Budget Build tips.

[pistonhead76]

Hey guys, new here but have been trolling here a bit absorbing some knowledge. I just recently posted in the HYBRID section. I want to drop a turbo 3.8 engine and trans into my BMW. Dont let the car fool you, its a 14 year old 323i that I bought used and Im a security guard by trade, hence the "Budget Build." I love the car but the engine blows and BMW thinks highly of their go-fast stuff so screw them. I have modded and/or built a few small chevy's, fords, and mopars since I was a kid so Im handy with a wrench and can MIG a decent bead thanks to growing up in my old mans shop.

My plan is for a DD, around 350-400hp, and mid 12's. Nothing outrageous. I want to slowly source parts as deals pop up. Now, on a budget and building for reliability (I drive over 100 miles a day, 90% highway) what are the best parts for the buck? Im assuming I can get away with the stock long block? Just refresh one with good bearings, rings, cam, front cover, etc? Will a non-turbo long block (with forged slugs) suffice?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[earlbrown]

Find a compete running engine and go from there.

 

[psycho6cyl]

Sell the beema get a gbody and the amout of time fabricating will be next to nothing and will literaly bolt in. You can buy a used harness for way less than a newer/fabbed up one for your car.. it would be nice to see but I think its more of a project than anything else. If you do beema convert post plenty of pics

 

[John Larkin]

I think you'd be better off swapping in a 5.3L chevy drivetrain. Which by the way is 323 cubic inches for your 323 (ironic huh?). Get the whole thing - engine, trans, harness, ECM. It would be fast and mods would be cheap (cam swap and ECM programming at most). And parts are plentiful everywhere.

Turbo Buick engine on a budget will still be way too much cost and I certainly wouldn't want to count on one for 100 mile daily driver.

 

[dr_frankenstein]

stock motor, blow thru carb. = lots of fun. screw the rest. run it till she blows so that gives you a chance to devlop all the needed subsystems, then upgrade the parts that need it.