Which engine would you choose for a swap?

[Staszek]

If you keep them quiet they sound good, most of the 24V I6 cars I've heard with aftermarket exhaust sound like ass. I have a buddy who has an E90 328 with a catback that sounds pretty good, but most of the ones I notice it's because they're loud and they are just an awful raspy mess, even the M cars.

I was never a huge aftermarket exhaust person, I like the way BMW tuned most of them. I have an E36 exhaust on my swap.

Certain M cars especially the S54 do have rasp, that is fixed easily with an x pipe. Although many dont mind it.

[flyboyx]

Have S14 in E30 MTech Cabrio. Choice made.

yeah, but come on man....you bought the car already built for pennies on the dollar of what it would cost today. lets be realistic.

i know this because you beat me to this car by about 2 days. don't get me wrong, i am not upset about it in any way. i'm just happy it went to an enthusiast such as yourself.

[varg]

If you keep them quiet they sound good, most of the 24V I6 cars I've heard with aftermarket exhaust sound like ass. I have a buddy who has an E90 328 with a catback that sounds pretty good, but most of the ones I notice it's because they're loud and they are just an awful raspy mess, even the M cars.

[Staszek]

I won’t lie, my ears definitely wish for an extra two cylinders.

Agreed, I have a hard time with any of the BMW 4's especially the new ones, the I6's just sound so nice, even when underpowered, so smooth and silky.

[MrBurgundy]

^it sound SO good.

Stroker or not, an m20 makes nice noises for your ear holes.

m54, not so much

[Motheye99]

I watch this video to remind myself I need to build a M20 one day
https://youtu.be/Y8tBGppPSTk?t=23

[MrBurgundy]

I retract my vote for the m54 .

M20 FTW

[benz-tech]

This has been a fun thread... but my gut still missed 2 cylinders.

I won’t lie, my ears definitely wish for an extra two cylinders.

[325e '87]

This has been a fun thread to read, I like seeing everyone’s opinions on the newer engines.

I am just an older guy that loves my m20b25. I would rather build one up to make good power up to 7000rpm and call it a day. I know its an old engine and all, it just sounds and feels so darn nice.

It will be fun to see what you decide to do. I voted M54 but I’m a I6 kind of guy, the 4’s just don’t do it for me. My dad had an s2000 for a while and it was really fun to drive around, but my gut still missed 2 cylinders.

[Andrew325is]

N20 is crap though. Unless you want an engine that sounds like it's from a tractor that also eats timing chains. :p

Yeah and it shakes so much it'll make the fillings come out of your teeth.

[nando]

N20 is crap though. Unless you want an engine that sounds like it's from a tractor that also eats timing chains. :p

[Andrew325is]

Isn't the s14 really a m10 with more stuff on top? Should weigh close to a n52 then. The reason people are bagging on it is it's hp/$ ratio is way worse than a m54 or n52. I think the s14 when fully built and money is no option, but for now I have to stick to cheaper ways of getting that power.

This thread really derailed, but OP you should be the first to do a N20 swap, that's a light motor.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Looks like it weighs about the same as M42, maybe a little more with the turbo stuff. I don't know if anyone has cracked the ECU or if there's an aftermarket management solution for it. SCS Delta say they've developed calibrations for these 4 cyl engines:

N14B16 Turbo
B48B20 Turbo
N45B20 N/A

I don't know what you'd do for the oil pan, etc. Sounds like too much custom work.

https://www.scs-delta.co.uk/bmw-management-kits

[nando]

I found this page that shows engine specs and weights. They look accurate to me.

http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/enumber.html

Those are the same as posted above. Short block weights from the ETK. Not fully dressed / long block. And they're not even very consistent, if you start looking at them closely.

FWIW, the N52 short block is 120kg / 264.6lb

[Andrew325is]

Having run a pretty well-built M44 in my e30 for years now, I’d say it’s not a bad choice. Only 2 things I would change about my build tho. 86.5 or 87mm Je pistons with rings are only around $800 and it yields nearly 2.0L. Second, they do fall flat at 6,500 and it really needs an intake cam to make it rev to 7k and make power there. Aside from that, it’s a delightful, if slightly underpowered swap, and it returns 30+ mpg with my foot buried in it all the time. It’s not that slow however, it’s slightly faster than my workmate’s 86 325i. It’s a pretty cost-effective way to have a 170hp ( or more) 4cyl. Definitely go with all the late ECU and harness, it’s worth the trouble for the improvement in throttle response alone. And get a flash on it. That woke it up also. There are cheaper ways to make more power for sure. But I can roll into any CA smog station and pass without anyone ever asking a question.

I saw your thread about your engine build. It sounds really sweet.

[Andrew325is]

I found this page that shows engine specs and weights. They look accurate to me.

http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/enumber.html