M20 into a 318i, best of both worlds?

[tom d]

its more then the weight difference between a M10 and a M20, it's about where that weight is located! since the I6 is quite a bit longer then the I4 it puts all the weight in front of the axle.

if you don't think that makes a difference then do this; with 5 pounds in each hands, hands by your side and feet together, rotate your body. now do the same thing but with your arms stretched out in front of you. not as easy is it, well getting the car to rotate in a corner works the same way.

[2mAn]

Oh man that's sick. I'm not sure if I want to swap a M20 or an S50. I know both will make the car front heavy but basically I'd just do a bunch of lightweight mods (carbon hood, front bumper, fenders, roll bar in the rear etc) to get the car as close to 50:50 as possible. Basically my dream goal is that beautiful NA sound with as close to go kart handling as possible. That 300 pounds diff sounds like alot. How does it feel?

Thank you

I used an aluminum M52 motor to reduce that weight up front so moving up to an engine that make 30-40% more power (maybe even more than that) with a negligible weight gain over the front wheels was a big factor in me going with the aluminum M52 vs an iron block. Im more concered with handling then all out power. I plan on getting a lighter hood to drop some more of the weight out in front.

edit: if you dont have emission nazis to deal with I would suggest looking at a M54 motor.massive torque, aluminum block and great potential for awesome power

[2mAn]

just an FYI. I saw this in another thread and thought it would be useful here....

For those who ask, the M20 swap (sans AC) doesn't weigh any more than the M10 running AC and smog equipment.

[tom d]

^ so? a M10 without AC and smog weighs less then a M20 without AC and smog!

[JinormusJ]

M20 into a 318i, best of both worlds?

Yes

IIRC, last time I checkED BMWFans.info:

M20 weighs 270lbs dry (Iron Block)
M10 weighs 230lbs dry (Iron Block)
M/S5x weighs 310lbs dry (Iron Block)
M54 weighs 295lbs dry (Aluminum Block)

Accessories will obviously add to the weight

[Kevinl]

A sunroof would be the only real weight difference in a shell other than that everything else can be deleted power windows probably add 10lbs max

[F34R]

Twin turbo S85 is the only logical thing to do.

[HennaE30]

Twin turbo S85 is the only logical thing to do.

That's what I said! I've seen someone cram an S85 in an E30 M3. It actually looked pretty wicked.


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[econti]

Yes

IIRC, last time I checkED BMWFans.info:

M20 weighs 270lbs dry (Iron Block)
M10 weighs 230lbs dry (Iron Block)
M/S5x weighs 310lbs dry (Iron Block)
M54 weighs 295lbs dry (Aluminum Block)

Accessories will obviously add to the weight

And remember, the M20/M50/M5x add the weight right at the nose. This in my experience makes a hell of a difference to the characteristics of the car.

[JinormusJ]

M20 into a 318i, best of both worlds?

Yes
4-cylinder bmw engines are generally pushed back to the firewall leaving a large gap between the radiator/engine

[lukeADE335i]

The M10 doesn't sit that far back in the engine bay - the distributor is at the back of the head. The M20 sits much closer to the firewall.

[econti]

The M10 doesn't sit that far back in the engine bay - the distributor is at the back of the head. The M20 sits much closer to the firewall.

That is true, but even so M20 has 1.5 more cylinders at the front. And my M42 sits pretty hard up against the firewall, so it's well different compared to the 6.

With that said though, would be interested to try an alloy M52/54 to see how they compare.