Im an indecisive guy, input swap vs boost.

[Morrison]

$2k really isn't enough for a well sorted turbo build, imo. But, it would make a good start towards it and you wouldn't have to have your car down for long. I'd put that money towards a megaquirt system with wideband 02 sensor and get the hang of tuning on a stock engine first. You could also pave the way in terms of prepping the engine for boost by upgrading to a MLS headgasket and ARP headstuds....or other recommended alternative methods for keeping things together, ie: o-ringing head/block. Then later on, you could spend a weekend tapping the oil pan for the drain. Then another weekend you could mount up the intercooler. Then put in bigger fuel injectors and dial them in. Then in a year or so, take a week and mount up your manifold, turbo, exhaust and the rest of the intercooler piping.

[JA1991]

There is a guy on this forum, i think it's like Deadric motorsports. He makes a whole turbo kit for 3000. Bolts right up, and is programmed for like 8 psi. I'm looking into that once i stroke my my m20b27. I am also new, just bought my first e30 Monday. Will post pics and stuff in my own thread.

[kamotors]

if your going to boost it you probably going to need another car to drive while you work out bugs...

I finished my setup for $1800 and the stock motor has held just fine, its just stupid little things like oil pan gaskets and the trans going out that have been keeping me from saying its reliable lol...

[dannyyisntt]

Gather all the parts you need and do m52/s52 swap if you need gas mileage. If you're planning on doing a turbo down the road, go m30.

If you get all the parts lined up before you do the swap it can easily be done in a weekend. Lure a few friends over with promises of free beer and pizza then hand them a wrench and do the swap.

[lolcantturn]

A turbo can be installed in one day, spend the next couple days troubleshooting then get it tuned in a day or 2.

I dont see the problem lol

Is this a serious post?






...Like a serious post?

[Vtec?lol]

Reliable+turbo=m30. I wouldn't look forward to daily driving any other motor when boosted to 300hp
M60 swap + 6speed will make you happy

[mr2peak]

A swap can still be smog legal if that matters to you.

[CrusherCurtis]

Swap. At the end of the day don't we all just want a big ole NA engine?

[Kershaw]

a direct bolt on turbo kit can be installed in a day. gauges and supporting mods might take longer.

[Kozworth]

Ok guys im running into anothwr issue with choosing fi over na

The m50 seems too little gain for the price imo and the m30 is hard to come by

If I were to boost and source all parts and spend a week or so installing and fitting would there really be an issue with that

I would then tow or possibly waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles foot it to a shop to get tuned

I've heard that tunes are close to a grand but honestly I feel that finding an m30and sourcing a compadable manual trans would be more difficult

[Cletonius]

This costs too much, that's too hard to find... Blah blah.

Do a non-standard swap. You said you're an automotive student, doing something different is a great way to learn. Swap a SBC or maybe a SR20 or something. Be creative, have fun with it and build what you want, not what is common or what the forum thinks. These cars are so well documented that you should be able to easily find the information you need, just learn how to read a wiring diagram.

And as already stated, get yourself a $500 beater to drive during the swap. Even the best planned swap encounters problems and delays. And who knows, you might need a parts getter. One of my friends has a festiva and uses it as a parts hauler, we got some funny looks when we transported a motor and trans in the back.

[Kozworth]

Yea hahha that is true

Trust me im all down for doing it myself I guess best option would be a cheap beater while I see which route fits my budget better

[Farbin Kaiber]

Swap now, boost when that gets boring.

[Cletonius]

Yea hahha that is true

Trust me im all down for doing it myself I guess best option would be a cheap beater while I see which route fits my budget better

IMHO the "best" way to do it would be to build up your mechanicals on stands and then pull a weekend blitz and swap as a unit. You can do baseline tune and deal with anything overlooked during the week following, depending on how it goes. Do the wiring with the motor out too BTW, ask me how I know.

[Kershaw]

m60 swap.