Would an F20C fit into an E30?

[5Toes]

KA24 turbo would be much better.. CHEAP. Just saw one with a t28 pushing 230WHP yesterday

[Emre]

I had very seriously considered this swap before deciding to leave my e30 alone and start working on a new race car. It's much more difficult than it looks.

*This guy modded the hell out of the firewall to move it way way far back but I don't think that is necessary.

The F20C has a very different shape than a BMW 4-banger. It will NOT fit into an e30 without major surgery. The front subframe and steering rack are in the way. You either need to move it WAY back in the chassis, or cut out the front subframe and remove the steering rack. This swap is actually a little easier in an '02 since you've already got a steering box instead of rack-and-pinion. Still, it takes some major surgery to make it work. An LS1 swap is easier.

This engine is perfect for the e30 IMO. Light front end for great handling with nice sporty high revving power.

I think it's already been mentioned, but the F20C isn't all that light.

How does it not fit with the hood? The top of it sits way below the hoodline. Or are you guys talking about the e36? Who cares about e36.

The S2000 basically has a huge hole in the center of the engine bay. The steering rack runs in front of the engine, etc. BMW engine bays have a subframe + steering rack going right across the middle. If you put an F20C on top of it, it sticks way the hell up past the hood.

Like I said, it's much trickier than it seems at first glance.

[FredK]

Oh, in the US you can get an F20C and 6 speed transmission for around $4500.

Thanks for the info, Eecen. I didn't realize the F20C and transmission weighed around the same as an LS1.

[Massimo]

I like in the video how the tacho gose all the way back to zero lol.

I have considered this swap multi times as I am also bias towards the 4 banger in the e30. Though I would go stand alone.

Edit the engines are not cheap though, I could have an s54 for less.

[Kershaw]

Shouldn't you be lusting after an apex seal pump instead?

Jay kay, I heart triangles.

if i could swap the 13b for an f20c for free, i'd do it. but for the cost of the swap, i may as well put an ls1 in the rx8.

[Pantless Spency]

this makes me excited.

[reelizmpro]

better than the s14.

i'd rather have an f20c in an m3 any day of the week.

I won't deny that! It's a much newer engine making more HP with less displacement and it's cheaper and lighter. What tripped me out the most was how much space was left in that 2002 with the F20C. Only thing is that it's a non BMW engine (if you care)

[Eecen]

Here is the link if anyone cares:

http://www.v8s2000.com/forums/showthread.php?8-STICKY-LS1-Vs-F20C-WEIGHT-DIFFERENCE&p=40

My mistake, it was w/ transmission. But still, pretty damn close in overall weight. Obviously overall weight isn't the biggest factor to consider, but still food for thought.

[Eecen]

An F20c with a turbo, or SC would be tits.

Apparently the transmissions are easily damaged (second syncro) if driven by a jackass.

They actually weigh roughly the same as an LS motor though (long blocks). I have a link on my computer somewhere.

Also M30s won't fit in an E36, apparently they're too tall. But obviously they fit in E30s....

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[Wh33lhop]

better than the s14.

i'd rather have an f20c in an m3 any day of the week.

Shouldn't you be lusting after an apex seal pump instead?

Jay kay, I heart triangles.

[Kershaw]

better than the s14.

i'd rather have an f20c in an m3 any day of the week.

[Jean]

Agree, perfect if you must stay 4cyl....just as good if not better than the s14 .

[Mlarsen]

Guy up here in the PNW had one in a 2002. Was pretty sweet. He had the instrument cluster swapped in as well (you might have to have the cluster to get the engine to run IDK)

That would probably be the easiest way. I wonder what it would take to integrate the s2000 push start.

[Kershaw]

if i ever owned an m3 and the s14 was on it's last legs, this is the swap i'd do. apparently the flow characteristics between the 2 engine heads is very similar.

i've been dreaming about an f20c swap into an e30 for years.

[dnick]

fitment aside. Its cool, but damn it, when that e36 passed it sounded so wrong.