M20 3.0 Stroker V M50...

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wavewarrior2

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I really want to get a 3.0 stroker kit for my 88 325is and Ive read around and a lot of people say go for the M50/S50 swap instead. I know the stroker is cheaper but I'm wondering what kind of gains I can expect with the stroker, bigger injectors, cam new fule regulater (adjustable), headers, and bigger airflow meter. Need some input on the best way to go..... [???1]
 
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epj3

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Stroker is cheaper? Uhhh, no its not, not even close. M50 swap is about 1/4 the cost. One jackass (jordan on r3v) got barely 200 wheel (could be crank) hp with a stroker. Sorry, not worth it. I can get 200 hp out of an m20 by farting in the intake. M20 is a piece of shit motor when it comes to modifications, and not worth it.
 
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epj3

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wavewarrior2 said:
The stroker IS cheaper, its only 2,500. An M50 plus everything else that needs to be done to copensate for the differences is a few gs more
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Okay well, you go with a stroker, you throw away $2500 for a 30hp MAX increase at redline, a poor idling motor, horrible gas mileage, and an engine that simply never runs 100% correctly. You would be better off going turbo over a stroker.

You can get an M50 complete with wiring harness for $400-$500, the entire drivetrain you need for $500, and all mounts and exhaust and stuff for around $600. Unless of course you buy everything new, but that would be dumb for an old car.

Go with a stroker, and when make your "I'm disappointed" post, don't say I didn't warn ya!! Like I said, M20 is a horribly shitty motor NA when you try to do ANYTHING but stock. It's an old SOHC motor and, NA, is useless. Why do you think they used an inline 4 in the M3, instead of a DOHC version of the m20?????? The reason they made the S38 over an M30 is because the M30 was a great motor to start with. Only real option for more power is motor swap and forced induction - which the M20 rocks with FI and you can do a turbo setup for sub-$1k.
 
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wavewarrior2

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Where are some good places to check out these parts you speak of for these prices? Im not debating that the m50 would be the better move, I just thought it would be way more expensive... Thats why I asked the question. I would rather swap motors, just dont wanna spend an outrageous amount of cash, thanks for your help
 
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epj3

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Sorry Rocking-M if you think I'm going balistic, but I was just correcting wavewarrior2's ignorant post. ETA motors are great for turbo.
 
Rocking-M

Rocking-M

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Well we have an extra turbo off an elclipse laying out in the shop:)
I tried to talk him into the m42 but he likes his 6. An american kid fer sure.
More is always better:)
We'll have to fab up an exhaust manifold then plumb it to the intake.
Make it look good too. Thanks.
 
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wavewarrior2

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epj3 said:
Okay well, you go with a stroker, you throw away $2500 for a 30hp MAX increase at redline, a poor idling motor, horrible gas mileage, and an engine that simply never runs 100% correctly. You would be better off going turbo over a stroker.

You can get an M50 complete with wiring harness for $400-$500, the entire drivetrain you need for $500, and all mounts and exhaust and stuff for around $600. Unless of course you buy everything new, but that would be dumb for an old car.

Go with a stroker, and when make your "I'm disappointed" post, don't say I didn't warn ya!! Like I said, M20 is a horribly shitty motor NA when you try to do ANYTHING but stock. It's an old SOHC motor and, NA, is useless. Why do you think they used an inline 4 in the M3, instead of a DOHC version of the m20?????? The reason they made the S38 over an M30 is because the M30 was a great motor to start with. Only real option for more power is motor swap and forced induction - which the M20 rocks with FI and you can do a turbo setup for sub-$1k.
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So where would i find an m50 for 600?
 
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nadroj

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Rocking-M said:
Well we have an extra turbo off an elclipse laying out in the shop:)
I tried to talk him into the m42 but he likes his 6. An american kid fer sure.
More is always better:)
We'll have to fab up an exhaust manifold then plumb it to the intake.
Make it look good too. Thanks.
Click to expand...
a turbo m42 would be so much better than a turbo m20b28
 
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ldzpstnr

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You can find M20/ M30/ M50 and M42 engines on ebay. Just watch the auctions and some motors will come up. I have seen ALL of these engines on ebay at one time or another. And like EPJ3 said they are all cheaper then the stroker kit.

I will either put an M30 into my car or an M50. I wont go with the M42, I plan to buy a 91 318is after college and use that car as my daily driver for a while.

The M30 may weigh a little more and only be a SOHC 12 valve motor but it is rock solid from the factory. EPJ3 was saying something about that engine having forged internals from the factory. That engine can truly handle a lot of power. Plus you could buy the 3.5 version, and you are allready 1 liter bigger then a 325i. Later

Aaron
 
echothreezero

echothreezero

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Or do a m50 swap and then turbo that at a later date. m50 turbo pwns.

Get the m50 not the m50tu as the m50 internals are stronger plus valves open wider etc - better for a turbo setup than the m50. If you don't plan to turbo get the m50tu or the s50. If you do plan to do this read the thread on the subject at r3vlimited first so you don't get the wrong motor (some are much harder than others due to security functions in the ECU/DME).
 
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