Ridiculousness

[Rustyduktape]

A couple friends of mine told me a while ago about this shop in the town over from me (Leominster). They said the owner had a pretty nice e30, and I had heard from a few different people that it was pretty badass. I stopped by to check out his shop today, and I must say I think I found the most crazy m20 engine in the US. First off, its a '90 325i with fiberglass hood and trunk, and plastic windows, completely stripped. He said it weighs about 900kg, which is around 2000lbs? I didn't take any pics because I left my phone in my truck and was too busy talking with him to go get it. Anyways, these are the specs he told me about, I'm sure there are a lot more. 323i crankshaft, custom forged pistons and rods, 342 degree camshaft, 3 dual 55mm carbs, with an 18:1 compression ratio. The head was out at a machine shop, but he said right now it redlines at 10200 rpm?!?!?!?!?!?! It was insane. The guy is so knowledgable, but there was a small language barrier. Now my question is, with that setup is it possible to reach 400 hp? he said it made 425 but that just seems ridiculous, but who knows? I'm going to go back over there in the next couple months when he hopefully has the engine put back together because I need to hear that thing run. I'll be sure to take some pics and a video as well, haha.

[warmseth]

What kind of jet fuel is he putting in an 18:1 motor??

[JasonC]

An M20 top end that takes 10,000rpm? and 18:1 comp ratio? :-| Does he have the tach set on a 4cyl setting?

[Jafxod]

[deutschman]

What kind of jet fuel is he putting in an 18:1 motor??

The stig pees in the gas tank. ;)

[delatlanta1281]

I know of a guy in the midwest that can build motors that rev super high. I doubt he uses jet fuel, and I doubt he wants me to talk about him on this board, but he can build the heck out of an SOHC bmw motor. Can he reach 400hp? Anything is possible, but the question is, for how long?
I know for a fact he got massive amounts of BHP out of an M10 when he was told it couldn't be done...
The problem is this. How much of the original m20 is left when you achieve that, and how much do you want to spend without looking like an asshole. If you told him it couldn't be done, he would do it to spite you. But it couldn't be run in an everyday car.

[lolcantturn]

A couple friends of mine told me a while ago about this shop in the town over from me (Leominster). They said the owner had a pretty nice e30, and I had heard from a few different people that it was pretty badass. I stopped by to check out his shop today, and I must say I think I found the most crazy m20 engine in the US. First off, its a '90 325i with fiberglass hood and trunk, and plastic windows, completely stripped. He said it weighs about 900kg, which is around 2000lbs? I didn't take any pics because I left my phone in my truck and was too busy talking with him to go get it. Anyways, these are the specs he told me about, I'm sure there are a lot more. 323i crankshaft, custom forged pistons and rods, 342 degree camshaft, 3 dual 55mm carbs, with an 18:1 compression ratio. The head was out at a machine shop, but he said right now it redlines at 10200 rpm?!?!?!?!?!?! It was insane. The guy is so knowledgable, but there was a small language barrier. Now my question is, with that setup is it possible to reach 400 hp? he said it made 425 but that just seems ridiculous, but who knows? I'm going to go back over there in the next couple months when he hopefully has the engine put back together because I need to hear that thing run. I'll be sure to take some pics and a video as well, haha.

[Rustyduktape]

and I doubt he wants me to talk about him on this board, but he can build the heck out of an SOHC bmw motor.

Kinda sounds like this guy, he said he doesn't post any of his stuff online, and doesn't like a lot of attention to his work, but I posted this up because I had to know if 400hp is actually realistic.

I didn't ask enough questions, nor did I ask the right questions haha, i'm still pretty much a nooby with engines.

[5mall5nail5]

Ask him what starter he uses to turn an 18:1 motor.

[delatlanta1281]

Kinda sounds like this guy, he said he doesn't post any of his stuff online, and doesn't like a lot of attention to his work, but I posted this up because I had to know if 400hp is actually realistic.

I didn't ask enough questions, nor did I ask the right questions haha, i'm still pretty much a nooby with engines.

Oh no, the guy I am referring to is a legend. He is constantly "talked about on the internet". He just doesn't like to be quoted. If you've ever spoken to him, the amount of info he throws at you is mind numbing. He makes all of his own components, and hates to be quoted by anyone but himself. Big HP like you are speaking of out of an m20, or an m10 only happens with a whole lot of knowledge. More than 99% of the people on BMW boards. Those that make a business out of it need not post on these boards.
He scoffs at alot of the SOHC builders out there saying they have been inflating their numbers since the 70's. I don't doubt that after talking to him about my stroker build.
Do some research on what it actually takes to BUILD an SOHC 3.2l engine the right way so it makes power over 4500 rpm's. It's crazy what needs to be done.

[Rustyduktape]

Ask him what starter he uses to turn an 18:1 motor.

He did mention something about a distributor, I honestly don't remember exactly what he said, nor do I know enough about ignition systems to make sense of what he said.

[Cabriolet]

im straight up calling bullshit here. no way period!

342 degree camshaft and 18:1. not possible. valves are open too long unless boosted. and at 10200 rpm lul, thats not gonna last more than a few seconds. the m20 itsn't lubricated enough for that ranged.

[Rustyduktape]

Oh no, the guy I am referring to is a legend. He is constantly "talked about on the internet". He just doesn't like to be quoted. If you've ever spoken to him, the amount of info he throws at you is mind numbing. He makes all of his own components, and hates to be quoted by anyone but himself. Big HP like you are speaking of out of an m20, or an m10 only happens with a whole lot of knowledge. More than 99% of the people on BMW boards. Those that make a business out of it need not post on these boards.

I was just saying they sounded like similar people, but yeah, I don't know exactly how much of the work he does himself, i know the head was out at a machine shop, but he definitely knew his stuff and I learned a thing or two just talking to him for like 20 minutes. I honestly might go over there and ask if he needs any help like cleaning up around the shop just so I can learn some stuff, haha.

[delatlanta1281]

Ask him what starter he uses to turn an 18:1 motor.

18:1 seems to be a mis-quote due to language barrier?

[Rustyduktape]

im straight up calling bullshit here. no way period!

342 degree camshaft and 18:1. not possible. valves are open too long unless boosted. and at 10200 rpm lul, thats not gonna last more than a few seconds. the m20 itsn't lubricated enough for that ranged.

He said 3.42 camshaft? I know there are a few different numbers that go along with the shape of a camshaft, so I just assumed it was degrees? Again I'm still a nooby with engines so I may just be interpreting what he said wrong. I can't really confidently vouch for what he said, but again I didn't ask the right questions nor do I know enough about engines to make sense of it all, haha. That's why I was asking if anyone knew how/if it was possible.

Edit: the Valve pockets looked much different than stock, and the pistons and rods were forged, as I can only assume most of the other parts were.