engine swaps... so m30 3.5 is the best?

[maxel]

So i have 2 e30's one 316i which will be my project (right now it's in atoms) and another 320i which is in....horrible condition, but thought maybe make a track beater out of it or sum (also a lot of extras from it to put into my project ;) ). Soooo the question is which motor should i put into the 316i , the m20b20 out of the 320 (needs rebuild), or should I try to find a b25, should I try to find a m50/52 or a m30b35 maybe? Also what engine is the most potential to modify? I rather want a non turbo engine but everything is balid (just like the more solid feel of "pure" non turbo power). Also a lot of people have told me that the m5x is just overrated and m20 is the one to go for and the m30 is just slightly over 200 hp. But I'm maybe ready to upgrade the engine (new pistons and shit). Just help me , what is possible to gain out of these engine on a budget (nothing sppecific but i'm not going for some 800hp ), discuss

[Brianmoooore]

I can assure you that an E30 fitted with a M50B25 vanos is not an overrated conversion. It is streets ahead of a M20B25 engined E30.
I've driven both today, and the M20 doesn't unstick its wheels if you floor the throttle while driving along in first gear like the M50 does!
Of course, a M52B28 is the same amount of work, and gives another 30 bhp with a sensible inlet manifold.
Just happen to have one of these on a pallet in my workshop!

[maxel]

well than a m5x is a better choice than the m20, but do you know anything about the m30. How is it compared to the m5x. Well if you are offering me your m52, than it would be difficult to get because I live in Iceland....

[Brianmoooore]

M52 will be ending up in one of my eight tourings!
M30, in 3.5 guise, will give the power and torque, but not so hot on the balance and fuel consumption fronts.

[maxel]

xD 8 tourings u serious

[Jhonno]

m50 is a good swap m52 stage up

[maxel]

i can get a hold of a e46 M52B28TU, would it be a difficult swap compared to the e36 or so?

[Brianmoooore]

i can get a hold of a e46 M52B28TU, would it be a difficult swap compared to the e36 or so?

Double vanos?

[maxel]

i can get a hold of a e46 M52B28TU, would it be a difficult swap compared to the e36 or so?

Double vanos?

yes it is double vanos, TU = technical update

[DanThe]

IIRC these are fly by wire throttle, so will need plenty more parts not to mention how many hours you will have to put into wiring, also another restricted engine through various methods.

IMO not a worth while conversion

[Brianmoooore]

I have one of these engines from a '99 Z3, and it's not fly by wire. It has a conventional throttle cable, but also a throttle motor as well.
The biggest potential problem I can see with using it, is that you need to use the correct ECU to control the double vanos, and that ECU is likely to be looking for all sorts of inputs from all over the car.
If anyone manages to use one in an E30, I'll be very interested how.

[HairyScreech]

couldnt you controll the vanos with two programable out put from a megasquirt?

program in a lookup table to give valve timing from revs X load?