Dead/dying 318iS... What are my options?

Post Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:37 pm

Folks, as you know I run Scumball.

Last year my car let me down and blew a head gasket on the way out of the country... Still got a few laps of the Ring and made it as far back as Brussels before dying outright.

I've fixed the head gasket, but the engine is tired, has no torque (yes I know it's only a 4 pot) and is haemorrhaging it's life-blood constantly from unknown injuries.

I need your thoughts, ideas and support to get a reliable super-Scumball machine ready in time for next year.

My original plan was to get a spare engine, rebuild this over winter and turbocharge with the assistance of A-Tech in the new year.

To do this properly though, it's going to cost me a lot of money I simply don't have, having just bought a house.

As you know, Scumball was a charitable event, so there are no proceeds there to spend on the car... But I can offer quality TV time in exchange for any help I'm offered.

I'm looking for options as to what to do with the old girl.

The shell is, frankly, mint... Hole in the rear valance and a spot on the scuttle, but otherwise spotless and I've had appreciative comments every time it's been put up on a ramp.

So I've got a mint shell, which needs something under the bonnet.

My options?

- Replace the M42.
- Replace the M42 and Turbo.
- Replace the M42 and NA tune.
- Bin the M42 and go M20.
- Bin the M42 and go M50.
- Bin the M42 and go small block V8!
- Bin the M42 and suggest something else entirely?

I've got to keep budget tight, so I'm either looking for strong help in doing this, or a really easy option.

I've got until Spring next year if I hope to get the car a shakedown before setting off on a hard week to and from the Ring.

Fairly effed-off with the whole thing now and just wish I could hand it over and get a reasonable bill.

What are your ideas?

Post Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:44 pm

so you want what kinda power?

Post Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:51 pm

Well, I think anything is an improvement on the flat-arsed M42 I've got, so I'm really open to ideas.

Not too keen on M20, think I'd prefer a more modern lump with a bit more grunt and easier to find a mintah!

Post Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:56 pm

sounds like your hankering after an m50

fits your goals cheaply too.

Post Thu Nov 23, 2006 12:02 am

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hartge-Motor-3er- ... dZViewItem

heres a good un

Post Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:46 am

gcorky wrote:sounds like your hankering after an m50

fits your goals cheaply too.

I agree.
Plenty of research and tons of info about the conversion on here so should be easy.I'll happily give you a hand to get it in the car,just give me a shout.

Post Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:17 am

i agree too dude, can't beat an m50 for cheap easy power. though really you should stop faffing about and just do the turbo project, you've been on about it for as long as i can remember!

Post Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:32 pm

thought you were thinking about sticking the m30 in there

Post Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:28 am

Yeah, surely if you're doing fast road stuff (thats what scumball is, isn't it?) then an M30 now with possibly a turbo later? M30 swap looks to be pretty good for bhp/Ã‚£ and 3.5 sounds a lot better than 2.8 down the pub

I'd guess that the extra torque would be really useful, enough to overcome the extra weight at the front...although you're moving a long way from the iS.