M20b25 turbo vs M30b35 turbo

[brandn]

hey how's it goin, this is my first post ever on this forum but i have lurked around a little and couldn't really seem to find any answers to my question.

so i'm looking to boost an e30, and i'm wondering which engine would be better to boost (in terms of reliability and speed), the m20b25 or the m30b35? im looking to get around 300-350 hp, which i know is easy with the m20 on relatively stock internals, but i don't know much about the m30, other than it comes stock with more hp than the m20 and has some lovely ass torque. it also has a timing chain i believe, which sounds pretty nice...

i found 2 e30's for sale near me for around the same price, one of them happens to have an m30 swap, which is why i'm asking. thanks!

[ThatOneEuroE30]

M30 turbo. They take boost better Imo. They will make 350+ hp with out even trying and on stock internals.

[stonea]

Go for the cleaner car, but when it comes to power plant the M30 beats the M20.

[brandn]

M30 turbo. They take boost better Imo. They will make 350+ hp with out even trying and on stock internals.

Go for the cleaner car, but when it comes to power plant the M30 beats the M20.

thanks for your responses! i'm gonna try and see if i can get my hands on that m30 e30, if not oh well, turbo m20's are still fun. :p

[Kershaw]

Definitely go for the cleaner car. An m30 swap is easier to do than repairing a rusty floor and rockers.

[whitebulat22]

I agree with prioritizing the cleaner car, for the engines either will make the power safely. M20 will be less of a gas hog but won't thrill as hard, an M30 in an E30 stock is already a really fun ride. It makes torque you'd expect from a much bigger car or truck. The weight difference is probably 80 lbs ish (+30 block, +20 head, +15 rotating assembly etc).

[zaq123]

IMHO, car with m30 swap better have some good info on the swap from PO. Otherwise I would be a little nervous. With m20, there is a better change that you will be getting umolested stock car. But like everyone else said...go with the cleaner body. In either case, be ready to put some money into 30 y/o engine before spending $$ on boost.

[brandn]

both of the cars i wanna check out are relatively even on the "clean scale." only problem now is that neither of the sellers are returning my calls or texts :) and i wouldn't plan on boosting without doing the obvious engine stuff first, of course (arp studs, head gasket, etc.).

even if i end up with an m20, knowing myself i'll eventually secretly try to blow it up to force myself to swap something else in there anyway lol :devil: