M30 or V8?

[TheBankslife]

Alright so I've been stuck on this for a couple weeks now and I just can't decide what to do. I've got my M10 engine out of my 318, and I make the decision between a M30B35 swap vs a 383 Chevy or 302 Mustang engine. I'm not really trying to go fast around corners and my car is already considerably light without the interior..

keep in mind I don't plan on having A/C or heat going to be a street legal track car.

So I find myself asking do I go through the complication of getting a M30B35, rebuilding and a wiring harness with the ECU and probably mega squirt with turbo OR do I just find a nice American Muscle v8 383 or 350 or 302 which will push the same HP if not more stock..

I understand that the weight of those v8 blocks are substantially different from a M30 but I'm trying to get the best bang for my buck even if it only works best in a straight line.. this car is not made to be a DD... I already found a couple of M30 candidates and a few small block chevy 383's so I just have to decide whats the better swap.

[Jean]

turbo the m10. m30b35 won't make your car into a drag car either...w/o boost.

[TheBankslife]

I was planning on boosting the M30 but from what I've heard the M10 isn't really a good idea.

[Click]

Someone on here was boosting the m10 on stock internals for awhile and eventually bent a rod around 400 hp or so iirc...

[e30trooper]

Someone on here was boosting the m10 on stock internals for awhile and eventually bent a rod around 400 hp or so iirc...

good&tight .... you search

[Ayman]

^^he wasn't looking for anything benjamin :P

OP m30s are my favorite motor so you should go with that cause i said so.

[tfritz]

My vote is m30, I have one in my car and love it! Its a fairly straight forward swap too, and besides, a german car needs a german heart...

[SkiFree]

OP m30s are my favorite motor so you should go with that cause i said so.

I agree with this man.

[IronFreak]

It's going to cost money either way. it's your car do what you want. I don't know jack about m30, but I do know sbf.....if you search you can get a 87-94 (factory roller engine) setup with a tranny in functioning order for a grand easy, maybe cheaper. If you are going to boost, it doesn't take much to do it to these, and I have seen time and time again stock blocks running 15-18lbs. of boost all day. Aftermarket quality parts are way cheaper because the market is so big.

If you're a purist go with the M30 and keep a "German heart"......if you want the best bang for your buck, 383 is you stay N/A, 302 if you're going boost. It all cost money.

My 2 cents....

[TheBankslife]

If you're a purist go with the M30 and keep a "German heart"......if you want the best bang for your buck, 383 is you stay N/A, 302 if you're going boost. It all cost money.

My 2 cents....

I'm almost sold on AM just concerned how much handling I'm going to loose because of the heavy front end.. the car itself is light, removed fuel tank and interior and hood. I've ordered a 20 gallon fuel cell for the trunk and the interior will only consist of 2 racing seats, roll cage and the dash. and I don't plan on putting the hood back on..

What do you think? going to be that much of a difference?

PS.. Cost on boosting 302?

[IronFreak]

Cost is relative to what deals you can find.....What I have in mine so far...

Motor - Free
Turbo - $250
Injectors - 250
fpr - 180
tremec tr-3550 transmission - $900
clutch - $300
intercooler - $150
misc? - $500
MSII with all the goodies for wasted spark $600
fuel pump - $140

I know this isn't everything either just a quick list of what I could think of.

[IronFreak]

I'm almost sold on AM just concerned how much handling I'm going to loose because of the heavy front end.. the car itself is light, removed fuel tank and interior and hood. I've ordered a 20 gallon fuel cell for the trunk and the interior will only consist of 2 racing seats, roll cage and the dash. and I don't plan on putting the hood back on..

What do you think? going to be that much of a difference?

PS.. Cost on boosting 302?

Yes they are heavier, about 80-100lbs. more then an m20. That being said your weight distribution is different. you'll have 2 more cylinders sitting behind the front axle. Not knowing your fabrication abilities you can go to e30v8 and get everything "special" you need for the swap. I'm a steel fabricator by trade, I will be modifying my fire wall to allow the motor to sit back even further. Plus side to this, it will allow more room on the front side of the motor for exhaust and intercooler piping.

[LJ851]

Yes they are heavier, about 80-100lbs. more then an m20.

Note that this is aprox the same weight as a M30.

[IronFreak]

Note that this is aprox the same weight as a M30.

Cool thanks, I learned something today!

P.S. The scout is sick

[WatchMyDrift]

Honestly the m30 looks good in the e30 and is a classic look. If i were to do a v8 i would go with an ls1. they are easier to work on and there are endless parts for them. also if you break something you can go to autozone or oreilly's and they will have your part there.....