2.5 - 2.7 How much?

[oakey]

^ a good 2.7 is miles apart from a good 2.5. I would say its worth it.
Possibly not worth it in most people opinion if you can fit an m50 for half the price

[tomson]

But a good spec 2.7/2.8 M20 will be much better than a stock M50 imo....

[Jhonno]

But a good spec 2.7/2.8 M20 will be much better than a stock M50 imo....

Not imo..

The only thing an M20 has over an M50 is few kgs and noise

[tomson]

And around 30bhp

[Jhonno]

a good spec 2.7 makes 210 at very most.. 2.8 220bhp (without going mad..)

For around 1/3 the cost you could have a much more powerful, efficient and civilised M50

2.7/2.8 builds on M20's should be resigned to e30's whose value is in the 'originality' Sports etc.. Or for those sicko's with an out of date fetish

[daimlerman]

to get this cost me around £1500.Difference to a stock 325i is the torque from 2000rpm...

[Jhonno]

That is nice curve!

[oakey]

mine from the same day:

[oakey]

And one of the same engine when it was a b25:

[Jhonno]

Look at that lovely extra bottom end! Yummy..

I would be interested to see yours up against mine as they both stand Oakey

[oakey]

It would be interesting

The new engine feels a fair bit stronger than the one dynoed above also

[daimlerman]

I amlooking for bits for an M50 conversion at the moment,I have a very suitable shell ,I have been promised an exhaust manifold and offered a gearbox and mounts.I hope to be up and running for considerably less than the cost of the 2.7. I considered building a 2.8,but feel that an M50 conversion is more cost effective and should produce a similar drive with better fuel economy.

[Jhonno]

I amlooking for bits for an M50 conversion at the moment,I have a very suitable shell ,I have been promised an exhaust manifold and offered a gearbox and mounts.I hope to be up and running for considerably less than the cost of the 2.7. I considered building a 2.8,but feel that an M50 conversion is more cost effective and should produce a similar drive with better fuel economy.

It is the right thing to do..

[Jhonno]

It would be interesting

The new engine feels a fair bit stronger than the one dynoed above also

[tomson]

2.7/2.8 builds on M20's should be resigned to e30's whose value is in the 'originality' Sports etc.. Or for those sicko's with an out of date fetish

Very true!

[Gunni]

I disagree

2.7´s and 2.8´s are very valid upgrades for those who can do them without shelling out money to a garage to do the work. And after the upgrade you should have a freshly rebuilt engine that will last for 10years at least.


I mean all you need is a 2.8 crank and 320i rods to do a 2.8,, that´s very very easy when considering a rebuild anyway.

I think a 2.8 M20 with a T4 turbo at 20psi would make somebody really happy

[Jhonno]

Why bother when 24v lumps are so cheap and easy to swap?! Most M5x's will outlast the shell they are put in anyway!

Do the same to an M5x and it will make someone even happier!

[casper8r]

I disagree
<snip>
I mean all you need is a 2.8 crank and 320i rods to do a 2.8,, that´s very very easy when considering a rebuild anyway.

It's not exactly a Lego DIY though, is it? Of course a man like you might have a garage full of bits and pieces, tools etc but I don't think that works for Joe Regular.

Even if one bought a book or two, took their time and did it themselves (apart from head machining) when you add all the little bits and pieces like headgasket, bolts, skimming and various other little bits one would replace you don't exactly get something for nothing.

I've never taken an engine apart but my very rough guess is that you still need at least 400-500 pounds for a 2.8 even if you do all the work yourself. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Gunni]

#1. when you buy a M5x it will need a rebuild eventually, when that happens who knows.
But that will also cost a nice chunk of change.

#2. I did say somebody who can do it themselves.

I´m all for 24v bmw engines, but M20´s can be made to make ALOT of power.
Of course a 24v will make more, but in the end HP is just HP doesn´t matter where it comes from.
Also M50´s don´t necessarily have to get better mileage then a M20 engine.

Oh and the 2.8 is a lego diy apart from having one spacer machined.
It´s exactly the same as rebuilding a 2.5

[Karan]

yep 2.7/2.8 turbo would be epic

[ShakeyC]

All those who say M20 or M50 rebuild or conversion is cheap as, not so sure if its completely accurate even DIY routes im sure nobody includes the hidden costs which as with everything always mounts up! Every bolt, washer, hose this and that which needs to be done for a proper job all amounts too a lot of pound coins ontop.

[daimlerman]

Those of us who are watching and sypathasing with E30beemerlad willshortly learn the cost of re-building an M50.. agree that the long term solution is to rebuild your chosen engine,that way you know what has been done,and a 2.7/8 is a straight forward build that willbolt straight into a 6 cylinder engine bay.But,the 192bhp straight out of the E34 is a very tempting way to get a quick E30.. for less than the rebuild cost of an M20..as long as your doner engine does not go tits up on you

[Mayze]

Im in the process of building a 2.7 at the moment I will keep an eye on how much it costs and keep you all posted. So far its cost me £47 to hire a trailer to move a 525e I got for free and Ive made the grand total of 99p selling bits on ebay but I have got people asking me about the gear box and other more expensive bits so I hope to make a dent into to cost of building it.

[daimlerman]

Im in the process of building a 2.7 at the moment I will keep an eye on how much it costs and keep you all posted. So far its cost me £47 to hire a trailer to move a 525e I got for free and Ive made the grand total of 99p selling bits on ebay but I have got people asking me about the gear box and other more expensive bits so I hope to make a dent into to cost of building it.

Your donor should have a 3.05 diff.,these are wanted by zoners fitting M30's

[Mayze]

Your donor should have a 3.05 diff.,these are wanted by zoners fitting M30's

It will be for sale "In the correct section of course" as soon as I have removed it.

[tbmw]

I have a 2.7 in mine and it will be going up for sale shortly as the shell is knackered, would make it cheaper and easier for you

[jaffro]

I have a 2.7 in mine and it will be going up for sale shortly as the shell is knackered, would make it cheaper and easier for you

how much are you going to be wanting??

[tbmw]

probably around the £350 mark, you get a free car with it too

[tomson]

Im in the process of building a 2.7 at the moment I will keep an eye on how much it costs and keep you all posted. So far its cost me £47 to hire a trailer to move a 525e I got for free and Ive made the grand total of 99p selling bits on ebay but I have got people asking me about the gear box and other more expensive bits so I hope to make a dent into to cost of building it.

Your donor should have a 3.05 diff.,these are wanted by zoners fitting M30's

Unlikely as the correct ratio for a 535i is 3.64 which are readily available in e30 form

[Jhonno]

Unlikely as the correct ratio for a 535i is 3.64 which are readily available in e30 form

525e