turbo m42?

[e9nine]

" it would weigh and handle better than a swapped car."

I dunno, I really dunno....very debatable. Both car's can be setup to compensate for their motor setup, I think its a matter of which driver can drive their setup better.

the m42 is undoubtably a better candidate for a turbo than an m10, and the simplicity and economy with which you could pull it off makes it better than the m20, too (in my opinion)

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There are way more m10 turbos than m42 turbos. M10s are easier to boost and get NA power out of in comparison to m42s in $ to hp ratio. That's what my research has shown me. Interchangeable parts of the m10 with s14 parts = MAJOR BENEFIT.

Just saying what I have noticed over the years. I knew all this prior to getting my m42 but still got it because of other reasons. Its not sheer coincidence that you don't see many options for power options for m42s among the aftermarket tuners.

[riverdale21]

I was planning on doing a 318is turbo too. So far here is what I've come up with:

Garrett GT28RS (disco potato for you SCC people) Turbo
Custom Exhaust Manifold (individual runners)
Second hand Water to air intercooler (I think its a Vortec unit)
Fully built engine pistons and rods
SMT-6 engine management
GM 3bar MAP sensor
4x550cc RC Eng. Injectors
325i clutch/flywheel w/323i throwout bearing
Custom intercooler plumbing

I will keep you guys posted on how the engine goes and how much power it puts down. I am expecting about 250whp @ about 16psi of boost.

[Rob]

and again, it would weigh and handle better than a swapped car.

drive one.




my argument is that neither project is 'easy', but at least the swap has a ton of free info available, and parts are easy to source. If you have the skills to do one, you can definately do the other, and vise versa, but with the m50, you dont really have to make anything or custom fab anything nowadays. and the fact is a swapped car will be faster with less fuss. again, i'll reiterate I'd like to see a well done turbo m42 car, but I'd never do it when I could have a faster, more reliable, better daily driven car with a twin cam six. I like to think i'd sacrifice outright performance for the sake of something as faggy as 'being unique'.

[rwh11385]

i'll reiterate I'd like to see a well done turbo m42 car, but I'd never do it when I could have a faster, more reliable, better daily driven car with a twin cam six.

I someone think that a cheap turbo setup will be the "well-done" turbo you'd hope to see.
What is the saying: Powerful, Reliable, Cheap.......Choose Two.

I could go for twin cam down the road. It's attractive because there should really be no reliability concerns. (besides plastic impeller t-stat or whatever) E36 seem to run perfectly fine, and don't have the worries of the M20 timing belt, or valve adjustment. Of course, these are not concerns with M42, but high CR and boost I believe would not mix well for DD.

There are just a few options for advanced performance, and we have never stopped debating over them: Turbo, Stroker, and Swap. (Or a combination of them......) But there are those loyal to turboeing the 12V, or stroking them, and others who are fans of putting a more powerful motor in the older car.

I support bargain turbo build ups, and have read about very cheap builds, but you should keep your schedule open to deal with issues, and plenty of funds in reserve. I personally would not take some junkyard parts and throw them at a M42, thinking everything will work out alright. It'd take serious consideration, and tuning, tuning, tuning.......SMT6 group buy......

btw, disco potato owns!

[hotghias]

doing an engine swap is a hell of a lot more intimidating than turboing a car, for me at least. i guess we just disagree there. turbo systems are not really that complicated. fuel management and tuning is the only real difficulty. everything else is a matter of a couple formulas, some flow maps, locating a couple parts, and a some welding.

plus, a cheap m50 engine alone runs about a grand. that doesnt include shipping if necessary, possibly needing a tranny, or other things you WILL need for the swap. AND, that only puts you around 180 horsepower when you're done before you have to drop mo money in mods. sure, you can step up to a s50 or whatever but you'll be paying a hell of a lot more (as in thousands more).

if all you want or need is a bit over 200 horses in a light 318, i don't see the need to swap engines.

also, I don't see how it is debatable that adding the extra weight of a six cylinder engine to the front of the car would detract from handling. sure, you can do things to remedy and help the situation, but if you applied the same money and time to setting the suspension up the lighter car, i believe you'd still come out ahead.

cheap, powerful, and reliable- normally you can pick two. but if you know your stuff, and are willing to work hard, and take your time, i am a firm believer that you can have all three (within reason).

riverdale21: awesome, i can't wait to hear how it turns out. congrats. hope you put all the naysayers to shame.