Engine choice

[LondonTom]

I've been on the look out for a track car recently and have potentially found one, although it running a 3.5 (m30 - I think?).

Does anyone use this motor in their car for track days and if so, what's it like? I was thinking it might be a bit on the heavy side and cause a fair bit of understeer.

If the current engine isn't going to be suitable, what other motors are worth considering? Budget wise I'd ideally want to do it for under £1000 and could do the work of installing it myself.

Cheers guys

Tom

[AlpineAde]

Yes, it will result in a heavier front end but if it is for a car that is only going to see the track and the track only you can play around with the weight.Think about losing the bonnet and replacing with a CF or GF one; fiddle with the heavy front bumper...strip it, drill it, whatever; lose the sound deadening from the front of the car; if it has air-con" lose it; lose the heater; front guards...GF reps? There are a lot of ways to fiddle with weight distribution. The engine makes good power and has good torque ~ in a lightened car it should do well.

[juniorGT]

if youv got a big heavy 6 up front you will want to run a much stiffer spring rates. to cope with the extra weight. you'l find the car will understeer more. but with some fettling you could dial that out. then set about sorting the balance out - battery to the back etc etc

personally i would'nt go 6pot... to heavy - old fashion engine -juicy on petrol.. would rather stick to my little "is" just as much fun cheaper to run and would rain on a 6pots perade!

[bss325i]

...would rather stick to my little "is" just as much fun cheaper to run and would rain on a 6pots perade!

I kind of doubt that.

[JungleGus]

i reckon an m50 - a better m50, m30 is kinda heavy and not great as a track engine. m42 is too gutless (or expensive to make go anywhere). m20 is good a reliable, but not sure how much power you want. a stock 2.5 is plenty fun, not the fastest though. good to learn with

[Theo]

For £1000 there's no stand-out option. I would opt for a standard 325i engine as well, as there's none of the messing around associated with a non-standard engine swap.

[juniorGT]

I kind of doubt that.

lol haha... im not going to even bother with the 6pot v 4pot malarky !

doubt away my friend doubt away.

[GrindCulture]

For a cheap, fun track car I'd opt for a 325i all day.

[JimmyC]

get a 320 or 318 then you can progress to http://www.pbmwc.co.uk

[bss325i]

I kind of doubt that.

lol haha... im not going to even bother with the 6pot v 4pot malarky !

doubt away my friend doubt away.

When you refer to 6 pot, is that a generalisation?

[GrindCulture]

I kind of doubt that.

lol haha... im not going to even bother with the 6pot v 4pot malarky !

doubt away my friend doubt away.

When you refer to 6 pot, is that a generalisation?

I smell your S50s first victim

[Jon_Bmw]

No thats me in a couple of weeks time!

[bss325i]

No thats me in a couple of weeks time!

I fear my talent will prevent that!

[LondonTom]

Cheers for the info chaps - work isnt a problem, so would consider an engine swap. Have been on the look out for an s14 recently.