Best engine for E30?

Thread in 'Technical Questions' started by BONNARSKI, Aug 17, 2011.

  1. Paz

    Paz -NIGHTSPIRIT FAMILY- UK Drift Since 2001

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    M30's are shit dont bother. Done 2, both shit, no better than an M20 but uses 5 million times more fuel.

    On a budget, M50/M52 for reliable strong base which will just let you drive, bigger budget S50 (B30/32).
     
  2. Robbs

    Robbs FRANTIC

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    I find that strange you say that Paz as I've had an e28 535i and a couple of 325i's too and the 3.5 deffinately had loads more pull than the 2.5 :confused:
     
  3. Paz

    Paz -NIGHTSPIRIT FAMILY- UK Drift Since 2001

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    They might of had a bit more in gear torque but its just a rattly old relic of a motor, or both our M30's were bollocksed.. But ive had an E34 535i sport myself, and it was OK at best. They still break rocker arms too.

    M50 for me, not massively fast or anything but super strong motor!
     
  4. tail_happy_200

    tail_happy_200 james cant drift

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    got to say the m30 swap is not the best. my mate did it in his e30 and although had bags of torque the car understeers really badly.

    not sure how a 2.8 with a 2.5 inlet giving 230bhp cant be the best option
     
  5. Kit

    Kit Do Want

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    By fitting the M50 inlet the peak torque moves slightly further up the curve ive noticed, so fitting a bigger throttle body (as far as I know its a straight swap but i've no personal experiance with this) to an M52 inlet isn't a bad idea plus it's a bit of a fiddly swap to do the inlet:

    M50 Manifold Install

    Nothing that couldn't be done over the course of a day though.
     
    #25 Kit, Aug 18, 2011
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2011
  6. boostcrazy

    boostcrazy New Member

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    I can'( agree more. M52 2.5 with a few mods is a great choice for a low cost, good power diy conversion.
     
  7. ElTorro

    ElTorro Commie bastard

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    I've got one in 523 e39, m52b25 2,5 one. You can feel it has more torque than M50 up to 2500-3000, then they're pretty close. The sound is ace.:smokin: I'd love something that "pulls" more, I think m52b28 would be a good call.

    So, I am being right saying that M52 manifolds have smaller ports and M50 one will give me more power (and fits:wack:)? Car is ve-ery daily, so remap/exhaust/intake is impossible.
     
  8. akasod

    akasod Member

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    i think a m52 b28 is a good job or got all out and s50 the bitch
     
  9. BONNARSKI

    BONNARSKI New Member

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    Thanks for all your info lads.

    So is the M52 as reliable as the M50? Just thought the soild cast iron block would of been better than the alloy block and wet liners?
     
  10. Mike@TDSW

    Mike@TDSW Active Member

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    I have a low mileage steel linered m52b28 motor for sale with history.
    No inlet manifold or throttle body on it though (it had the updated parts which have been sold). £150
     
  11. BONNARSKI

    BONNARSKI New Member

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    Postage would be the killer lad, be another £100 at least to get it on a pallet and over here.
     
  12. rem1858

    rem1858 New Member

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    Some of these E30 engine swap options are getting mighty hard to find these days.. Saying that, E30s themselves are going up too much.
     

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