Whats the best an m20 can be

[ogbimmer]

I have been looking online and I haven't found what I have been looking for.
I want to know how to build the best m20 using all factor bmw parts that can be pulled from the junk yard If desired. like for example does a chipped 2.5 m20 make more or less then a chipped 2.7i? Are there other oem valve springs and rockers that could make the m20 rev higher? stuff like that.

[ogbimmer]

??? anybody

[devon.818]

look up stroker builds.
a chip will make it rev higher.
thats all i know

[walktheboard]

286 posts and still not using the search function? ;)
BUT, since I like factory parts-based m20 builds

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=117102&highlight=m20+2.8+stroker

not all factory, but still a great thread:

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=200342

[Ray Ban]

Why bother? I have an m20 and I'm not putting any more in than I have to until I get an m50.

[devon.818]

the m50 only gets like 10HP over m20.
it comes down to your budget!
less money, do the m50, but a properly stroked m20 will murder a stock m50.
also the m50 would be a USED motor, stroked m20 would be a new motor you can trust.

saying the m50 is better than the m20 really depends, IMHO, on what you plan on doing.

whats your budget?
whats your goal?

[ogbimmer]

the m50 only gets like 10HP over m20.
it comes down to your budget!
less money, do the m50, but a properly stroked m20 will murder a stock m50.
also the m50 would be a USED motor, stroked m20 would be a new motor you can trust.

saying the m50 is better than the m20 really depends, IMHO, on what you plan on doing.

whats your budget?
whats your goal?

my goals are this. I already have 1 soon to be 2 turbo e30's
I have 2 spare m20's
I just sold my w7, box and amp for $500
so now I am going to take that $500 and buy a e30 thats not running and put one of my engines in it.
I go to the junk yard all the time and there are a ton of m50s, some m52, some b27, and some b25 so I just want to know what parts I can pull to put with what I already have before I put the motor in the car.
also i was thinking i could buy a 325e and have the 2.7 parts .

basically my buget is a couple of hundred. this is just me trying to bs around and learn while doing.

[ogbimmer]

oh and heres some info I found

http://stle30.com/forums/index.php?topic=87.new

[devon.818]

yeah definately stroke it.
have fun with it man!
i wanted to stroke mine, but decided ima just buy a car with a m50 swapped already, then put mtech crank and some other goodies on it.

how much power you think you'll be putting down by the setup in the link?

so you can stroke it for just a few hundred bucks? like 3-400?
everyone always told me it was 1-2000!
i might think about this again....

[Brandon12V]

most of the guys on here are fans of swapping in later model engines. If youre looking to do an OEM+ budget stroker, get on e30tech. They have a few threads that are completely dedicated to m20 NA builds as well a turbo builds. The sky is the limit with the m20 gurus on that forum. From full blown metric mechanic long blocks to just a refreshed oem motor. for a budget a 200 bucks, you wont be rebuilding any m20 motor.
Not trying to insult your intelligence, but 200 bucks will basically buy you just a top end refresh kit(upper OEM gasket kit, oem headbolts, timing belt, tensioner, & water pump).
as far as naturally aspirated, I've seen some m20's put out 220-240hp CRANK after stroking to AT LEAST a 2.8l with oem BMW parts (aside from custom pistons). Do some more searching and reading bc there are way too many variations on building an m20 to just start naming off what you can do.

[Kershaw]

i believe an m52 crank can be used for a 3.0L stroker.

[ogbimmer]

most of the guys on here are fans of swapping in later model engines. If youre looking to do an OEM+ budget stroker, get on e30tech. They have a few threads that are completely dedicated to m20 NA builds as well a turbo builds. The sky is the limit with the m20 gurus on that forum. From full blown metric mechanic long blocks to just a refreshed oem motor. for a budget a 200 bucks, you wont be rebuilding any m20 motor.
Not trying to insult your intelligence, but 200 bucks will basically buy you just a top end refresh kit(upper OEM gasket kit, oem headbolts, timing belt, tensioner, & water pump).
as far as naturally aspirated, I've seen some m20's put out 220-240hp CRANK after stroking to AT LEAST a 2.8l with oem BMW parts (aside from custom pistons). Do some more searching and reading bc there are way too many variations on building an m20 to just start naming off what you can do.

thanks man!
and the $200 was just for extra parts.
I know refresh kit would be extra. like I said before Im just trying to learn hands on. If something blows up I wont be pissed at all ;)

[TexasTerp]

A legitimate rebuild should cost ~1500+ depending on what application you're building. a 2.7i is the "cheapest" stroker as it doesn't require any custom parts. No matter what expect to spend 500+ at a machine shop.

[ogbimmer]

If I buy a 325e I would already have all the extra eta parts i would need also. Then I would just have to buy gaskets and stuff and be done.

so after all the reading and looking around heres he info I think I have put together
a stock 2.5 puts 135ish whp and 135 lbs torque
a e bottom i to puts down 138 whp and 143 torque ( not more because of the lower compression)
but a e bottom with a milled i head with i internals puts down 152whp and 164 torque
now that compression has been raised to 9.0:1
Im still doing more research so at the moment this is just what I seem to have gathered...