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You blockhead...


TobyB

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Well, a friend gave me a well- used E30 1.8 engine,

so I took it apart and weighed it.

Block- 80 lbs.

Crank- 30 lbs.

E21 block (x2) 90 lbs.

Late 2002 block 100 lbs.

All 2L cranks- 40 lbs.

So, I wonder if the 'E30 block is 30 lbs lighter' myth really refers to

the block and crank, or if the early 2002 blocks weigh 110?

I feel like a Moe-Ron for not weighing the block for the last race motor...

t

"I learn best through painful, expensive experience, so I feel like I've gotten my money's worth." MattL

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Actually, the crank difference is 4 counterweights! The 1.8 crank

is not fully counterweighted and the 2.0 is.

There are racers who lighten them, and at least one who took them

all off! (Yes, Jeff, that's you)

And, as I've never heard of anyone having trouble with a BMW block,

I'd go for the lightest one I could... getting weight out of the engine

is a huge bonus, as it's so far forward. But it's noticable on the E30 block

how the casting has less material in the bores...

I'll weigh all the parts next time I'm down there.... I don't have a really good

grasp on the overall weight, and there are a lot of numbers floating around.

The 215 clutch and flywheel (lightened a bit) weighs #30, though...

t

"I learn best through painful, expensive experience, so I feel like I've gotten my money's worth." MattL

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Guest Anonymous

I am using an e30 block for my latest race build, the weight delta is totally noticable with 2 bare blocks and I was having an 02 block machined for a friend even the machinist commented on it.

Kind of a cool want to drop 10 or 15 lbs easy off the front subframe.

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I have heard that the E30 block has extra ribbing. If that's true, that must be how they get away with less iron elsewhere? I wonder if the E30 block can still be bored to 92mm safely.

No amount of skill or education will ever replace dumb luck
1971 2002 (much modified rocket),  1987 635CSI (beauty),  

2000 323i,  1996 Silverado Pickup (very useful)

Too many cars.

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