Need a little help decideing what to do

[sofargone561]

Okay, so i just bought a 1984 325e. its in good shape just need a whole lot of TLC.

Ive recently started sanding and painting the exterior and soon will be completly gutting the interior and painting the interior as well. After that i will be putting in a roll cage. I would like to replace the window and all weather seals becuase they look like shit. I am going to keep them all glass except the back seat windows, i was thinking about replacing those with lexan.

Okay so here is where im stuck. The engine! The car is going to start off a track only car but everntually i would really like to make it into a track/show/weekend warrior car. I want a solid 300whp to start but I want to make sure i have plenty of room for more. I think thats more then enough to start off with.

So now, what should I do? should i swap in an LSD, rebuild the 2.7e motor and swap the head to alow higher revs and boost that? or should i do something like an s14, or s50/s52 swap? Ive also considered an sr20 swap. I really want something that can produce a lot of power but still be easy to maintain and pretty easy to source parts that dont cost an arm and a leg. I really want to stay with a 6l an not go down to a 4 cylinder but ill do what i have to.

So what do you guys recomend? Should i just rebuild my 2.7 and swap heads over and boost it? or should i do one of the other swaps mention above? or maybe an m50 swap or something?

Im really leaning to just rebuild the motor i have and swap the heads and boost it. I think it would be a pain in the ass but fun and more rewarding in the end. Any suggestions or advice?

I was also reading about swaping the e30 steering rack for an e36 m3 steering rack, is this something i should do? I have so many questions i dont want to over load this thread with them all at once though. I will start a build thread tuesday night or sometime wednesday with pictures of the car and will update it as much as i can =)


BTW i would like to keep A/C and Power steering. I might part with power steering but A/C has to stay fl is to hot for that shit

[sofargone561]

anyone? no suggestions or advice?

[dannyyisntt]

1. M52 with turbo: takes boost well. Add arp headstuds and a thicker headgasket

2. z3 steering rack is better than m3.

[sofargone561]

1. M52 with turbo: takes boost well. Add arp headstuds and a thicker headgasket



2. z3 steering rack is better than m3.

Thats something that would be pretty fun i think. How much power do you think i can expect from that? Im sorry im so newb to BMW motors =( also when do they redline? i love a high revving motor. I read something somewhere about the z3 sterring rack. i will look into that =)

[VinniE30]

s2000 motor
FYI it's called the F20C or the F22C in the later models (indicating 2.0 and 2.2 liters)

I heard the s2000 transmission has a really nice shift feel, like the best ever. I haven't drove one to know but i've heard it from many many different people.

I think the characteristics of the motor are perfect for the e30 too. It has a very high powerband and is very rev happy which is best suited for lighter cars, like the e30.

I've seen it done once before, I think there was a thread about it on here. Very unique, definitely the most unique out of your options.

[sofargone561]

s2000 motor
FYI it's called the F20C or the F22C in the later models (indicating 2.0 and 2.2 liters)

I heard the s2000 transmission has a really nice shift feel, like the best ever. I haven't drove one to know but i've heard it from many many different people.

I think the characteristics of the motor are perfect for the e30 too. It has a very high powerband and is very rev happy which is best suited for lighter cars, like the e30.

I've seen it done once before, I think there was a thread about it on here. Very unique, definitely the most unique out of your options.

I know its the F20c and F22c i was a big honda guy when i first got into cars and still DD a honda 2day. I almost bought a 700whp turbo s2000 but back out becuase i didnt want to spend the money. I really kinda want to stay straight 6 but its still an optoin. there just a lot of money. I know i can do most of the things i want to do to my motor and have a very nice level of power for the proce of the motor anf tranny alone from them. I will be a little upset about the revs though. I love high revs and one of the reason i loved honda so much. vtec is a black as well lol

[sofargone561]

started my build thread tonight. next update will be Wednesday more pics coming!

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=231612