So in my quest to get my car running again, I've acquired an M90 from Forum member @richard_csi who kindly offered it to me.
Block is now with renowned e9 Restorer Miklos in Hungary.
Engine # is 7400272
I'm open to opinions on what to do with the block - just throw in your experience, wisdom, and anecdotes if you'd like too.
I've read about almost all on the forum that has 'M90' in the text I think by now
I want the car to be able to cruise, and manage daily traffic. I'm not after a race car experience- I'd be better of taking driving classes instead of throwing (more) money into it. But i do grin when I'm first off at the traffic lights, and enjoy a spirited drive now and then through the twisties in the Belgian Ardennes hills and the Alpes (mountains). Still, 'Elegant Sport' is what an e9 is in my view, and I want my wife to be able to drive and enjoy it too. Helps also with allocating funds .
I'm desiring (i think..) an engine that doesn't look out of place in an E9, so i'll likely go for the 'Csi-look'.
As the M90 blocks regularly need new pistons (acc @sfdon who's been very helpful with tips along the way), custom pistons are already in the budget. 3,5 L is plenty for me, no need to go bigger.
So considering 10:1 compression, or perhaps even 10,5: 1. Gas quality isn't an issue here in EU (acc google Ai). Perhaps the price of pistons will force me towards std spec stuff.
wrt to the cam: the 284 Schrick cam seem to be a standard choice, though I've read some members regrinding their original cam to the same specs. Any thoughts on that anyone; pro/con? Would a 284 cam still make it a streetable car so my wife will be able to drive it? I'm not after a car that stutters and judders at a traffic light.
wrt to head choice, I'm not knowledgeable as to what head the block currently has. That'll need to be established (I'll ask Miklos and post pics here)
wrt to intake system I'd like the original CSi Looks. So that's then L-jet I think? I'm always mixing up what's what, and what will work on the head. I *think* the block has an L-Jet setup, though I'm ready to be schooled here. (again; I'll ask Miklos and post pics here) Is Motronic a sensible upgrade from D or L-jet? as it's
wrt to ECU, megasquirt, 123 ignition and other such systems; what the benefit and consequence in terms of required parts & rough cost? I'm in the Netherlands, so i am wondering if some of these solutions are "regional"; I've come to think Megasquirt is system favoured in the US< but don't see it as much on this side of the pond.
I'm considering an approach that if money turns tight, i'll nibble on aspects that i can swap/add a year later. So spending the money with a priority on the inside of the engine, then as we progress through the budget, there will be less frills on the 'outside' so to say.
As such, I'm planning to use the std 3.0 exhaust i still have; it's not new but almost NOS. If that turns out to be restrictive for the engine I can easily swap that out a year later.
Any thoughts? Spot something stupid? Fire away!
M90, confrimed by SFDon:
white painted 'L'
engine #
Block is now with renowned e9 Restorer Miklos in Hungary.
Engine # is 7400272
I'm open to opinions on what to do with the block - just throw in your experience, wisdom, and anecdotes if you'd like too.
I've read about almost all on the forum that has 'M90' in the text I think by now
I want the car to be able to cruise, and manage daily traffic. I'm not after a race car experience- I'd be better of taking driving classes instead of throwing (more) money into it. But i do grin when I'm first off at the traffic lights, and enjoy a spirited drive now and then through the twisties in the Belgian Ardennes hills and the Alpes (mountains). Still, 'Elegant Sport' is what an e9 is in my view, and I want my wife to be able to drive and enjoy it too. Helps also with allocating funds
.I'm desiring (i think..) an engine that doesn't look out of place in an E9, so i'll likely go for the 'Csi-look'.
As the M90 blocks regularly need new pistons (acc @sfdon who's been very helpful with tips along the way), custom pistons are already in the budget. 3,5 L is plenty for me, no need to go bigger.
So considering 10:1 compression, or perhaps even 10,5: 1. Gas quality isn't an issue here in EU (acc google Ai). Perhaps the price of pistons will force me towards std spec stuff.
wrt to the cam: the 284 Schrick cam seem to be a standard choice, though I've read some members regrinding their original cam to the same specs. Any thoughts on that anyone; pro/con? Would a 284 cam still make it a streetable car so my wife will be able to drive it? I'm not after a car that stutters and judders at a traffic light.
wrt to head choice, I'm not knowledgeable as to what head the block currently has. That'll need to be established (I'll ask Miklos and post pics here)
wrt to intake system I'd like the original CSi Looks. So that's then L-jet I think? I'm always mixing up what's what, and what will work on the head. I *think* the block has an L-Jet setup, though I'm ready to be schooled here. (again; I'll ask Miklos and post pics here) Is Motronic a sensible upgrade from D or L-jet? as it's
wrt to ECU, megasquirt, 123 ignition and other such systems; what the benefit and consequence in terms of required parts & rough cost? I'm in the Netherlands, so i am wondering if some of these solutions are "regional"; I've come to think Megasquirt is system favoured in the US< but don't see it as much on this side of the pond.
I'm considering an approach that if money turns tight, i'll nibble on aspects that i can swap/add a year later. So spending the money with a priority on the inside of the engine, then as we progress through the budget, there will be less frills on the 'outside' so to say.
As such, I'm planning to use the std 3.0 exhaust i still have; it's not new but almost NOS. If that turns out to be restrictive for the engine I can easily swap that out a year later.
Any thoughts? Spot something stupid? Fire away!
M90, confrimed by SFDon:
white painted 'L'
engine #
Last edited:
)