More power from m20 questions....

[liv2race]

Hey everyone. Basically, I love the car. It's set up well and I have a blast with it on the road course. Currently the only mod is a freshly rebuilt 4.10lsd rear. (got brakes, suspension, rim/tires.)

I might have 3k for power. I'm really torn. Looking at v8 swaps, m50, full bolt on m20, turbo, supercharger etc etc.

V8. Ford 302. Can't find a single person with a running v8 to get info from. Don't want a ls due to $ and I think it's just to much power for the e30.

M50. Once I go to the stock m50 gearing I don't expect much of a difference from my m20 with 4.10s. Don't wanna take a Hugh hit to stay same power levels. Have access to nvm50

Bolt on m20. I have access to a built m20 head. Was gonna do that with all the other goodies from miller performace and a cam and hope for 200whp. But at a cost of 3k

Turbos main problem is can't find a good real world set up for 250-300whp. All are waky 500hp for really unreliable and laggy. I need something VERY reliable. Coming from a wrx I hate lag!

Blower. Only kit I know of is for non ac cars and cost 4k


I know you guys are gonna say you wanna play you gotta pay and stuff but imjust looking for some reliable hp. I do all my own work. Just stuck on the route!

Suggestions? Options?

[blefevre]

We are going to say search. Too much info on here. To sum it up.

1. 200whp on a NA M20 costs a ton.
2. TCD makes a "reliable" bolt on kit for 250-300hp.
3. Just do a S50/S52 swap.

[bastianshaw]

+1 m20 NA is a dead end. Swap.

[DmcL]

not a dead end.. the catch for decent power from an M20 is boost lol

[BergerNJ]

I think s5x swap is best option...just stick it out with what sounds like a good m20 until you have everything for the swap.....

You're already so close

[TimR]

Stay BMW

Turbo 700-1000 HP

[MTechnikII]

go to E30.de click on the main pic of cabrio,
I think A V8 BMW is the way to go powerful and smooth.
Henry

[e30slidewayz]

http://www.streetfire.net/video/big-turbo-900hp-3800ccbmw-e30_27866.htm

[Sagaris]

I still haven't come across an M50 swapped e30 that can out-accelerate my m20, and I am still running an automatic. I plan on keeping the m20 due to cheaper replacment parts ( such as a cylinder head or block). A lot of the things that I have done are the small things which people on the forums will tend to say "dont waste your time, the OEM (insert part name) is better" or " there are no gains to be had by doing that"

If you honestly don't think you have the money time or skills to do a swap, then don't be afraid to keeping the M20 and enjoy it NOW as opposed to anticipating "that day" when you will be able to do a swap. Yes it would take a lot of money to get the same power from an M20 as in an S5x swap but if you work things smartly, improve the overall efficiency of the car, and get your mind away from achieving some set peak HP number, then you can have a strong m20 without the hassle of a swap, and the convenience of knowing that every part has a place and no wiring has been hacked.

[Knockenwelle]

^+1

Awful lot of M20 haters on here for a bunch of purists...

[IminDiegoTriick]

m20 with dry ice in intake
;)

[Sagaris]

I had a real clean unmolested s14 240sx that I had lots of dreams of doing work on. One night at the drag strip I saw the typical 1000hp Supra going down the track with no traction and thought to myself about how the owner must be into that car over $40-50k with the fiberglass bodywork, turbo + engine work , suspension, tires, wheels, cage, gauges, brakes, seats, harnesses, custom parts etc etc and he probably still isnt satisfied with its performance and has a list of things that need to be improved. Assuming that someone with a car like that might possibly still be "unsatisfied" was scary because I could see myself blowing a whole lot of cash on a car only to have it stolen, wrecked, or turn to rust. From then on, I have tried to enjoy my car for what it is, not caring what other people think of it, and not having unrealistic expectations. A lot of you know what I am talking about when I say that some of the most fun to drive cars are some of the slowest.

Sorry to go mildly off topic, just thought I would make one last addendum to the " There's nothing wrong with an M20" theme :P

[twitch]

Personally I would boost it...im a bit biased bu my god its fun. Plus when the guy driving a corvette finally catches back up once you hit a redlight and all of a sudden he wont look over at you anymore the feeling is great