M30 vs M10

[TheBankslife]

Hello, I'm new to the forums and I was browsing around and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for so I thought I'd post a thread and get it figured out.

I recently purchased a 1985 BMW 318i which has the stock M10 engine in it.
After looking into it I'm getting a lot of mixed input between people saying the M10 engine is a good engine as it was the base for F1 in the 80's. I found a M30B35 engine on Kijiji for a reasonable price so the question I'm asking is would I be better off to keep the M10 I'm running and just rebuild and turbo? or would I have more power and speed from the M30B35 + turbo.

I understand the M10 is a 4cyl and much lighter than the 6cyl M30 and I've seen 4cyl engines pumping out 400hp..

[Hey_You]

It will be much much much more cost effective to get big power out of the m30 than the m10. Also, you can get that power out of the m10, but you will have no low end power still. The m30 is hands down the better option

[F34R]

The question really is; how much power are you after?

[kronus]

There's a big difference between a 400hp M10 and a 400hp M30. The M10 has forged internals, a custom cam, s14 crank, HD rockers, giant fucker of a turbo running 20+ psi, ported to all hell to let it breathe, and not really a car you can drive on regular streets next to regular people. A 400HP m30 can be done with stock internals, head studs and an MLS.

[frankie591]

m30 all the way

[iXguido]

There's a big difference between a 400hp M10 and a 400hp M30. The M10 has forged internals, a custom cam, s14 crank, HD rockers, giant fucker of a turbo running 20+ psi, ported to all hell to let it breathe, and not really a car you can drive on regular streets next to regular people. A 400HP m30 can be done with stock internals, head studs and an MLS.

This. A 400hp m10 is not a motor you want to daily, and will cost you a lot.

[dashboardmonkey]

M30, do it

[TheBankslife]

We'll I guess we've come to a conclusion! Thanks everyone haha I'm picking up the engine and transmission with shipping for $1,300.

[Good & Tight]

We'll I guess we've come to a conclusion! Thanks everyone haha I'm picking up the engine and transmission with shipping for $1,300.

You have made the right decision for sure. I had a turbo M10 and then switched to a turbo M30 and the power is night and day difference, the torque is insane.

[LowR3V'in]

Even coming from an m20 turbo the tq is much nicer.
MPG is not though.:p