[Scarface]

I am wanting to buy an older bmw (80-91) and want to do something different...I want something that would be not a headache to do a turbo on and something that will be efficient...any ideas or suggestions as to which cars to use and either 4 or 6 cyl? this is also going to be a budget turbo car so please keep that in mind! thanks!

 

[M3turbog16]

Hey, I'm doing a turbo project on My 78 E21 (320i) and if you are not a mechanic dont even try. go with an E30 car. now if you want a 4 or 6 cyl that up to you on what you want to use it for, but remeber the 6 cyl; is a timing belt and I wont want to mod or even turbo a timing belt, cause once that goes your fucked and have to get a motor and all that money and time if gone. Good luck! :rock

 

[MrM3]

is a engine swap out of the question? if so then i think the stock 2.5L M20 is your best bet, but i really dont know much about FI.

 

[m42technic]

An '84 318i wouldnt be too hard to boost. :rock

 

[Scarface]

so basically i am assuming that the 4 cyl e30 is a timing chain? if so that will be better to turbo? would the 4 cyl be more efficient on turbo? which is more reliable, the 4 cyl or 6 cyl? thanks for all the help!

 

[GreenDragon]

You also have to consider the overall state of the engine. How many miles? Was it driven hard? Etc. You'll need to build the engine up before boosting no doubt. Imagine you strap on the turbo ( I know it's not that easy), take it out first day and BLAMMO! the engine rips itself apart because it can't handle the added boost. It's hard to guage reliability of an older engine when you are considering FI. Hell, it might not even be the engine that would go. Have you considered the extra strain on the tranny from the added torque? You might end up ripping the whole clutch assembly off shifting into third. IMHO there is more to FI with a turbo than tubes, manifolds, and the actual turbo.

Just something to think about.

 

[M3turbog16]

GD ir right, first build up the motor to handle the boost. I just fully rebuilt the motor so I'm good. The 6cyl will put out more power then the 4cyl. but in the long run the e30 4cyl will be more reliable but the 6cyl will be faster.

 

[Fox]

i dunno about that, in my opinion the e20 is much stronger than the (forgot the designation) e30 4cyl. With a relatively low compression 8.8 would be perfect to run like 4-5 psi on. And the blocks are strong as shit anyway.