Bimmer e30's 2.7 conversion

[cotty]

Hi I noticed on your profile that you have an E30 with a 2.7l conversion.

I was wondering is it worth it, I mean is there that much more power. I was thinking of getting a new exaust, performance air filter, chip and ECU re-map but the 2.7 conversion might be a better idea

[cortinaman]

i wouldnt mind some info on that myself as i read in total bmw that its definatly worth speaking to as many people with the conversion already done for their thoughts and the names of reputable converters as some of the 2.7 conversions were being so badly done that the car ended up being slower than the std unit that had originally been in the car plus they also drank fuel like it was going out of fashion.

[Marquis_Rex]

cortinaman said:

i wouldnt mind some info on that myself as i read in total bmw that its definatly worth speaking to as many people with the conversion already done for their thoughts and the names of reputable converters as some of the 2.7 conversions were being so badly done that the car ended up being slower than the std unit that had originally been in the car plus they also drank fuel like it was going out of fashion.

I have done the conversion on my E21 323i.

Please see the six page article in the November 2002 issue of Total BMW magazine.
My car drinks LESS fuel than it did as a 323i. I'm STILL using old style ignition distributor and old style K Jetronic fuel injection. However I've used my know how and my friends rolling road to optimise the fueling and performance. I'm running about 27 degrees advance at 1500 rpm, and that ramps up to 38 before coming down again.
I can get over 30 mpg on fast spirited long distance runs and 22-25 mpg in town. The old 2.3 litre NEVER got that. I'm somewhat at a loss as to how i've achieved it. I can only put it down to conservative ignition set by BMW on the original car to cater for wide world markets, where as our usually cold and humid whether allows me to pile on the ignition. I have an extra large vac capsule for good cruising fuel economy.There is slight knock on in hot whether using 95 octane at about 4-4500 rpm high load- but this shows I'm not a million miles off in how I've mapped it!

My point is, if you do it right and go for a fully mapped system and someone decent to map it, there's even LESS reason why it should drink fuel.
The base engine architechture of my car helped too, with small slipper skirt specially forged lightweight pistons,a high 10.5:1 CR, wild 284 duration Schrick camshaft (wild cams can help with internal EGR and lower pumping losses), fully machined ported heads, longer 135mm rods, to reduce side loading on the block sidewalls. The exhaust system is very low backpressure.I also use low viscosity oil and gearbox oil which probably helps.

Cortina Man I know some very dodgey supposedly reputable folk doing the conversion. One of them increased the stroke and didn't use the correct pistons- ended up with the piston 3mm short of block deck and a 7.5:1 CR!! When I explained what he'd done he didn't understand! This engine WILL be slower than a stock 325i!

[Karan]

i have a 2.7 e30..... see www.geocities.com/punniracing for details on it...

[cotty]

Karan said:

i have a 2.7 e30..... see www.geocities.com/punniracing for details on it...

I have just realised I think. Arnt you from the e30 zone???