small step to making a good car. =]

[harv]

Yea M-10's are no good.



That's going in my 2002.

John

[87-325ic]

agreed, turbo m10, or swap Other than an m20. m30 or m5x sXX whatever you wish.

[Holland]

I love M20s, but even in a light chassis like the E30 they really aren't that quick of a motor without throwing tons of money at them. If you're doing a motor swap, are poor and want to be be on the quick side, try an M30B35. That'll really wake you up.

This or 24v, if you want an m20 buy a 325. Do something that's a bit more worth it.

[Wh33lhop]

I love M20s, but even in a light chassis like the E30 they really aren't that quick of a motor without throwing tons of money at them. If you're doing a motor swap, are poor and want to be be on the quick side, try an M30B35. That'll really wake you up.

[trackjunkie21]

turbo the m10
/thread

[e34john]

Why would anyone want to go through all the trouble of swapping motors for an m20?

[ethree]

Well then, you go ahead and clean the shit out of your car so it can be that more functional and do us all a favor and burn that slow ass m10., once you're done with that comeback for an M20 swap in your clean e30.

M20 cars are slow as hell without some major work or boost.

Why would anyone want to go through all the trouble of swapping motors for an m20? Just because they're cheap as chips?

I say boost the m10.

[IRON-E]

That has crossed my mind.
I kind of want to keep the m10. just because the weight difference between the m10 and m20.

if you don't even want to take the time or money to upkeep your current M10, how are you going to be able to fix it once you put the TeRDBO and or an M20 swap?

[simbas_e30]

I'd boost the m10 before doing a m20 swap.

That has crossed my mind.
I kind of want to keep the m10. just because the weight difference between the m10 and m20.

[JasonC]

I'd boost the m10 before doing a m20 swap.

[simbas_e30]

Well then, you go ahead and clean the shit out of your car so it can be that more functional and do us all a favor and burn that slow ass m10., once you're done with that comeback for an M20 swap in your clean e30.

i want to do a m20 swap, but dont have the money for it right now.
Im working on it though.

[IRON-E]

I have an M10.
I already did changed the plugs, oil filter, ail filter, distributor and cap, wires, oil, coolant, all that other stuff.


It runs fine, just needs some more cleaning.
Im working on that.
When i get the money i will replace the timing stuff.

Well then, you go ahead and clean the shit out of your car so it can be that more functional and do us all a favor and burn that slow ass m10., once you're done with that comeback for an M20 swap in your clean e30.

[simbas_e30]

First thing I did on my E30 was the timing belt and water pump. If you don't know the last time either one has been done then do them both, ASAP. If your timing belt snaps, kiss your engine goodbye.

I paid about $200 for a new timing belt, belt tensioner, new accessory belts (few bucks a pop, why not), cam seal which I forgot to install, and a good water pump. It took about a weekend.

In a nutshell:
Drain coolant
Remove hood
Remove belt fan
Remove radiator
Remove accessory belts
Remove timing covers
Remove and reinstall timing belt/tensioner/water pump
Make sure timing is spot on (TDC marks line up with proper tension)
Put everything back together and bleed coolant
There are plenty of writeups if you look around, try Pelican Parts

After you're done with that you might want to do a valve adjustment, and change the oil/filter if you don't know when that was last done either, typically people use 10W30 or so in these motors but generally 20W50 is better suited to the car. Just grab some 20W50 Castrol GTX or Valvoline VR-1, don't bother with synthetic stuff in an M20.

I have an M10.
I already did changed the plugs, oil filter, ail filter, distributor and cap, wires, oil, coolant, all that other stuff.


It runs fine, just needs some more cleaning.
Im working on that.
When i get the money i will replace the timing stuff.

[reelop19]

Solid advice, orrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....you could have a nice car that doesn't move from the driveway.

[Wh33lhop]

First thing I did on my E30 was the timing belt and water pump. If you don't know the last time either one has been done then do them both, ASAP. If your timing belt snaps, kiss your engine goodbye.

I paid about $200 for a new timing belt, belt tensioner, new accessory belts (few bucks a pop, why not), cam seal which I forgot to install, and a good water pump. It took about a weekend.

In a nutshell:
Drain coolant
Remove hood
Remove belt fan
Remove radiator
Remove accessory belts
Remove timing covers
Remove and reinstall timing belt/tensioner/water pump
Make sure timing is spot on (TDC marks line up with proper tension)
Put everything back together and bleed coolant
There are plenty of writeups if you look around, try Pelican Parts

After you're done with that you might want to do a valve adjustment, and change the oil/filter if you don't know when that was last done either, typically people use 10W30 or so in these motors but generally 20W50 is better suited to the car. Just grab some 20W50 Castrol GTX or Valvoline VR-1, don't bother with synthetic stuff in an M20.