Have a shell - need a 300 hp engine - thoughts?

[Wildfire]

I'm working on a "street fighter" style build of an e30 BMW. Similar to that Fiat Ryan posted up... This one should be 2400 lbs or so.

The shell is good, the suspension will be C4 vette front and rear, but what is the cheapest most reliable engine that makes an honest 300+ hp?

On the list so far:
1. LSx wih t56
2. Ford 5.0
3. Chevy 5.3 or 6.0 truck engine
4. Some sort of V6 or turbo 4?
5. Lt1

One thing I've noticed is that most vettes seem to have autos in them. That's weak... But do you think might be ok for autocross?





This will be a lightweight track rat. The 6 that came out is just about 50 lbs less than the LSx engine. So v8 weight isn't a huge problem.

[pwschuh]

Turbo 4 is NOT the way to make cheap, reliable 300HP.

[Zuffen]

My choice would be LS3.

400+FWHP and they have been fitted into BMW many times so information should be easy to come by.

MY LS3 owes me less than $3,500 Aussie dollars and I'd think they would be much cheaper in the States.

Also as the V8 is shorter than the L6 the extra 50lbs is further back so it should balance well.

[Anderson]

The truck cast iron blocks are HEAVY. Even if it's less power, I think you'd be better off with any of the aluminum blocked LS engines.

[revhead]

Like Anderson said, the truck blocks are 80 lbs heavier than the Aluminum versions. The aluminum LS engine can only safely be bored .010, so finding a good one is difficult especially a 6.0, LS2 and you will pay for it. Even 6.0 Truck engines are getting hard to find these days at a reasonable price, aluminum versions are even pricier. But all that being said I think either one is the easiest way to 400 hp.

I built a 6.0 / LS3 for my vista cruiser that I estimate will be right at 400hp. No fancy parts either all stock stuff. Here's what I used:

Truck 6.0 Block (LQ4 ~ '99-'2003)
Flat top replacement LQ9 pistons - higher compression, coated skirts and top
Stock LQ9 floating pin rods
Balanced
Stock LS3 Cylinder heads
LY6 intake manifold (from a pontiac G8)
Stock 2003 ZO6 camshaft
stock exhaust manifolds
The throttle body is a silver blade 90mm factory unit (drive by wire)
6.0L truck wiring harness
Malibu Throttle pedal

I haven't gotten it in the car yet to try, but we sell a lot of LS engines we build to a local shop and this same combo easily made 400 on his dyno. You could build the same thing except with an LS2 block and save some weight.

[old5.0]

Any of the v8s mentioned will make 300 horsepower without breaking a sweat.

[1950coronet600hp]

why not look at toyota's v8's? the 4.0 is rated at 256hp, it couldn't be too hard to get another 44hp out of it thats a tried and true engine, toyota has been using it since 89....

[Zuffen]

I have a Toyota 1UZ that puts out 322hp at the wheels through a 5 speed and transfer case so probably making 450+ at the flywheel.

It cost me over $40,000 (Australian) and a lot of greif to get it.

I used the basic block, crank and heads and replaced everything else then added a twin screw supercharger.

My LS3 makes a only little less power and cost less than 1/10th of the Toyota and will last forever and give better fuel economy.

Lastly the LS3 is a much smaller package to fit in a car.



There's an engine buried under all that plumbing!

This is what it's in.

[exwestracer]

How about stuffing the 750iL V12 in it? "Keep your BMW all BMW..."


Here's a look a Ed Raether's version: http://www.mwrench.com/m6v8/v12install/

[octobeak]

My money is on an ls series chevy v8(I know 5.3 are a little heavier but the resilience of an iron block and cheap buy in makes them viable). In fact there is a kit to relocate the master cylinder that comes with motor mount adapters(Its like $1500 but tech as f*ck). It would make an all around badass car, I love my e30 with just the 2.5, such a well balanced car, so I would do just the m3 mods to the suspension if you really want to dial it in. The way it moves in and out of aggressive turns... amazing for an older cheap car.