M42 turbo vs. M50 swap

[steezii]

I'm nearly getting a headache thinking about this so damn much..
I'm new to the forum, I need help. I'm a couple weeks away from purchasing a '91 318is, 180k miles on the clock but well cared for, JOM coils and 16x8 Rota Grid V's all around, other than that it's stock. Runs strong, no leaks, appears to be a solid dd, is what i'm in need of. This will not by any means be a track car at least for a while. I of course want more power than the baby stock m42 can put out being all motor so I started to research m42 turbo setups a couple weeks ago. I'm really surprised that, on stock internals, the m42 really doesn't look like it will push near 300whp on anywhere from 10 to 15psi, at least not one that i could find on ANY forum or youtube.

Then there's the m50, need I say more?

This project will be a budget build, I'm not a rich man by any means. That's what is making me lean away from the swap. I could leave the original powerplant in her and sacrifice all kinds of power while possibly saving money and a lot of wrenching. Don't get me wrong I'm not getting this car to half-ass anything but a lot of time and effort and dollars could be saved if I go m42. I live in Boise (no I don't live on a potato farm) :) and there's not a huge market here for e30's, not a lot of parts floating around and sure not a lot of knowledge on these amazing cars floating around as far as all the gearheads I know, I'm the only BMW guy I know.

I need a solid daily driver, but I do want power and I want a fun car. I'm not looking for an insane setup but my goal is somewhere close to 260-270 whp.

Can I get some insight?

Here she is..

[Danny]

How old are you?

[steezii]

22, why?

[Dj Buttchug]

This project will be a budget build

The m42 is not for you.

Do an m5x swap and be done.

a lot of time and effort and dollars could be saved if I go m42.

This is extremely untrue, especially @ the hp goals you are after

[steezii]

Awesome.. Thanks.

[steezii]

I thought the m42 would be less costly but I'll take your word.

[Dj Buttchug]

I thought the m42 would be less costly but I'll take your word.

the cheapest way to get to that hp goal would be m50 on like 8-10 psi. but that might not bring 260 wheel.

any more than that you need MLS to lower compression and better fastening hardware.

srry to shatter your dreams or whatever but m42 costs alot to make any real power.

[steezii]

You're not shattering anything i know it's a little dreamy.. Why don't i take that back and just say anything over 200whp would make me happy. Could I keep stock internals and the same compression and have close to 200? I want the m42, I like it and not very many people do anything with it as far as I can see.

I don't want just another m50 swap.. You know what I mean? I can see your buttchug photo haha looks beautiful.

I should have said in the beginning that i'm considering the swap but would prefer to keep the four banger.

[Dj Buttchug]

try this

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=123978

[steezii]

By the way your thread is inspiring i'm in love.

Thanks for that, I think I'll be keeping my m42.

It might take me more time but I feel in the end it's worth it.

[roguetoaster]

I'm a couple weeks away from purchasing a '91 318is, 180k miles on the clock but well cared for. Runs strong, no leaks, appears to be a solid dd, is what i'm in need of.

I of course want more power than the baby stock m42 can put out.

This project will be a budget build.

I need a solid daily driver, but I do want power and I want a fun car. I'm not looking for an insane setup but my goal is somewhere close to 260-270 whp.

Don't buy it to modify, for all of the reasons you listed.

Basically, if you are already looking for more power before you even buy it, just don't. It's almost always cheaper to let someone else do the work for you and buy their car, complete with the power level you want.

In essence, a stock engine M42 E30 as it sits is a fun car, and a great DD. If you cannot appreciate that fact it's simply not the car for you. I have DD mine for more than 2 years dead stock and continue to enjoy the car. Do I ever want more power, yes, of course. But I solved by buying an additional car, in my case an '84 Hartge H5S, the perfect counterpoint to my 318i.

Remember, power is not everything, slow car driven fast, & etc.

[MF DOOM]

maybe go e85? fuel pump and huge injectors, arp studs, ms. and document the results for everyone.


buttchug pretty much killed it in that first post. i refuse to add up what ive spent so far.. i do agree with the toaster though. maybe keep it as a daily and get another m42 to build?