Don't laugh at me..M42 power

[02stu]

Alright so I just picked up a 318is which is a blast to drive and practically free to insurance and keep gas in. However, my previous car being an e46 M3 the 318is feels well, about like riding my bike to work. My last e30 I swapped an m52 into which was great but alot of work for a daily. What are the M42 people doing for a little bump in power? It looks like metric mechanic has a couple options, I had a 2.2L m10 MM motor which was great. I also saw a couple turbo builds out there now. Is there really any way to get these motors up to 180hp or so? Does anyone here have MM parts on their m42?

[reelizmpro]

Doesn't ESS have a kit? I know Downing Atlanta has a M42 bolt on supercharger for E30's but probably pretty pricey for the gains. Could always just go custom Turbo

[nespo_e30is]

what is wrong with a M42... love them...

[PaladinReed]

just having been at MM last weekend, I saw a MM m42 in a 318ti with a cross gender blower from a Superbird (Thunderbird) fitted nice and cozy which made 200rwhp and REALLY got down the road (having been given a ride :D). Strip your e30 to 2500 lbs and you have a MONSTER!. I forgot what aftermarket company makes the new manifold/adapter/belts. "KO motorsports" is ringing a bell for some reason. Im sure a quick google search would yield a proper answer. all on stock internals! at like 12lbs of boost. blower can be sourced CHEAP at a salvage yard and I think the kit was somewhere like 2500-3k. I was convinced it was by far best bang for buck on the m42. hope that helped lol. I just wanted to gush about getting a ride from their engine builder XD

[tg318is]

nothing wrong with M42s haha. what wheels are on the car in your sig?

[E30Driv3R]

just having been at MM last weekend, I saw a MM m42 in a 318ti with a cross gender blower from a Superbird (Thunderbird) fitted nice and cozy which made 200rwhp and REALLY got down the road (having been given a ride :D). Strip your e30 to 2500 lbs and you have a MONSTER!. I forgot what aftermarket company makes the new manifold/adapter/belts. "KO motorsports" is ringing a bell for some reason. Im sure a quick google search would yield a proper answer. all on stock internals! at like 12lbs of boost. blower can be sourced CHEAP at a salvage yard and I think the kit was somewhere like 2500-3k. I was convinced it was by far best bang for buck on the m42. hope that helped lol. I just wanted to gush about getting a ride from their engine builder XD

You got a ride? I no longer like you! :p

I too have an m42, they are definitely fun DDs! Especially on coilovers and sticky tires. It is a momentum car though so keep the momentum and youll have a blast!

[ob_318is]

M42's and extremely fun to drive...very responsive, and rev's nicely, till it starts to scream like a girl...

[nespo_e30is]

Tell me about the screaming like a girl... check out this hole in my previous block!

[ob_318is]

Ouch, hurts seeing that... how did you manage that?

[rThor432]

I miss my 318is.. so much easier to drive than the big block S52.

[ZM Blue Devil]

Cop kit, lighter flywheel, better exhaust and a turner or mark d chip. If you want to keep a m42 a m42 thats what you can do, mm engine, s50 swap etc defeats the purpose.

Its a fun little car, besides its great to get 30 mpg, gas prices are bound to go up.

[Unearth078]

thumbs up

Cop kit, lighter flywheel, better exhaust and a turner or mark d chip. If you want to keep a m42 a m42 thats what you can do, mm engine, s50 swap etc defeats the purpose.

Its a fun little car, besides its great to get 30 mpg, gas prices are bound to go up.

whats better then NA power?
MM isnt exactly that big of a deal if you want one

[e30s52]

I miss my 318is.. so much easier to drive than the big block S52.

But so much more fun.

[Asbradley21]

I rather like my m42. Its peppy.

[kenika65]

Check out m42club.com and be sure to check all of your upper oil pan bolts and if they are not tight put locktite on them(you have to remove the lower pan).

Also replace the timing chain tensioner if not replaced lately.

Click on my m42 how to link in my sig.

I run bosch +4 and love love love them...

Next is only run premium fuel or you will hear valve tick...

If your valve cover is leaking might as well replace the gasket so you can check your cam gears to make sure they are not worn down and pointed if they are replace...

Light weight flywheel is a must plus 3.73LSD works great for highway but you can run over 4.10 if you can get your hands on one...

Vacuumed leaks will be the cause of all your problems so get it smoked and fix every leak...