Engine changes.. what to go for!

[Tom_Maverick]

ok, so my M20b25 is ok.. a little ticky but it pulls like a train, doesn't use any oil, and is fairly inoffensive.. and there's the problem.. I'd like to get the bits together to swap it out in the spring.. but what for? I'd like a straightforward swap, and one that'll give me that burst of power I'm looking for without doing 10 to the gallon and needing constant attention.. I know there's a 2.5 24v out of the E36, I gather you need al the electrics EWS and all that malarkey, will it fit onto my gearbox or is the later gearbox a straight swap? or should I go for the slightly more alcoholic 2.8? what about the 3.5 from a 535i, these are cheap as chips and eaaaasy to get hold of, but are they a complete waste of time?
Ideally if there are extra parts needed I'd like a swap that people have done before and that possibly someone fabricates any extra bits I may need (exhaust parts, looms etc..) for..
and what is this 2.7 I keep reading about? how would I go about making one of these? (I am quite mechanically minded and have swapped lumps about before.. albeit not dreaded Bavarian ones..) c'mon then.. enlighten me

[E30BeemerLad]

The 3.5 M30 donk is an easier swap as far as wiring etc is concerned.

The 24v engines have the edge, especially the 2.8 M52. All of the "problems" people encounter with the 24v swaps can now be bought around by buying your way out of trouble. DanThe sells plug & play engine looms and exhaust manifolds, which is where the main ball ache is with the 24v swaps.

If your car is a sport, then for prosperity sake, you probably are better off going 2.7, but it isn't cheap to do it well and to get anywhere near 200bhp from. To get a M20 engine out to 2.7 and putting down proper figures I reckon you'll spend £3k.

[Tom_Maverick]

The 24v engines have the edge, especially the 2.8 M52. All of the "problems" people encounter with the 24v swaps can now be bought around by buying your way out of trouble. DanThe sells plug & play engine looms and exhaust manifolds, which is where the main ball ache is with the 24v swaps.
.

this is exactly the advice I was after.. see I would have thought these were the most suitable to go for, for what I wanted.. and if the bits to get them in are readily available that's ideal..

oh and she's not a sport.. just a specced up SE with a slipper in her..

[jimbo87]

I have been thinking about an engine swap for my 325 SE as well, but i was worried that even if the engine and gearbox and all wiring get sorted, will i need to upgrade the brakes or will the standard setup in good working order be sufficient.

[magpie]

if you go for a 2.5 m50 try and get one from an e34 if you can as you'll save money and time waiting for a sump kit from one,auto's are preferred as doner cars.

[Ajsingh]

2.7 ftw! Torque is the way forward!

[deanocool]

if you go for a 2.5 m50 try and get one from an e34 if you can as you'll save money and time waiting for a sump kit from one,auto's are preferred as doner cars.

+1. if you can find one complete its better to go for a 5 series auto and bang on some e36 arms than a 3 series 2.5 and wait for the sump, which will cost you over a ton

[Dezzy]

I would never advise going from M20B25 to M50B25.

Far too much money and work for very little gain!

24v swaps are easy to do, easy to do wrong as well.

To be bothering with an engine swap in your chariot, the very least you want is M52B28 IMO.

Make sure you get a recall

[Speedtouch]

From the Zone Wiki:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ding_a_2.7

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ding_a_2.8

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... roker_Info

[Rav335uk]

2.7 ftw! Torque is the way forward!

Ahem, i think you mean M30b35 for the torque

[turk]

If you can get yourself a decent S54 with loom and ecu, I can sort you a custom loom and flash the ecu so its plug and play. No ews, no canbus, No messing.

Depending on how much you're looking to spend of course

[Tom_Maverick]

Budget hasn't really been thought about yet.. An s54? So that's an M3 lump, a late one? Can you elaborate? I know 24v lumps suffer from vanos problems if they have them and there was that whole nikasil (sp?) issue.. So I'd need to do a bit of research if I went down that route..

[MurphyE30]

I have a full E30 Cosworth set up here that i may part with

Modified cosworth engine loom mated to e30 loom, Custom mount arms with engine mounts, custom sump and oil pick up, custom ce30/cosworth prop, custom clutch fork to utalise the e30 hydraulic clutch system and gear selector

all you need is the cossie lump and RWD l5 gearbox

nice alternative to the 24v route

[turk]

Budget hasn't really been thought about yet.. An s54? So that's an M3 lump, a late one? Can you elaborate? I know 24v lumps suffer from vanos problems if they have them and there was that whole nikasil (sp?) issue.. So I'd need to do a bit of research if I went down that route..

Pm sent mate ;)

[Ajsingh]

2.7 ftw! Torque is the way forward!

Ahem, i think you mean M30b35 for the torque

I would like a spin in your car one day, iv never been in an M30'd e30! Been in an m52'd one and obv an M20 one

Mind you, i think the M30b35 & M20b27 would give an M52b28 a good run for its money...

And then an S54 powered chariot will go past us all as if we are standing still!

[DanThe]

I have a rare Alpina spec 2.7 crankshaft available

[Rav335uk]

An M30'd car would give the 24v girlies a=good run, when it's geared up properly.
Mine has a long diff for cruising in the cab, but the chromie will have a nice short diff for pod next year

[leeparkes]

ok, so my M20b25 is ok.. a little ticky but it pulls like a train, doesn't use any oil, and is fairly inoffensive.

If your M20 is in fine fettle have you thought about turbo?

[DanThe]

Rav you have been chatting this guff for the best part of 3 years and your still nowhere near the 1/4 mile times an M52B28 chariot pulls

[Ajsingh]

Nicee!!! Mines running a short diff, 1st gear is not really there lol

Im sure the 2.7 would give the 52 a nice run...

[Rav335uk]

Rav you have been chatting this guff for the best part of 3 years and your still nowhere near the 1/4 mile times an M52B28 chariot pulls

Dan you know why that has been, no way is a cab any match for a Chromie, there's too much weight difference.

[Dezzy]

An M30'd car would give the 24v girlies a=good run, when it's geared up properly.
Mine has a long diff for cruising in the cab, but the chromie will have a nice short diff for pod next year

Danthe's 3.2 is the closest 24v donk to an M30 cc wise Rav. Your going to give him a run for his money yeh?

-13.7 sec 1/4 from a N/A M30 donk, no matter what the gearing. I'd love to that!

[DanThe]

Rav you have been chatting this guff for the best part of 3 years and your still nowhere near the 1/4 mile times an M52B28 chariot pulls

Dan you know why that has been, no way is a cab any match for a Chromie, there's too much weight difference.

Ok then get felix to sit in my passenger seat, id still leave you at the christmas tree

[Rav335uk]

An M30'd car would give the 24v girlies a=good run, when it's geared up properly.
Mine has a long diff for cruising in the cab, but the chromie will have a nice short diff for pod next year

Danthe's 3.2 is the closest 24v donk to an M30 cc wise Rav. Your going to give him a run for his money yeh?

-13.7 sec 1/4 from a N/A M30 donk, no matter what the gearing. I'd love to that!

Has your donk even recorded a time??

Dans donk is "Spessial"

[Ajsingh]

I have a rare Alpina spec 2.7 crankshaft available

Ohhh im soo jealous right now... Is that Similar to a 324td crank?

[DanThe]

I have a rare Alpina spec 2.7 crankshaft available

Ohhh im soo jealous right now... Is that Similar to a 324td crank?

Yes very similar

[DanThe]

An M30'd car would give the 24v girlies a=good run, when it's geared up properly.
Mine has a long diff for cruising in the cab, but the chromie will have a nice short diff for pod next year

Danthe's 3.2 is the closest 24v donk to an M30 cc wise Rav. Your going to give him a run for his money yeh?

-13.7 sec 1/4 from a N/A M30 donk, no matter what the gearing. I'd love to that!

Has your donk even recorded a time??

Dans donk is "Spessial"

It maybe but dont forget my cam'd 2.8 did 13.8 second runs

[Dezzy]

I have a rare Alpina spec 2.7 crankshaft available

Ohhh im soo jealous right now... Is that Similar to a 324td crank?

Very Very similar iirc

[DanThe]

What is Lee's best 1/4 with standard M52B28, 13.9 IIRC?

[leeparkes]

What is Lee's best 1/4 with standard M52B28, 13.9 IIRC?

What was his best time in the red touring?

[Rav335uk]

What is Lee's best 1/4 with standard M52B28, 13.9 IIRC?

Oh dear, here we go.

How long left till POD??

[e30topless]

one day you Alusil/nikosil guys will realise the M30 is the way to go

[Rav335uk]

one day you Alusil/nikosil guys will realise the M30 is the way to go

Too right!

[DanThe]

one day you Alusil/nikosil guys will realise the M30 is the way to go

Are you planning a drug/date rape type affair Steve?

[Jhonno]

I have a rare Alpina spec 2.7 crankshaft available

Ohhh im soo jealous right now... Is that Similar to a 324td crank?

Very Very similar iirc

I'd say very very very similar..

24v or go home.

M52B28 - Light flywheel, M50 inlet and remap, 230bhp 30+mpg and will go like a scalded cat.