Read somethin on M20 moding... what do you think?

[bimma360]

So here is somethin i read on bmwe30.net. It kinda made me think. I've heard repeatedly on this board that one can not reach such power from the M20 without a turbo. So what do you guys think?

Engine Rebuild with Internal Modifications

This is a big subject. It can range from just installing a Schrick camshaft all the way to a 2.7 liter conversion with high compression, titanium valves and longer titanium connecting rods, Mass Air Flow sensors, and many other things that can bring the motor up to around 250 horsepower WITHOUT turbochargers, superchargers, or nitrous oxide.

-Dave

[Jand3rson]

Re: Read somethin on M20 moding... what do you think?

I've heard repeatedly on this board that one can not reach such power from the M20 without a turbo.

You heard right.

[bimmerphile]

Re: Read somethin on M20 moding... what do you think?

I've heard repeatedly on this board that one can not reach such power from the M20 without a turbo.

You heard right.

:stupid:

And again, let us repeat, that for the amount of money you would spend getting that 250HP, IF you could get it (3.0L stoker, High Comp pistons, new camshaft, MAF, headers, full exhaust system, etc and DYNO TIME getting a custom engine management done), you would have spent more money than putting a 240 BASE HP, highly responsive to mods, 4 valve per cylinder, VANOS, DOHC S50B30US.

it seems so much easier to just do it to "what's already in my car"

Don't be deceived.

[reelizmpro]

I don't know anyone with that kind of power out of an M20, just around 210-215HP or so out of a stroker here in the US. I have heard of guys in other countries making 250HP but i'm not sure what they've done to the engine so I can't confirm. With that said, I suppose many things are possible with enough money. I think beyond 215-220HP the M20 becomes less cost effective.

[Ryan Stewart]

there is a North American version of the S50, tis from 1995. Its the 3.0l M3 engine before they went to ODB2. I probably should try and find one of these to put in my car instead of the S52 just to simplify things. I might just if I find a good one.

I know a lot of people would prefer to see me build a stroker M20 but by the time I do the work nessecary to get 240 reliable HP out of an M20 I could have just installed the S50 and even modded it. I prefer to reap the rewards of BMWs 15 years of development instead of redeveloping it again myself. Props to those who can tho...

[Charlie]

I don't doubt you could build an M20 to over 250 hp, it would simply require rebuilds every 45-50 hours or so.

-Charlie

[nando]

yeah, you could do it, but it would essentially be an expensive race motor, not a street motor.

if you want NA power without a swap, a stroker is a great thing, but if you want massive power, a turbo or a swap are your only options.

once I pay off all my debts, and depending on how the economy is, I'd consider doing a swap in my car.. I'd probably need a hybrid of some sort for a daily driver though :P

[bimmerphile]

the S50 is the euro version, the 3.2 is s52b32 in US and s50b32 in Euro. the 3.0 is same wit b30 ending.

Heh, my ETK disagrees with that.