which route would you go?

[tomti]

in a few months time im going to have say 1500-2000 quid to spend. I really really want a turbo and was thinking of selling the bmw so ive got 3-4k and go and buy a 200sx but now i want to research what i could do to achieve 200bhp upwards using the original 1500-2000 quid on my 325i
Im not really a 'hands-on' mechanical type so would rather pay someone to do any work for me.

How much would it cost to turbo my 325i running relatively low boost so its about 240ish bhp but reliable, bearing in mind its done 164000 miles but is quite healthy?

Or is there any other way of reaching that sort of figure with that kind of money i.e engine transplants

Or should i just buy another 2.5 lump and fettle that with cam, ported and polished head (if you can on them), 6 branch etc.

Please dont take the mick too much if anything ive said above is a stupid idea as im not the most mechanicly minded hence the reason im asking

[daimlerman]

A lot of the cost of engine swaps/tuning is labour,amazing what talented zoners can achieve.
If you are intent on paying someone else to tune your car,there is no-one better in your general area than Ant,who is based somewhere close to the M20/M25 junction,a search will pull up loads of his posts with contact details.
Seem to remember that turbo/supercharging by paying someone runs up a £3000 bill.....
A DiY M50/M52 swap is well within your budget and will give around the 200bhp mark,but you do need to be reasonably competent with your hands and tools.

[rossmc88]

I just got a minter of an Impreza for 2K, comes with over 200 bhp out the box The engine only has 10k on it since its re-build.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1162000.htm

The only ways an e30 is better is that they look better, are rarer and the interior is nicer, but if you want serious power then theyre not the cheapest to achieve it

[Andy325i]

Good plan But how far do you want to take it? Are you going to get bored with 240 Bhp?

A 240bhp E30 is a rapid toy, but depends if you want more.

When you think that GTSt Skylines go for about £3k and they are FAR more tunable £ for £ than an E30 is it makes you think

Andy

[Nobby_N]

If E30s where supposed to be turbo'd BMW would have made em For 3 to 4 grand Jap turbo power is way forward!

[Gunni]

For 4grand you too can have a 400hp+ E30.

GTSt´s are at the limit from the factory. Alot of things need to be done to start make them work for you. ignition setup, injectors and clutch to start off with.

[tomti]

i think maybe buying a turbo'd car is gonna have to be the way then. its a shame tho. a turbo'd e30 would be my ideal car lol

[Nobby_N]

I agree with you there mate, E30 turbo would be my ideal car too, i just think people can get carried away and spend money that you will never see again on modding when you can buy jap reliability and always sell it without a big big loss.