NICE M20 motor, near MD area...

[vivalegreg]

im lookin for a well maintained m20 motor for my ix, upgraded would be nice but i dont have all the money in the world to spend... i just want a reliable motor


is there a difference in the m20 motors as well?? do they make m20 "e" and m20 "i" motors??? if so i want an "i" or "is" motor

[FredK]

Yes, there is the M20B27 eta engine, which came on vehicles from 84-87, and was the economical M20 engine. It displaces 2.7L, but is optimized for low revs and isn't very high performance. There is also a 2.5L M20B25 engine which revs higher, and is a higher performance engine.

For your application, you should definitely get a M20B25 "i" engine. There is no difference between "i" or "is" motors.

[vivalegreg]

thanks for the help, this narrows my search down pretty much to a great running M20B25

[Julien]

just a note, you might need a specific IX m20b25 since the IX has a special oil pan to allow the front drivetrain to work. Look up "nando" on this forum and ask him, he is the IXpert. I *think* you can get away by just swapping oil pans.


Julien

[vivalegreg]

k cool...........engines anyone?

[Funkmasta]

I have an M20 coming in this weekend. 180k, woman driven, in an automatic car.
A motorcycle hit her in the door/fender, and the car is totalled. It was her daily driver until that point... asking $750 plus ship (shipping is not too bad).

Let me know

[Rigmaster]

If you're swapping engines, you'll want one out of an iX for sure. The bottom ends are 99% the same, but the shaft that drives the oil pump rotates in the opposite direction as other M20 325i engines.


Bret.

[vivalegreg]

just figured that one out...now on with my search for an ix motor...

[Funkmasta]

the shaft that drives the oil pump rotates in the opposite direction as other M20 325i engines.


Bret.

Interesting, Why?

[nando]

If you're swapping engines, you'll want one out of an iX for sure. The bottom ends are 99% the same, but the shaft that drives the oil pump rotates in the opposite direction as other M20 325i engines.


Bret.

that's only one of the differences. the block is pretty much incompatible with a regular E30, even if you swap shafts.

[vivalegreg]

done deal

just picked up an ix m20 motor 132k on it for 550$$

in great shape says the gentlemen....

i also picked up a drivers side door (mine has a huuuuuuuuuge dent in it) $50

as well as a new clutch fan for radiator $20

two middle grills $10 each

window motor for 318 $40

all new belts and water pump + valve cover gasket + timing belt and tensioner $132

total spent $812

now to find a rear main seal..........and i should be set for the swap