E30 M3 engine rebuild recomendations

[Yil]

I am resoring an 88 M3, I've owned the car for years and the engine is good, its always been maintained and looked after. The timing chain was renewed several years ago. The engine is out so now is the time to check it over. I'm based in East Midlands. I know a local engine builder but they dont specialise in S14's, would it be advisable to take to a specialist for a check over?. I'm of the view 'it it aint broke dont fix it'. Not looking to modifiy, whole car is standard.

[89pgy]

i have a couple of E30m3's and am a lot like yourself in that if it works just maintain it. Plus opening up an S14 will get expensive quickly , i did a full engine build 3 years ago on one of mine and that was just short of 8k. As you say the chain gear has been replaced i would just be looking at putting a set of big end bearings in as a precaution and if its got lots of miles open up the oil pump and check for wear.
head gaskets are a rear failure on the 4cylinder.

[Rob747]

Rebuilt mine at approx 120k, didn’t really need it judging by chain/guides/sprockets/pistons/rings/bores/bearings/crank these cars are all about the rusty chassis. Spend the money on sorting that out before digging into the motor.

Imo run it until it gives problems. Just because the engine is out now doesn’t mean it will save you money in the longer term.

[Caddyshack]

Have a chat with Richard Barker at Barker’s motor works in HASLEMERE or walkers autotech.

[davejw]

89pgy said:

i have a couple of E30m3's and am a lot like yourself in that if it works just maintain it. Plus opening up an S14 will get expensive quickly , i did a full engine build 3 years ago on one of mine and that was just short of 8k. As you say the chain gear has been replaced i would just be looking at putting a set of big end bearings in as a precaution and if its got lots of miles open up the oil pump and check for wear.
head gaskets are a rear failure on the 4cylinder.

I did mine in 2010 - upgraded to Schrick Cams, Alpha-N, Carbon intake, rebore, new pistons (BMW), ends, oil pump etc - £14k with rolling road. Still going strong and doesn't burn a drop of oil after nearly 40k miles (I had to use it as I was addicted to the new noise and power)! Dave.

[89pgy]

Hi Dave, glad to hear you've still got the car.
cheers
Kirby

[Yil]

Thanks all.

[benny.c]

Bumping this up as my motor is out of the car at the moment. Any recommendations for someone in the North West (ish) area to give it a once over? It was running fine at 150K so wasn’t intending on a rebuild, just some preventative maintenance that’s easy to do whilst it’s out of the car.

It’s currently running a Motec ECU and Schrick cams and I’m undecided whether to to return it to stock or not.

Edited by benny.c on Saturday 6th May 23:16

[Dr mtree]

Just because it seems to be running well, doesn’t mean it’s not due a refresh. I rebuilt my 2.3 2 years ago. It was on 170k miles. The compression was a little low on cylinders 1 & 2. It was still making decent power (approx 240 hp) with cf airbox, cams and alpha n. When I stripped it down I found two cracked exhaust valves, broken valve spring, very worn chain guides and the piston ring gaps were well out of spec. What I’m saying is that I caught it in time and a few thousand more miles and the rebuild would have cost me a lot more. These are now expensive cars so a little spent on an engine refresh at 150k miles is good insurance IMO.