BMW E30 + E36 engines

[Talonmotorsport]

Are there any BMW fans on here and do any of you know how an E30 or E36 2ltr or 2.5 compares weight wise to say a 2ltr zetec or 2.8-9 v6?
I'm weighing up options on a new project but if it means trading handling for power I'll stay with ford units.

[twinturbo]

the 2.5L M20 Makes 172ish BHP compared to 150ish BHP from the 2.9

Not sure on weight but I guess the M20 is a bit heavier than the Cologne.

TT

[Talonmotorsport]

yeah I got as much from wikkinearlyright,just need to do some more research before I spend time,money and development on a project that might not go round corners as intended. There are possible plans to use a standard haynes chassis and a wider version to rebody it as a 'bruiser'.

[twinturbo]

Although I am using it, the ford 12v 2.9 is not brilliant.


I would pursue the BMW route as donors will be more plentiful, especialy in terms of gearboxes.

the M20 makes a lovely sound.

TT

[les g]

go phil go and dont hold back
those bm,s are cheap and really good
cheers les g

[ozzy1]

Wasn't there a write up a month or 2 ago in CKC on the new GKD '7' that rated highly that uses the BMW as a donor.

[twinturbo]

Yeah, GDK are using the E30/36 in the Legend, Also in this moth theres a build diary on a Marlin Sportster that also uses E30(6) as a donor.

TT

[aerosam]

Are there any BMW fans on here and do any of you know how an E30 or E36 2ltr or 2.5 compares weight wise to say a 2ltr zetec or 2.8-9 v6?
I'm weighing up options on a new project but if it means trading handling for power I'll stay with ford units.

Hi guys,

the M20 2.5 (E30 3 series) weight approx 117kg, 170bhp

the M50 2.4 DOHC (E36 3 series) weight approx 136kgs, 192bhp

Don't know the weights of zetecs I'm afraid.

[twinturbo]

117 kg? Is it all aluminium?

[aerosam]

117 kg? Is it all aluminium?

I believe it is, yes.

Info from here:

http://www.bimmerforums.com/engine_faq.php

[twinturbo]

That's got to be an undressed engine. Still very light!

[aerosam]

probably is, BMW engines do seem to be quite lighweight.

Even my monstrous V8 only weighs in at 146kg

[vtecmike]

the m20 2.5 from the e30 and m50 2.5 are iron blocks,
the 1 you want is the 2.8 m52 thats all alloy with 192 bhp, but with a few minor mods it will push out 220 to 240bhp and is a lovely sweet lump!

that would be my choice.


mike

[twinturbo]

No way an Iron thing that big is that light.

TT

[aerosam]

Just for comparisons sake, what does a pinto or zetetc weigh in at?

I should also point out that my M60B30 V8 is definitely all aluminium with nikasil liners.

[alga]

According to http://westfield-world.com/enginespecs_car.html, a Pinto weighs 135 kg and a Zetec is 115 kg. For comparison, a lightweight four-pot like Ford Sigma or Honda D series is around 90 kg, and a bike 4-pot can be as light as 60 kg including the box!

[twinturbo]

I lifted a Polo GT lump out of the back of my Galaxy. would say that's not far off 90KG.. I Had a struggle putting it down.