Several parts of my own personal M10 have turned into LeMons trophies, including the Texas 2008 Index of Effluency (an award that went to a 1600). The parts all have a similar burned-up-on-reentry quality, which is notable because the thing was actually running pretty well when I pulled it out.
You know, Baron von Falkenhausen was also a bit of a hot rodder. BMW bosses told him to make the new engine for the Neue Klasse cars 1500cc. He gave them their 1500, but (without telling the corporate brass) he made sure it could be bored to 1600 and 1800ccs, then stroked to a full 2 liters. This meant that BMW didn't really need to change too much to increase the performance of the NK sedan, and with a few Baron-influenced tweaks the 1800 TiSA became the first touring car to lap the Nurburgring in under ten minutes. Then, when BMW built a smaller car to sell alongside the NK sedans, our buddy Alex decided it needed a little more punch. For his daily driver, he put the M10 from the 2000 sedan into the little 1600... and the rest is history.
That's right, Jalops: When Alex von Falkenhausen wasn't busy having an awesome name, he took time out to create the legendary 2002 for his own personal use.
A hypothetical for all you Professors of Jalopnicity out there: Let us say I have a spritely older E30 towed to my hypothetical home. It has one of these M10s in it, but it's been through a lot. My question is, does this engine perform well enough to merit working on it and maintaining it to keep it in running order (I don't care about keeping things "original" in any way), or would I be best off just spending the money up front and throwing a Chevy small block in it?
For the record, I am not a troll, though I have found fishing the supports under bridges to be very worthwhile.
The M10 can indeed be made to perform. The 2002tii had about 130 horsepower from its mechanically injected M10, and with dual Webers, a hot cam and some head work, you can easily surpass that. With newer cars, though, smog regs can cramp your style. The only E30 with an M10 was the 318i, at the very beginning of E30 production. They kicked out about 100 horses with Bosch injection, and they aren't very sought-after. There were later 318s with the 140-horsepower M40 engine, a real sweetheart of a twin-cam motor that you might enjoy swapping in. Or you can put in a 240-horse 3.2-liter inline six from an E36 M3 (yes, it's possible) and have a kickass sleeper that's still all BMW and doesn't have too much weight over the front wheels. There are plenty of engine swaps available for the E30; I've heard the most difficult thing is getting all the electronics to work together.
And if you don't like electronics, there's always the Studebaker R3, or the Oldsmobile Jetfire 215 turbo.
I will take two. One in M10 trim for streetability. One in M12 trim for all-out racerness.
The M10 was the Clark Kent to the Superman M12, which raced in Touring Car and F1 and pretty much everwhere between. If I'm not totally cracked out, the M12 was capable of 1500 hp with a turbo in its F1 configuration.
burn_2002 already said it, but its so amazing I'm gonna say it again, can't believe that block and similar crank made 1400hp! The engine did have peak power levels at around 1400, not for long though. But I think it raced at about 1k-1100. Amazing.
Had a 2002 Alpina race car, on the street in Germany in 72 & 73 (rallied it in local/regional events) that had the Alpina mods + turbo -- man that thing would FLY !!!
@Baron Plushroom von Falconpunchen: Oh yeah, I think everyone needs a macho engine designer name. I'd change mine, but I betcha it would kill the Gawker hamsters.
@tony-e30: That's a genuine race car engine there! You're looking at the no-doubt-cheatin' engine of the Index Of Effluency winner at the 24 Hours Of LeMons Texas '08 race.
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That's right, Jalops: When Alex von Falkenhausen wasn't busy having an awesome name, he took time out to create the legendary 2002 for his own personal use.
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Ze Germanz pleaze go back to your rootz.
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For the record, I am not a troll, though I have found fishing the supports under bridges to be very worthwhile.
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The M10 can indeed be made to perform. The 2002tii had about 130 horsepower from its mechanically injected M10, and with dual Webers, a hot cam and some head work, you can easily surpass that. With newer cars, though, smog regs can cramp your style. The only E30 with an M10 was the 318i, at the very beginning of E30 production. They kicked out about 100 horses with Bosch injection, and they aren't very sought-after. There were later 318s with the 140-horsepower M40 engine, a real sweetheart of a twin-cam motor that you might enjoy swapping in. Or you can put in a 240-horse 3.2-liter inline six from an E36 M3 (yes, it's possible) and have a kickass sleeper that's still all BMW and doesn't have too much weight over the front wheels. There are plenty of engine swaps available for the E30; I've heard the most difficult thing is getting all the electronics to work together.
And if you don't like electronics, there's always the Studebaker R3, or the Oldsmobile Jetfire 215 turbo.
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A honest 4-banger that grew up to find itself surrounded by -- I was going to say "money and a-holes," but let's just enjoy this fine engine today.
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The M10 was the Clark Kent to the Superman M12, which raced in Touring Car and F1 and pretty much everwhere between. If I'm not totally cracked out, the M12 was capable of 1500 hp with a turbo in its F1 configuration.
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Good thing there're absolutely no customers today. Bonus: you'd fit right in on Kotaku!
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Somebody call the Canadians!
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Now I'll need a cool engine designer name. I'll get back to you on that.
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SHALL WE PLAY A GAME?
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