E36 M3 turbo

Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:08 am

Hello all

Looking for a bit of guidance if you like. I'm a massive fan of the E30's and I've wanted to have one and turbo it for a long time. From looking around I noticed a M50 conversion seemed to be the best way to go about it. Am I right in thinking it looks a right pain in the back side to have done?

My other option is the E36 M3 instead, does anyone know if these go well with turbos on? Does it need internal work etc also what kind of money we talking.E. I understand it's never cheap when you want big power as I've put nearly 15k into an Astra turbo which now sits at 410hp, but through the front wheels, it's crap to say the least! Plus I've pretty much fallen out of love with it now which is why I'm looking for a change..

Any replies much appreciated..

Thanks Dave

Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:12 am

Better off with an M50 base for cheap turbo power..

S50 needs new guts.

Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:15 am

Jhonno wrote:Better off with an M50 base for cheap turbo power..

S50 needs new guts.

My mates lasted 30miles....

New guts now but he sold the car it come out of.

Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:58 am

Really? I thought it would have been alot stronger than that! So basically I'd be best getting a 325 instead?

Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:06 pm

It is a 100bhp/L high comp n/a engine..

You can get 450bhp odd out of an M50 with a boggo lump I believe! So yes you would..

Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:18 pm

Ah right makes sense then to be fair!

Is it right a MLS head gasket & ARP bolts makes it good for 500hp?
How much work is involved dropping a M50 into an E30?

Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:43 pm

M50 is a piss easy swap.. For your application I would be using a ZF box and M3 flywheel/clutch setup.

Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:27 pm

Ah really? What about engine mounts & wiring?

Sorry for the 20 questions just wanna find out as much as possible

Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:04 pm

E36 engine arms with iirc E28 M5 mounts.

Wiring im guessing you would need standalone management for 500hp. You can run a boosted M50 up to 300hp on standard management.

Sat Jan 07, 2012 3:31 am

Go for AKG mounts if you are chasing power or using the car hard.

For an m50 swap, e36 engine arms, e34 sump, pick up and dipstick. Danthe does a plug and play loom for both the engine and cooling fan for a good price. Can use several boxes, check the m50 section. I used an e30 sport box, but that has it's complications and probably isn't the best box to use in hindsight.

Management, speak to Gunni who does a plug and play VEMS unit.

Manifold, either make your own, buy a cheap ebay special or get a decent 666 fabs or VAC motorsport one, both are made by 666 fab, just differ in design. Be around £800 if not a bit more after importing it.

Turbo, don't know too much, but I will be going for either a holsett hx35 or probably a hx40; because I'm poor.

Then MLS and ARP headbolts. And the million other things you won't even realise. I've read tons on e30tech and every time I research more, I find stuff that I can't believe I missed

Sun Jan 08, 2012 2:35 am

i've been advised by a very reputable source that an s50 with ARP's on the rods and head with a decent head gasket is good for 450bhp on stock internals

however i'd rather spend an extra grand on pistons and go for 700bhp

Sun Jan 08, 2012 11:48 am

It'd be much more than 1k by the time you've slipped those pistons in though Kos..

Sun Jan 08, 2012 2:44 pm

Jhonno wrote:It'd be much more than 1k by the time you've slipped those pistons in though Kos..

Possibly

There are so many "off the shelf" options that a 1000bhp engine can be built for less than what people think it will be

10k would build a bomb proof 1000bhp s50 turbo.