And it begins...

[z31maniac]

Wil everyone just stop shitting on Josh's thread? WTF?

If you don't like M20s thatn STFU and go somewhere else. This isn't a thread for s5x vs m20 debates. If you don't have something useful to add, GTFO.

Whoa! I don't think anyone was trying to crap on his thread!


And Stu, no, I haven't daily'd either. BUT, I do know what it is like to live with a peaky, race motor (my other toy is something that's actually fast, R6.)

I remember asking you about your setup and its definitely an awesome setup, but what did it cost you to accomplish that? The motor + tranny + getting everything in and going was QUITE a chunk of change I'm sure.

[Stu]

Gotta agree on a built M20, its the route I will be undertaking hopefully at the beginning of next year.

An M52, with M50 head and intake mani and the Euro HFM and other mods is still right around 200 WHP, oh and you still have a used engine.

2mm overbore pistons + S52 crank = a 3.1 L M20 add big cam, some headwork, shot peened/x-ray'd new rocker arms and I'll bet you'll be close if not to the 200 WHP markm without the weight penalty of the 24v swap.

Have you daily-driven a 3.1L M20? How about an M52?

[ColdAccord]

No Typing On The Internet

[CorvallisBMW]

Wil everyone just stop shitting on Josh's thread? WTF?

If you don't like M20s thatn STFU and go somewhere else. This isn't a thread for s5x vs m20 debates. If you don't have something useful to add, GTFO.

[ColdAccord]

another thing to consider; spend 2-3k on an m20. you'll have a rough idle, and be maxed out for power. 230 at the crank if you get high compression, big ol cam, maf, etc etc. and you can't add a s/c or anything with that compression

2-3k on an s50, you'll have 240 at the crank, and just be starting out. build it n/a, or boost it, if you wanted power (fi isn't the reason im picking s50, just giving an example)

[z31maniac]

Gotta agree on a built M20, its the route I will be undertaking hopefully at the beginning of next year.

An M52, with M50 head and intake mani and the Euro HFM and other mods is still right around 200 WHP, oh and you still have a used engine.

2mm overbore pistons + S52 crank = a 3.1 L M20 add big cam, some headwork, shot peened/x-ray'd new rocker arms and I'll bet you'll be close if not to the 200 WHP markm without the weight penalty of the 24v swap.

[nando]

I'm just speaking from experience. My m20 pistons were $600 alone (10.2:1 RD pistons). $300 in headwork, however much for cam, springs, arms and shafts, then all the gaskets, seals, hoses, etc. got pretty pricey. I wasn't trying to come across as a jerk or pessimistic or anything

Though I do think anything I do to my e30 is still worth it. No matter what it's still a $15-20k car :)

$600 for pistons is cheap :p

that's why I did mine in two stages - head and then bottom end. much easier to swallow that way!

[nando]

Nothing we do to our 20 year old non collector cars is really worth it. But its cheaper and safer then doing drugs.


Whats with all the knife edge pessimism? I though less rotating mass was always a good thing. Are you guys also against light weight fly wheels.

because it costs lots of money for almost no gain? Unless josh is planning on building a 7500rpm monster, there's no reason for him to waste money on that. Better to spend some of that to have it tuned properly. A shaved down flywheel cost me $30, how much do you think proper knife edging will cost?

[einstein57]

Well you have a collector e30 so your mods don't count. j/k. A built M20 just adds character. 20 years from now the hottest e30 on the planet will be an all original 84 318i. Those will be damn near extinct in 5 years.

[ColdAccord]

I'm just speaking from experience. My m20 pistons were $600 alone (10.2:1 RD pistons). $300 in headwork, however much for cam, springs, arms and shafts, then all the gaskets, seals, hoses, etc. got pretty pricey. I wasn't trying to come across as a jerk or pessimistic or anything

Though I do think anything I do to my e30 is still worth it. No matter what it's still a $15-20k car :)

[einstein57]

i mean its cool and all, but i dont really think building an m20 is worth it. I mean it's going to cost $1-2k even if you get a free block. For that price you can get an s50, I just dont really think its worth it.

Nothing we do to our 20 year old non collector cars is really worth it. But its cheaper and safer then doing drugs.


Whats with all the knife edge pessimism? I though less rotating mass was always a good thing. Are you guys also against light weight fly wheels.

[golde30]

Josh, get a MAF and tune that motor. m20 with AFM delete feel soo much better.

PS: im jealous of your 20K miles m20.

[Stu]

Good to hear Josh--but sell what you've got and get atleast a 2.8 M50 to swap in there! They can be had on the cheap and make about the same power as 3.0 M50's (84x84 vs 86x86)

[backtrail69]

Everyone should stop being a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles and stroke, bore, turbo and cam their M20s! We will see what my engine makes at 20 psi within 1-2 months.. Already 100 whp over a obd1 s52 swap on my low boost..

[Van Westervelt]

Its about damn time you made a decision there Joshie. I still think you should opt for the ITB setup. :twisted: