M20 engine turbo
Moderator: martauto
I am building a 325i M20 engine to run a turbo now i will be uprating the shells,rings,rods,head gasket,head etc etc what i really need to no is at the minute i have the M20 engine with the engine code 256E1 now i no this is the HIGH compression engine and most of you that run turbos are using the M20 engine with the engine code 256K1 that is the low compression cat ready engine but if i am going to uprate all the bits in my engine wood it be ok or should i just buy a 256K1 engine and do that to the turbo thanks for your help.
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e301988325i
- E30 Zone Addict

- Posts: 3701
- Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: Taunton, Somerset
The earlier E is 9.5 or 9.75:1, the later K engine is 8.8:1 and has forged pistons, due to worries over unleaded fuel perhaps? Which are better suited to boost 
I said:
Can anyone suggest how to test if the boot lights are staying on with the boot shut?
e30topless said:
lock the wife in there
Can anyone suggest how to test if the boot lights are staying on with the boot shut?
e30topless said:
lock the wife in there
So really it wood be best just to get the later engine and build that to the turbo ok thanks next thing is does anyone no where i can get the uprated head gasket and parts to build the M20 engine that is reliable and good on price as we all no uprated parts can cost a mint thanks again for your help.
Hold on.
What kid of power are you going to run?
That will decide if you need all that stuff.
What kid of power are you going to run?
That will decide if you need all that stuff.
Well the car is running NOS at the mo but i was looking to run between 400-500bhp with the turbo and NOS what sort of BHP can the M20 engine take as standard and what do you think i wood need to uprated to make the engine take that much power 
you fit ARP studs and make sure that the compression is below 9:1
and that your tuning is 100% spot on.
Then your fine. To much torque (maybe 500lbs will bend rods)
and that your tuning is 100% spot on.
Then your fine. To much torque (maybe 500lbs will bend rods)
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e301988325i
- E30 Zone Addict

- Posts: 3701
- Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: Taunton, Somerset
I'm sure that whoever designed the lower comp M20 was a boost junky. . .Gunni wrote:you fit ARP studs and make sure that the compression is below 9:1
and that your tuning is 100% spot on.
Then your fine. To much torque (maybe 500lbs will bend rods)
I said:
Can anyone suggest how to test if the boot lights are staying on with the boot shut?
e30topless said:
lock the wife in there
Can anyone suggest how to test if the boot lights are staying on with the boot shut?
e30topless said:
lock the wife in there
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Ant
- Retired Team Member

- Posts: 10496
- Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2004 11:00 pm
- Location: PD+E dept :D
- Contact:
they luuuuuuuuurev boost !
last on out of my door (Sat) did 400.3HP @ 1.2 Bar
As Gunni alluded, the TUNE is more important than anything else
last on out of my door (Sat) did 400.3HP @ 1.2 Bar
As Gunni alluded, the TUNE is more important than anything else
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