320 coupe, HELP i need new engine but which one

Hello there, two days ago i bought the car of my dreams a red 320 coupe with m20 1983
I loved the car n i wish i bought it a long time ago, anyways my engine is almost dead so i dont know what to do!!! I bought the car to have fun with it like drifting, as a third car in my house
The question is, i want a bigger engine but which one?? If i put 2.8 do i have to change the gear box and a lot of things like the radiator??? I dont have much money now to change everything but in the same time rebuilding fixing my engine will cost the same as buying a new one
So what engine should i buy guys!!!! 2.3???2.5?? 2.8?? 3.5???
Any ideas???

do the m50 swap. theres plenty of write ups plus there alot of aftermarket parts to help boost power

Do i have to change everything???

ECU, harness and engine. Yup, all of it.

My suggestion if your on a budget you can get a M20B25 for relatively cheap with the harness and ECU and transmission if you so chose. But if you want to save and get some real power in that get a 24v swap like a M5X/S5X.

The M20B25 is a relatively easy swap, and you get 140 hp not a massive amount but its better than a broken car.

Be prepared for the electrical nightmare, especially if some 'genius' PO has 'repaired' the existing loom.

Thanks guys for the reply, i fixed my engine and but a 2.3 crankshaft with pistons, i had 125 n now 150 i guess, i didnt cost me a lot but it took me a long time to collect the parts because they are rare, anyways im happy with what i did for now but next change ( which is not far away) im gonna put m50 for sure, a lot of parts and cheaper

M30B35 swap.. under 800 bucks for swap, doubles horsepower and increases torque. And a stock one with good tires can hit 13's. Im in the middle of the swap now and it's going very nicely.

The issues I have with a M30B35 swap is that you are replacing a prehistoric motor with another prehistoric unit and
performance parts were limited for these motors the last time I looked.
I turbocharged some of these and suffered getting parts. This was whilst living in so-called civilisation (Europe).
This motor is not much cheaper here than a more moden one with single Vanos. The latter having lower mileage.
Or am I blowing hot air

Originally Posted by Nick323

The issues I have with a M30B35 swap is that you are replacing a prehistoric motor with another prehistoric unit and
performance parts were limited for these motors the last time I looked.
I turbocharged some of these and suffered getting parts. This was whilst living in so-called civilisation (Europe).
This motor is not much cheaper here than a more moden one with single Vanos. The latter having lower mileage.
Or am I blowing hot air

Yeah its a motor of the same era.. But a easier swap. Compared to other swaps, this is the best bang for the buck. I've located everything I need for my motor to turbo it, found it all with two websites. The M30B35 with a Turner chip can put down 260hp and 245ft. lbs of torque not bad for a stock all motor setup. And if you wanna go further Miller makes a awesome maf conversion kit that'll yield even better results.

With a good tune, skimmed head and thinner head gasket with a slight port job, not sure why you wouldn't see close to 290hp.

there are people that love the M30 swap and others that hate it. yes, its a lot more power and a lot easier than an M50 swap, for both maintenence and doing the actual swap. but its also a lot heavier.

im more in the M50 camp, but i have seen some pretty quick M30 builds. i have a mate that has an M30E30 race car

M30 is only 16 pounds heavier... hardly enough to make a difference.

M30
Straight 6 cylinder SOHC 12V. Big Six. 1973-1993. 143kg 315lbs
Used in E12 525/528, E28 525i, E23 725i, 2800CS, E28 528i, E23 728i, 3.0CS/i/L, 3.0Si, E12 530i, E23 730i, 3.3Li, 633, 732i, 733i, 535i, 635i, 735i, E12 M535
2.5i (150bhp), 2.8i (184bhp), 3.0 (185-208bhp), 3.3 (200-206bhp), 3.5 (218bhp) 225 ft. lbs.

M50/M50TU
Straight 6 DOHC 24V/Straight 6 DOHC 24V with Single VANOS. 1989-1998. 136kg 299lbs
Used in E36 320i/325i, E34/39 520i/525i, Variation of this was used in the Early US E36 M3
2.0 (150bhp), 2.5 (192bhp), 3.0 (240bhp) 181 ft. lbs.

a do it yourself fresh, clean, and reliable M50 swap can be done for $3000
same thing for a M30 lookin at about $1500

Thats why I said for the cost difference and the little bit of difference in performance, M30 was a no brainer for me atleast.

what about an m52 swap is that going to be much different that a m50?

M52B28--- 2,793 cc (170 cu in) 142 kW (190 hp) @ 5300 280 N·m (210 lb·ft) @ 3950 6500 1995 84 mm (3.3 in) 84 mm (3.3 in) 10.2:1

More torque but less horses.. Thats why I liked the M30B35, It's a good blend of power. But It's your choice, just don't swap a nissan 4 cylinder in it please. LOL

But then your left with an older engine. I do like the numbers the m30 reads out on paper but what if I had a m52 with a s52 camshaft?