Originally posted by Andrew325is
View Post
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Which engine would you choose for a swap?
Collapse
X
-
Honda engines are transverse and have some really crappy engineering designs. I’d take a slightly less powerful BMW engine any day.
Leave a comment:
-
I put 87 in my m42. There only economical to get another used one white it eventually breaks.
Also the reason they rev like shit is the 26lb dual mass flywheel!!!
Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by Julien View PostWhy three commas? Are you a billionaire?
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by Andrew325is View PostHow does the handling compare after the swap? Does it feel any different?
Originally posted by varg View PostIt's pretty simple. Compare the M42 to a good little I4 from the same era, the first generation Honda B16A.
1.8L vs 1.6L
6,500rpm vs 8,000rpm
138hp vs 160hp
10:1 vs 10.2:1
$21,000 car vs $12,000 car
meh vs the start of a legend
It's not that BMW couldn't do it, it's just that they didn't. A good, fun 4 cylinder revs high to make what little power it does and is ever responsive, an M42 doesn't even like to rev. 6,500rpm is plenty of revs for a 6 cylinder designed in the 70s (M20), but even in the late '80s when the M42 was penned 6,500rpm was average at best for a 4 cylinder. Look at that B16A, 1.6L, 20 more hp than the M42, revs to 8,000 rpm. The M42 on the other hand? It's coarse and noisy, and falls flat on its face after 6,000rpm. It doesn't even respond well to mods NA, with even a mere 150hp being a rare sight on M42club. Some pretty awful issues like profile gasket failure, crank walk and snapped idler tensioner bosses have also been observed in M42s. It's an engine with a lot of flaws considering what it came from; the era of BMWs being very durable, long lasting cars.
The rally engine is kind of a non-sequitur when talking about ordinary M42s, there's nothing stock left aside from the castings and they've attempted to fix every issue they can such as getting rid of the idler sprocket and putting a 180° thrust bearing set in it. It's basically a high dollar custom build, what is there to hate about that? other than getting a mere 205hp for your $10k of course. M42s are, in stock form at least, pretty much economy car motors minus the reliability.
Yes, the Honda B16 and B18 engines are impressive to me as well. In the '90s the m42 was comparable to other Japanese 4 cylinders in terms of power. The SR20DE found in the Sentra SE-R and NX2000 made 140 hp and that was even a 2 liter. The 1.8L in the Isuzu Impulse and Storm GSI made 140hp. Honda was on a different level back then. I would love to own an EM1 or GS-R.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by Codym42 View PostI don't understand the hate for the m42 either. The rally engine would be an absolute riot.
1.8L vs 1.6L
6,500rpm vs 8,000rpm
138hp vs 160hp
10:1 vs 10.2:1
$21,000 car vs $12,000 car
meh vs the start of a legend
It's not that BMW couldn't do it, it's just that they didn't. A good, fun 4 cylinder revs high to make what little power it does and is ever responsive, an M42 doesn't even like to rev. 6,500rpm is plenty of revs for a 6 cylinder designed in the 70s (M20), but even in the late '80s when the M42 was penned 6,500rpm was average at best for a 4 cylinder. Look at that B16A, 1.6L, 20 more hp than the M42, revs to 8,000 rpm. The M42 on the other hand? It's coarse and noisy, and falls flat on its face after 6,000rpm. It doesn't even respond well to mods NA, with even a mere 150hp being a rare sight on M42club. Some pretty awful issues like profile gasket failure, crank walk and snapped idler tensioner bosses have also been observed in M42s. It's an engine with a lot of flaws considering what it came from; the era of BMWs being very durable, long lasting cars.
The rally engine is kind of a non-sequitur when talking about ordinary M42s, there's nothing stock left aside from the castings and they've attempted to fix every issue they can such as getting rid of the idler sprocket and putting a 180° thrust bearing set in it. It's basically a high dollar custom build, what is there to hate about that? other than getting a mere 205hp for your $10k of course. M42s are, in stock form at least, pretty much economy car motors minus the reliability.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by MrBurgundy View Post^it sound SO good.
Stroker or not, an m20 makes nice noises for your ear holes.
m54, not so much
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by Codym42 View PostI don't understand the hate for the m42 either. The rally engine would be an absolute riot. I had fun with my chipped m42 but got bored after a while. It was fun, but not fast if that makes any sense at all. I swapped mine to an aluminum m52 and its a blast. Now, the car just needs better suspension to match the additional power. The m54 would be very similar (since its aluminum too) and would be the most bang for your buck.
Leave a comment:
-
I don't understand the hate for the m42 either. The rally engine would be an absolute riot. I had fun with my chipped m42 but got bored after a while. It was fun, but not fast if that makes any sense at all. I swapped mine to an aluminum m52 and its a blast. Now, the car just needs better suspension to match the additional power. The m54 would be very similar (since its aluminum too) and would be the most bang for your buck.Last edited by Codym42; 07-12-2019, 08:35 PM.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by Motheye99 View PostIsn't the s14 really a m10 with more stuff on top? Should weigh close to a n52 then. The reason people are bagging on it is it's hp/$ 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
Leave a comment:
-
M54 is the obvious choice. Cheapest option, most reliable, most power. Dunno why anyone would choose any other unless they’re racing in a class that limits by displacement or some shit
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by Andrew325is View PostI wouldn't call the S14 mediocre. If they were that bad they wouldn't be worth thousands of dollars. N52s are worth peanuts, less than M54 for some reason. Not sure why. Bargain if you can get one running in an E30.
Speaking of bargains, here's an S14 at auction in the UK someone might be able to a get a deal on. Doesn't say how many miles and no info as far as health of the engine like compression, so assume it needs a rebuild I guess. Doesn't say which variant, but maybe S14b20? I messaged the seller yesterday and haven't got a response. Might be a scam, but they've been a member since 2015, so who knows. Current bid is $2k with 2 days to go.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/complete-en...e/133107436596
Originally posted by JimmyP View PostMy bad on the N52, I thought all N motors had turbos.
I'd love a Mag /Alu block for an S14,,, but not interested in the size and the added weight of an N52.
I can lift an S14 block w/ crank, pistons, rods from the floor to my bench. They dont weigh much at all and they are a small package.
If you think the S14 is mediocre, carry on with your grocery getter engines.
I'll take 'em all.
Most of the people that bag on S14s, know really nothing about S14s.
S14B20 is a 2.0 litre version
Originally posted by varg View PostShortblock? Because I don't believe for a second than an S14 is over 100lbs lighter than an M42.
Engine weight figures are completely meaningless without information about the state of the motor when weighed.
Originally posted by benz-tech View PostHaving 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.
Originally posted by varg View PostMy point is that this context of its state and weight relative to another engine in similar state is critical to that weight meaning anything at all and should be mentioned when quoting the figure. Hence my comment asking if that's a short block weight because it's so much lighter than expected.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by flyboyx View Postyeah, 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
I loved the whole concept. I wanted to do one myself, I had all the parts.
I didnt even know he had it for sale untl I heard someone say something about Tim's cabrio for sale..
They day I heard he was selling it I emailed him and bought it.
If I hadn't bought it, I would have ended up doing one myself, it was that or an M2, I still want an M2, I still have all the parts to build one LOL.
Leave a comment:
-
M20 and its SOHC brethren makes some of the best noise you can get out of a BMW the modern M cars doesn't even come close.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by varg View PostIf 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.
Certain M cars especially the S54 do have rasp, that is fixed easily with an x pipe. Although many dont mind it.
Leave a comment:
Leave a comment: