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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 3:52 pm
by Jason_323i
At the expense of hijacking the thread I think a m52 2.8 conversion would be as cheap as an m42 and give more power.
Rob has sorted the m5* conversion with using 323i or 320/6 engine mounts, front subframe and gear box which removes one level of fabrication and hassel from an m42 conversion giving more money for the other bits.
Also I am on the verge of giving up on trying to build race car which is exploiting the regs to the maximum and just droping a s50 in and be done with it as £ for power & torque it hard to beat.
Jason
Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 4:29 pm
by thetomc
you also need to bear in mind that the standard 316 exhaust system is simply not big enough for either of these conversions. An m42 really needs about 60/65mm to breath properly at high revs
Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 7:32 pm
by rob0r
I tell you what guys, if you chip in and buy me an S50 I'll give you a full account of how to fit it
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 1:12 am
by TobyA
drjim wrote:Toby
As I recall it's my old car we are talking about.
If you have the bits, then actually doing the conversion is not all that hard if you have the facilities. If not then you could try speaking to ric wood in Stockport who did a lot of work on the slug, but he aint cheap.
How is the car going anyway? Is the engine playing up, it was swapped in after the original died when Jamie bought it, but I think it ran a bit hot.
If you just want more power, the M10 upgrades nicely to the M42 power level and it's probably no more expensive than paying for a swap. If you were thinking of M52 type swaps then different ball game. I am pondering whether to go totally loopy with the slug and swap in an e36 M3 engine - in which case I have a 160ish BHP M10 going spare.
Be interested to see how the car looks now, have you put some sensible wheels that don't need spacer/adaptors on??
Jim
yeah, it is your old car and it's going ok, thanks. still have the ludicrous wheels but i love them!
the diff had lost oil. i've changed the oil but the damage has been done and there's a loud whine from the bearings. the other problem is that the engine burns oil like billio! it's all good though 'cos it's prompting an engine swap!
if i can find a large garage to rent locally with a workbench of somesort, a cheap e36 doner and a cheap crane i think i'll do it 'cos by the looks of thing Fritz's Bits are gonna want more than £2k.
You should definitely take on the M3 swap! there can't be much more involved than the m50. if i had £2.5k spare i'd be doing what you're thinking of doing. without a doubt.
Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:57 pm
by theneek
If I had to do it all over again.... I would have swamped in an M5X six. Of course I'm just starting work on my new M42, so I might change my tune once that's done.