316i engine swap questions

[kiefer316i]

looking to throw in an uprade for my e30, whats the most practical engine, straight forward swap into an e30? with or without a turbo, been looking at s52 swaps m power engine from a z4 and e46, but im still a young mechanic learning the majority of things in college and outside of college on my own, learning by doing really, so baring that info in mind as well lol any ideas people? cheers.

[ross2009]

not being funny but if you wanna go from 1.6 to 350 bhp with no experiance youll kill ya self lol actually bhp per ton will be more as the e30 is lighter plus a s series engine swap would cost ya about 6k thats prob just for the engine lol
the most natural progression would be a m20 2.5 but it aint a straight swap all suspension would need changing and the wiring loom, diff
the whole package really

[HairyScreech]

you also need to consider what you will be able to insure, if your still a young mechanic then its unlikely there is an insurance company in the uk that will touch you n anything ove 200hp in an e30.

[kiefer316i]

thats why i put up the post on here first as i didnt really know where to start, as for killing myself iv drove quite a vary of different cars, main one being 545i m tech sport so know how to handle fast cars that aint a problem, just throwing out ideas that i had seen done thats all but thanks for the advice going to look into the 325 swap, can anyone give me more details on that? like the wiring do the looms need swapping or is it straight plug and go? cheers for the replys as well guys all will be taken into consideration especially insurance as that is one thing i didnt think about at all lol

[maxfield]

I drove plenty of fast cars before putting my E30 325i on the road. And still it sometimes can catch you out.

An M20B25 is a dead easy conversion. Wiring plugs into original car loom. Everything bolts up. Only think I had to make was a couple of brakets to hold my explansion bottle.

[robbo86]

318is M42 engine, dead easy swap and lively performance.

[kiefer316i]

ok so out of the m20b25 and the m42 which would be easier and better performance? and cheers again for the replys

[maxfield]

Both dead easy. M20B25 is 170hp and an M42B18 is 136hp I believe.

Have you thought about brake/susp upgrade too?

[kiefer316i]

well i havent heavily got into thought but with increased performance better suspension brakes are most definatly needed, i think im going to go for the m20b35 conversion, heres the embarrasing bit iv only just got into e30s so dont know what car has the m20? also for the brakes and supsension whats the best budget upgrade?

[maxfield]

M20B25 is from a 325i....

Also the running gear from a 325i. Always worth finding a rotter or something with a rear ender.

[kiefer316i]

yeh found the perfect place for right offs hence going for the larger upgrades like the m power as i picked up a e46 for 250 quid rear end right off, broke the whole car down and made stupid amount of money, iv started a build thread for my motor so will incorporate the swap so if i get stuck can show by pics what im doing wrong etc and hopefully members can help out.

cheers

[HairyScreech]

the m42 shouldnt really be forgotten though, i know we bash them on here but they are a far better engine in terms of not getting bummed for insurance and cheaper to run.

an m43 1.9 from an e36 318is would be a good bet, and they narrow the power gap quite a bit at 150hp but still keep the economy.

thing is though, you will find whatever you put in will render the car a "modified" vehicle, and if your going for one of the standard engine choices you will be in a far better position in terms of insurance by just buying a 318is or a 325.
you will also be saving yourself from fitting an engine+box+propshaft, front suspension, rear suspension, exhaust, ecu+loom, radiator+hoses, 6 cylinder clocks, etc.

unless your car is something special already then it simply makes more sense to buy an e30 with what you want already in it.

[ross2009]

I'm with hairy on that one

[kiefer316i]

the m42 shouldnt really be forgotten though, i know we bash them on here but they are a far better engine in terms of not getting bummed for insurance and cheaper to run.

an m43 1.9 from an e36 318is would be a good bet, and they narrow the power gap quite a bit at 150hp but still keep the economy.

thing is though, you will find whatever you put in will render the car a "modified" vehicle, and if your going for one of the standard engine choices you will be in a far better position in terms of insurance by just buying a 318is or a 325.
you will also be saving yourself from fitting an engine+box+propshaft, front suspension, rear suspension, exhaust, ecu+loom, radiator+hoses, 6 cylinder clocks, etc.

unless your car is something special already then it simply makes more sense to buy an e30 with what you want already in it.

yeh i can see your point there its alot of aggro for a car that isnt massivly special as be easier just to buy a 325i and then upgrade but iv already done alot of work on my 316 bodywork wise and stripping alot of bits off it the only reason ithought about upgrading the engine is that its already out and its abit gutless really and im the person that would rather build a car instead of buying what someone else has already done if you can see my point? i appreciate all the comments none the less but will be thinking alot more into what engine to swap to, the final decision will more then likely be what car i can get hold of cheaper to rip everything off and throw onto mine.