best way to make power on a budget ?

[BMWkid91]

Anyone have localy an I head ?

[e30Squid]

I am not going to claim to be an expert on the 2.7i head swap, but it might do you some good to seach 2.7i first.

What year is your car? Is it an ETA or SETA?

Chances are you need more than just the cylinder head.....you will need the wiring harness, intake manifold, harmonic balancer (with gear for crank sensor), "i" plug wires, "i" injectors, & ecu (preferrably "173").

[87e30]

Unless you want to build the engine while doing a headswap, eta's just arent' worth the money imo.

Simple m20b25 swap + 3.73 diff (lots cheaper)

Or m50 swap.

Eta's suck. :( I have one, I know.

[BMWkid91]

Yah ik they do suck but when the cars pretty much rust free and dent free. Its worth it to atleast do somthing like a motor swap like an 2.5 or 3.5 motor.

[BMWkid91]

1985 325e

[iwantspeed]

depending on your age and your wallet I would just buy maintenance parts for the engine, brakes and suspension and just drive the car.

[Sagaris]

depending on your age and your wallet I would just buy maintenance parts for the engine, brakes and suspension and just drive the car.

cosigned.

From my point of view there are 3 choices

1)Learn to accept the car for what it is, save lots of money by not throwing mods at it which will still not satisfy/put the money into brakes suspension, and tires if you insist on tinkering.
(a 70hp car with a good chassis, suspension, and tires can be more fun than a 300hp car depending on how you drive it/how you define "fun")

2) Spend many hours and many thousands of dollars on an engine swap or turbo which can cause even more headaches, and still not be as fast as you would want to (I know of S50 swapped e30 owners that are looking for more power)

3)Save your money for a newer/faster car, because whether you like it or not, most minivans produced within the last 10 years will outrun your car, even with lots of mods on it.

I tend to believe that you need to BUY 90% of the performance capability you desire in a car up front, then spend small amounts of money for the last 10% by way of tires, brakes, suspension, and a basic chip/intake upgrade for that extra 5-10hp

[bryant.cw]

^^ Sage advice

I think a lot can be done to change how a car feels or responds, but really changing the limits costs a ton of money to do right, and often times a ton of money to do wrong as well.

Swap is easiest way I think to get reliable power.

Or, if you are good at building motors, get the e block, m50b28 crank (Requires machined part for the 'nose', otherwise you need custom pistons to keep compression over 9:1) , i rods and piston, i head, i cam or upgraded cam, W.A.R. chip and tuning. Good for over 200hp. This would be pretty cheap (relatively) and with no wiring mess like an m50 swap.

[dinanm3atl]

M50...

[Kershaw]

S54...

[87e30]

I agree with the save your money advice above. I was in your shoes (with out the long commutes) and embarked on an m52 swap. It was my first really mechanical thing, I had to cheap on some stuff (college, trying to do budget) and it simply took longer than expected. I'm not saying it can't be done on a budget well, but it takes someone with wayyy more planning, help, or experience than I had. While I love the end result, the car really was fun in it's own way before and realizing that will save you a lot of hassle.

[BMWkid91]

see college is already paid for and Im rocked two jobs so a motor swaps simple enough to me

[ExDubber]

does a cam do anything for these engines? I am very happy with the way my M20 operates, but a little kick would be nice.
After enjoying a 350 wheel hp VRT, im not looking for big power

[LowR3V'in]

Don't waste your money on this engine. :P

[iwantspeed]

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