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    M20 tuning questions

    Ok, ive got some questions about M20 tuning, but first I have to say ive realized some things. Most guys are either:
    A.) Doing minimal mods to the M20 (chip, filter exhaust)
    B.) Stroking the M20 and going completely wild (2.8-3.0L) and or Turbo M20's
    C.) Saying screw M20 powah, and going with the M50/S50 or even S52 swap (nothing wrong at all with this route)

    My delemma is that i dont have a huge budget. I know with less than 150k on my engine, i have a pretty strong foundation which has been pretty much pampered by a woman as the PO. I dont want to get into the bottom end and do any stroking, because I dont have that kind of money either. I know that most go to the 24v's because 12v doesnt flow well enough. With the 12v as the limiting factor, what exactly is the limit with stock displacement and still staying naturally aspirated? I dont know of many people on here who have gone full blown (actually i dont think anyone has.. ?) with basically stock internals, and no FI. I was thinking of something along the lines of a ported head, extrude hone intake, headers, chip, intake, larger injectors, and im assuming the M30 afm swap would be more applicable on this setup as well. Im just wondering what power figures i would be looking at doing all that was said above. Im pretty pleased with the power im making now, but i think that doing a few more things would put me on another level with my car. How much would money would i be looking at for the above mentioned? Im particularly wondering about the head work as well as the extrude honed manifold. Before you jump on my back about price of this vs. just doing an M50 swap, here are some things to consider:
    A.) I am basically worthless at wiring, i know nil about electronics
    B.) I dont have the time to put my car down for a lengthy time
    C.) I need some exact figures for such a swap anyway, ive seen ranges from $2k all the way to 4k and climbing. I cant be left in the middle of a swap unfinished when i only budgeted and had 3k, when i need another thousand dollars worth of parts

    Just need some advice or words of wisdom from those who have gone this particular route which has basically become obsolete (from what i can tell) on this board.

    #2
    D) don't do anything to the car until 1) have the capital
    2) gain the knowledge
    3) have the time

    I would select D.
    E30 325ix 62k

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      #3
      Re: M20 tuning questions

      Originally posted by bmwannabe
      My delemma is that i dont have a huge budget.
      ...
      I need some exact figures for such a swap anyway, ive seen ranges from $2k all the way to 4k and climbing.
      Try $10,000.00 as a more realistic figure for an s50/s52 put in by a competent shop. Just stick with "A"

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        #4
        yeah i mean i had seen figures b/w 2k and 4k for the m50, i sure didnt mean to include the s52 in that.

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          #5
          thinking of something along the lines of a ported head, extrude hone intake, headers, chip, intake, larger injectors, and im assuming the M30 afm swap would be more applicable on this setup as well.
          People have put together budget strokers for less than all those mods would cost. Doing all those mods would only net about 15-20hp I would guess.

          If you are on a budget and want to make an M20 fast... buy a chip, and then use the rest of your money on driving schools.

          RISING EDGE

          Let's drive fast and have fun.

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            #6
            Originally posted by Digitalwave
            If you are on a budget and want to make an M20 fast... buy a chip, and then use the rest of your money on driving schools.
            What he said. The engine really doesn't respond well to anything else for little money, so work on your own performance and go wring every bit out of the car.

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              #7
              Originally posted by Mystikal
              Originally posted by Digitalwave
              If you are on a budget and want to make an M20 fast... buy a chip, and then use the rest of your money on driving schools.
              What he said. The engine really doesn't respond well to anything else for little money, so work on your own performance and go wring every bit out of the car.
              I'm going to say M30 shit really helped the throttle response down low, and can be felt on the highway.

              Of course, others disagree. Like trent.

              But the AFM is the bottleneck, and a larger one helps, and the 19#ers help too.
              Well, let's see when we both dyno Jay......I hope I have a boost over your figures....but engines and mileage vary......so whatever.

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                #8
                I'll probably dyno stock, 91 chip, and 93 chip. So you'll get some sort of baseline.

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                  #9
                  Argh, I need to tell Brodee to change between stock, Dinan, and JC Friday.

                  He needs to have a patient operator, it would take a minute to change out, but it would be a big help.....and he's eventually going to get the new chip down the road I think. (If he doesn't get S50)

                  If I ever have the time.....(which I don't really, nor money) I could run Mark D 93 Oct + M30 AFM and then later Mark D 93 Octane + M20 AFM at the drag strip......

                  but seriously, there is a definite gain I felt from the M30.

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                    #10
                    Before you go all out with motor tweaking, heed the trackschool advice. For a relatively stock car, some good bang-for-the-buck mods include chip (I recommend JC), a 4.10 limited slip differential, quality brake pads, good rotors and some good rubber on the wheels. These alone will be enough to make your car more 'fun' while you learn how to drive it at the limit.

                    Once you have the driving bit down, think about suspension upgrades. You will learn about the effectiveness of these as you explore high performance driving at the track. After enough visits to the track, then think about serious power upgrades. Who knows, you may find out that what you have now with just a few bolt-ons is all you need to keep you happy......and from going completely broke.

                    Jon
                    Rides...
                    1991 325i - sold :(
                    2004 2WD Frontier King Cab

                    RIP #17 Jules Bianchi

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                      #11
                      NA the m20 is not gonna be all that powerful

                      turbo, yes, but then you have 3-4k for the turbo setup and you really should rebuilf at least the head for it

                      A chip, exhaust and driving school would be great, hell i need to go learn some as well :)

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                        #12
                        Surprisingly a Fresh set of Suspension componets all the way around make a lowly 325iS perk up.
                        https://www.facebook.com/BentOverRacing

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                          #13
                          Originally posted by M-technik-3
                          Surprisingly a Fresh set of Suspension componets all the way around make a lowly 325iS perk up.
                          new bushings as well

                          Comment


                            #14
                            yeah, i know im due in for new suspension soon. I might go take lessons, but i mean i dont really want to pay for something so..... whats the word, not physical. I mean what are they gonna teach me? I push the pedal down to the floor and i know i need more power, end of story.

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                              #15
                              you don't know anything about racing, do you? seriously, joing the CCA and take a couple driving school days. you'll have a blast and learn a lot (especially since you seem to know nothing about it).

                              as far as your motor, give it a tune up and buy a JC chip. if you want do do more later, you either have to spend money on a stroker ($$), turbo ($$) or a swap ($$). there is no such thing as cheap power on an E30.
                              Build thread

                              Bimmerlabs

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