M42 Upgrade time - opinions wanted

[Nick_318is]

Hi M42 family, it's been a while since I've been on the forums. Unfortunately, last week at Mid-Ohio something went wrong with my M42 - still needs an autopsy, but something on the intake side of the motor went. You can watch the video if you want to see it (24 seconds is the $ shot) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eG34fUwxXs

So that leads to the question, assuming there isn't major damage what should I do when rebuilding, and what should I expect to pay? I'd like to gain some power either stroking it, adding a turbo, or both. The car will be regularly tracked so it needs to stand up to the abuse, the stock M42 did pretty well with almost 175k miles and I'd hope after this is rebuilt it can go almost that long!

Or should I swap it for a S52? I love the M42, but, this is a seriously appealing option for what I'm guessing is a similar cash outflow.

[Froos]

I guess the big question is how much do you have to spend?

[Nick_318is]

Ideally, I'd like to stick to around $5-7k.

[1998ccc]

With that kind of budget, a near sky is the limit.  I assume you are not paying to have the motor removed and installed.

If ~200 hp will make you happy, build a NA M42.

I've owned many versions of the e30.  e30 M3 / S52 e30 / 2.7 M20 E30 (184 RWHP) / 318iS and now an early e30 with a M42.  To me it's all about driving feel.  Sure the S52 car was the fastest but I never got out of that car giggling like I do in the M42 cars.

[colin86325]

You should see if Ralph's engine is still available:

http://www.m42club.com/forum/index.php?topic=19066.0

[Warsteiner]

It is....I'm trying to sell the car as a whole but........

Cheers,
~Ralph

[Jaredmac11]

With that kind of budget, a near sky is the limit.  I assume you are not paying to have the motor removed and installed.

If ~200 hp will make you happy, build a NA M42.

I've owned many versions of the e30.  e30 M3 / S52 e30 / 2.7 M20 E30 (184 RWHP) / 318iS and now an early e30 with a M42.  To me it's all about driving feel.  Sure the S52 car was the fastest but I never got out of that car giggling like I do in the M42 cars.

How are you hitting 200hp with the NA m42?   I am throwing in a 95 M42 in my e21.  I am stoked but the build is slow.  Planning on a chip tune with 93 octane, should get me scraping 150, 155.
And I agree, I test drove an e30 318is and immediately decided the M42 HAD to go in my e21. 

[1998ccc]

How are you hitting 200hp with the NA m42?   

2 liters / cams and compression.  With that kind of budget, you can get there.

[Nick_318is]

2 liters / cams and compression.  With that kind of budget, you can get there.

Are you using the M47 crank? What pistons and cam?

[1998ccc]

You can copy Ralphs build or Metric Mechanics build.  Both are over 200 crank HP.

You can get there with the stock M42 crank and an 86mm bore but you will need a little more RPM.