So what do you think of Ricwood Motorsport?

[fofo_e21]

Hey guys. I'm new to the forum and I'm rebuilding by e21 and was looking to tune the engine a bit. I have a 2.0 M10 with weber 40's,schrick 292 cam, schrick oversized valves and schrick dual valve springs. I'm looking into getting some nice 90mm 10.5:1 pistons from the states too. Problem is I live in Cyprus and the mechanics here are useless to say the least. I spoke to Korman Autoworks in the US and he quoted me $14500 for a 2.2liter engine . So I was looking nto Ricwood aswell.He isn't cheap either but I think he might be trying to get me to send my engine there. I told him I was looking for 160-170bhp(which is impossible for a 292 cam) and he told me we can get that much power...?? Anybody had any experience with him or any thoughts?

[drjim]

Ric is local to me and did a lot of build work on my track car including the engine.

I have a 2036cc engine with 10:1 pistons and a small valve e30 316 head (gas flowed and apparently better than the original but sadly cracked e21 2.0 head with big valves even before he ported it). Lightened flywheel, S14 throttle bodies on an adaptor plate, 284 cam because that's what I had, wish I'd got pistons with cutouts in for cam upgrade time but it's built now and runs nicely (apart from recent problems as detailed in the trackday threads!). It all runs on a dta ECU.



I haven't got the dyno chart for my engine but it produces somewhere around 150-160 bhp without going over 7k rpm. That being the point at which you need to start spending even more money on steel rockers etc.

Ric is Not cheap by any means but a very competent engine/cylinder head builder. He definitely knows what he is doing and if you start suggesting daft things he gives you a funny look that says he is the expert and you are being stupid. I have learnt to stop before this point is reached!

Surely there is someone in cyprus that can assemble an engine for you. It should be a case of honing/boring the cylinders as needed and bolting it all together. M10's aren't that complex and plenty of people on here have done DIY rebuilds.

[e21-Mark]

You could even consider doing it yourself? I'm a bit of a donkey when it comes to mechanical knowhow yet I managed to strip and rebuild an m10 with good results.

[fofo_e21]

I have considered putting it together myself but I want someone with experience to do the cylinder head for me. I really don't want to butcher it and then having to watch my dear e21 without an engine . So dr.jim you think that Ric was being honest about getting 160bhp? I really thought that with a 292 you can only go up to maybe 140bhp. Also do you guys think I should start for a pair of 45's? Right now my engine runs out of steam at around 5000-5500rpm. And I have this obsession to see that little white counter closer to 7000

[fofo_e21]

Oh one more thing. Where did you get your pistons from dr.jim? I was thinking getting them from ireland engineering or VAC motorsport. I go to university in the US so postage won't be a problem.

[drjim]

292 cam with a decent 2L should get you that on webers if not more.

Some engine builders will give you a load of bull about the power you will get, Mr Wood doesn't do that. As I say I haven't got a dyno chart for mine, and although I'd like one, the numbers aren't that important - it goes very well on track and is fast enough to embarrass e30 M3's.

Doing it for the sake of it is good, but what's your actual objective? Fast road usable car, trackday special etc? The objective changes the way to go about it.

[drjim]

Oh one more thing. Where did you get your pistons from dr.jim? I was thinking getting them from ireland engineering or VAC motorsport. I go to university in the US so postage won't be a problem.

Top end performance guys called Steve as I recall, he'll advise you on likely power from different engine configurations too.

[fofo_e21]

The point of the car is to be just fast road car. It will though not be driven in traffic. I just want to take it on the occasional blast up the mountains.