Which engine

Post Fri Feb 26, 2010 1:41 pm

After a break of about a year I'm getting back to the E30 track project. Getting married and buying a house takes a considerable amount of time it seems, and money. So I have had to reduce my budget which means I can no longer continue with my M42 stroker project.

So I'm after some suggestions on which engine to use. I don't care if it doesn't have a BMW badge either, although it would be no doubt easier to fit one that does. Tried and tested and all that. What I'm after is somewhere above 200bhp.

Any suggestions from you guys on what you use on the track would be greatly appreciated. For example I would happily do an M30B35 conversion if I wasn't so worried it will spoil the handling.

I have been wondering about the use of a Volvo T5 or Saab 2.3 turbo engine. Both easily capable of good power with only a remap and they would keep the weight down at the front, especially the Saab motor. Saying that, I would rather stay N/A but I know theres no chance of getting those figures from a 4 cylinder without using a turbo or s/c.

Do any of you have experience of both n/a and turbo rwd track cars? How does the power delivery of a turbo affect your ability to get through corners compared to n/a?

I'm starting to ramble...

Post Fri Feb 26, 2010 4:53 pm

Easiest way to 200+ is arguably an M20B27 or 28.

Post Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:04 pm

Fitting an engine from a different manufacturer is going to cost alot more than an M42 stroker.

I'd go for a 2.8 M52, alloy block means it's not too heavy and they are near enough 200bhp in standard form.

Post Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:05 pm

m52 2.8 2.5 inlet & remap or cheap and dirty turbo m10

any thing that is not standard will require custom mounts and gearbox sorting out hence more dosh

Jason

Post Sat Feb 27, 2010 10:13 am

How about a turbo M42? I already have a very good M42 which I was always planning to use for the stroker motor. Some guys over on M42 club have successfully added a turbo, FMIC and MS for not a huge amount of cash. Certainly nowhere near what the stroker would cost to build. If I could make that work well without changing any engine internals I'd be very keen.

Post Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:46 pm

PZero,

I've just struck a deal to put a Nissan SR200DET into my track 318is this morning. I've still lots of bodywork to do before we start the conversion, but I will let you know how I get on.

The engine is currently in a road going 200 SX and is an absolute rocket!

AJ

Post Sat Feb 27, 2010 3:14 pm

N/A to turbo conversions in a decent and reliable form are almost always more expensive than engine swaps.

Post Sat Feb 27, 2010 5:04 pm

IIRC Gunni was saying that 360bhp was attainable on a turboed M42, using an MLS head gasket and ARP's. Could potentially be done quite cheap. Decent M42, MLS, ARP's, Evo 7-9 turbo's good for 360-400bhp depending on choice, could use a tubular evo manifold on the bay and have an M42 flange welded on and run it on MS. Oh and don't forget a decent clutch and suitable injectors!

Should think it's doable for a little over a grand if you did all the work yourself.

Post Sat Feb 27, 2010 5:18 pm

Sounds good Mark, thanks. I am planning to do as much as I can myself and a grand is probably within my budget, top end though.

What are ARP's?

Post Sat Feb 27, 2010 5:58 pm

I'm sorry but £1000 isn't going to get you far with the M42 turbo (or stroker), you're just not being realistic. I don't know what state your track car is in at present but I would suggest spending your budget on other areas and stick with a standard engine with a view to upgrading it in the future when funds allow.

Post Sat Feb 27, 2010 10:31 pm

I've been reading up a bit on M42club and there is a few folk over there building budget turbo motors. I need to do some sums but I definitely think its possible for not far off £1000. It's worth looking into anyway. Anything north of about 200bhp and I'd be happy

My chassis is pretty much done, I just need to get it caged but for that it needs to be back on the road so I can get it to the cage guy. So the engine will go in standard for the moment. I think I can turbo it later without removing it anyway.

Post Sun Feb 28, 2010 9:44 am

chu346 had a turbo setup with megasquirt for sale before christmas, it was on his M40B18 and had been dynoed at around 190bhp. Could be worth dropping him a PM to see if he still has it available.

It was a quick little motor

Post Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:41 pm

Theo325 wrote:I'm sorry but £1000 isn't going to get you far with the M42 turbo (or stroker), you're just not being realistic. I don't know what state your track car is in at present but I would suggest spending your budget on other areas and stick with a standard engine with a view to upgrading it in the future when funds allow.

Your prob right. Don't really wan't to add up what i've spent on my 2.8 turbo build.