Getting more power from my M20

[Euro Life]

Hey everyone, so as of yesterday im proud to say i bought my first car and its an 1987 325is. :)

So basically how does the M20 accept power mods? Before I do any mods to the engine i wanna make sure the M20 can take me where I want to go, if not i would do an M50 swap. Im not looking for crazy power i would be happy with 250hp to the rear wheels. But im mainly looking for an engine that sounds amazing, revs high, and puts a smile on my face. So would the M20 be able to give me that in a reliable streetable package? Or would an M50 swap be more realistic?

I would have no problem getting a stroker kit, or doing head work and so on. Obviously it would be when i could afford it. But in terms of engine work nothing is off the table as long as its reliable.

Thanks :)

[redlightpete]

Basically the only way to get 250 streetable whp out of an m20 is with forced induction. That's a 70% increase in power, and the m20 already has decent specific output for a 2 valve motor. You'll need to do some work to an s50/52 motor to get that output.

Enjoy your e30!

[digger]

250whp is doable from a streetable m20 and im all for it over a swap / turbo. however be aware pretty much every facet of the motor needs to be addressed and few OEM parts will remain so it will cost a bomb, also it wont be as refined as a more modern 24V motor. A stroker m20 is ultra reliable mechanically and can cop a fair bit of abuse. reliably there is other shit besides the motor thats likely to go wrong on a 25+year old car

[reelizmpro]

Turbocharging the M20 will get you there easily with moderate boost and it's never been cheaper.

[EatsHondas]

Anything is possible with $$$. How many $ do you have?

[15Michaeljoseph]

Anything is possible with $$$. How many $ do you have?

:)


--Mike

[goldenbb]

Sell the E30, buy something else. That, or enjoy the M20 for what it is and stop thinking you need crazy hp in order to enjoy the car.

[e30onBBSs]

Getting more power from my M20

Get a new dif and dont drive it on the highway

And have you not revved the m20? I'm all for more power but at the top 20% of the m20 the engine amazes me with "out of no where power" and the sound. It sounds to me just like what you are looking for! Banging it into third or second after a nice pull is just sooo fun. Can't beat the sound of an i6

[cdeason]

"Can't beat the sound of an i6"

Have you ever heard a S14 with DTM airbox at WOT ?

[e30onBBSs]

"Can't beat the sound of an i6"

Have you ever heard a S14 with DTM airbox at WOT ?

No I haven't, it's probably better but in my experience I have never heard anything better than that filthy m20 tractor roar

[redlightpete]

250whp is doable from a streetable m20 and im all for it over a swap / turbo. however be aware pretty much every facet of the motor needs to be addressed and few OEM parts will remain so it will cost a bomb, also it wont be as refined as a more modern 24V motor. A stroker m20 is ultra reliable mechanically and can cop a fair bit of abuse. reliably there is other shit besides the motor thats likely to go wrong on a 25+year old car

If this is your idea of evening entertainment, then yes, 250whp is doable from a streetable m20.

http://speedtalk.com/forum/viewtopic...31132&start=15

[digger]

"Can't beat the sound of an i6"

Have you ever heard a S14 with DTM airbox at WOT ?

yes it sounds inferior to an S54 with Carbon airbox or the onboard sounds of this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0leKdCOC-U