Which engine would you get?

[Bryson]

I'm a dick on the internet sometimes ...usually, and I like making fun of people who want alu blocks because my brother is trying to get one.

and when bringing a euro car to the states, the ECUs are generally de-tuned due to pinging possibilities because of the lower octane

I'll try not to be a dick for a little while, since it's the holidays and all ;)

edit: the main reason I picked on you is because you have "coming soon" in your sig

[FredK]

Paying a lot for a rare block and going to lengths to save 50lbs is stupid if you don't do the same for the entire car.

This is an issue of weight distribution, not stripping the car down to maximize weight savings. Otherwise we'd all be tooling around in turbocharged VR6 transplanted MkI VW Rabbits with only one carbon fiber Recaro seat.

Getting an aluminum block engine does not NECESSITATE going sick reducing weight in other areas. If you're into tracking your car, weight savings may be to your advantage, but for an everyday driver, I wouldn't mind a better balanced car with all of the options (i.e., rear seat and AC) but with an aluminum block.

Bryson, how come people on this board have to be bitches all the time?

People have opinions. They like expressing them. I didn't really see anything overly bitchy in this thread at all, it was actually pretty informative. :) Your posts were pretty useful, and you backed up your opinion well. I too lust after 6 individual throttle bodies. :D

Now the gloves come off.

By the way, you inserted [sic] indicating a misuse of grammar in Bryson's post. If that is not being bitchy, I don't know what is. I'm not attacking you, I just wanted to point out that if you want to nitpick grammar you should be aware that you now have placed yourself in a situation where your grammar will be all the more intensely scrutinized. I may not have the best grammar and spelling, but I don't find it necessary to point out other people's mistakes. This just breeds a hostile environment. However, since you showed the gall to correct Bryson's grammatical "mistake" while complaining to Bryson about other people on this board being bitchy, I will make an exception to this rule.

You tried to own Bryson by correcting him when he typed "a euro." Unfortunately for you, the usage is correct. The use of a/an is dictated by phonetics. since "Euro" sounds like "yoor oh." For an explanation, check out this grammar and style guide's explanation:

A or An.
Use an in place of a when it precedes a vowel sound, not just a vowel. That means it's "an honor" (the h is silent), but "a UFO" (because it's pronounced yoo eff oh). This confuses people most often with acronyms and other abbreviations: some people think it's wrong to use "an" in front of an abbreviation (like "MRI") because "an" can only go before vowels. Poppycock: the sound is what matters. It's "an MRI," assuming you pronounce it "em ar eye."

Finally, in a twist of cruel fate, you said:

My POINT on the Z3 block isn't that you'd need to buy a CF hood. It is that if he's going to buy a aluminum block, he might...

"a aluminum" -- this is a case where it must be "an aluminum." The pot calls the kettle black.

[rwh11385]

I'm a dick on the internet sometimes ...usually, and I like making fun of people who want alu blocks because my brother is trying to get one.

and when bringing a euro car to the states, the ECUs are generally de-tuned due to pinging possibilities because of the lower octane

I'll try not to be a dick for a little while, since it's the holidays and all ;)

lol

cool cool, i just hate all the flame wars that get started on this forum.

and.....Santa will know if you're been nice. :P

edit: the main reason I picked on you is because you have "coming soon" in your sig

Edit: that's what i have interest in this thread especially. Everyday i'm planning the replacement of my broken M20 with a M50. Two months into the wait now, I plan to have it done in Late Feb/April....so I'll be on the road again in March for autocross/spring time BMWCCA meetings. (I wish i could afford a S50 though! :twisted: )

By the way, you inserted [sic] indicating a misuse of grammar in Bryson's post. If that is not being bitchy, I don't know what is.

yeah, that was a bitch move, correct.....and yes, fate shafted me with irony :oops: ...... but oh well. I thought he was trying to be a dick, so i replied in kind. But i think it's all resolved.

And yes, I see what you meant about complete stripping of an e30 not neccessary with a Z3 block. Mattm20 also mentioned the importance of weight dist. It was just that if you're going to get a light block, might as well keep on that trend of weight savings.....
. I think the majority of a M50 weight can be counter-acted by the removal of A/C, so even an E30 m50 could be balanced easily.

I guess we got ahead of ourselves. Where's MichaelH?

Depending on his goals, the info he needs could change.
Balanced track car? Z3 block with or without other weight loss.
Strong street car? S50 3.0 or 3.2, NA mods.
Street monster? S50, AA turbo.

[BloodLine]

How about a Z3 2001 3.0i engine ?
The Euro M3 engine sounds Awesome. But expensive..

[MichaelH]

Thanks for the input everyone, Stu do you think that $4000 is a fair price for a newly rebuilt s50 and transmission, or should I keep looking? It is a well respected shop that rebuilt it, and it comes with warranty.

[Digitalwave]

and kidrobot, there were no s52 euro motors, sorry bud. s50b30 &s50b32 as I understand it
sweet sig and avatar though

I posted that but I wasn't sure so I deleted it and put :arrow:

8)

[Stu]

Thanks for the input everyone, Stu do you think that $4000 is a fair price for a newly rebuilt s50 and transmission, or should I keep looking? It is a well respected shop that rebuilt it, and it comes with warranty.

That depends. Who rebuilt it? Did they use 3.2L retainers?

Is it a long block or a complete motor with wiring, ECU, manifolds, accessories, etc?

[FredK]

rwh11385, it was big of you to admit you got out of line. It's rare. Most people woulda said, "F U too buddy." Sorry that I rode you like that! :) The irony though, it was just begging to be called out!

Anyway, I agree with the balanced car part now! 8)

[Pedro]

i've learned two things from this post:
1. i learned about the engines of course :up:
2. that we (us r3v users) can resolve things without blowing up as long as we are mature about it.

So, overall which would be the better pick of the engines, the 3.0 or 3.2 US?
Which years have the OBD I btw?

and on a side note just how hard is it to convert to OBDII?

sorry for all the questions im just a curious guy

[rwh11385]

i've learned two things from this post:
1. i learned about the engines of course :up:
2. that we (us r3v users) can resolve things without blowing up as long as we are mature about it.

So, overall which would be the better pick of the engines, the 3.0 or 3.2 US?
Which years have the OBD I btw?

and on a side note just how hard is it to convert to OBDII?

sorry for all the questions im just a curious guy

#2 is amazing isn't it????

anyway.

Let's start with the years. 1995 was the last year of OBDI. 1996+ engines are all OBII.

It is some trouble to convert to OBDII. Mostly $$$. and Labor or time.

http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/store/shop.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=6134&Product_Code=EOCK

ZA -

Zionsville Autosport: OBDI Conversion
Boost your horsepower 25+ with our OBDI conversion kit. Converts single Vanos OBDII twin cam to OBDI engine management.

$1495.00

Obviously, the 3.2 offers more displacement.....and therefore more potential. However, if you don't have the funds for a OBDI conversion, 3.0 is still DAMN good!

[Pedro]

so you are pretty much paying $1500 for 25 hp

[MichaelH]

so you are pretty much paying $1500 for 25 hp

25hp now plus much more potential later.

Stu, the motor is being rebuilt by Bobbie Thrash, who I trust to do a good job, plus it would have warranty. He said he is rebuilding it to stock spec, so I don't know about the 3.2 retainers. It is a complete engine with all accessories. Bottom end rebuild and head rebuild (over-rev situation). Should I ask him to do those retainers if I buy it, and what else should I request if it is getting a COMPLETE rebuild. TIA

[Stu]

Yes, Bobby does good work. Very good guy. We do a LOT of business with him.

'95 M3 retainers are incredibly weak, and there have been many cases of the valve springs sinking into them, or them cracking completely. If he does a rebuild, he is probably using 3.2L retainers, because I think the part number was actually superceded (sp?).

[MattM20]

How about a Z3 2001 3.0i engine ?
The Euro M3 engine sounds Awesome. But expensive..

all the e46 double vanos M52's and M54's use Al blocks (2.5L's (323 & 325) , 2.8, & 3.0) but they are harder to afford, find, and install into a e30 than the M / S50's

[MichaelH]

all the e46 double vanos M52's and M54's use Al blocks (2.5L's (323 & 325) , 2.8, & 3.0) but they are harder to afford, find, and install into a e30 than the M / S50's

I have a great line on a NEW '02 3.0 Z3 engine (extra from a race team), but a double vanos conversion would be a bitch, and probably not feasible.