Author Topic: Why the fight to stick with the 4cyl? (Read 14029 times)

dude8383 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 11, 2006, 01:31:10 AM »

sam, you couldn't have said it better man.

ask around on the forums tomorrow if you get a chance, maybe someone can help you out with your situation.

m42 fan · « **Reply #16 on:** May 11, 2006, 08:19:52 AM »

I'll throw in my perspective here. Like Mike, I got my car because it is fun, yet relatively cheap and economical. I've come from cars with plenty of power (5.0 mustang, LT1 Impala), and I frankly don't miss it that much. If the engine in my car ever gave it up (cross fingers, knock on wood) I'd probably just source another stock M42 as a replacement. I've learned my lesson the hard way when it comes to radically altering my daily driver.

My plans are basically to keep driving the car as is, and only replace/upgrade as things wear out. Hopefully I can get another 10 years out of it, or at least till the wife's minivan is paid off.

tim_s · « **Reply #17 on:** May 11, 2006, 10:45:26 AM »

I think there's good arguments for and against keeping the m42. I'm at the stage where with a mint car I'd like to do an engine rebuild, regardless of if for performance or for reliability. my 2.1 will hopefully do both.
talking about an s50 swap is not comparing like with like. over here you can get an s50b30 with all the bits for around �1,000-�1500, mb a bit more depending how good an example etc. What you'll get is a 10+ yr old engine having done 100,000 miles or so, probably with no verification of mileage and history etc., and quite likely it will have been in an accident. These engines also have a habit of spinning shells etc and going through bottom ends, not to mention other costly bits. they're hardly fragile, but after 10 years, many are worse for wear. then there's questions of props/diffs/gearboxes etc to suit - keeping the m42 stuff is hardly going to be the best for reliability, new clutch, coding plugs and electrics, suspension etc. over here, �3k would be around the mark for the conversion all said and done, without actually rebuilding the engine.
so instead I've spent around �2,000 and got full standalone management, a high compression 2.1 bottom end and ITBs. this should give over 200bhp, and has the benefits of fitting the car like it was made for it - because it was. its also a brand new engine, will have new clutch, timing chain, seals, bearings etc etc. It should be perfectly reliable - i cant see a pre-OBD2 era BMW performance engine being more reliable than an m42 rebuilt with all new components.
also like most people on here, i'm all about the m42. its a great fun engine, mb not the fastest engine in the world, but i enjoy 4 pot screamers, and the car handles pretty nicely, extra kgs past the front axle will not do the car any favours. i was considering putting in an s14, but i figure my mods should give similar performance - mb not quite as fast, but has the benefit of being fully rebuilt, a lot more unique, more compact, sitting further back in the engine bay, having oil squirters and adj. cam sprockets, a coilpack, standalone management etc.
Also i've just always fancied modding the m42, and this project has been much more satisfying and challenging so far than shoehorning in an s50.

i hope that gives some idea of my motives, i'd hate to ruin the character of my car, and although i considered an m50/2 engine for quite a while, and in the real world such an engine will be easily as fast as what i've done and cost a bit less, there are certainly other considerations.

1991318is · « **Reply #18 on:** June 08, 2006, 01:02:29 AM »

Ya, I must admit, I am finding myself looking at the m52 swap due to the ease at which it can be done now. Granted the motor and the accessories is the big money pit, after that, it isn't too bad. The shops are coming up w/ parts to help w/ the swap such as the THR plug in adaptor for the m5x to plug into the e30 wiring. For me I'll do wudevr to make it a combo of economical w/ good gas mileage and also something I cna get the factory parts for and not have to use all custom parts. I'm 18 and I've already been down that road. In my garage my dad and I have 15,000 dollars invested into my pickup which doesnt have any bodywork or paint yet. I've done way too much custom stuff, but want more power, so that's why I find myself looking at a motor swap since it isnt as hard to create all the power and it doesn't take as much of a strain on the motor as a built motor would, and not as moody.

gazellebeigem3 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 11, 2006, 03:22:56 PM »

With horsepower being so cheap these days, Its not uncommon that my car is burned off a light by a soccer mom in her pontiac gtp or random rednecks in in a F-250. And forget comparing our cars to anything in the sports car market, even base model hondas are putting out more power. While its not all about straight line acceleration, it does frustrate me so for that reason im going the turbo m50 route. But i wont handle as well, my weight balance will be off, blah blah blah, i have had my fun with the m42, its gotta go!

D. Clay · « **Reply #20 on:** June 11, 2006, 05:41:08 PM »

From the Lou Reed - Velvet Underground song, "Heroin"
and I guess I just don't know.....
and I guess I just can't say.
After WWII, Americans were introduced to sports cars by the MG TD. The first "foreign" car was the 36 HP VW Beetle. Both were snail "slow" and fun. They were loved by their owners and became pop culture icons. E30's have a bit of that. Other cars are better from one perspective or the other.
Sometimes I am tempted to "unmod" mine.

M42boy · « **Reply #21 on:** June 14, 2006, 01:11:18 PM »

Quote from: gazellebeigem3

With horsepower being so cheap these days, Its not uncommon that my car is burned off a light by a soccer mom in her pontiac gtp or random rednecks in in a F-250. And forget comparing our cars to anything in the sports car market, even base model hondas are putting out more power. While its not all about straight line acceleration, it does frustrate me so for that reason im going the turbo m50 route. But i wont handle as well, my weight balance will be off, blah blah blah, i have had my fun with the m42, its gotta go!

I'll run the M42 hard and put it away wet. I'm not concerned with longevity as when she blows, it will be the excuse I need to drop in an M50.

I heard the same thing about balance.... I was thinking there might be a way to get the M50 further back in the engine bay, but looks pretty tight in all the conversions I've seen.

Everything is a compromise. :cool:

///Motorsport · « **Reply #22 on:** June 14, 2006, 03:53:43 PM »

i think my situation sums up some points here about enthusiasts and irrationality.

okay so every day i drive a 2002 Subaru WRX. it has over 300 horsepower and torque, spits flames and sounds so mean. New suspension, upgraded brakes, handles like a dream and looks sexy, etc. Yet i just flew down to southern california to buy a 318is. Why? because i want a bmw, and although i can barely afford a 325is, i woudlnt opt for it because i would have no money for suspension and other upgrades.

Also, i began to flal in love with the m42, as i had teh 2002. its lighter and more robust, and unique, which matters to me. everyone here has a wrx now, and i feel like i know the most about them and they just rice them out, kind of sickening. Also, the wrx i drive was run into a curb at 35, by my mother, so even after replacements it will never be true at 8+/10. so hence me rushing out to buy a car that i can just drive by myself in the mountains.

too bad the sellerjust told me he is giving it to a friend, not selling it to me.. crap.

JungleGus · « **Reply #23 on:** July 26, 2006, 01:29:14 AM »

the balance! why do ya think BMW used the e30 m3 as a 4 cyl for racing? sure its barely noticeable on the street mostly, but get it on the track and/or having fun on the road and you will notice the lack of weight, mainly because you lose it over the front axle. so much so, i have a M325i with a healthy m20 (conservatively 180hp) and if i am to turbo, am seriously considering buying a iS wreck to steal the engine out of! i am awesome.

///Motorsport · « **Reply #24 on:** July 28, 2006, 11:21:14 AM »

okay, i now own one, and i am in love with the four cylinder high revving raspyness. this car is a DREAM in the twisties, and once i get more suspension goodies i think it'll be unstoppale by other BMWS. (as long as its on a downhill/flat...) Now i see why people love the m42, and try to stick with it.

mgold · « **Reply #25 on:** July 28, 2006, 01:32:11 PM »

I've thought about doing a swap as well, but I love having a little 4-banger under the hood, nice and light. I would love to do an S-14 swap, Bill Arnold has done it sucessfully, but he's a mechanic and has the time to fiddle with adjusting valves and cams, etc. For me the M42 is pretty user-friendly (unless you start taking it apart). If I were to consider an I-6 swap it would have to be for an M50/S50, like my buddy Aaron who's swapping an M50 into his 318ic. I would never even consider swapping in an M20. If the thought even crossed my mind it would involve me selling my car and get a 325i with it already installed.

silverblades181 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 28, 2006, 02:03:14 PM »

After doing 2 driving school with 2 different instructors, they both told me they much prefer the 4 cyl. bimmers (E30s) since they are that much more predictable and balanced. Aside from owning an E30 M3, I think we have the best track rat as far as E30s go. If drag racing or good old torque is what your looking for, then a 6 cyl might be what you want to do. I think it all comes down to personal preference, driving style etc... My friend is quite good in his E28 535i on the track...and it's a big boat if you ask me but he likes it and does well with it.

sheepdog · « **Reply #27 on:** July 28, 2006, 03:50:37 PM »

Quote from: silverblades181

After doing 2 driving school with 2 different instructors, they both told me they much prefer the 4 cyl. bimmers (E30s) since they are that much more predictable and balanced. Aside from owning an E30 M3, I think we have the best track rat as far as E30s go. If drag racing or good old torque is what your looking for, then a 6 cyl might be what you want to do. I think it all comes down to personal preference, driving style etc... My friend is quite good in his E28 535i on the track...and it's a big boat if you ask me but he likes it and does well with it.

I have been told by more than one person that the 318is is more fun on a track than the M3 due to the M3's weight.

christophbmw · « **Reply #28 on:** August 06, 2006, 12:33:51 PM »

..............'cause anybody could do a 6 cyl. swap........it takes an entusiast to get more power from the little 4 banger. Besides, BMW's arent stoplight racers, they are made for momentum driving, which to tell you the truth....thats what the M42 does best in the E30! just my 2 cents.

mgold · « **Reply #29 on:** August 06, 2006, 12:47:08 PM »

Quote from: christophbmw

..............'cause anybody could do a 6 cyl. swap........it takes an entusiast to get more power from the little 4 banger. Besides, BMW's arent stoplight racers, they are made for momentum driving, which to tell you the truth....thats what the M42 does best in the E30! just my 2 cents.

And besides, we're getting 28-32mpg doing it (your mileage may vary depending on the weight of your right foot

Author Topic: Why the fight to stick with the 4cyl? (Read 14029 times)

///Motorsport

///Motorsport