BMW E30 + E36 engines
 

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.

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

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'.

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

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

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.

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

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.

117 kg? Is it all aluminium?

I believe it is, yes.

Info from here:

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

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

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

Even my monstrous V8 only weighs in at 146kg

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

No way an Iron thing that big is that light.

TT

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.

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!

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.