IE 3.0 L stroker kit - worth the $2495 for a 3.0l engine?
Or should you try and collect used parts instead?
Or should you try and collect used parts instead?
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As time went on, the factory developed the car each year, making it faster, more comfortable, and capable of handling at higher speeds.
You don’t want this. You want the trickiest, most dangerous, oldest model you can find. Only then can you prove to the world that you’re a man. -
The only other option you have is to find a 3.0L S50 crank at a junkyard and have it machined to fit the M20. You'll still have to buy new custom forged pistons & rings though.
If you do the 3.0L stroker right, meaning build up rest of the engine at the same time, and get proper tuning (ie piggyback) then I'm very confident you will have a very enjoyable E30.......I like mine ;)
I'm getting 189rwhp & 207rwtq with a mild cam (Schrick 272/272), larger injectors, MAF, adj. FPR, mild porting, headers, and a Unichip piggyback unit. I managed to get a Cosworth forged 3.0L crank from IE though, but it appears they no longer offer it....only the cast ones now.
There is more power to be made with this engine but I had the head rebuilt to stock specs...........dumb me. But with heavy porting, larger valves and a more aggressive cam I'm quite sure 240hp at the crank would be very obtainable.
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Also bigger intake manifold, the 2.5 one obviously isn´t going to help out for a 3.0Originally posted by Chris E30 Cab
maybe 6 individual TB´s, I´m sure that will yield the most benefit at this point,Gunni
@ Prodrive / Aston Martin RacingComment
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I was contemplating going this route but decided on an M30 swap instead.
Dave Length did this and did a very extensive writeup on what is involved. Its not just $2500 for the kit. If you want to do it right you are going to drop quite a bit more than that.
Dave Length's 3.0L M20Comment
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Ya, I took a look at his site before, by far the most complete 3.0l complete stroker writeup Ive seen. I was just wondering if the kit was the way to go or if you could get used parts to lower the price for the crank and pistons. Is the s50 crank IE provides new or refurbished? I understand this is going to cost around $6-8k. But not all of that needs to be at once right?
Reason I am asking this is that I am looking at buying a 1990 325i with 180k miles, probably ready for a rebuild anyways, thats why I like the idea of doing the stroker at the same time.
BTW, do the symptoms for a rebuild come on all at once or gradually show up? What are they? Would a mechanic's pre-buy inspection be able to diagnose these symptoms? Thanks alot for the quick responses, much appreciated.
As time went on, the factory developed the car each year, making it faster, more comfortable, and capable of handling at higher speeds.
You don’t want this. You want the trickiest, most dangerous, oldest model you can find. Only then can you prove to the world that you’re a man.Comment
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Yeah a Dbilas would be a fine addition....hehe. I'm still waiting for Calvin Tan to dyno his 3.0L w/ Dbilas.Originally posted by gstuning
I've been trying to find a larger intake manifold for some time now, but nobody appears to make them. I know Dan Pinder (old BEN'er) made a custom one for his turbo setup, but I seriously lack the skills & tools to go that route.Comment
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It wasn't really that difficult. You could probably get a machine shop to fab it up for you.
I'm running a 74mm BBK throttle body as well.
Pictures:
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Cheers Dan, and those shots of the inside are very helpful.Comment
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Hey Chris, what do you mean by maching it? What exactly? So far I see i don't have to mahcine nothign except to make a custom sleave for the seal.
Check here...
Euro M3'87 NogaroSilver/Euro E34 M5 '93/Porsche 993 TT 97' Euro/Porsche 993 Carrera 95' Euro/Skyline R33 GT-R
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You can also give Pete McHenry a call in North Carolina a call. He is listed in the back of the Roundel under Techinical Service Advisors. He built my M20 3.0L bottom end. I'm very happy with my engine. Call him up for pricing info. I THINK that his method is slightly different than what the IE kit involves. In any case, Pete was on of the first, or perhaps the first (other than Alpina, Hartge..) on this continent anyways, to perform the stroker conversion on a quality level.Comment
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the IE kit is a copy of the McHen kit. If you have the pistons side by side you can't tell them apart. It's a direct rip off.
Keep in mind taht this kit has 10.25:1 compression, so if you can't get 94 octane gas you may want to reconsider.Adam Fogg- '88 M3
Common sense- It's the new 'gifted'Comment
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I'm not sure I understand. You mean that the IE kit comes only with one kind of spec piston (10.25:1)?
Pete had asked me before we got started, on what kind of compression I wanted. I opted for 8.5:1 pistons, since I would of turbocharged the engine after the rebuild.Comment
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That is correct.Originally posted by bmwdude
I always work with customers on compression before I build a motor too, but IE sells a pre made kit.Adam Fogg- '88 M3
Common sense- It's the new 'gifted'Comment
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LOL, that compression ratio hardly warrants the need for 94 octane, pleaseOriginally posted by AdamF 88iSComment
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It does on an M20. The compression ratio isn't the only influence on knock control.Originally posted by MR 325'91 318is
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