How much power can be extracted for the M42 ?

[mjc85]

I have a 1990 318is, almost got $10,000 saved to lash out on my car. The M42 in my car has 78000 miles (125000kms) and is currently stock, i aim to get front + rear struts, upgrade to M3 Spec front and rear sway bars, Some low springs. I already have bilstein sports. Am also planning a turbo or supercharger conversion, but i need a little help.

I don't know whether it is worth keeping the M42 and spending cash on it, or pissing it off and getting a S14 ? What is another engine, that is reasonably priced and responds good to work?

Will my current gearbox (stock to 318is) handle the power of a hot S14 ? I don't think my car has an LSD but i will get it made into a LSD.

I also need a bit of help choosing between a Supercharger and a Turbocharger ? What are some positives and negatives ? I realise the supercharger is probably the cheaper option as i don't need to get custom manifolds.

How much power do you think it is possible to extract out of the M42 ?

Mitch
PS. Sorry for some noob questions

[Streetspec_iS]

a few threads to ponder

http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10496

http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6366

hmm, there was another good one, but i cant seem to find it. not bookmarked on this comp. just search for m42 and you will get a whole selection. as much as i hate to admit it (i love the m42), i think the m50 swap is the best bet. if you get tired of the power, you could then always boost the m50. the m42 is always gonna be getting stretched to its limits.

in all honesty, in AU, i wouldnt bother with the s14. its a good idea, and ive always wanted to do it myself, but it seems too hard. finding one is probably the hardest thing, followed by a lack of local parts sources and knowlege etc.

if you are going the motor swap route, itd be much easier to go with the m50. they are relatively easy to find around the place, and parts will be readily available afterwards. plus there are enough ppl that have done it if you need help. from what i hear, the s14 swap can be a bit of a PITA. ie, not as strainght forward as it appears.

as for boosting, sydney is the best place to start looking. ALS have done both types, as have Bavaria Cars. on DTM and other forums, there is a dude called Raima who has a supercharged m44 318Ti. he is putting down some seriously scary numbers. hes the man to talk to in regards to getting blown. ;), god that sounded nasty.

hope that made sense, im a lil fukked up due to alcohol and meds.

chrz, j

[Halon]

Re: How much power can be extracted for the M42 ?

I have a 1990 318is, almost got $10,000 saved to lash out on my car. PS. Sorry for some noob questions

Save a little more and buy an M3

[nando]

Re: How much power can be extracted for the M42 ?

I have a 1990 318is, almost got $10,000 saved to lash out on my car. PS. Sorry for some noob questions

Save a little more and buy an M3

they didn't have the E30 M3 in Australia..

[Rob]

if you have $10k, dont even bother modding the m42

[Jon325i]

If you have $10K buring a hole in your pocket and no M3s available in your area, get your hands on any late model E30 and drop a twin cam 6 in it. With the money you have you could get a car fully sorted out that will walk on a 4-banger all day.

Jon

[GreekDriver]

The M50 swap is a bad idea.

The 318is is SUPPOSE to be lightweight. With that heavy pig M50, your car would suck. The V8 motor from your Holden Monaro is 100lbs lighter than the M50, more reliable, has alot more potential, has ALOT more stock power(double I think) and gets better gas mileage. You might as well swap that if you are considering putting a twin-cam BMW I-6.

You could also put in an M20 out of a E30 325i, and turbo it. There is plenty of information, and the M20 responds really well to a turbo and can take high boost. It would keep front end weight down, so your handling wouldn't be affected as much as with an M50.

There are very few forced induced 318is E30s out there. So there isnt much information. That would be a harder project. The LS1 swap, would be the hardest though.

[Rob]

what? how many m50 powered 318s have you driven?


so wait, he shouldnt do an m50, but he should do an m20 and turbo?


:roll:

[Jonathan M3]

LS1s are NOT 100lbs lighter than an m50, they are slightly heavier than an m50 actually. Plus the t56 tranny that would be needed with an LS1 is a good bit heavier than a bmw getrag or ZF unit.

[GreekDriver]

LS1s are NOT 100lbs lighter than an m50, they are slightly heavier than an m50 actually. Plus the t56 tranny that would be needed with an LS1 is a good bit heavier than a bmw getrag or ZF unit.

I'm almost positive I read the LS1 was 100lbs lighter. I did read the T56 was heavier than a 5speed BMW Getrag unit.

[Jonathan M3]

LS1s are NOT 100lbs lighter than an m50, they are slightly heavier than an m50 actually. Plus the t56 tranny that would be needed with an LS1 is a good bit heavier than a bmw getrag or ZF unit.

I'm almost positive I read the LS1 was 100lbs lighter. I did read the T56 was heavier than a 5speed BMW Getrag unit.

Don't believe everything you read on bimmerforums. I work on ls1s all the time, they're about 100lbs lighter than an old school SBC, but not an m50.

[mjc85]

I have driven a 325i, unfortuantely i thought it felt like a sticky slug. I didn't like how it drove at all, except it was rather quick in a straight line. I would rather something light that i could chuck around all day long. So thats why i was consdering to spend cash on the M42 or a S14 but it appears if S14's are kind of hard to come by in Australia.

[e30Matt]

M50. Don't listen to everyone's bullshit. Take it from those who have driven them, it's one of the more worthwhile engine swaps you can do in an E30. They should have come like that from the factory.

[Digitalwave]

The M50 swap is a bad idea.

The 318is is SUPPOSE to be lightweight. With that heavy pig M50, your car would suck. The V8 motor from your Holden Monaro is 100lbs lighter than the M50, more reliable, has alot more potential, has ALOT more stock power(double I think) and gets better gas mileage. You might as well swap that if you are considering putting a twin-cam BMW I-6.

You could also put in an M20 out of a E30 325i, and turbo it. There is plenty of information, and the M20 responds really well to a turbo and can take high boost. It would keep front end weight down, so your handling wouldn't be affected as much as with an M50.

There are very few forced induced 318is E30s out there. So there isnt much information. That would be a harder project. The LS1 swap, would be the hardest though.

Dude, shut the fuck up.

If he has $10,000 he could do an M50 and have enough for a CF hood and fenders to make up that slight difference in weight.

[reelizmpro]

I have driven a 325i, unfortuantely i thought it felt like a sticky slug. I didn't like how it drove at all, except it was rather quick in a straight line. I would rather something light that i could chuck around all day long. So thats why i was consdering to spend cash on the M42 or a S14 but it appears if S14's are kind of hard to come by in Australia.

If you feel this way about the 325i, then you certainly would not like an M50 powered E30. You can either get the popular downing/atlanta Supercharger for your M42 or swap in an S14. Not too many aftermarket go-fast parts for the M42 period. S14 may be cost prohibitive since you never got it in AU.