M20 or M50 ?

[E30_(1st Musk)_]

my opinion: (i still have an m20 btw)
1.if you decide to stick with the m20 then do all your gaskets freeup the exhaust/maf kit and from what people say you should be happy with that if its what you are looking for.

2. (im personally thinking of a m52 swap) it should have more potential than an m20 and vanos would be nice. but a swap is more money either way.

3. SUSPENSION: I have the h&r race/bilstein sport combo. I WOULD SUGGEST if your budget is in the 700 dollar range to go COILOVERS INSTEAD. I like my setup but i regret not waiting and doing the coilovers and be able to get whatever spring rate i want and ride height.

4.Wheels: i would say get a clean set of wheels but you should put more effort into a great suspension.

those are my

[e30BMart]

How do you figure just $600 for wheels? Looking to get Borbet Type A's on it. And with this build I won't do something or change it for a product I won't bee 100% about. My Dad found two or three other cars, a lot newer, for really cheap but I just love the E30. I like your estimates better than mine though!



This would probably be harder to track down. If the opportunity came along, sure, but I'm not after performance and I've heard mixed opinions about the aluminum blocks.

http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15632

[Dozyproductions]

I dont know how you're factoring only $400-500 for a paint job. Primer ain't that incredibly cheap, and if your going to do all the prep yourself you're going to find yourself buying a lot blocks, sandpaper, bondo, guide coat, and other tools. And then after you have put all that time into doing the prep then why waste your time with the cheapest paint? I used a dupont compliant paint (middle ish of the road) and it was something around the 300ish range for my color. Then you probably want to do the whole wetsand and buff thing to to make it shine right? What about renting the booth and guns and etc?

of course if you have a hookup where you can use a booth for free, prep materials for free, finishing equipment for free you still wont be able to get a primer/paint/clear for what you think you'll be spending.

[e30BMart]

I dont know how you're factoring only $400-500 for a paint job. Primer ain't that incredibly cheap, and if your going to do all the prep yourself you're going to find yourself buying a lot blocks, sandpaper, bondo, guide coat, and other tools. And then after you have put all that time into doing the prep then why waste your time with the cheapest paint? I used a dupont compliant paint (middle ish of the road) and it was something around the 300ish range for my color. Then you probably want to do the whole wetsand and buff thing to to make it shine right? What about renting the booth and guns and etc?

of course if you have a hookup where you can use a booth for free, prep materials for free, finishing equipment for free you still wont be able to get a primer/paint/clear for what you think you'll be spending.

I'm assuming his uncle has access to all these tools because his uncle does it for a living. 500 in materials is a reasonable estimate for an over average paintjob.

[Dozyproductions]

I'm assuming his uncle has access to all these tools because his uncle does it for a living. 500 in materials is a reasonable estimate for an over average paintjob.

good god im going blind. Meh, don't know what shop pricing for Canada is anyways. Some people just got some lucky connections.

[F34R]

Well when I start my builds I start at the biggest issue. Just focus on getting the engine done first. I would then move onto suspension, you can get the TMS package for 689.00 http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-20...rt-shocks.aspx

I would go with an m50 instead of hunting for another m20.

P.S. for the haters, my Uncle runs an auto body shop. I get paint at cost and do the sanding/masking. He does all the body work and spraying for nothing. Hater gonna hate...

[Brandon12V]

I hate you.

[A_Whelan]

Thanks again for the replies

@Brandon 12V (and anyone else who said M50), I think I will take this route. I'll contact a few places and put my name down for a nice clean M50. I'll probably make a post after this to ask some questions about the swap that I haven't been able to figure out. I will however pick up paint and do the engine bay while the engine is out so I won't have to pull it again when I paint.

@e30BMart, thanks for the link, but it looks like I just changed my mind again ahah. I'll check back to Stance Works once I look for wheels. So sexy though...

@Dozeproductions, my uncle doesn't paint now, he's more of a mechanic, but for a while he did paint as a job. When I first bought this car during the summer there was a few patches of rust that needed looking after then he painted it for me. I have primer, bondo, etc left over and I think he has a hook up at one of the shops in town for a bit of a discount. To repaint the car last time (no door jams or engine bay) it was around $300 and I thought it turned out great. The only problem was a few spots on the car had moisture drips, while painting he forgot to drain the tank halfway and it was a really hot day there. I told him not to bother fixing it, too much work. Anyway this was the final product, I was happy with that and will do much the same thing again. This is also where I will be doing the swap.

http://img852.imageshack.us/i/dscf2016.jpg/

I was looking at coil over but that seems to be more expensive and out of my budget even if I did save. I have limits on what I will put into my car so I'm not sure if I would drop this much on suspension. The roads here are kind of terrible as well so I think the H&R + Blisten with maybe some drop hats would give me the low and rake I want. Thanks for the link E30 F34R.

[F34R]

I was looking at coil over but that seems to be more expensive and out of my budget even if I did save. I have limits on what I will put into my car so I'm not sure if I would drop this much on suspension. The roads here are kind of terrible as well so I think the H&R + Blisten with maybe some drop hats would give me the low and rake I want. Thanks for the link E30 F34R.

3. SUSPENSION: I have the h&r race/bilstein sport combo. I WOULD SUGGEST if your budget is in the 700 dollar range to go COILOVERS INSTEAD. I like my setup but i regret not waiting and doing the coilovers and be able to get whatever spring rate i want and ride height.

:

That is 100% correct, I only offered the H&R setup because of the fab/welding involved. Not hard if you have a friend that can weld.

I own Ground-control coils on all three of my e30s. http://www.ground-control-store.com/.../II=121/CA=241

Pair that with Bilstein sports or Koni sports and you are ready to go. I love the coils SOOOOOOO much, picking your rates and adjustably of the ride height is fantastic!

Spend the extra 200 and change and go coils. When you order them call GC and tell them what you are after and they will help with the rates.

I was in the same boat a few years ago before I dumped real money into my suspension. I looked at the H&R but saw how much better GC coils are for a little bit more. I just went with those and have never bought normal springs ever since. I am 200% thrilled with the performance and ride.

P.S. My favorite thing to do is jack the whole car up to stock 4x4 status and go to shows. People just don't understand why it is so high on coils xD

[A_Whelan]

Thanks for the post again, I will look at that once I get to suspension. With coil overs, do you need to have precision welding to keep everything true and straight?

So M50 it is, I'll be sending out emails in a few days looking for one. I made up a list last night from everything I've been reading of the past month and was wondering if someone could glance over and see if there is anything missing. Much appreciated.

• M50B25
• E34 Oil Pan
• Oil Pan gasket
• Pickup, Dipstick/Tube
• E36 Engine Mount Arms x2
• E28 Motor mounts x2
• Oil Pump gasket
• GetRag 260
• Trans brace from White325is
• M20 flywheel
• Pilot/TO Bearings
• Maybe short shifter kit
• Pressure plate
• Guibo
• E30 Rad
• M50 hoses
• Premade Wire harness
• Stock brake booster, slotting wall

Am I missing any accessories that won't work from my stock E30? Also when I am getting belts to fit the pulleys and what not, they will all be M50 correct? And can anyone suggest a reliable flywheel that's not too expensive.

Really appreciate all of the posts, I've been walking for 6 months now waiting to get this car back in working condition. Going to be a great day once it happens thanks to you guys :D

Cheers,
Aaron

[Anguz]

get an M30 !
keep it OG

[ZekeTheSneak]

M50 for sure, The swap is a piece of cake with patience and well a lift :) But seriously not that bad just more expensive.

[e30BMart]

That is 100% correct, I only offered the H&R setup because of the fab/welding involved. Not hard if you have a friend that can weld.

I own Ground-control coils on all three of my e30s. http://www.ground-control-store.com/.../II=121/CA=241

Pair that with Bilstein sports or Koni sports and you are ready to go. I love the coils SOOOOOOO much, picking your rates and adjustably of the ride height is fantastic!

Spend the extra 200 and change and go coils. When you order them call GC and tell them what you are after and they will help with the rates.

I was in the same boat a few years ago before I dumped real money into my suspension. I looked at the H&R but saw how much better GC coils are for a little bit more. I just went with those and have never bought normal springs ever since. I am 200% thrilled with the performance and ride.

P.S. My favorite thing to do is jack the whole car up to stock 4x4 status and go to shows. People just don't understand why it is so high on coils xD

And you say that performance and ride quality are better than H&R race?? if so Im sold on them

[BrownBeanE30]

I bet you would :p

Honestly I'd say if you don't really want any extra power, then it should depend on what sort of deals pop up for you on either engine. The M20 is still a fun motor, although it's lacking a few ponies and the more modern look of an M50--that being said an M50 swap really isn't all that tough fundamentally. New brake booster, connect a few wires, twist your selector rod, fab an exhaust and you're pretty much there... but you will run into more annoying issues and you'll have to get your ducks in a row.

haha i know right since that day man ive been dreaming or robbing a bank to get money for that swap lol

[F34R]

And you say that performance and ride quality are better than H&R race?? if so Im sold on them

A ton better, the race setup cannot come close to custom rates and ride height adjustably.

Call when you order, then let them know the shocks you are using and what you want to do with it.

http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=121/CA=241

There is two kinds of shocks that people go with:

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=Koni&model=Sport+Cartridge&group=Sport&partNum=8641-1021SPORT&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=325e&autoYear=1987&autoModClar=

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=Bilstein&model=Sport+Strut+Cartridge&group=Sport+Shock&partNum=34-003350&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=325e&autoYear=1987&autoModClar=

I personally have the Bilsteins on my AutoX E30 and the Konis on my Brother's vert. They both ride and handle amazing.