Which engine would you choose for a swap?

[Julien]

From my handful of years in the e30 world here is the list of people who love the m42(m44)

1. people who currently own one
2. people who own m40s
3. see #1 & #2


:popcorn:

[djjerme]

...you forgot the people on board the Bring A Trailer hype train. Tooot, toot!

GRM went on and on about how rare and special the 318is is on instagram.




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[george graves]

Don't forget the 83(euro)-84-85 m10's. It's a fun car - very kart like!

Best bang for the buck: M60.

Best old school upgrade: M30

Least bang for the buck: S14

"My m20 died I need a new motor - rebuild it will cost more than a swap" : m50 or s50

"I have more money then I know what to do with" Any M motor.

[varg]

Best bang for the buck: M60.

Bang for the buck? I'm still trying to figure out why anyone would go through all of the trouble of a V8 swap for an engine that makes <300hp, has next to no aftermarket, and limited NA performance potential.

[Julien]

...you forgot the people on board the Bring A Trailer hype train. Tooot, toot!

GRM went on and on about how rare and special the 318is is on instagram.




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That's funny, when my 318is was featured in GRM's 3 series challenge back in 2002 they said the 325i was the better car all around

[djjerme]

That's funny, when my 318is was featured in GRM's 3 series challenge back in 2002 they said the 325i was the better car all around

they're wishy washy about cars some times. I only stay a subscriber because I bought in to the 10 year subscription deal they had a few years ago. Once that is done, I'm probably done with them. They seem to forget there is a western half of the US that does still race cars...

[justinpirie]

I subscribed for a year then didn’t renew. Honestly I don’t think there’s enough content in GRM anymore.


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[roguetoaster]

From my handful of years in the e30 world here is the list of people who love the m42(m44)

1. people who currently own one
2. people who own m40s
3. see #1 & #2


:popcorn:

When I had an M10, M20, M30, M40 and M42 all at the same time I still loved my M42 the most, but that M30 ran a very close second. But, you know, we're all crazy in our own special ways, so I say enjoy whatever you have until you don't love it anymore, then swap, either engines or cars.

[djjerme]

Which of these 3 engines would you choose for a swap? M54, M42/M44 stroker, or S14

M30 is a weird juxtaposition. It’s an amazing motor in an e30 because such a broad power band, can be lugged down and r3v’d out to kingdom come, and it’s an easy swap done to death.

BUT, it’s a huge biatch. That lump really messes with the cars balance and you can definitely feel the difference in everything the car does. Not to mention there is some things that are huge PITA to do on an M30 swapped e30, like the clutch. And you do have to beat the sh*t out of the firewall to get it in there...

That all being said, if you want more power and keeping it simple (both positives in a racecar), then M30 is still a decent choice.


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[digger]

When I had an M10, M20, M30, M40 and M42 all at the same time I still loved my M42 the most, but that M30 ran a very close second. But, you know, we're all crazy in our own special ways, so I say enjoy whatever you have until you don't love it anymore, then swap, either engines or cars.

sadly none of the stock engines are very inspiring, fortunately some respond very well to the right mods. sadly this is not really cheap but these cars are not about BFYB

it seems reasonable straight forward if a light nimble car is the goal the lighter (smaller engines) are the ticket and for more of the sledge hammer approach an m30 fits the bill. or for the best blend of both then an m20.

[roguetoaster]

^
I'll admit that the M20 is a good middle ground, and that the M42 mod power/$ ratio is awful. But it's been somewhat entertaining, dead reliable, and easy to service for the decade I've had mine. Now that I'm in the odd position of only having two cars, having both of them with M42s rather sucks, and gets old. So if you only had one stock E30 it'd be an 325i sedan for sure, and if swapped, an M54 all day.

[Julien]

^
I'll admit that the M20 is a good middle ground, and that the M42 mod power/$ ratio is awful. But it's been somewhat entertaining, dead reliable, and easy to service for the decade I've had mine. Now that I'm in the odd position of only having two cars, having both of them with M42s rather sucks, and gets old. So if you only had one stock E30 it'd be an 325i sedan for sure, and if swapped, an M54 all day.

Timing chain shenanigans get pricey on M42s. I did enjoy my 89 318is with oe smf

[Shangsta]

Timing chain shenanigans get pricey on M42s. I did enjoy my 89 318is with oe smf

Im with you I love my 318is but once you start doing big ticket items it really makes you question wanting to spend money on an m42. That being said I absolutely love e30's with 4 cylinder motors because it just feels so right so I am k swapping mine when kmiata is finished developing their swap kit

[roguetoaster]

Concur on those costs, and it's one of the main reasons I plan to swap, providing I don't end up selling the car this year.

[djjerme]

Someone had a SC on their e36 m42 around here. It wasn’t a bad looking kit, but the numbers were not super impressive. Can’t recall though if it was intercooled or not.


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