Do you have a M20 hot rod or swapped Motor?

[firemanory]

I am just curious as to the various reasons why some of you have decided to build out a m20 motor (n/a, turbo, supercharger) to get more power and performance vs. go the swapped route (M5x, S5x, LS1, etc). I know much of it will be money related, as a go fast M20 can run as much if not more than a swapped motor (I understand that if you factor hiring someone to do all the work it can obviously be substantially different in price), but whatever your reasons were for doing one or the other, I would like to hear them. I would really like to hear from the M20 hot rod guys...but want as much input as possible.

Some things to include, but not limited to:

Final build specs (if available)
Whether you did all the work or not
If not, what did you have a pro do
Goals in the build
Planned budget and how much over/under you went
What car is used for ( i.e. commuter, AutoX, HPDE, drift, etc)
What you learned
Regrets
Unexpected positives or negatives
Change in fuel economy
If you had to do over, what would you do now

My goal is to hear from both sides of the camp and see what I may learn through others for possible future work...

Cheers

[Court M3]

Here is one set of arguments

http://www.e30performance.info/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=1334

[jaywood]

This is going to be good!

[george graves]

m-thirty. They are a bit thirsty, but the TQ is worth it.

[VinniE30]

m-thirty. They are a bit thirsty, but the TQ is worth it.

I have an M30 and I approve this. The power from idle to redline is a night and day difference from an m20.
Except in my experience it's no more thirsty than an m20, mostly because it makes its peak torque at lower rpm.

[YosemiteSam]

I haven't actually done it yet, but at this point my plan is to eventually build up a high reving stroker M20. I have considered doing an engine swap, but I just love the idea of high reving N/A motors.

[VinniE30]

I haven't actually done it yet, but at this point my plan is to eventually build up a high reving stroker M20. I have considered doing an engine swap, but I just love the idea of high reving N/A motors.

huh? I'm not trying to convince anyone to do engine swaps at all, I like M20s. But if you want a high reving N/A motor than I think what you want is an engine swap, not an M20. And for starters, stroker and high reving don't go well together. If you want high reving then increase bore, not stroke.

[Eurotrash727]

And for starters, stroker and high reving don't go well together. If you want high reving then increase bore, not stroke.

This.

If money is no issue just put a f20c in there :D

[YosemiteSam]

huh? I'm not trying to convince anyone to do engine swaps at all, I like M20s. But if you want a high reving N/A motor than I think what you want is an engine swap, not an M20. And for starters, stroker and high reving don't go well together. If you want high reving then increase bore, not stroke.

Oh, I guess that does make sense. I hadn't really looked in to it yet since I am poor and I most likely won't even be in a financial position to start for several years. Thinking about it now, it seems obvious that a shorter stroke would be advantageous for a high rev motor.

[firemanory]

This.

If money is no issue just put a f20c in there :D

You really have to wring those motors out to get the big numbers out of them. If money were no object, why would you use this motor?

[SkiFree]

I am just curious as to the various reasons why some of you have decided to build out a m20 motor (n/a, turbo, supercharger) to get more power and performance vs. go the swapped route (M5x, S5x, LS1, etc).

See quote, OP is not asking for the opinion of those who have swapped out the M20, he's asking for the reasons behind KEEPING the M20.

[LowR3V'in]

firemanory are you thinking of modding your m20?


I worked my way up like most people from bolt on ricer stuff m20
to nitrous
to turbo.

The goal was just-more-power. That's it.
One thing I can honestly say and hope
it'll save people time & money....
M20 is balls slow no matter what you do N/A,
for the most part.

I know some of you will post a N/A m20 that revs out to 8k and is super fast but that is very rare to do $.

Turbo the m20 and make over 300hp stock.
Don't waste the cash on your jimC or whatever name brand is good chip, or K&N ricer filters, regrind cam
or a 3'' exhaust thinking it's going to do anything.
It's not.

You can dial in 1psi on a stocker and make over the gain of stock vs ultimate 2.8L bolt on m20. You know?

btw off topic but a stock m30b35 feels allot like a m20 at 5psi.
For you "I want this thing to just be faster" guys. :o

[firemanory]

firemanory are you thinking of modding your m20?

Yes and no. I have a specific project idea that I am toying with that no one to my knowledge has done before. If I said what it might be then it might shape what people say I should do to it. I am a long ways way from starting it, but I like to do my homework long in advance so when the time is right I can execute with speed and confidence that I am doing right thing for the right reasons.

A turbo is probably the highest gaining/cheapest per unit of horsepower gained with an M20 option, but I think it may not be the perfect solution for a car that does double duty as a commuter and an occasional track toy(turbo lag, boost kick in mid-apex, etc). Tell me how I am wrong...because I know I don't know much!

[jaywood]

Lots of guys track with turbos!

You're going to be spending BIG $$ trying to get decent #'s out of the NA m20.

[Eurotrash727]

You really have to wring those motors out to get the big numbers out of them. If money were no object, why would you use this motor?

Its a honda its made to be rev'd out, & the f20c makes more power per liter than any other motor in the world, Setups have been known to do 6-700WHP on stock longblocks with headbolts & a thicker head gasket...and you get the pleasure of reving to 9k... Better than an sr swap imo.

If money was truly no issue though id prolly do a 1jz gte with a single turbo setup. But i just feel with a f20 it would prolly handle Reasonably better due to weighing prolly half of what a Cast iron I6 weighs.