m52 vs m30

[tweeks]

I currently have an 88 325 Tourer. Just blown head gasket and instead of fixing I am thinking of doing a conversion. But I am undecided what is best for me. It is a road car going to be used for trackdays and drift days. What is quicker in a straight line? What upsides and downsides do each of conversions have?

[Andy325i]

M52B28's are epic in E30's. Or you could fit a boat anchor to help you drift it ;)

[tweeks]

I've only been in an m30 powered e30. Feels pretty good but would like to weigh up my options. Light Ally block modern engine does sound appealing. But how does it compare to the torque of the m30?

[capnmchl]

I think there's about 25nm in favour of the big six.

Not great considering the extra fuel used and weight.

[Andy325i]

Less torque iirc, but the M52 does rev well for a 6 pot. Where are you located? There may be a zoner localish to you that will take you for a spin in a 24 valve. I assure you, you will be grinning!

[Rav335uk]

I been in both.
M30 torque is there most of the rev range and wll happily keep up with any M52 engined E30 depending on Diff coices.
M52, imo, runs out of puff quickly through the rev range, and you'll be changing gears more often.

[Andy325i]

I been in both.
M30 torque is there most of the rev range and wll happily keep up with any M52 engined E30 depending on Diff coices.
M52, imo, runs out of puff quickly through the rev range, and you'll be changing gears more often.

M52 with an M50 manifold and decent exhaust? I'd be interested in seeing how quick that is compared to the anchor

[The_Diddler]

I been in both.
M30 torque is there most of the rev range and wll happily keep up with any M52 engined E30 depending on Diff coices.
M52, imo, runs out of puff quickly through the rev range, and you'll be changing gears more often.

Typical ravinit response, completely impartial

Full steam ahead captain..... two points to starboard

[penton08]

M52 every time! I have fitted a few of both and driven alsorts, m30 may have a bit more mid range grunt but it can't keep up with a good m52! Also my m52 returns 30+ mpg to and from the track.

[Andy325i]

Full steam ahead captain..... two points to starboard

M52 acceleration (Obviously in Km, but you get the idea)

[Rav335uk]

I been in both.
M30 torque is there most of the rev range and wll happily keep up with any M52 engined E30 depending on Diff coices.
M52, imo, runs out of puff quickly through the rev range, and you'll be changing gears more often.

Typical ravinit response, completely impartial

Full steam ahead captain..... two points to starboard

Fook of Pugwash

I've been out in Lee's old chromie, and my opinion is posted above.
I've never commented on that 2 before, as I hadn't driven an M52 E30.

[penton08]

What 1/4 mile times has the tug got under its belt Rav? Lee's turd ran a 13.9 if memory serves!

[shedrool83]

I owned an m30 before i did the m52 on my touring.
The m30 was good but the m52 is better .

[Rav335uk]

[youtube][/youtube]

Enjoy the M30 POWWAAAA

[tweeks]

I live in the isle of man. Dont think theres any m52 e30s over here. I would be putting on m50 manifold. I have a full scorpion system on at the moment I am hoping to use. Can you get a 6 branch to fit in the e30 and what rack options does that leave you with?what other mods work well with m52?

[Rav335uk]

What 1/4 mile times has the tug got under its belt Rav? Lee's turd ran a 13.9 if memory serves!

Cab is heavier Nathan, plus I had the Hardtop on, and a bootful of goodies.

[penton08]

What 1/4 mile times has the tug got under its belt Rav? Lee's turd ran a 13.9 if memory serves!

Cab is heavier Nathan, plus I had the Hardtop on, and a bootful of goodies.

Yes I remember mate, plus coal and general steam powered sundries!

[DanThe]

I been in both.
M30 torque is there most of the rev range and wll happily keep up with any M52 engined E30 depending on Diff coices.
M52, imo, runs out of puff quickly through the rev range, and you'll be changing gears more often.

M52 with an M50 manifold and decent exhaust? I'd be interested in seeing how quick that is compared to the anchor

Rav is talking about Lee's (beemerlads) chromie, it just so happens to be one of two standard M52B28 E30's I know of thats done a quarter mile run in under 14 seconds...

Standard M30 1/4 mile time is never below 15 seconds, say no more...

[Rav335uk]

LOL, the 24V gang arrive

[DanThe]

Your seafarers tales need setting straight captain

[Rav335uk]

Ha ha ha ha ha

[tweeks]

Roughly what would a standard325 do a 1/4 in?

[DanThe]

Same as an M30

Or quicker!

[reggid]

if you want to know what car accelerates faster compare the terminal speed in the 1/4 the time could mean that one car puts the power down a whole lot better and gets a good start. the car that actually accelerates faster and feels faster will be travelling faster at the end and likely faster in a rolling race

[Rav335uk]

[youtube][/youtube]

Enjoy the M30 POWWAAAA

Yea , right

[zaust]

What 1/4 mile times has the tug got under its belt Rav? Lee's turd ran a 13.9 if memory serves!

so did my M30 turd ! All day too.

[SteSE]

Zzzzzz this is as bad as 325i vs 318is

[Rav335uk]

What 1/4 mile times has the tug got under its belt Rav? Lee's turd ran a 13.9 if memory serves!

so did my M30 turd ! All day too.

Glad to have you on board Brotha'

[DanThe]

What 1/4 mile times has the tug got under its belt Rav? Lee's turd ran a 13.9 if memory serves!

so did my M30 turd ! All day too.

Glad to have you on board Brotha'

Standard they are not, Leeparkes is an Alpina engine and Zausts has a 1000bhp nitrous setup
IIRC marc your standard M30 just about got into 15's the year before?

Beemerlads and Pentons M52B28's though are both standard 2.8 engines, 700cc less and over a second quicker, 24v FTW

[magpie]

so did my M30 turd ! All day too.

Glad to have you on board Brotha'

Standard they are not, Leeparkes is an Alpina engine and Zausts has a 1000bhp nitrous setup
IIRC marc your standard M30 just about got into 15's the year before?

p1ss and fireworks spring to mind

[DanThe]

Glad to have you on board Brotha'

Standard they are not, Leeparkes is an Alpina engine and Zausts has a 1000bhp nitrous setup
IIRC marc your standard M30 just about got into 15's the year before?

p1ss and fireworks spring to mind

Captain Birdseye and transits spring to mind!

[zaust]

Belive. And will be aiming low 13's this year. The gas is all working well now so should give enough extra torque. I do like the m52 lumps hell I run one too. But still m30 wins every time. And also when we get flooded I can wack it in a boat and still enjoy

[zaust]

When my clutch was slipping yes. A few head to heads conning up me thinks.

[DanThe]

Excuses excuses, its the way the M30 boys roll

I had clutch problems with my Alpina but it still pulled a 14 second run, fixed the clutch and got down to 13.7 and I didnt even need nitrous!

[zaust]

Pod it is for a shoot out then. Without gas and then with no point talking about it what it needs is a show of torque.