Pin

MOD
GUIDES
BMW M20
Performance
Upgrades
 Meet Austin
LinkedIn
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Austin
graduated from
the University
of Colorado
Denver in 2021
with a degree in
technical
writing and
remains in the
Denver area.
Austin brings
 tons of
automotive
knowledge and
experience to
the table.
Austin worked
as a Technical
 Product
Specialist at
BMW for over
5 years and
drives a heavily
modified E30
325i with a
 stroker kit, all
of which he
built from the
ground up.
ByAustin
ParsonsPublish
ed onMarch 22,
2022Updated
onMarch 28,
2023

Pin
The BMW M20
engine is
legendary.
Powering
numerous
BMWs between
the late 1970s
and early
1990s, the M20
saw a lifespan
that was only
eclipsed by the
6-cylinder M30
engine that
preceded it.
BMW
developed the
M20 as a
smaller 6-
cylinder engine
option for the
E30 and E28
chassis. The
M20s well-
documented
reputation as a
tough and well-
built engine has
led to a massive
increase in
aftermarket
support in the
three decades
since its
release.
Modifying a
BMW M20
engine can vary
a lot in
intensity. Some
M20
modifications
are
straightforward
and
inexpensive,
while majorly
effective ones
will require
serious work
and a good
amount of cash.
Luckily, with
so much
aftermarket
support and an
extremely large
modding
community,
you can
certainly start
slow and build
your way up.
In this guide,
we’ll discuss
our top four
M20
performance
upgrades and
some additional
considerations
to keep in mind
for each. Here’s
how we’ll break
it down:
1. M20
Performance
 Consideratio
ns
2. Best M20
Performance
Upgrades
1. Performa
nce Chip
2. Exhaust
3. Camshaft
Upgrade
4. Cylinder
Head
Refresh
BMW M20
Performance
Modification
Considerations
One of the most
important
considerations
to keep in mind
before
modifying an
M20 engine is
the state of the
engine before
beginning. The
M20 is a solid
motor, but we
can’t forget that
the majority of
them are nearly
40 years old at
this point.
Adding
performance
modifications
to a neglected
engine is a
recipe for
disaster. For
that reason, it is
important to
make sure that
you are starting
with a solid
foundation
before going to
town.
BMW M20
Engine
Refresh
Essentials
As with any
engine of the
M20s age, there
are a few main
areas where
time has likely
done damage to
some of the
engine’s key
components.
The BMW M20
is notorious for
its need for
fastidious
timing belt
service
performed
every 50,000
miles, or every
5 years. It is
extremely
important to
stay up to code
with an M20’s
timing belt, as
they are
interference
engines,
meaning that
serious damage
can be done if
the timing belt
snaps. If you
are unsure of
when the last
timing belt
service was
performed on
your M20, it is
always a good
idea to replace
it straight away.
It is also
important to
ensure that
there hasn’t
been any
serious damage
done to the
cylinder head in
the past, as
hairline cracks
are common on
M20 heads due
to overheating.
These cracks
are somewhat
easy to identify
by checking the
bottom of your
oil filler cap or
expansion tank
for a creamy,
mayonnaise-
like, residue. If
residue is
present, it is
likely due to
coolant seeping
through hairline
cracks in the
cylinder head
and into the
engine oil.
Unfortunately,
the only
solution to this
is sourcing a
new cylinder
head.
Finally, it is
important to
sort any fluid or
vacuum leaks
before
embarking on
your M20
modification
journey. Brittle
rubber vacuum
lines are
extremely
susceptible to
cracking and
leaking after
years of use. A
simple smoke
test will
determine if
any of the many
M20 vacuum
lines need to be
replaced. Oil
leaks are also
extremely
common from
the oil pan
gasket and
valve cover
gasket. While
these might not
be the most
pressing issues,
it is always a
good idea to
future-proof
your engine
before doing
any
performance
upgrades.
BMW M20
Engine
Variant
Considerations
While most of
the
modifications
on our list can
be universally
applied to all
variants of the
BMW M20
engine, some
performance
upgrades will
have a more
significant
effect on
different M20
engine variants.
Overall, the
M20B25 is the
variant most
receptive to
modification, as
it has the
highest flow
cylinder head
and highest
compression as
a result.
With that being
said, there are
quite a few
popular
modifications
for the other
variants as well.
The M20B27 is
also extremely
accepting of
modifications,
but to make
significant
power from
one, some
heavily
involved
modifications
are required.
The early
M20B23
variant is
perhaps the
least modifiable
due to its lack
of fuel injection
and modern
engine
management
system. There
are some
modifications
available for
this variant, but
most are
upgrades to
mechanical
parts rather than
through tuning.
Best BMW
M20
Performance
Upgrades
As the M20
modding
community has
had the better
part of three
decades to
develop and
document
upgrades, the
options to
choose from are
extensive.
Because of that,
navigating the
M20
aftermarket
space can be
overwhelming
for some, with a
lot of
conflicting
information
being tossed
around on E30
and E28
forums. To
prevent the
hassle of going
through the
forum cherry-
picking rabbit
hole, we’ve
compiled the
valuable
information
here.
Since there is a
high degree of
variation in
terms of
modification
difficulty, we’ll
start with the
most cost-
effective and
least difficult
M20
performance
upgrade options
and work our
way to more
involved ones.
Generally,
performance
scales with the
difficulty and
cost of the
modification,
but there are
some really
good M20
upgrades that
can be done on
the cheap.
1) M20
Performance
Upgrades –
Performance
Chip
This is perhaps
the most touted
modification
for a cheap and
easy
performance
boost for any
M20 powered
BMW. M20
performance
chips work by
making
adjustments to
the ECU’s fuel
and spark maps,
which make the
engine far more
responsive at all
RPMs. M20
chips also raise
the rev limiter
by a few
hundred RPM
depending on
your engine
variant, giving
you that extra
bit of top-end
performance.
Installing an
M20
performance
chip is very
straightforward
with proper
guidance. The
job mainly
consists of
unplugging
your glove box-
located ECU,
pulling out the
old chip, and
replacing it
with the
upgraded one.
It really is that
simple. No
additional
tuning or fuss is
required, it’ll
work straight
out of the box.
Unlike a lot of
other
performance
upgrades, you
don’t have to
sacrifice any
performance in
other areas to
gain the
performance
benefits from
an upgraded
chip. Most
reputable chips
are tuned to
provide optimal
performance
from 91+
octane pump
gas and are
rigorously
tested and
finely tuned via
a dyno to
squeeze every
ounce of
performance
from your
M20.
M20
Performance
Chip Power
Gain
As we
mentioned
previously, the
performance
gain that you
can expect from
an M20
performance
chip is
dependent on
the variant of
your engine.
Interestingly,
the M20B27
receives a
larger boost in
performance
from a chip
than the
M20B25. Either
way, the
improvement is
impressive.
Here is what
you can
generally
expect from an
upgraded M20
performance
chip:
Engin M20 M20
e Type B25 B27
Horse +15 +23
power @ @
5,000 4,500
 RPM RPM
+15 +28
Torqu @ @
e 5,000 4,500
RPM RPM
Rev 6,900 5,300
Limit RPM RPM
Since M20
performance
chips are such a
popular
modification in
the E30 and
E28
communities,
there are quite a
few options to
choose from. It
is important to
not completely
cheap out when
buying an M20
performance
chip, as some of
the chips from
less reputable
manufacturers
aren’t likely as
well developed
or researched.
While well-
reviewed chips
are often dyno-
tested with the
goal of
increasing
performance
with no long-
term cost to
your engine,
cheap and
poorly
engineered
chips can do
damage to your
engine. Here is
our pick for the
most standout
M20
performance
chip option that
has widespread
support from
the
community.
Best BMW
M20
Performance
Chip
Of all of the
M20
performance
chip options,
the Turner
Conforti chip is
the one most
well known in
the M20
community.
The chip’s
tuner is BMW
tuning legend
Jim Conforti,
who has over
20 years of
performance
BMW
experience.
Over 10,000
Turner M20
chips have been
sold to satisfied
enthusiasts
around the
world. If you
want to increase
your M20s
performance by
a considerable
margin without
doing any other
major
modifications,
the Turner
performance
chip is your
best option.
Price: $159.20-
199.20
Buy
Here: ecstunin
g.com
2) M20
Performance
Upgrades –
Exhaust
Another
worthwhile
M20 mod on
the more tame
side of the
upgrade
spectrum is a
performance
exhaust system.
Unlike many
other engines,
the M20 is
extremely
breathable from
the factory as
far as the
exhaust
manifold is
concerned.
However, most
M20-powered
cars have
restrictive
elements that
do throttle the
engine
following the
downpipe.
Upgrading to a
performance
exhaust has a
few benefits for
an M20-
powered BMW.
Quality M20
performance
exhaust often
comes with
higher-flowing
catalytic
converters and
wider diameter
mid-pipes. This
allows for
exhaust gasses
to escape the
engine and get
expelled easier
by reducing
backpressure.
While the
selection of
performance
chips above is
largely
dominated by a
single product,
M20 exhausts
are far more
nuanced. There
are a lot of
high-quality
M20 exhaust
manufacturers,
so it is
important to
know what to
expect from a
performance
and sound
perspective
before
purchasing one.
Full versus
Catback M20
Exhaust
When it comes
to M20 exhaust
systems, there
are generally
two main routes
to take. A full
M20 exhaust
would consist
of all-new
aftermarket
exhaust
components
starting after
the exhaust
manifold. This
generally
includes a
larger diameter
downpipe,
high-flow
catalytic
converter,
larger diameter
mid-pipe,
better-flowing
muffler, and
exhaust tip.
Obviously, as
the entire M20
exhaust is being
replaced, full
aftermarket
performance
exhausts are
quite pricey.
However, the
performance
gains and
exhaust sound
will be
significantly
more noticeable
than with a
lesser system.
Full exhaust
systems can
also be made by
experienced
fabricators.
This typically
reduces cost a
bit, but will still
likely cost more
than a cat-back
system.
A cat-back
exhaust is
exactly as it
states, an
aftermarket
exhaust system
that begins after
the catalytic
converter.
Typically, a
cat-back system
consists of a
mid-pipe, high-
flow muffler,
and exhaust tip.
While a cat-
back system
isn’t as
involved as a
full aftermarket
exhaust, it will
still improve
the
performance of
your M20.
BMW M20
Performance
Exhaust
Benefits
Decreased
exhaust
backpressure
 Increased
throttle
response
 5-15%
horsepower
and torque
bump
Louder / better
sounding
exhaust note
Best BMW
M20
Performance
Exhaust
As we have
covered
already, there
are a wide array
of M20
performance
exhausts
available from
various well-
known
aftermarket
manufacturers.
Once again, the
best exhaust for
you might vary
significantly
from the next
guy. However,
if you aren’t
sure what the
best move is,
we’d
recommend a
performance
cat-back
exhaust. Unless
you plan on
using your
M20-powered
BMW for
heavy race
duty, a full
exhaust is
rarely necessary
for a street car.
M20 exhausts
vary by vehicle
model to ensure
proper fitment.
There are
plenty of cat-
back options for
various M20-
powered E30s,
however, if you
have an M20-
powered E28,
aftermarket cat-
back systems
are nearly
impossible to
source. The
same can
generally be
said for M20-
powered E34s.
Since M20-
powered E28s
and E34s are
somewhat of a
rarity in the US,
aftermarket
exhaust support
for them is
extremely low.
If you own one
of those cars
and want a
performance
cat-back
system, a
custom setup
would likely be
your best
option.
As for the best
M20 exhaust
for E30
applications, we
recommend the
Magnaflow
M20 Cat-back
system.
Magnaflow is
one of the
leading exhaust
manufacturers
in the BMW
community and
the German car
community at
large. They
typically create
products that
bridge price and
quality, met
with huge
acclaim from
BMW
enthusiasts
around the
world.
Magnaflow
offers E30 cat-
back systems
for both the
M20B25 and
M20B27,
depending on
the model of
your car. Make
sure you know
which M20
variant is in
your car before
ordering.
Price: $716.00
Buy
Here: urotunin
g.com
3) M20
Performance
Upgrades –
Camshaft
Upgrade
One of the most
common M20
upgrades,
especially if the
engine needs to
be torn down
for additional
repairs/upgrade
s, is swapping
the stock
camshaft for a
performance
one. Over the
years, it is
extremely
common for
M20 camshaft
lobes to wear
considerably,
reducing the
overall power
potential of the
engine.
Even today,
many
prominent
camshaft
manufacturers
offer
performance
M20 cams with
a high degree of
customizability.
Schrick, for
example,
provides five
different cam
durations for
different uses.
The least
aggressive
272/272 grind
angle cams are
the best for
daily driver
applications
with a power
increase at all
RPMs. For race
applications, a
more
aggressive
308/308 grind
is available for
high RPM
gains.
Upgraded cams
change the
characteristics
of the M20’s
valve
responses, with
certain cam
shapes/grinds
being better for
different
applications. If
you are
considering
upgrading your
M20 cams, it is
important to do
extensive
research to find
the right cam
for your
application.
Generally
speaking, the
lower the grind
angle, the better
low-RPM
performance
you’ll have.
The opposite
can be said for
cams with a
more
aggressive
grind. It is
important to
find the middle-
ground for your
own individual
application.
M20 Camshaft
Upgrade
Considerations
Depending on
the level of
aggression of
the camshaft
that you end up
with, additional
supporting
modifications
might be
necessary to get
maximum
performance
from your M20.
For instance, a
camshaft grind
more
aggressive than
a 272/272 will
almost certainly
require a
programmable
ECU chip and a
valve spring
upgrade.
 A WAR or
programmable
chip is
necessary to
ensure that your
M20 can make
proper
adjustments to
the air/fuel
mixture to
compensate for
the changed
valve durations.
Valve springs
are necessary
on M20s with
aggressive
cams, as factory
springs aren’t
stiff enough to
handle the
additional load
placed on them
by the more
aggressive cam
lobes.
M20
Performance
Camshaft
Benefits
Increased
horsepower/to
rque at all
RPMs in street
applications
 with 272/272,
284/272 grind
 Dramatically
increased
high-RPM
performance
in track
applications
with 288/288,
304/304, and
308/308
degree grinds
(other
supporting
 mods
necessary)
 Decreased
chance of
camshaft-
related issues
in the future
Best M20
Performance
Camshaft
While there are
an array of M20
performance
camshafts to
choose from
various well-
reviewed
suppliers,
Schrick takes
the number-one
spot. As stated
above, Schrick
offers five
different M20
camshafts, each
with a different
application in
mind. Schrick
highly
emphasizes that
284/272 grind
angle cams are
the most
aggressive
option for street
use, with higher
grind angle
cams reserved
strictly for track
use.
Price: $499.95
Buy
Here: vacmotor
sports.com
4) M20
Performance
Upgrades –
Cylinder Head
Refresh

Pin
One of the most
important
components of
the M20 engine
is the cylinder
head. In the
M20
community, it
is generally
concluded that
you’ll likely
yield more
performance
from refreshing
worn
components
than you will
from any
performance
upgrade. Of all
of the areas that
an M20 engine
can be
refreshed, the
head is of top
priority. This is
mainly due to
the fact that the
M20 cylinder
head is
particularly
prone to wear
in a few areas.
Both the M20
“885” and
“200” cylinder
heads are prone
to developing
hairline cracks
or warping
from hard
driving at high
engine
temperatures.
As a severe
issue that can
spell the end for
your M20, it is
extremely
important to
know if there
are any
imperfections
on your
cylinder head
that would
prevent you
from achieving
full power
potential.
The condition
of your valves
is also an
extremely
important
consideration
when it comes
to the state of
your cylinder
head.
Improperly
sealing valves
can cause a
multitude of
issues down the
line, including
excess oil
consumption,
high levels of
smoke from the
exhaust, and
compromised
engine power.
Worn valve
guides are also
problematic and
can cause a loss
of power. If a
timing belt on
your M20 has
snapped in the
past, damage
could have also
been done to
your valves,
which will
almost certainly
cause major
issues.
Perhaps the
most important,
yet most
overlooked,
aspect of
cylinder head
maintenance is
valve
spring/retainer
repairs. Over
time, valve
springs become
worn and fall
out of an
acceptable rate.
This can
ultimately lead
to rocker arm
failure.
M20
Performance
Cylinder Head
Refresh
Benefits
Performance
will be
restored to a
factory level
 A full refresh
will
significantly
decrease
engine issues
for a
considerable
 amount of
time
 Higher
reliability,
resulting in the
ability to
safely install
 additional
performance
mods
Best M20
Performance
Cylinder Head
Refresh
Service
Believe it or
not, there are
still specialty
shops that
specialize in
refreshing M20
cylinder heads.
One of the most
prominent
shops is VAC
Motorsports,
who offer M20
cylinder head
services with
multiple tiers to
choose from.
M20
Performance
Stage 1 Head
Refresh
Their stage one
option entails a
thorough
inspection and
replacement of
the most
commonly
needed
components.
They start by
inspecting the
cylinder head
for cracks,
warping, and
mating surface
imperfections.
A full parts
cleaning is then
performed,
followed by a
replacement of
valve guides
and seals. The
stage one
service also
includes valve
reconditioning,
and spring
balancing.
M20
Performance
Stage 2 Head
Refresh
The stage two
option is a bit
more involved.
In addition to
the inspections
and upgrades
performed in
the stage one
service, the
stage two
service includes
an even more
in-depth radius
exhaust valve
job, balanced
performance
valve springs,
and M20
performance
steel alloy
retainers. The
stage two
service is a very
good option for
anyone
considering
forced
induction on
their M20 in the
future.
M20
Performance
Stage 3 Head
Refresh
Their third, and
most in-depth,
stage three
service is the
whole kit and
kaboodle.
Naturally, the
cost is quite
high for an
entire race-spec
M20 cylinder
head and is
really only
meant if you
have racing
applications in
mind. In
addition to all
of the upgrades
present with
their stage two
service, stage
three includes
new high-
performance
stainless steel
valves,
meticulous port
and polish
work, CCing
and chamber
reprofiling, and
high-
performance
valve guides.
Prices:
Stage 1: $1,299
Stage 2:
$2,199.95
Stage 3:
$3,599.00
Buy
Here: vacmotor
sports.com
BMW M20
Performance
Upgrades
Summary
Owning a
classic M20-
powered BMW
certainly has its
perks. One of
the primary
benefits of
owning a
vehicle
powered by one
of BMW’s most
beloved engines
is the massive
amount of
aftermarket
M20
performance
parts that are
still on the
market today,
nearly 40 years
later.
While slapping
on a bunch of
new and shiny
parts is always
fun, it is
important to
make sure that
your M20 is in
a fit state to be
running
significant
upgrades. As
we stated
earlier, the M20
community
almost
unanimously
agrees that
ensuring that
your engine is
in peak running
order is perhaps
the most
effective
performance
upgrade that
can be done to
an M20.
Refreshing your
M20 will give
you peace of
mind from
costly potential
failures in the
future while
giving you a
fantastic
platform to
work off of
when installing
additional
performance
mods.
M20
performance
modifications
don’t have to be
wallet-
breakingly
expensive. A
simple plug-
and-play
performance
chip can
significantly
increase M20
performance
without any
sacrifices. The
same can be
said for an M20
performance
exhaust, which
simultaneously
boosts
performance
and provides a
better
soundtrack for
your drives.
More involved
upgrades, like a
new M20
performance
camshaft or
cylinder head
refresh, have
the potential to
turn your M20
into a
completely
different beast.
While those
modifications
are better suited
for motorsport
applications, a
mild cam
upgrade, and a
refreshed head
can provide the
perfect OEM+
feel for a
canyon-
crushing road
car.
If you enjoyed
the content that
you read here,
check out some
of our other
classic BMW
content. For
more M20
information,
check out
our BMW M20
Engine Guide.
For E30-
specific
content, check
out our BMW
E30 Engine
Swap Guide.
As always, safe
driving!