Thoughts on build.

[Mlarsen]

I hate to say it but, 24v swaps are the way to go nowadays. I've been trying to price out sorted 2.8 build and I always find a 24v is far more wallet friendly.

[iansane]

I guess the choice is do you want to stay 'period correct' and rock an archaic (but still cool) motor. If so, you're going to spend a LOT more to make the same power. Which there's nothing wrong with if you enter this build knowing.

I had engine issues and toasted my original m20 and the second junkyard budget build (cam only/no refresh) m20 so I just tossed in an m50. Holy hell has it been reliable.

[Munich Man]

I had a pretty nice E30 with an S50 that I swapped in it and I regretted it. Sure it was fast, sounded amazing after all the stainless and active autowork exhaust, etc. But there's nothing like the feel of a proper M20 in an E30 for me. This new e30 that I'm building is going to get a totally redone/modded M20 eventually.

If you can do some stuff to get an M20 up to 200 ish HP, it'd such a great driving car. S50/S52 E30's are fun, but I just love the feel of an M20. Maybe boosted even.

[e30austin]

24v > all. If you insist on wasting money on an M20, the real way to do it is to use a euro ETA bottom end (11:1 comp) and a 731 head with some port work done, run it with B25 intake mani and engine management and you can have a fun M20 for not a whole lot of money. The euro bottom end is the hard/expensive part of the build.

[wannaBMthree]

If you want period correct M30 FTW . Hell they offered it factory in South Africa.

[AustinK425]

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

yeah, Simons M20 kept up with your swap go m52 as a bare minimum.

[Matt-B]

If you want period correct M30 FTW . Hell they offered it factory in South Africa.

Well they made 92 e30s and e36s, so an m50 is technically period correct lol

[EN318isPDX]

M30 is cool just not a fan of smashing my car with a sledge

[SterlingMetE30]

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?

I have not ridden in a s5x car. Nor a m50. Someone drove me in a m30 swapped car. But they didn't do a wot pull... but I am really thinking about keeping the m20. Sorry have been ridiculouslying busy. Would have replied sooner guys.

[SterlingMetE30]

24v > all. If you insist on wasting money on an M20, the real way to do it is to use a euro ETA bottom end (11:1 comp) and a 731 head with some port work done, run it with B25 intake mani and engine management and you can have a fun M20 for not a whole lot of money. The euro bottom end is the hard/expensive part of the build.

Thanks Austin. I think this is going to be in the build I want. I have the time to source the parts. I'm not looking to do this for awhile. But I could get the 731 head and put it on my current eta block. And run it until I have the euro bottom end. I am also thinking itbs. I don't care about maximum performance out of my car. It's 30 years old for f sake. If I want something competitive for track I'll get myself a brz.

[korn]

Thanks Austin. I think this is going to be in the build I want. I have the time to source the parts. I'm not looking to do this for awhile. But I could get the 731 head and put it on my current eta block. And run it until I have the euro bottom end. I am also thinking itbs. I don't care about maximum performance out of my car. It's 30 years old for f sake. If I want something competitive for track I'll get myself a brz.

I am with you on this!! I've had a turbo M20: fun. But this time I am massaging the M20. ITBs will be awesome... I hope to see a setup or three at the Picnic.