M5x and S5x over M20.. Why?

[E30 Wagen]

Only reason I'd advocate for swapping a 24v engine is if the original m20 is completely fubar (like the valvetrain on mine was) or you've acquired a car with no engine/trans. If the original m20b25 is present and healthy-ish, then frankly that's something to be thankful for these days. Sourcing everything for a 24v swap adds up fast, not mention finding a healthy engine, and then you've got to deal with the brake booster, the transmission/driveshaft, exhaust, etc.

[nando]

RHD ITBs - $1850
MS PNP - $800
Misc - $250ish

If your car was completely stock, you'd also want to be adding things like M50 injectors, a cam, headers, etc to take full advantage of a "bolt on" setup with stock bottom end.

yeah, you will make more power with more mods - but you don't really need to open up the head benefit from the RHD setup. It's a massive improvement on the "crab" manifold all by itself.

[agent]

M50? No thanks.

M/S52 or newer? Absolutely.

The biggest motivators for me to go 24v on the "fun" car were the lack of a timing belt (as mentioned) and the ability to go to OBD2.

[AWDBOB]

I can get an M30 for next to nothing but I'm still not sold on that idea. All the added weight to mess with the cars balance. If anything I'd like to shed weight off the front and make it more nimble. I like a well balanced car not just a fast straight line car. Obviously everyone is different.

An M30 w/o AC weighs almost the same as an M20 w/ AC. Its a negligible difference, thus not even remotely turning your car into a "straight line car". With the proper mounts (Good & Tite), the engine sits further back as well, which helps retain stock balance.

Dollar for dollar, it's VERY hard to beat the value of an M30 swap, in addition to retaining the "vibe" of the car by staying single cam.

How much would ITBs be though? I'm sure it wouldn't be cheap (secretly hoping you'll prove me wrong LOL)

RHD ITBs - $1850
MS PNP - $800
Misc - $250ish

If your car was completely stock, you'd also want to be adding things like M50 injectors, a cam, headers, etc to take full advantage of a "bolt on" setup with stock bottom end.

[E's-30]

How much would ITBs be though? I'm sure it wouldn't be cheap (secretly hoping you'll prove me wrong LOL)

Ireland’s new ITB adapter looks legit, hoping it can be paired with some RB26 or GSXR ITB’s.


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[DBShiznit]

You say that, but ive been working on mine since 2011...

Kershaw: RHD ITBs on a bone stock M20B25 will destroy any stock M5x swap. And its still lighter, without all the pain of a swap in an ix.

How much would ITBs be though? I'm sure it wouldn't be cheap (secretly hoping you'll prove me wrong LOL)

[DBShiznit]

The obvious answer here (as has been discussed in these hallowed pages many times before) is the M30 swap rules them all :D

All the positives of the M20, around the same weight as an iron block M50 or M52, with more displacement, more torque and no timing belt to mess with :D

Engine can be had for $100.

I can get an M30 for next to nothing but I'm still not sold on that idea. All the added weight to mess with the cars balance. If anything I'd like to shed weight off the front and make it more nimble. I like a well balanced car not just a fast straight line car. Obviously everyone is different.

[lukeADE335i]

The obvious answer here (as has been discussed in these hallowed pages many times before) is the M30 swap rules them all :D

All the positives of the M20, around the same weight as an iron block M50 or M52, with more displacement, more torque and no timing belt to mess with :D

Engine can be had for $100.

[James Crivellone]

I have never driven ANY car with an aftermarket Turbo that feels well designed to me.

Give me a Turbo car that acts like an NA and we'll talk.

[jeenyus]

You say that, but ive been working on mine since 2011...

I'm anxiously waiting to see it done. I don't see me swapping in the near future, but I'd like to make it my goal. The m20 is great and i love mine, but there is no denying the awesomeness an N55 would be.

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[nando]

An engine swap in the IX is still very feasible imo. I'd rather do that than build the m20.

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You say that, but ive been working on mine since 2011...

Kershaw: RHD ITBs on a bone stock M20B25 will destroy any stock M5x swap. And its still lighter, without all the pain of a swap in an ix.

[coldweatherblue]

I've daily driven M20 E30s for 15 of 18 years driving.

Sometimes getting onto an uphill on-ramp I wish I had a little more power, but that's about it.

The E30 to me is about balanced handling and carrying momentum through corners, and to end the M20 is well matched to the car. Good low end torque and pulls hard to redline. I've experienced no engine problems in ~200k miles driving an E30 that were not either basic maintenance or driver induced.

S52 (and other) E30s are definitely awesome, but for running around town, daily driving here in East TN, where most of the roads are curvy, hilly, full of hairpin corners, round-a-bouts, etc, the M20 does just fine.

If I want to hit 60 in a few seconds I'll just ride my bike.

[e30davie]

Im only new to bmws (couple of years wiht my e30) really but i am very surprised at how good the m20 is. The design is like 40yrs old? I rebuilt my m20b23 and it is as basic as an engine can get. 2 valves, no variable valves, rocker arms tappets. anyone can do extensive work on them. Yet in factory form it makes ample power (in my opinion) for the e30 chassis and with a good noise. An m20b25 must be a hoot to drive with the added horsepower.

Admitedly the m20 is not winning any awards for smooth operation compared to a modern engine, the tick tick tick of the valves gets a little annoying, you can adjust them all you like, and they will tick (and they should tick a bit). everyone seems to struggle with vacuum leaks but you either fix them properly or you don't. once you have fixed them, problem solved.

My m20b23 has consistently given 9L/100km fuel economy which is pretty damn good.. I've got mine on megasquirt so which made a huge improvement on drive ability, especially throttle response. I see the timing belt on an m20 used as a negative. As long as you change them when you are supposed to they give great service, and you can change one before lunch. m20 is so easy to work on. Timing belt makes for a quiet operation in that department, no rattly chains to deal with.

I think alot of people see the M50 swaps as a potential easy option to more power and a more modern engine. and to a certain degree they are probably correct, but with a bit of effort the mighty m20 can hold its own I reckon.

[Kershaw]

I'd easily pay $500 for an engine swap oil pan. When you do your swap, make me an extra pan or two.

[jeenyus]

An engine swap in the IX is still very feasible imo. I'd rather do that than build the m20.

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