m20 or m10. Opinions

[6gen91]

So ive got an 84 318i. Ive got the stock m10 pulled with 110k miles on it, ran fine. Ive also got a donor 325e with the m20b25 still in the car that i was planning on pulling. it has 150k on it, and is from an automatic. Im debating if i should swap the m20 or keep the m10 and boost it. If i swapped, i would obviously have to buy a new trans and dif. Also, would it be easier to swap out the whole front end(engine,subframe,suspension,etc)? Opinions would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[Sagaris]

I have done two engine swaps in my time. They were both a PITA.

Even though an M20 fits in the engine bay, it will be a chore to go through and make sure you have all the parts and everything right. I am not a big fan of turbos but I think turboing the M10 would be the most cost effective thing to do. It may be harder to find a spare M10 if something blows up, but they are always cheap. An M10 will provide plenty of room in the engine bay for things as well. Maybe im not hardcore, but I just find engine swaps annoying and tedious.

[6gen91]

thankyou. anyone else? if all goes well, this will be done tomorrow, i just need more input. thanks

[Sagaris]

What will be done? Swapping the M20 or putting the M10 back in?

[6gen91]

its happening tomorrow. im still debating and waiting for more input from others. i also realized u dont live to far from me. you should come through and help out =D ha

[KillaCams]

325e has a 2.7 M20 not the 2.5, unless it was swapped at some point. Your engine choice depends on your goals for the car and your budget

[6gen91]

my budget is tight. and i looked up a chart. its a 90 325e 4 door. said it had the 2.5. and it also looks different from my buddies 2.7 so its w.e idc

[Adrian_Visser]

No such thing as a 1990 325e. Stick with the m10 if you are on a budget.

[iamsam]

Stick with the M10, M20s suck anyway, save up and do an M42 swap, or an S50 swap. Well an M42 swap on a budget, but If you are going to ever save long-term, do an S50. Best motor for an E30 imho.

Yep, flame away at me people, M42s kick ass, and M20s suck. That's right.

[6gen91]

well if i swap the m20 i wont be boostin any time soon, power wise, the m10 just isnt right for me because i wont be boostin right away.... its such a difficult choice to choose from.

[6gen91]

i also dont have the money to redo internals on the m10, so i would be boost on stock internals. is this a good or bad thing?

[KillaCams]

i also dont have the money to redo internals on the m10, so i would be boost on stock internals. is this a good or bad thing?

I would just wait and save up enough to build what i want. half assing stuff with a build will just leave you disappointed in the outcome

[Dj Buttchug]

a full m42 swap can be had for less than 500 bucks. good budget swap.

[freeride53]

yeah, if you haven't heard, m42>m10 for miles, and miles.

[6gen91]

im not goin in the m42 direction. its between the m20 n/a for a while then turbo or a boosted m10 on stock internals?