M10 rebuild or swap? need help.

[pyrobee]

So I have a blown headgasket, and I am bringing this car back to the states with me from Italy where I am stationed. I am wanting to restore/resto-mod this car. It is either going to get a new engine(M10) or a swap that the stock transmission and driveline can handle...

[VinniE30]

I would stick with the M10. It's unique (not many M10 e30s around anymore), it has the lightest front end of an e30 engine configuration for great handling and turn-in, it gets great gas mileage, it's cheap to maintain(also to rebuild or replace), it's easy to work on, and it's very reliable.
It's basically great in almost every way an engine can be if you don't care about power.(albeit that's a big
"if")
and even if you do care about power they will take a turbo well...

[pyrobee]

Alright so next question what would be a good resource for me to use to rebuild and turbo this car? I would like to get some info from someone who has added a turbo so that I might get a parts list and an approximate cost.
I was going to buy a new engine, but if I can rebuild the entire motor myself and add the turbo at the same time for around the same price + the turbo obviously then I would do that. I guess that would be a good resto mod start. I would also like to delete all the unnecessary items as well.

[Jaxx_]

I would budget $3000 to $5000 on the low end of a turbo conversion and rebuild.

[pyrobee]

So I think I am just going to rebuild it. Starting tomorrow the engine is coming out... actually maybe I should get the manual first.

[thebutterson]

Personally, if it came to importing a car from Italy, I would bring back a 320is. We never got the 2.0 s14 here, nor did we get a non m3 with an s14. If you're budgeting several thousand for an engine rebuild, along with the time, I think it'd be better invested finding and buying a 320is.

M10 e30's are so cheap here because nobody wants them. You could get yourself a good set of euro bumpers or save them from the e30 you have now, throw them in the trunk of the 320is and purchase another e30 when you get here so you don't have to rack up mileage on the 320is.

Winning.

[pyrobee]

except that I have a free car, no sun roof, euro bumpers and grill and only need to replace a head gasket really, but was thinking about rebuilding since it would be pretty cheap.

[pyrobee]

I like my little m10 and have seen that they can make some good power. I am just wondering if i am going to rebuild, what all should I change out to add a little power and performance. I am not going racing just a little more push... something fun.

[Hey_You]

An L-Jet m10 doesn't have many options. I'm about 90% sure that after all available performance options are installed, you will still be wanting more out of the little turd. Short of a turbocharger, the better option would be m20/m30/m50 swap.

[hahaitzskippy]

anyone have issues with the m10 being underpowered?

[SoopaGhetto]

anyone have issues with the m10 being underpowered?

i think most who actually do stuff to the m10 realize its underpowered. otherwise they would go with the next step up: m20 and ditch the m10 all together.

when i had the m10, i knew the tech was lacking. being from the '60s, going from carb to crappy l-jet, i immediately went standalone. you could then push the engine further to its full potential, without boost.

[SkiFree]

anyone have issues with the m10 being underpowered?

Its generally underpowered in the E30, but is great in the 2002.

[5Toes]

Why rebuild when you cna redo headgasket megasquirt it and then have some fun?

[irish44j]

1. You in Sig?
2. Where are you coming back to in the US?
3. Why are you bringing a BMW back instead of a Lancia Delta??????

I sincerely wish I had brought my Lancia back when I was in Naples.... :(

Oh, and I'll have a good-running M10 with all accessories and some new stuff for sale this winter in DC area. I'm swapping to M42 in the rallycross car. For street driving M10 is fine. For racing.....not so much without boost (which isn't good for rallycross).

[thebutterson]

I'm fighting a lean issue right now. My car will barely make it up to freeway speeds or up hills. I'm gonna try and change the main pump tonight and see what happens. Cracking the throttle open causes fuel pressure to drop about 6psi, so I'm thinking it might not be putting out the required fuel.