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

[rwh11385]

Indeed. I may be losing sight of why I bought this car. I wanted a momentum car to learn with... but in the summer months when I don't attend HPDE's (too freakin hot), a fast car can alleviate the boredom.

Get a hobby that doesn't require dumping $$$ into the engine bay? Watch the kid as baby momma takes a long relaxing bath? Go play cards? Go play golf? Go dump money into a tax-shielded college saving account for the kid? (529) Throw money into a mutual fund for your retirement? Increase your deferred income for your 401K if you're DC and not fully maxed on being matched? Do Auto-X events in the downtime? Build a mini-barn? Hammock? Swingset? Clean your house out? Having a few guys over to share some beers? Learn tennis if you don't know how to play? Join a bowling league?

[markseven]

Get a hobby that doesn't require dumping $$$ into the engine bay? Watch the kid as baby momma takes a long relaxing bath? Go play cards? Go play golf? Go dump money into a tax-shielded college saving account for the kid? (529) Throw money into a mutual fund for your retirement? Increase your deferred income for your 401K if you're DC and not fully maxed on being matched? Do Auto-X events in the downtime? Build a mini-barn? Hammock? Swingset? Clean your house out? Having a few guys over to share some beers? Learn tennis if you don't know how to play? Join a bowling league?

"Wow" said in my best Jim Halpert impression :D

After reflecting a bit on your advice, I came to the realization that I am one boring, narrow-minded dude. I don't like much else except track days and driving my car. I don't have any other hobbies. I kinda submerse myself in one thing that I like and blot out everything else. BMX when I was in elementary school. Skateboards in jr. High. Drums/punk rock in high school. Now this. I know this expenditure is neither prudent or wise, but aren't most purchases that aren't necessities or staples? Anything over basic maintenance and repairs can be considered frivolous, correct?

**In the end, you are right**

[Fidhle007]

I've only skimmed through this thread so I apologize if I'm repeating something already said, but just FYI, I somehow LOST 70lbs off my car when I did my S50 swap. I'm not clear exactly how that happened but the scale doesn't lie...

[markseven]

I've only skimmed through this thread so I apologize if I'm repeating something already said, but just FYI, I somehow LOST 70lbs off my car when I did my S50 swap. I'm not clear exactly how that happened but the scale doesn't lie...

You gotz the AC and PS?

[rwh11385]

"Wow" said in my best Jim Halpert impression :D

After reflecting a bit on your advice, I came to the realization that I am one boring, narrow-minded dude. I don't like much else except track days and driving my car. I don't have any other hobbies. I kinda submerse myself in one thing that I like and blot out everything else. BMX when I was in elementary school. Skateboards in jr. High. Drums/punk rock in high school. Now this. I know this expenditure is neither prudent or wise, but aren't most purchases that aren't necessities or staples? Anything over basic maintenance and repairs can be considered frivolous, correct?

**In the end, you are right**

If your goal is to learn how to drive, dropping the cost of 10+ weekend events, tires, consumables on something you don't need isn't helping you. If you are bored in a M20B25, go try a M10 daily and see how boring a M20 really is.

There's plenty of people whose sole activity seems to be cars, e30s, and planning the next mod. Hell, one of them just made this racing simulator out of an E30 dash and seat...

Seriously, dump that $7k into a 529 and if you could have ~$23,000 for the first year of college education. In 17 years, 100% of an average total college costs will be $294,496. You will need to make monthly contributions of $623 to meet this cost until your kid starts school, if you only have one.

Yeah, I had fun in college being irresponsible dropping too much $$ on my E30 and track events, but if you seriously have $7K lying around - dump it into a mutual fund or tax-shielded savings account, not into your e30 engine bay.

[devonjordan]

If your goal is to learn how to drive, dropping the cost of 10+ weekend events, tires, consumables on something you don't need isn't helping you. If you are bored in a M20B25, go try a M10 daily and see how boring a M20 really is.

There's plenty of people whose sole activity seems to be cars, e30s, and planning the next mod. Hell, one of them just made this racing simulator out of an E30 dash and seat...

Seriously, dump that $7k into a 529 and if you could have ~$23,000 for the first year of college education. In 17 years, 100% of an average total college costs will be $294,496. You will need to make monthly contributions of $623 to meet this cost until your kid starts school, if you only have one.

Yeah, I had fun in college being irresponsible dropping too much $$ on my E30 and track events, but if you seriously have $7K lying around - dump it into a mutual fund or tax-shielded savings account, not into your e30 engine bay.

The voice of reason, quick someone squash it!

But mark, he may be right. :(

[Fidhle007]

You gotz the AC and PS?

No and Yes. The AC compressor was freaking heavy but I didn't think it would account for that much, and my condenser frame is still in there to hold my electric fan. I have cheapy headers though so maybe that could contribute to the lightness?

[vlad]

240 at the crank is exactly what Metric Mechanic advertises for his 3.1L Rally M20.

I'd love to have this motor, sounds very interesting

[ZM Blue Devil]

L, there's a guy in north San Diego that is says he can build a 240hp M20 for 6K installed and dyno tuned. I started this thread after speaking with him. A better value than MM, but he doesn't have the reputation. Let me know if you want his info.

We need to talk... I want to do something special in the touring. If we end up moving out west, your guy would be awesome as it almost be local.

[DCColegrove]

I'm a tellin' ya' 2 litre M42.

With ITBs (that I'm still trying to source... The ones I was using are NLA at the moment) We can get 250 BHP NA.

And it won't eff up the balance of the e30 (that was designed around the M10 in the first place)

[E30FTW]

on a side note, 1) you still povided no dyno or any real proof other than a list of work you did/had done to the motor, up to and including some 8mm silicone ignition wires.... and generally when people get that detailed, it's usually because they can't just show a dyno plot and say "this is what I put down" they feel it is necessary to list every single scrub of info so that you find their statement of power within reasonable doubt.

The dyno plots have been posted publicly all over this forum and have not changed their place of public hosting in 2 and a half years.

I could care less what your speculative beliefs to the contrary are as I have nothing to prove.

[DCColegrove]

The voice of reason, quick someone squash it!
...

Yes, If we were all reasonable here we'd be driving Smart cars.

[Charlie]

Look, magic.

-Charlie

[markseven]

I read something on one of the older swap web sites - the author wrote that the small brake boosters significantly decrease the power assist. Is this true? Is there a work-around?

[E30FTW]

I read something on one of the older swap web sites - the author wrote that the small brake boosters significantly decrease the power assist. Is this true? Is there a work-around?

I'm using the e32 booster/MC and the pedal feel and assist are great. Less pedal travel than stock too.