M20 - dry-sumped, ITB's .... in a Commodore?!

[nando]

With all the modding geniuses why hasn't someone converted the belt to a chain or something stronger than rubber cause that sounds cheaper than a full motor swap. Or am i speaking from la-la land and what im saying is way too difficult?

belts are superior to chains in every aspect except for maintenance.

oh yeah, those are RD headers.

[CarsSuck]

belts are superior to chains in every aspect except for maintenance.

oh yeah, those are RD headers.

I kind of disagree. I would much prefer to change a belt and do a little other maintenance every few years compared to having to screw with chains, sprockets, rails, guides and oil seals once. So IMO, they're better in every way.

[Robotin]

love those medusa headers!!! wish my m10 could hace shitl ike that!

[BUDNUNTA]

belts are superior to chains in every aspect except for maintenance.

^
Agreed
lighter weight stands out to me

It's so easy to change anyway

Seeing that makes me miss my old m20, those are great engines, just not really the fad right now
they sound awesome, sewing machine noise an all

[Wanganstyle]

^
Agreed
lighter weight stands out to me

It's so easy to change anyway

Seeing that makes me miss my old m20, those are great engines, just not really the fad right now
they sound awesome, sewing machine noise an all

Lighter AND Cheaper to keep in 100% condition. why bother caring if not 100%?

A worn out chain/timing set from some junkyard motor does not count as OK to me... a brand new timing belt and tensioner and a M20 is 100%; cost of a brand new chain/sproket/timing set is more $$$ and heavier rotational mass


Belts go 8,000-9,000 rpm+ all the time in subarus, hondas, mazda's. If one cannot afford a belt change in a M20 and wants to beat on the car - they cannot afford the car.

chains dont as much in OEM applications - my S54 could go 8400rpm daily but its overall cost could buy a s2k motor+subaru sti engine.


if you really care, no chain or belt;Direct gear drive.

Local M12 engine got converted to gear drive for efficiency

[bmwstephen]

cost of changing my e46's waterpump costs as much as the whole timing belt job on an e30 anyway (which requires you to tackle the water-pump). their rate of failure is the same at 60k.. if not sooner since they are composite construction. Biggest difference is when the other timing components on an m54 fails, then it becomes diminishing returns.

[LJ851]

Belts go 13k+ rpm on Ducatis...


Most of the times i have done a timing belt on an M20 the waterpump was worn and needed replacement.

[Exodus_2pt0]

With all the modding geniuses why hasn't someone converted the belt to a chain or something stronger than rubber cause that sounds cheaper than a full motor swap. Or am i speaking from la-la land and what im saying is way too difficult?

There is nothing wrong with a timing belt. It is actually a more efficient design than a timing chain. Timing chains are for the masses who wouldn't even change their oil if it weren't for Jiffy Lube.

[gtdragon980]

if you really care, no chain or belt;Direct gear drive.

This would be so awesome if it could be done!

[e30shmobberr]

look at that m20! but i do know it shouldn't be at that angle, correct?

[Click]

I just hate that feeling in the back of my head that A) the belt breaking will grenade the engine, B) on my way to buy the belt it will grenade, C) I fuck something up dicking around changing the belt, D) I'm not going to find time to change the belt and it will grenade the engine.

Haha this, I bought my e30 with an unknown maintenance history and drove around with a conti belt kit in my trunk for a week or two thinking of my belt snapping like every 5 seconds.

[bmwstephen]

look at that m20! but i do know it shouldn't be at that angle, correct?

does angle matter in swapped cars? if so, I suspect a lot of m5x/s5x cars would have issues by now no?

[Massimo]

They all have advantages and disadvantages.

Dosn't matter though because will all be drving something like this in the future.

Camless Engine

[SkiFree]

does angle matter in swapped cars? if so, I suspect a lot of m5x/s5x cars would have issues by now no?

It would if your trying to keep the oil at the traditional oil-pump pickup spot (plus the oil-return tube off the manifold), but since you're dry sumping it wouldn't matter so much. Can't think of any other potential hickups at the moment.

[nando]

does angle matter in swapped cars? if so, I suspect a lot of m5x/s5x cars would have issues by now no?

No, E30 swaps use the correct angle.