Best engine choice for FI?

[Nebraska_e28]

Hello all, I've been coming out of lurker/researcher status & want to pick some brains. I'm new at the FI thing & have been heavily researching the old posts & currently have a couple of simple questions regarding which engine to choose for FI later down the road. I have an 87535is that I'll eventually be converted to a manual & upgrading with a TCD kit. My goal would be to make around 250-300hp. I have options of a motor out of a 86 745i or 88 L6 that I can pickup for next to nothing. Would either of these be a better candidate for rebuilding or would I be just as well off rebuilding my current motor? From what I understand, I can use all my existing wiring, but would I also need the ecu? I have more time than $$ & am aware of the cost of doing it right so with time I'll invest what it takes to get the job done right! Also, if the motor from the L6 is the better choice, how can I verify it's true & not just a badge someone slapped on? Thanks for all the input.

Cheers.

[Duke]

Use the short block from the M106 and then get a M30B35 cylinder head and intake manifold which has better porting and bigger intake valves.

Your best bet is the s3 kit which will come with a programmed stand-along ECU. If not, TCD has chips that you can use with the 059 Motronic to run the engine.

300 HP is way too easy. I got 340 at 7.5 psi.

[Nebraska_e28]

Perhaps then in my strategic planning I should raise the bar a bit. And thanks Duke! I've visited your site & TCD quite frequently for reference & inspiration..

LJ

[Craig -535i- Seattle]

Isn't the L6 just a regular E24 except for a fancy interior? If so, I think the engine would be the same as yours.

[alpinewhite]

Isn't the L6 just a regular E24 except for a fancy interior? If so, I think the engine would be the same as yours.

L6 = m30b35

[Jeremy]

Actually, 88 L6 should have a b35 longblock with the correct mounting bosses for the e28 engine bay . . .

That's the best choice for low boost IMO. The 9:1 motor can't handle a lot of boost, but the higher static compression helps the turbo spool faster and leads to better off boost performance.

Jeremy

PS - with intercooler, you can make 300 hp without breaking a sweat.

[Craig -535i- Seattle]

Based only on my own experiences, I'd run no more than 6-7psi on a b35 with a stock headgasket. Or just run it until the HG fails and put a metal one in at that point.

6psi will get you almost exactly 300 flywheel hp without an intercooler.



*ignore the terrible AFR.

[russc]

Craig,
You'd actually make more than 300bhpeasy non-IC'd, as your enigne is so rich your down ~20whp on that dyno. If you could timing tune the M1.3 ECU you'd make even more hp at ~7-8psi non-IC'd. You'd be at 300whp almost.

The M30b35 at 10psi should make at much hp as a M30b34 at 15psi.

RussC

[Craig -535i- Seattle]

That's my old car, which I sold a couple years ago. I was only posting that to demonstrate 6psi non-intercooled on a stock B35.

Right after I sold it, that car went through two stock headgaskets in about 6 months before they put a MLS one in. I never ran it at more than 6psi (except on the dyno) and it was fine, but the guy that bought it ran it at 9psi and that's when the headgasket started blowing out.

[Nebraska_e28]

Thanks again for all the info guys! As a somewhat knowledge member of the board I feel confident & comfortable enough to ask an question (provided I've done some prior homework). That is the issue with too many new 'fly-by-night' members. They ask a question & want a quick & easy answer. Well hell anything work having is work working for & to the person that puts in the effort of reading previous posts, there is a plethora of knowledge awaiting them! In most cases the little tap on the hand that Shawn provided to newbies, it was much warranted.

Now for another question. In the next month or so I plan to have sourced an M106 short block & a M30B35 cylinder head /intake manifold. What is a rough amount I can plan on spending to have a reputable shop do a 'quality' rebuild that will hold up to eventually being boosted (~7.5-9psi)? Given that, who all would be recommended/trusted to perform a complete rebuild? Korman, Metric Mechanics , or otherwise? I'm not aware of anyone in NE or IA, so I'm thinking I'd have to send it off to a bigger city?

Thanks again

[Craig -535i- Seattle]

I think an M106 with a b35 head is going to drop your compression down really far. Too far (IMO) for only 9psi.

[Duke]

Given that, who all would be recommended/trusted to perform a complete rebuild? Korman, Metric Mechanics

What are you, Daddy Warbucks? Never those two.

Have TCD get his engine builder to do it. He did mine at a good fee. You can also install some of TCD's custom JE pistons, you pick the CR. They look very nice. The M106 pistons are HEAVY and way old technology.

[Nebraska_e28]

Nope my greenback aren't that long & besides I've read some of comments on MM.

[Duke]

Been thinking about it.....I would get the M30B35 engine complete and just have Todd put some JE pistons in it and some oil spray jets.

The M30B35 has run its life at around 200 HP. The M106 has bee FI and run it life around 250 HP. The M30B35 should be in better shape. All you will need is some lighter pistons and the oil jets.

[Nebraska_e28]

How many miles were on your M106 when you found it? I'll check the mileage to see how high it on the 745. Fact is though, even if the mileage isn't too high that still doesn't mean it's been beat to hell during it's life which could prove to be worse off it would be worth. Machining could fix most issues though short of a cracked block?

[Duke]

How many miles were on your M106 when you found it?

I bought it as a short-block. It was a BMW test engine that did not have any numbers on it. It supposedly was a very low hour engine, that proved to be false. The only advantage the M106 will have over the B35 is oil jets that target the under sides of the pistons and bores.

[rundatrack]

Duke

Hows the car running now...ya pretty much finished with your tune...or "finished" is a relative term

[T_C_D]

My goal would be to make around 250-300hp. I have options of a motor out of a 86 745i or 88 L6 that I can pickup for next to nothing.
Cheers.

Use the motor from the L6. Install a stock HG with ARP studs, run 10psi and call it a day. You'll exceed your HP goals and have a very reliable setup.

Todd

[Nebraska_e28]

My goal would be to make around 250-300hp. I have options of a motor out of a 86 745i or 88 L6 that I can pickup for next to nothing.
Cheers.

Use the motor from the L6. Install a stock HG with ARP studs, run 10psi and call it a day. You'll exceed your HP goals and have a very reliable setup.

Todd

Everyone has been more than helpful to an individual that has been doing his research & asking somewhat educated questions.
What is cushioned # I can plan to invest including rebuild & all TCD equipment? Providing I plan to do the install myself in the good ole midwest. Matter of fact, the closest wrenchfest to me was in Chicago?

[Nebraska_e28]

My goal would be to make around 250-300hp. I have options of a motor out of a 86 745i or 88 L6 that I can pickup for next to nothing.
Cheers.

Use the motor from the L6. Install a stock HG with ARP studs, run 10psi and call it a day. You'll exceed your HP goals and have a very reliable setup.

Todd

I checked the year, via vin decoder (chassis# 3265406), & unfortunately it was built in 2/87. Looks Like I'd have to go with the m106 or keep an eye out for a newer e24. Suggestions?

[Rich Euro M5]

My goal would be to make around 250-300hp. I have options of a motor out of a 86 745i or 88 L6 that I can pickup for next to nothing.
Cheers.

Use the motor from the L6. Install a stock HG with ARP studs, run 10psi and call it a day. You'll exceed your HP goals and have a very reliable setup.

Todd

I checked the year, via vin decoder (chassis# 3265406), & unfortunately it was built in 2/87. Looks Like I'd have to go with the m106 or keep an eye out for a newer e24. Suggestions?

Todd,

Don't you sell a custom mount that let's one run the more plentiful M30B35 used in E34s and E32s in an E28 chassis ? IIRC, there's something about using the right engine mount from a 533i to do the same thing.

Rich

[Boru]

Todd,

Don't you sell a custom mount that let's one run the more plentiful M30B35 used in E34s and E32s in an E28 chassis ? IIRC, there's something about using the right engine mount from a 533i to do the same thing.

Rich

The 533 mount only picks up two of the points on the B35 block. I've made a mount or two for my B35 into M635 chassis. We haven't had much call for adaptor mounts though.

[Rich Euro M5]

Todd,

Don't you sell a custom mount that let's one run the more plentiful M30B35 used in E34s and E32s in an E28 chassis ? IIRC, there's something about using the right engine mount from a 533i to do the same thing.

Rich

The 533 mount only picks up two of the points on the B35 block. I've made a mount or two for my B35 into M635 chassis. We haven't had much call for adaptor mounts though.

If i was going to turbo my 535i, I believe I would start with the M30B35 vs using the stock M30B34, mainly for the better head and intake. But if you guys haven't had many requests it probably isn't worth a production run at this time.

Thanks for the info.

Rich

[Boru]

If i was going to turbo my 535i, I believe I would start with the M30B35 vs using the stock M30B34, mainly for the better head and intake. But if you guys haven't had many requests it probably isn't worth a production run at this time.

Thanks for the info.

Rich

I agree, if I were going to build or needed a fresh engine but, a healthy B34 (that you already own and is still under the hood) will easily make enough power to satisfy all the "drivers" and I think that is the majority of our customers.
If a demand arises we can easily start to produce mounts. I've already done a few custom mounts for customers like a TCD turboed B35 into an E30

[Nebraska_e28]

What do you guys think of the link below as a replacement to the 200k motor that I currently have? I'm considering this vs. having one built custom & myriad of possible costs involved. Would I be just as well off having one of the above mentioned combos built & be able to stay under 2k$? I know the definite advantage of having one built to my specs is that I know exactly what I'm getting.

Thanks

<A HREF="http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?p=221107#221107">a shorter link here!</A>

[Rich Euro M5]

What do you guys think of the link below as a replacement to the 200k motor that I currently have? I'm considering this vs. having one built custom & myriad of possible costs involved. Would I be just as well off having one of the above mentioned combos built & be able to stay under 2k$? I know the definite advantage of having one built to my specs is that I know exactly what I'm getting.

Thanks

<A HREF="http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?p=221107#221107">a shorter link here!</A>

IMO I don't think you can build what Terry has for less money. Plus the block is already drilled and tapped for the Turbo oil return.

Rich

[Nebraska_e28]

What do you guys think of the link below as a replacement to the 200k motor that I currently have? I'm considering this vs. having one built custom & myriad of possible costs involved. Would I be just as well off having one of the above mentioned combos built & be able to stay under 2k$? I know the definite advantage of having one built to my specs is that I know exactly what I'm getting.

Thanks

<A HREF="http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?p=221107#221107">a shorter link here!</A>

IMO I don't think you can build what Terry has for less money. Plus the block is already drilled and tapped for the Turbo oil return.

Rich

How much drawback is the in not having the additional oil jets that spray underneath the pistons? Duke mentioned this previously. Whats a rough cost estimate if I were to add these to Terry's motor? Thanks

[Boru]

You'll be fine without the oil jets especially at 10psi or so. The engine would require a complete tear down to install the jets.