M20 into a 318i, best of both worlds?

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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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[F34R]

Twin turbo S85 is the only logical thing to do.

[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

[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

[tom d]

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

[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.

[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

[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.

[decay]

Thanks the reason why I'm asking is because I want to start with the lightest car already (no options).

ok well my point is it's way less work to take those options out of the car you have than it is to do an entire drivetrain swap into a no-options car.

[HennaE30]

Thanks the reason why I'm asking is because I want to start with the lightest car already (no options). Keep it street able, swap engine, add bracing, racing seats, remove rear seats, do some carbon fiber mods and basically get it to the lightest I possibly can while still being able to use it on the roads with basic necessities, AC, power steering, etc.

E30s are still fun with bigger motors such as S5x drive a and S5x swapped car and tell me you don't have as much fun.. M10 motor is a piece of crap anyway


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[ali123]

just weight-reduce the car you have.

light battery (westco for miata, or look harder/spend more if you want to lose more weight). corbeau seats. those are the 2 easiest things. past that you're starting to look at stuff that will eventually bother you if you daily it (such as deleting PS/AC, for starters).

if you're really serious about having a lightweight car, read the grassroots motorsports & motoiq project car blogs, and look at what they do to lose weight. but be advised; they mostly work on more modern cars that have much more weight to lose. be further advised, you're going to need to put weight back into it with bracing if you want it to handle like a modern car of comparable weight (s2000, fr-s).

Thanks the reason why I'm asking is because I want to start with the lightest car already (no options). Keep it street able, swap engine, add bracing, racing seats, remove rear seats, do some carbon fiber mods and basically get it to the lightest I possibly can while still being able to use it on the roads with basic necessities, AC, power steering, etc.