Good morning, gents. For some background, I have a 1990 325ic that I've owned for 8 years. The M20 runs GREAT and the car was totally refreshed by myself ~5 years ago. I am in search of more torques, anyone have some they can lend?
Basic question... I have a good running E34 parts car with an M50TUB25 with 222k miles, so OBD 1 obviously, that I basically bought for the oil pan but was planning on using the block and head given it has the desirable intake. Should I build up that block with an M54B30 rotating assembly and intake camshaft? I like OBD 1 for ease but also because the Megasquirt3 PNP is OBD 1 based. So if I ever want to go stand-alone OBD 1 is good for that.
OR I also have a lead on an $800 (plus $200 flatbed Uhaul rental) 1998 M3 parts car with 218k miles and an automatic transmission. Should I go for that and use the S52 internals on the M50TU block? Or mix and match parts to make a good motor? OBD 1 or OBD 2? I know there's no limitations to OBD 2 really anymore if you can pay for a flash tune. I know the OBD 2 headers are good for the swap too.
What would you do in this mix-and-match situation?
IF YOU WANT THE LONG STORY, KEEP READING. OTHERWISE THANKS FOR YOUR TIME!
I have always been open to doing an ETA-based stroker and turboing, learning how to tune with Megasquirt on the way. However, as budget friendly as an N/A M20 is, turboing it and doing aftermarket ECU is expensive across the board. The more I read on M20 mods versus 24V swaps, the more I feel like a 24V swap is in line with my long-term goals for the car. So the goal here is N/A (to start), modest power goals (coming from a 190k M20 that's not hard to beat), and to build the engine myself (minus the machine work). I also like the fact that I can get a Stage 2 clutch and re-use my M20 flywheel and G260 and driveshaft, differential, etc. Not only is that budget friendly, I like the OD 5th gear on the G260 to go with my 4.10LSD I swapped in. Yes, it's weird but I plan on keeping the 4.10 because I am keeping this thing around town and my highway speed revs at 70mph are only 3400 or so. Not that bad for my 15 min drive on the highway to work. I know turbos like load, and I have no desire to spend $500 on a 3.23 LSD also.
So anyways, once I clicked with 24V swap, I started doing a ton of homework and figure out a strategy to approach it budget-friendly. First hurdle... E34 oil pan. So I randomly started looking for E34 525is... just so happens I found an entire (barely) running 1995 525i listed at $500 with 222k miles on the clock... Guy immediately said he'd take $350 AND my amazing wife agreed to let a parts car haunt our driveway... Given that I couldn't get keep it running we settled for $300 and I took care of the tow, which with tip was $100 so I am all-in $400 on basically a $250 oil pan setup attached to a parts car. I will part out some stuff like keyless entry, brake booster, check the differential, easy stuff like that, before junkyard pick up. I hope to get cost-neutral on this.
I did end up figuring out after 50 attempts at the stomp test that it had one code, the air flow meter system. Digging in, I found the crankcase breather hose fell off from being SUPER loose. A few hose clamps and I had a running car... Wow. I know people do this all the time but it felt great to buy a car for $400 all in and make it run. The interior is trashed but the exterior is rather presentable. It is an attractive car, albeit not as attractive as E39 ha.
So then I am browsing recently and I find a listing for a kid parting out a 1998 M3 sedan, automatic, with 218k miles allegedly a strong running engine... I message about if the motor is pulled and best price. Kid immediately drops to $800 saying if I bring wheels (will E34 wheels fit over the M3 brakes?... I really don't want to buy wheels just for a single sale...) I can drive it off for $800. That would give me ECU, wiring harness, motor w/all parts, and even the rear differential that I can use to part out before scrapyarding the car... Dang right?
However, I need to make the case to my wife that it's okay I went from ZERO parts cars ever, to TWO at once... Given the slow downs at work, I do have time to wrench though.
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