NOR-CAL General Chat.

[Cabriolet]

JinormusJ, then just get your M20b25 running perfectly. I autoXed my m20, DD, etc. theres nothing wrong with keeping it and just getting cams and chip.
much better front end weight. delete the mech fan, PS and AC. you get a really nice car.

[Wh33lhop]

S54 is heavier than an s52. It's quite a lot more weight up front actually, about 100lbs over an M20. And it's not particularly cheap to maintain.

I'd agree that a B35 would be your best bet if you are set on that power/torque level. Cheap, bulletproof, no slouch. Just budget more for gas and hope you don't have to bleed the coolant a whole lot.

[Cabriolet]

nate, where is the extra weight? the blocks are nearly identical. the head is very close to the same as an euro S50. i can see 40lbs but 100 seems far off from the # i've seen

[JinormusJ]

But the torque on the m30...

I'd agree that a B35 would be your best bet if you are set on that power/torque level.

I riden in my buddies Euro s50 car; I want to push as close to that figure as possible. That's like.. 330 at least. I figure if I can chop up to 300, I'll be satisfied. You really don't need more than that in an e30

Euro S50 is close to $4k though, regular s52s are $2k, and s54s are close to $5-6k.
I'm thinking with the m30, the initial buy will be cheap, building it will be half the cost of the S50, then I can buy bolt-ons (ITBs, exhaust, chip, etc.) later down the line as the budget grows

Maintainence is dirt cheap cause m30s are everywhere, they look period correct so no red-flags at smog, they'reknown to keep going til hell freezes over, plug and play WITH OBC coding plugs..

I've heard of people buying m30 parts cars for $500, then selling off everything + the m20 and coming out the swap $1k over in pocket

I dunno, the more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that m30s are the way to go

[Wh33lhop]

nate, where is the extra weight? the blocks are nearly identical. the head is very close to the same as an euro S50. i can see 40lbs but 100 seems far off from the # i've seen

It's sure got a lot more throttles though. :)

[Cabriolet]

all these weight #s i see for the M20, must be gutted. i can lift 250. and there's no way in hell i can pick up any of the M20's i've built. im weighing the one that is going into my blue car after it gets built.

[JinormusJ]

I'm using the comprehesinve list on BF.C
Engine weights

Don't specify gutted, fully equipt, or built

[Wh33lhop]

But the torque on the m30...

I risen in my buddies Euro s50 car; I want to push as close to that figure as possible. That's like.. 330 at least. I figure if I can chop up to 300, I'll be satisfied. You really don't need more than that in an e30

Euro S50 is close to $4k though, regular s52s are $2k, and s54s are close to $5-6k.
I'm thinking with the m30, the initial buy will be cheap, building it will be half the cost of the S50, then I can buy bolt-ons (ITBs, exhaust, chip, etc.) later down the line as the budget grows

Maintainence is dirt cheap cause m30s are everywhere, they look period correct so no red-flags at smog, they'reknown to keep going til hell freezes over, plug and play WITH OBC coding plugs..
I dunno, the more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that m30s are the way to go

I've heard of people buying m30 parts cars for $500, then selling off everything + the m20 and coming out the swap $1k over in pocket

300 at the crank? That ballpark is achievable... But yeah, not just with boltons.

[2mAn]

thinking of picking up this S52 locally to me. I figure If I have to go through the hassle of taking my car to the ref, I might as well make it worth it. How much of a pain in the ass is it to get the S52 ref'd?

[Vivek]

What's the difficulty like with an m30? They're pretty big power, take well to boost, and are cheap (free swap if you go about it correctly?) you can't use any e30 transmissions though. I've read through the swap guide a couple times and it seems more complicated than a 24v.

[kronus]

You need custom motor mounts, a big-guibo driveshaft, a transmission that will bolt up and a BFH, but otherwise not bad. Motronic 1.3 electronics plug right in more or less (have to extend a few sensor wires)

[JinormusJ]

300 at the crank? That ballpark is achievable... But yeah, not just with boltons.

Well, with boring out of the cylinders and bigger pistons of course. I've read M20B35s making 300 rwhp with bolt ons. I'm sure 300 is easily achievable with an M30

What's the difficulty like with an m30? They're pretty big power, take well to boost, and are cheap (free swap if you go about it correctly?) you can't use any e30 transmissions though. I've read through the swap guide a couple times and it seems more complicated than a 24v.

You'd still be using a Getrag 260, but it'd be the G260/6
Not sure of the difference frankly, I just starting reading about m30 swaps all of two days ago. As far as difficulty, I thought I heard they were the easiest m20 swap; almost direct plug and play wiring at the harness or so! Besides the custom motor mounts.

Only thing that bugs me is SOHC....

[kronus]

Well, with boring out of the cylinders and bigger pistons of course. I've read M20B35s making 300 rwhp with bolt ons. I'm sure 300 is easily achievable with an M30

that's not a real thing that exists

[JinormusJ]

Built, yes
Stock, no

I should have specified personal builds, my bad

[kronus]

You cannot build a 3.5 liter M20.