E36 M42 Engine - How Would You Boost Power?

[JamezE36]

Im currently driving a 1995 E36 318i saloon and I'm wanting to get a bit more power out it.
Every other forum I've looked so far I've just been told to do a engine swap with a 328i as that's the most cost efficient way of getting a big power gain. However since i live in Scotland the place isn't flooded with spare 328 or even 323 engines so I've been looking at turbos and superchargers and i was wondering what people would recommend.
I know a couple of people who have supercharged their cars but apparently it costs a lot but the power can more than double wheres i haven't heard of many people turbocharging the M42 engine.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks

[i8ur911]

It'll be best if you swap in a 6 cylinder. You'll spend more money and a lot more time trying to get a turbo set up and running properly. In fact I'm willing to bet it'll take less time overall to find a 6 cylinder and do the swap then to do a turbo buildand get it running right...... and the swap will be much more reliable in the end.

Forget about trying to find a DASC because they just don't come up often enough.

The other option is stroker but this definitely isn't cheap...... all me how I know

[romkasponka]

"easiest" is to swap to M50B25 but in this case it is quite difficult to find it in good condition and it could be what you will need full rebuild. Knowing the prices in UK it would better just to buy new car with more powerful engine.

[Beeker1972]

just an engine swap to a M5x ...

[MrPhatBob]

Turbos for our British cars are difficult because of the steering rack placement. 

I'm building an M42 (steel rods, oversized forged pistons, Jondel Racing head, race profile cams) because I want to compete in the under 2000cc classes.  But its going to cost me a packet to get a little over 200bhp.
Unless you are bound by a restriction like that then the big engine route is the way to go.
I see loads of MOT failure BMWs being broken for parts on the various UK BMW Facebook groups, its just a case of fishing around I guess...

[the white guy]

Nice E36, and in my favorite color(hence the user name)
Since you have an E36 sedan and the weight is higher than the E30 coupe most of us here in the USA drive, I would suggest the Euro-spec only S50B30/B32 engine (Euro E36 M3). ITBs,tubular manifold and a 7400 RPM redline on the B32 equals 321HP/257lb ft torque@3250 RPM. You would have basically a M3 Sedan in sheeps clothing. Sleepers are neat.

Wish we had that engine here in the USA....I'd buy a E36 just to put it in. It would be a handful of fun in a E30.
It would upset the weight balance too much for me to swap into my 318is...I'll stick with the 4 pot M42, just a personal preference.

Thanks,
     Stan 

[Venom]

I'm in Ireland and even i know that if you have a look at trampdrift site you will get a 328i engine for little money in scotland.