Alternative engines

[e21-Mark]

I'm looking at alternative engines, especially the Volvo 5 cylinder turbo or possibly even the Audi one? I know where to get a bell-housing conversion plate for the Volvo, that enables retaining the Getrag gearbox but I'm wondering what other alternatives have been done? I must admit, I really like the Volvo option. (as suggested in PPC mag) I can buy a complete T5 for just a few hundred quid!

[drjim]

Presumably for the track car???

T5 sounds interesting, where/how much is this adaptor??

[e21-Mark]

KL Racing in Sweden Jim. £200 roughly. Evidently a fair few e30's have been done and 400bhp is fairly easy to get.

[quinn_656]

http://newman.onyxsyndicate.com/e30gtr/e30gtr_00.html

take a read at that mark makes for good...

[Jason_323i]

None oem engine swaps are not easy all are 1 off £abrication

engine mounts £150
exhaust manifold £300-400
sump £200
gear box £200
wiring/ecu £500 (remapand bigger injectors takes a t5 to about 350bhp)
radiator £200
Intercooler £200
gear box adaptor plates are fine but how do you sort the clutch and fly wheel that also has to take up the place of the fly wheel another £300

a lot of the audi engines will blot to volo diesel 940 rwd box ot VWLT van, thats what the 2002 with the audi quatro engine uses

thats about 2k on top of the engine, different if you kitted up to do it at home but if your paying someone just for the fabrication it soon adds up. Even on the e30zone they reckon a s50 swap is 5k after you have the engine.

My choice would be
duratec relativly cheap and light and loads of rwd conversion kits
s14 as it fits and is cool but not cheap and not that powerfull these days
nissan SRDET20 as the turbo is on the passenger side
M60 4.4 non vanos swap complete with stock ecu just the manifolds are tight
M52 240bhp easy and the same wieght as a m20
N57 but a stand alone ecu is 3k

but for the price of one of those turbo a stock low comp 2.0m10 and get 250bhp

[nas80]

If you get a pedal box fitted to negate the giant master / booster assembly then you could turbo your existing engine, I'd bet even on stock internals, its all relative though cos u still need money for stand alone and ecu and tuning. Stronger clutch etc.

Why did you change your mind about the supercharger setup you bought?

If you go for the Volvo engine then you still have to find room for the plumbing and intercooler.

In IT we have a saying.

Good, fast and cheap choose any two!

[e21-Mark]

Right now, I'm just looking / researching for the future. MIB isn't going to be going anywhere so I have plenty of time to weigh up my options. Right now, an S52 with US spec M3 cam, 2.5 inlet etc etc, is looking like the simplest and most affordable option. I must admit, I prefer the idea of sticking with a BMW engine too. As I say tho, for now it's just a case of researching what's out there and has been done before?

[Jason_323i]

I reckon a m20 3.0l kit or a m52


Jason

[m3gaz]

Tuned S14 with carbon airbox.They sound fantastic!

[murran]

custom swaps can be done easily without major cash.

chap on trampdrift put and s12 silvia engine and box in a 316 e30 for sub £300!

[Jason_323i]

I agree they can be done cheaper, but I imagine most people would be looking to get some one else to help, rather than fab it all in the garage at home

Jason

[quinn_656]

no matter what way you look at it to make it worth it will not be cheap and not be easy.

though I fancy the idea of the e36 m3 evo engine I reckon it could be feasible.

[Jason_323i]

Fitting the evo engine is no different to fitting the 3.0 m3 that i have done so it is possible

Jason

[e21-Mark]

The guy I bought my race car from has an e36 M3 lump in his other e21 race car too.

This would be fun...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Volvo-T5-RWD-Engi ... 627wt_1141

[quinn_656]

jason how does it go compared to an m3?

stick a bid on it mark the t5 engine is the one in the focus ST right?