M42 metric mechanic, whose done it?

['e30love']

As stated, I've been searching alot lately online and the actual site for metric mechanic.
I had my heart set out on an m motor for my "perfect" e30.
But after acquiring my new 318is I've had a change of heart for "keeping it mostly original".
They are quite pricey and the gains aren't very big, I'm not looking to race I just want to have some power under my hood for street use.
This isn't a " what's best for my money swap" I'm pretty set on a metric mechanic engine with an itb set-up. Really looking for more info,opinions,video etc.
Price doesn't really matter because I love this car and plan on keeping it forever or as long as I can.
Any of you guys have one? Done it? Regret it?
Waiting on levent to toss up some videos.

[Massimo]

I don't know of anyone who has one I think there is a guy on M42club who’s dad has a turbo engine from them. From what I have heard there work is top notch.

Also you will need to buy a new exhaust for your car to take advantage of the new engine. If you are going to go ITB then you will need a stand alone ECU with that and the exhaust you should see more power then what metric mechanic claims I would guest mate maybe 220hp. It is allot of money for not much of a gain, and you would be spending a lot more on ITB exhaust and ECU if you are not doing any of it your self.

If you do use ITB you are going to loose allot of your mid range torque, MM modifies the intakes with pulse chambers to increase mid range torque something like 40% over stock I believe. You could probably get the same results with ITB's but will require trial and error.

If you can work on your own car the obvious choice would be turbo, otherwise save your self a heap of money and build your engine yourself.

Good luck

['e30love']

I don't know of anyone who has one I think there is a guy on M42club who’s dad has a turbo engine from them. From what I have heard there work is top notch.

Also you will need to buy a new exhaust for your car to take advantage of the new engine. If you are going to go ITB then you will need a stand alone ECU with that and the exhaust you should see more power then what metric mechanic claims I would guest mate maybe 220hp. It is allot of money for not much of a gain, and you would be spending a lot more on ITB exhaust and ECU if you are not doing any of it your self.

If you do use ITB you are going to loose allot of your mid range torque, MM modifies the intakes with pulse chambers to increase mid range torque something like 40% over stock I believe. You could probably get the same results with ITB's but will require trial and error.

If you can work on your own car the obvious choice would be turbo, otherwise save your self a heap of money and build your engine yourself.

Good luck

Thanks for the input do yours saying that an itb set up alone can acquire what a mm can do? Hopefully I'll be doing school in august for ase certification then I can work at a dealership so I do eventually expect to work on my own car.
I like the idea of mm because it's more unique than dropping and s motor in there. I like the idea of an angry 4 banger.
I read on the metric mechanic page that all those engines pretty much need to have forced induction either like a turbo or supercharger. Does this definitively mean that it needs boost?

[Ryann]

I have yet to see before/after dyno results with ITB's, so I have no idea. They are definitely louder. I have seen the Metric Mechanic YouTube videos. While there aren't any performance specifics revealed they are nonetheless impressive.

[Massimo]

Thanks for the input do yours saying that an itb set up alone can acquire what a mm can do? Hopefully I'll be doing school in august for ase certification then I can work at a dealership so I do eventually expect to work on my own car.
I like the idea of mm because it's more unique than dropping and s motor in there. I like the idea of an angry 4 banger.
I read on the metric mechanic page that all those engines pretty much need to have forced induction either like a turbo or supercharger. Does this definitively mean that it needs boost?

Sorry you misunderstood me MM claims 200hp with their top of the line NA motor. If you were to add to the MM engine an exhaust, Custom ECU and ITBs then you could get maybe 220hp. I would have to agree with you a screaming 4 banger is always like a party in my pants.

Though for the same money, research, time and a some effort I recon you could pull 250hp maybe 280. Here is a list of what I would do if money was no object.

Bottom end:
Custom 85mm Billet Crank
Custom CP Conrods
Custom JE Pistons
Custom Bottom End Bearing Girdle
Low Friction Coating of Crank Bearing Journals and Rod Journals

Top End:
Vac Motorsport Stage 3 head with Titanium Valve retainers. I could spend more and custom my head but VAC have heads that put down 155hp/L in M50 engines which have the same port design as the M42.
Cams would require some trial and error probably in the 300 degree range.
ITBs once again some trail and error for best torque curve.
Two stage fuel injectors
Custom Exhaust 4 into 1 headers and about 2.5' - 2.75' pipe strait through.
Custom ECU

My goal would be about 340hp from 2lt. It is very optimistic but with the bottom end girdle I could rev the engine to 10,000rpm which theoretically seem me at 340hp. Would be nice but I do not have the money so only a dream.

[ZM Blue Devil]

BenM and his father have the MM turbo set up. Denis and his buddy Sam have the MM2.1 Amazing engines/set ups.

Ill contact them both to weight in.

L

['e30love']

Will do thanks for the great input guys.
I'd like to run it without turbo.

[Hey-U]

I think the 200 hp na MM motor is an excellent way to go. It sounds like it is a bullet proof engine with increased torque, excellent longevity and reliability. A long conversation with MM revealed their enthusiasm for this motor and its ability to keep up with turbo and sc cars with up to 20% more power. It seems to be an appropriate power upgrade for the rest of the drive train with out having to continue modding the rest of the car. It’s a lot of money compared to the cars value but in the long run I bet you would be very happy. The value of plug and play can only be gauged by you.

['e30love']

I think the 200 hp na MM motor is an excellent way to go. It sounds like it is a bullet proof engine with increased torque, excellent longevity and reliability. A long conversation with MM revealed their enthusiasm for this motor and its ability to keep up with turbo and sc cars with up to 20% more power. It seems to be an appropriate power upgrade for the rest of the drive train with out having to continue modding the rest of the car. It’s a lot of money compared to the cars value but in the long run I bet you would be very happy. The value of plug and play can only be gauged by you.

I totally agree with what you just said I truly do plan on keeping this car for life, and the originality of keeping the m42 would make me real happy.

[thedguy]

I haven't personally owned one of Jim's motors but I have experience with his shop. Jim used to build circle track motors for guys in Kansas City, apparently quit successfully.

His service is more than just the peak numbers on a graph. I've driven a 2150 cc m42 he built, IIRC was his first for Sam a.k.a febiguibo on m42club. The engine pulls from idle to the red line of somewhere north of 8k (peak hp hits right around 7800rpms). I tested this rolling through Richland over the rail road tracks at 1k in 5th gear then giving it some throttle. I couldn't believe how quickly it pulled as well as how smoothly it did it. No weird tip in issues or hesitations. It pulled like a stock 5.0 fox body would but just kept going in the same gear. Best part about this engine, is it looks factory, and he builds a custom tune for the ecu as well.

I've had the pleasure of meeting a few out in ST. Louis that had other engines built by him (even drove in a 3.2 stroker M20) and not a single person had a complaint.

The quality of his work is impressive, the things this man knows are mind boggling. The best part about dealing with Jim is by far his friendliness. If you've ever been around engine builders a lot of them are super secretive about the tricks they do and letting people in his shop. Jim took my brother and I and showed us all around the shop told us all sorts of little tricks, and exactly how things are done.

You might be able to build a motor with the same or similar parts, and even get similar numbers but I doubt it will be just as good. Jim does a lot of little things that seem like they might not be worthwhile but it all adds up. Jim's son was planning on an s14 swap into a 325 he was building as a race car, once he drove test drove this m42 setup he changed his mind real quick :)

The most impressive part of his service? Sam drove down from New York to Missouri in his 318. His engine decided to upchuck the pan gasket that connects the pump to the pickup and his trip was stopped dead in west Pennsylvania. When he called Jim to let him know he'd be late, only thing Jim asked was "whats the address of where you're staying? I'll send a truck after you." Teddy, one of his mechanics, drove up over night to grab him then bring him back down to Missouri.

To top it all off, Jim put Sam (and his Girl friend) up in his home for the entire week and got to watch his motor be built, help out on installing it (saving him some $$$), and use his lifts to do other work on his car.

If you can arrange to go there and have your motor swapped at his shop, it's well worth it. Take the tour and let him show you just what he does to make the power out of the engines.

['e30love']

I haven't personally owned one of Jim's motors but I have experience with his shop. Jim used to build circle track motors for guys in Kansas City, apparently quit successfully.

His service is more than just the peak numbers on a graph. I've driven a 2150 cc m42 he built, IIRC was his first for Sam a.k.a febiguibo on m42club. The engine pulls from idle to the red line of somewhere north of 8k (peak hp hits right around 7800rpms). I tested this rolling through Richland over the rail road tracks at 1k in 5th gear then giving it some throttle. I couldn't believe how quickly it pulled as well as how smoothly it did it. No weird tip in issues or hesitations. It pulled like a stock 5.0 fox body would but just kept going in the same gear. Best part about this engine, is it looks factory, and he builds a custom tune for the ecu as well.

I've had the pleasure of meeting a few out in ST. Louis that had other engines built by him (even drove in a 3.2 stroker M20) and not a single person had a complaint.

The quality of his work is impressive, the things this man knows are mind boggling. The best part about dealing with Jim is by far his friendliness. If you've ever been around engine builders a lot of them are super secretive about the tricks they do and letting people in his shop. Jim took my brother and I and showed us all around the shop told us all sorts of little tricks, and exactly how things are done.

You might be able to build a motor with the same or similar parts, and even get similar numbers but I doubt it will be just as good. Jim does a lot of little things that seem like they might not be worthwhile but it all adds up. Jim's son was planning on an s14 swap into a 325 he was building as a race car, once he drove test drove this m42 setup he changed his mind real quick :)

The most impressive part of his service? Sam drove down from New York to Missouri in his 318. His engine decided to upchuck the pan gasket that connects the pump to the pickup and his trip was stopped dead in west Pennsylvania. When he called Jim to let him know he'd be late, only thing Jim asked was "whats the address of where you're staying? I'll send a truck after you." Teddy, one of his mechanics, drove up over night to grab him then bring him back down to Missouri.

To top it all off, Jim put Sam (and his Girl friend) up in his home for the entire week and got to watch his motor be built, help out on installing it (saving him some $$$), and use his lifts to do other work on his car.

If you can arrange to go there and have your motor swapped at his shop, it's well worth it. Take the tour and let him show you just what he does to make the power out of the engines.

Jim sounds like an awesome guy. This will Deff be on my list before doing So. Can't wait to be certified an get a better paying job so I can save up. I'm really looking forward to seeing some videos, there aren't many on the web....

[thedguy]

Jim sounds like an awesome guy. This will Deff be on my list before doing So. Can't wait to be certified an get a better paying job so I can save up. I'm really looking forward to seeing some videos, there aren't many on the web....

I can't say enough good things about them. If his shop wasn't so far from where I lived at the time I'd have spent all my free time down his way.

I'm in the same boat, I need to make more money so I can get one of his motors :D

['e30love']

I can't say enough good things about them. If his shop wasn't so far from where I lived at the time I'd have spent all my free time down his way.

I'm in the same boat, I need to make more money so I can get one of his motors :D

What is the name of the shop?

[Simon S]

I have one word regarding Metric Mechanic :

drool

[dude8383]

Hehe, I'll wait for Sam aka Febi Guibo to pop in b/c he's the original owner of the MM motor.

The car I own now was previously Sam's and used to have the MM motor in it. Boy was it a joy to drive!!