Thoughts on build.

[SterlingMetE30]

Hey guys. I have been pondering this for all too long. I have an 87 eta sedan. Sitting right now with h&r race, billies and ie 22f/19r sways. And a now eta happy 3.46lsd. I have gone back and forth so many times with this car. It will eventually be my second car again. Right now its a dd. The purpose of this car will eventually be for weekend and autox. I want something balanced. I have thought about a 2.7i as I already have a 885 head which will be rebuilt if I go down the route. Along with that i could turbo it. With a twin scroll, due to wanting low boost threshold and lag. Or swap in a m30, and have it rebuilt, and a cam to open up the top end.

Also ac is a must. I visit family in eastern wa in the summer. 108 degrees last July 4th was terrible.
Thoughts?

[EN318isPDX]

24v is more cost effective than 327i imo

[Matt-B]

24v is more cost effective than 327i imo

I see so many Mickey mouse 2.7 strokers or whatnot. Lots are not even refreshed. Knew a few peeps who reused head gasket. 24v looks like a beast in the bay. Lots more aftermarket and bolt on support. Looks cleaner etc

And there not to expensive. My m50 was 200-250$

[5Toes]

haha ^ you are so right. 2.7i is like every honda kids dream with these cars. the money you put into a 24v swap can do alot for a m20 though. the car is not gonna be super fast unless you truly do some major work, the gap between mild build m20 and stock m50 is not that big

[spiDmang]

I think a big factor is just starting an excel spreadsheet and just start listing out what exactly you would need for your build.

I was able to do that with my s52 build and basically hit my mark, to the T, with everything installed and running correctly...

It all comes to preference too. I love the M20 in terms of cheap maintenance, but the performance gains with the 24v route (I would swap in an m52 at the very least. Don't waste your time on the m50) really wakes the E30 up.

Just my .02. Hope that helps

[Matt-B]

I think a big factor is just starting an excel spreadsheet and just start listing out what exactly you would need for your build.

I was able to do that with my s52 build and basically hit my mark, to the T, with everything installed and running correctly...

It all comes to preference too. I love the M20 in terms of cheap maintenance, but the performance gains with the 24v route (I would swap in an m52 at the very least. Don't waste your time on the m50) really wakes the E30 up.

Just my .02. Hope that helps

I did the same, motor 250$ 1000$ for refresh stuff. E36 arms etc. Had it all listed. I swapped from an m42 so power was more noticeable for me then , I'm sure m20 peeps

[SterlingMetE30]

If I went with a 2.7i build. I would rebuild the bottom and top end. Put a 284 cam and HD rockers and Springs. And some porting. Put seta pistons if I am keeping it na. And put itbs. Or a dual paternity turbo cam if turbo. But still a rebuild engine.

I'm looking at building this once and not skipping out.

I know a 24v can ultimately make more power. But the only 24v I would want in my car is a S54. I mainly want to keep a period engine. Hence why a 24v wasn't in the original post.

[EN318isPDX]

2.7i isn't really a stroker. It's merely a head swap. IMO if you wanna do a stroker build a 3.0+ M20

[SterlingMetE30]

2.7i isn't really a stroker. It's merely a head swap. IMO if you wanna do a stroker build a 3.0+ M20

I was thinking about boring it out some. I like the m20.

[Batz]

i just finished my 2.7i build. First thought after driving it a bit and giving it some gas and all (with chip) was, "I should of gone v8." Especially since everything is completely rebuild and i have about $2500 in the engine itself. The torque is definitely noticeable tho from an eta and 325i. Forget about shifting on a highway. I can be in 5th gear and still will be gaining speed on a steep hill. Havent done any redline pulls yet because the engine is still not broken in, but so far i am pretty sure m30 would still be better. I was actually thinking about doing an m30 swap, also rebuilding it completely and all, even bought the writeup, but then realized that i dont like how the e30 looks in the engine bay. But if you like it then go for it.
Mpg is also not that great, probably somewhere around what an m30 should have.
I still wish i went v8 tho haha.

P.s. i do have only a 2.93LSD so that might be why its not as quick as i expected. Will see if there will be huge difference after i put a 3.73

[delamaize]

Just do what I'm doing and go full retard. M60 FTW lol

[bmwm42]

Sounds like a lot of hopes and dreams.....do what toes is doing, build a super fast m42

[5Toes]

that project is on hold at the moment, definitely not going to be having those parts on by the picnic unless I sell my old leg lol

[mcdougal]

I have an S52 in mine and it's a blast. It's the perfect amount of power for the e30 chassis in my opinion. I've owned some pretty fast cars and it is just as fun to drive as any of them. Why do you say you don't want one in your car? Have you spent much time driving an s50/52-powered e30?

[Matt-B]

Shit, a ride in a 24v sold me instantly, never mind driving one. They're an absolute blast