best engine

Sat Sep 20, 2008 6:26 am

Hi can anyone advice me the best engine to put in a e30 i.e 535i or 328i or anymore and also which is the easyest to drop in a e30 thanks

Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:26 am

328 lump would be better than the 535 but I'm sure its a lot of work which ever one you decide. The easyest would be to put the 2.5 m20 engine in as thats just plug and play.

Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:31 am

what e30? a 325 with the disc brakes all around and 51mm suspension? or a smaller engined e30 that would require the above as well as the engine?
the most common and easiest option for a power increase seems to be the m30 3.5.

Sat Sep 20, 2008 11:51 am

Bang for buck go for the M30, if you want a more "usable" car then M50, more work for less power but they're lighter and more economical. If you're feeling more adventurous build an M20 stroker, nice amounts of power and torque but not going to be cheap. Seeing as we're down the route of building a lump yourself, turbo M20? The list could go on forever, you only need to glance over the massive range of cars on here to see what can be done.

EDIT: hope you're all proud of me, not one mention of a 4 pot

Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:06 pm

Thanks guys for the info i should have said mine is already a 325i auto but i just fancy with a bit more power without breaking my bank balance it on a j plate .what engine is m30 out of i.e what year car thanks.

Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:43 pm

they where in e28's and early e34's and others but not sure what others

Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:50 pm

6 series and 7 series.

Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:17 pm

Does cost and 'originality' count? Basing a larger engine on an M20 will give a 'stock' look to the engine bay, matters to some people. Minimum cost to build a 2.7 is about £1500, those that have built a 2.8 admit to spending up to double that amount. M30 is a big lazy motor that drinks like a builder on a day out. M50 gives a non stock appearance but 192bhp,but gives a few fitting issues...read through the sticky in the engine swaps section to see if you can cope.Cost? I have just bought a donor E34 for £350...I think my biggest cost will be an exhaust manifold,I have been instructed to be sitting when I ask 'how much'....

Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:33 pm

cost will always be a major factor but when going down a route of unusual conversions (like mine) always expect the estimated cost to spiral, even having made allowances for possibly double the original quote.
i believe the m30 3.5 from a 535 can be done for about £600-£700 if doing most of the work yourself.
costs will rise into the several thousands for unusual or turbo'd conversions. at least with a 325 as your starting point your brakes and suspension should be good for a while before needing uprated uprated parts. my standard sized but uprated spec brakes and suspension have been good for 282bhp/ 289lbft well. it remains to be seen how well they will handle my new power levels of 330bhp.
originality is a different matter. finding a conversion thats unique and original will be a mission in itself.
think as big as you can afford to start with and consider how easy/cheap it is to tune up your chosen engine in future when the need arises.

Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:35 pm

fuzzy wrote:cost will always be a major factor but when going down a route of unusual conversions (like mine) always expect the estimated cost to spiral, even having made allowances for possibly double the original quote.
i believe the m30 3.5 from a 535 can be done for about £600-£700 if doing most of the work yourself.
costs will rise into the several thousands for unusual or turbo'd conversions. at least with a 325 as your starting point your brakes and suspension should be good for a while before needing uprated uprated parts. my standard sized but uprated spec brakes and suspension have been good for 282bhp/ 289lbft well. it remains to be seen how well they will handle my new power levels of 330bhp.
originality is a different matter. finding a conversion thats unique and original will be a mission in itself.
think as big as you can afford to start with and consider how easy/cheap it is to tune up your chosen engine in future when the need arises.

cost i just put an m50b25 in my 320.. total cost? £12.74p.. the m30 is too big, too clumsy and too ancient to be a good conversion especially when m50's are sooo cheap! and being honest the m50 will make the car so much easier to drive fast it's not got a powerband which lasts 1000rpm and doesnt drink fuel like gay 12v lumps

Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:46 pm

but the m30 is such a mans engine! everything about it is just so masculine!
no gay vanos units, no multiple valves, no aluminium blocks.
just a heavy boat anchor torque house......
1000rpm powerband?? the torque curve is from 200rpm to 5500!!!
even the m30 engine itself knows what it is, is it ashamed, no!
you dont like the fuel consumption? worried about running costs? now thats gay!! go and buy a 3cyl polo.........

Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:56 pm

murran wrote:but the m30 is such a mans engine! everything about it is just so masculine!
no gay vanos units, no multiple valves, no aluminium blocks.
just a heavy boat anchor torque house......
1000rpm powerband?? the torque curve is from 200rpm to 5500!!!
even the m30 engine itself knows what it is, is it ashamed, no!
you dont like the fuel consumption? worried about running costs? now thats gay!! go and buy a 3cyl polo.........

lol