If you were spending 7K on a new NA M20 engine

[hugh jass]

I don't want to swap cause I like the "plug n play" aspect of keeping the M20. I also want to maintain the balance of my car. I don't want to get coil-overs to accommodate the extra 80lbs worth of S50/S52.

No S14 due to cost to rebuild. Besides, I don't want a high strung engine.

I'm looking at 7K installed.

This may be the wrong thread, but why 24V or S14 over the Mighty M20?

Devon, yeah, I can't really afford it, but I can afford it more now than once the bambino gets older. Whatcha got for me?

what makes you think you need coilovers for an s50/s52 swap? it isn't that much extra weight.
if you want a reliable high hp, a twincam swap is going to be a lot more reliable than a built m20. the m20 is old tech - timing belt, 12v head, single cam. the twincam is a much better, smoother motor and is a great way to get lots of reliable power in the e30.
find one local and have the owner take you for a spin. i can almost guarantee you'll be scouring craiglist for a s52 motor that night.

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

in all honesty... I think you shouldn't listen to the "get s50" guys... I LOVE the SOUND OF M20!! I can't imagine it sounding with ITB's nice headers, catless+brullen muffler, nice cam and somewhere in the 2.9L range... sunch an unrefined, raw, loud, girgling m20! I love listening to the video where Jordan gets to drive his e30 for second or first time, where he is checking brakes... that sounds awesome!

For 7K you can definately make m20 to be a nicer enginethan it already is!

[e30s52]

so and s50 isnt raw power?

save money for your kid. you will need it big time

[devonjordan]

Guys, he wants to build an M20. The power:cost ratio might suck balls, but its what he wants. I say go for it, so long as I can give it a whirl. HAHA

imissmye30

[TDE30]

Why non? Vanos is nice, torque is a good thing.

-Charlie

Yeah, I'm sure it is. I've heard various horror stories of VANOS cars with high mileage. I'd be satisfied with the smoothness of the M50 alone.

[Charlie]

Yeah, I'm sure it is. I've heard various horror stories of VANOS cars with high mileage. I'd be satisfied with the smoothness of the M50 alone.

http://www.drvanos.com/

-Charlie

[z31maniac]

I personally think high output N/A m20s are freaking cool.

Jordan (Stuck) made something around 220-230bhp with his built 2.8L m20, and he only spent around $3k. His car was plenty fast.

I find that hard to believe if it was N/A.

Metric Mechanic accomplishes 240 at the crank with more displacement a 286 cam, 11:1 compression, custom built intake manifold, headwork and turning 7k RPM.

[aaron.j]

player 6 on the boards here has a 260bph 2.8L m20...

[Van Westervelt]

http://www.drvanos.com/

-Charlie

x2

I put in their unit, and the torque improved dramatically, and mine wasnt as bad as most. I should have lost some torque with the cams, but I gained it back in a Dr. Vanos unit. Woohoo

[markseven]

hey guys, I'll reply when I get home. I just called Treehouse about their adaptor for the S50...

[z31maniac]

player 6 on the boards here has a 260bph 2.8L m20...

NA?

I'd like to see a dyno sheet and details on the build.

[Jean]

Unless there a good dyno or multiple sheets to prove the HP, it's all BS.

[z31maniac]

Unless there a good dyno or multiple sheets to prove the HP, it's all BS.

I'm with ya.

[aaron.j]

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=71055

[Jon325i]

hey guys, I'll reply when I get home. I just called Treehouse about their adaptor for the S50...

AKG Motorsports has the same thing for 1/2 the price.

Now, if you're still leaning towards building an M20 with that $7K burning a hole in your pocket, find yourself a lower mileage "i" spec M20B25 motor, rebuild the head, toss in some new gaskets, main seals, etc. then slap on a turbo kit from Turbocharging Dynamics. Stage 1 low boost set up makes 240hp & 240 torques for ~$3,900. Stage 2 has higher boost, output & price. 300hp, 300ft/lb, ~$5,200

However, if it were me, I'd go S50/S52. Plenty of naturally aspirated ponies and no more complex than the good ol' M20.

Jon