30 then!

[e21Jason]

Get a complete 525 donor

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1993-K-BMW-525i-S ... 3cb4a26d41

the m50 is a tad heaver than the m20

or 328

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-BMW-328-Silv ... 20b6852f41

M52 is a tad heaver than a m20

E34 is the cheaper route as you have the rigth sump, but less power

e36 the right engien but need the e34 sump and inlet manifold to make the best of it, if you buy a car at least you know it runs and fragg it for cash back

Jason

[DanThe]

M52 FTW here

[Mikey_Boy]

For the money, I would vote for M52...

DanThe - any issues with the M52?? You hear of heads warping when they get toasty etc etc? but an easy 220hp with M50 inlet and decent exhaust...

220hp from an M20 is expensive - cam and springs, exhaust, MAF, Airbox, BBTB, mapping etc. I reckon the thick end of 4 grand to do it properly and be reliable..

[AlpineAde]

M52 FTW here

Agreed.

220hp from an M20 is expensive - cam and springs, exhaust, MAF, Airbox, BBTB, mapping etc. I reckon the thick end of 4 grand to do it properly and be reliable..

Agreed. A very expensive and difficult exercise indeed. 200bhp seems to be the magic figure when the return on your money starts to diminish. I have what Mikey has listed above (and then some), mostly done but some things still to do (a couple of bits still in my garage), and it is definitely a load of fun and very perky compared to a standard 2.5 but it costs a bucketload. The M52 will give you a touch over 190bhp without a need to tune and it is pretty easy to crack 200bhp with a couple of mods.

Go the M52. A far less painful way to get what you want.

[shaun_89]

Thanks for the advice people, much appreciated