1990 525i????

[justinp95]

What 6cyl engine comes in the 90' 525i? What kind of power does it make? Can it be modded like the m50? Headers, cai, ect? The reason i ask is because i found a 1990 525i 5spd with 160k for $3000, black on tan leather so it would match my truck :D. Oh and is there a turbo out for these? Thanks!

****Would a 535i be a better choice? Do they have any aftermarket stuff for it? I found a 89' 535i 5spd with 156k for $2500 which sounds like a good deal. and seems to look nice.*****

[RVAE34]

I believe it has a diff. version of the M50. Same block, but diff. head and manifold, etc. but don't quote me. You would be better posting this in the E34 sub-category.

[LJSE34]

If you're in the US, that would have the M20 motor, which means around 168hp, I think around 164ft/lbs, lots of slowness :) 91s and later have the M50

[justinp95]

I think hes asking to much considering kbb is $2500.

Also, Will all the m20 headers and after market parts fit the e34? I know they will fit the engine, but i mean as far as engine compartment space.....

[Art Heritis]

It's most likely an M20. The previous post is right, plenty of slowness. This platform is not for modding. However, it might be the lowest maintenance, most reliable platform BMW made. Not good for 150mpH, but a good bet for 300,000 miles.

[EngPhys09]

Ok, i researched your very same question it cannot be done, m20 to m50 is impossible because our m20's have timing belts and not timeing chains.
On the plus side we do have an advanage that we are running supper low compression 8.8 to 1. This means with a little valve train and pistion work you could turbo the hell outa it. Personally this isn't my engine. The car isn't fast by any means but when no one knows what they are talkin about when they say its slow. It will pull like crazy if you get it in the right reve band.
Your never gonna go 150 in a BMW i dont car who you are they aren't stable at that speed. I've done 100mph and it was plenty fast for me.
The only option you could do would be engine swap, which would be easily 5 grand and you may get 20 more hp not worth it in my book. LIke Art Heritis said just enjoy the car and drive it, The only plans i have are to redo the interior mines seen better days. If my engine does die some day then i will likely rebuild it or for 10 grand drop an LS1 into it. Very easy swap apparently.

Well that just my 2 cents

[clevertd]

Engine swap? No way, turbo that S.O.B.!:evil2

[SC David]

Ok, i researched your very same question it cannot be done, m20 to m50 is impossible because our m20's have timing belts and not timeing chains.
On the plus side we do have an advanage that we are running supper low compression 8.8 to 1. This means with a little valve train and pistion work you could turbo the hell outa it. Personally this isn't my engine. The car isn't fast by any means but when no one knows what they are talkin about when they say its slow. It will pull like crazy if you get it in the right reve band.
Your never gonna go 150 in a BMW i dont car who you are they aren't stable at that speed. I've done 100mph and it was plenty fast for me.
The only option you could do would be engine swap, which would be easily 5 grand and you may get 20 more hp not worth it in my book. LIke Art Heritis said just enjoy the car and drive it, The only plans i have are to redo the interior mines seen better days. If my engine does die some day then i will likely rebuild it or for 10 grand drop an LS1 into it. Very easy swap apparently.

Well that just my 2 centsI've ridden in an E34 that has broken 150mph no problem, so just because our M20's make it seem like the E34 couldn't break 125mph doesn't mean they CAN'T. They are very stable if set up correctly.

M20's really won't see very big gains unless you're planning on FI. The E34 crowd doesn't really mess with the M20's though and I think I've only heard of one from the UK that got this treatment. E34 enthusiasts seeking power usually turbo the M30, and the truly insane turbo their S38's :eyecrazy

[angrypancake]

e30 guys have their shit together when it comes to turbo-ing the m20, talk to them. it's very possible to see 300 rwhp with the right setup


oh and yeah the '90 525 is an m20.

[EngPhys09]

Your prolly looking at like 10 grand to do a turbo kit well, thats basically rebuilding the internals, and turbo kit and exhaust.

[zfender14]

You can get an intercooled m20 turbo kit for about 5k new, probably a lot less used. It is possible to see significant gains from an m20. You can do headers CAI AFM chip and plenty other upgrades. Ive never been 150 in my car but shell break 120 no prob and plenty stable. Also you can drop an s50 crankshaft in and, along with other basic mods, a 13 sec car. M20 engines are underappreciated for their performance ability in my opinion. Definitly talk to the e30 guys, they know lots of neat little tricks. Also, with the mileage 3k is too much, 2k is fair in my opinion.

[Itsnotme1988]

As others have said, talk to the E30 guys, they know their stuff.

[justinp95]

Would a 535i be a better choice? Do they have any aftermarket stuff for it? I found a 89' 535i 5spd with 156k for $2500 which sounds like a good deal. and seems to look nice.*****

[clevertd]

Would a 535i be a better choice? Do they have any aftermarket stuff for it? I found a 89' 535i 5spd with 156k for $2500 which sounds like a good deal. and seems to look nice.*****

It depends on what you mean by aftermarket. Looks, power, handling?

[justinp95]

Power....

[clevertd]

http://www.turbochargingdynamics.com/

These are BMWs, don't respond very well to bolt on mods because of the way they're engineered from the factory. Truthfully, the best bang for your buck is forced induction. Racing Dynamics used to make headers for the M30, but no longer. Miller Performance (http://www.millerperformancecars.com/) has a MAF conversion kit for the M30. A CAI isn't produced, you'd have to make it yourself, and probably will get you no more power. You'd be paying for the sound. My suggestion is to stick with the stock air box. Also, read http://www.bmwe34.net/ as much as you can.