Which is better for an engine swap?
- Thread starter JasonM3
- Start date
The m20 to m50 upgrade is a much better choice, Over Boost.
i would suggest the 325 as well. (eventhough suspension is something that you might want to upgrade in the 325 anyway, but with both cars youd have to replace the brake booster.)
The m50 (older 3 series) and m52 (came in Z3 as well as late 3 series) are the same engine, just that the 52 is aluminum (40 lbs lighter) and only comes in vanos (i think). the M3 engine was called S50 and had over 40 more hp. but, you can build the S50 with an m50 block, the 2.5, 2.8, 3.0 and 3.2 liter cranks will fit that block. if you plan to modify/boost the engine, i would suggest non-vanos. otherwise, its more stuff to tune with any vanos model (single/double). but with differnt cranks, you need a different head, differnt rods, different pistons.... but none of it has to be aftermarket. in some instances though, minor mods need to be made.
i would suggest the 325 as well. (eventhough suspension is something that you might want to upgrade in the 325 anyway, but with both cars youd have to replace the brake booster.)
The m50 (older 3 series) and m52 (came in Z3 as well as late 3 series) are the same engine, just that the 52 is aluminum (40 lbs lighter) and only comes in vanos (i think). the M3 engine was called S50 and had over 40 more hp. but, you can build the S50 with an m50 block, the 2.5, 2.8, 3.0 and 3.2 liter cranks will fit that block. if you plan to modify/boost the engine, i would suggest non-vanos. otherwise, its more stuff to tune with any vanos model (single/double). but with differnt cranks, you need a different head, differnt rods, different pistons.... but none of it has to be aftermarket. in some instances though, minor mods need to be made.
also, there is something about taking an intake cam and using it as exhaust on a different m50 head and the M3 intake cam. ...i wish i knew where to get all of this info (accurately) at one place.
funny how much i know about this thing now.... and yet it doesnt show for shit yet
edited wrong technical words
funny how much i know about this thing now.... and yet it doesnt show for shit yet
edited wrong technical words
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Wow thats alot of info for me thanks! Well basically I didnt want to get too crazy.. at least I say that now..you know how one thing leads to another.. anyway there is an 85 318is for sale near my house.. red with black leather (vinyl) for only $500 bucks! It looks like it is in great condition. I really do not like any 4 cyl.(No offense Jungle!!!) BMW but its cheap and in good shape.. and if I am gonna do a swap then who cares about the 4 cyl... so basically the main difference between the 318 and the 325 is the suspension? If thats it then I would go ahead and get the 318 and just upgrade the suspension. As far as the swap.. if I am going to trouble I would go ahead and do an M3 swap.. I have a 96 M3 now and love it.. I can imagine how fun an E30 with an M3 in it would be to drive.. plus I want to kind of make a sleeper car. Well everyone thanks for the replies and knowledge it is greatly appreciated, and if I ever get it going and or done I will definitley post pics and all that good crap!
JasonM3
JasonM3
JasonM3,
Like a lot of other people, a 325 is a better platform to start an engine swap project. As far as nomenclature is concerned "m" designation on motors is for regular production models (m20,m50,m52, etc), "s" is the designation for motorsport engines (s14, s50, s52 etc.).
The M50 motor was introduced into the 3 series on the 92 end concluded in 95 with the introduction of all of the new DOT's smog requirements and the ever wonderful OBDII (sarcasm). I'm not 100% positive, but I believe the m50 was first introduced in the e34 525i as a replacement for the m20 powered model.
1985 318is doesn't exist. the 318is was introduced until the 1990 model year. The major features were a 4.10 LSD, sport seats, mtech I steering wheel, and a few other goodies like the m42 twin cam engine later used in the e36 318i/is/ti. Also, shock sizes are different (45mm OD vs. 51mm), etc.
Like a lot of other people, a 325 is a better platform to start an engine swap project. As far as nomenclature is concerned "m" designation on motors is for regular production models (m20,m50,m52, etc), "s" is the designation for motorsport engines (s14, s50, s52 etc.).
The M50 motor was introduced into the 3 series on the 92 end concluded in 95 with the introduction of all of the new DOT's smog requirements and the ever wonderful OBDII (sarcasm). I'm not 100% positive, but I believe the m50 was first introduced in the e34 525i as a replacement for the m20 powered model.
1985 318is doesn't exist. the 318is was introduced until the 1990 model year. The major features were a 4.10 LSD, sport seats, mtech I steering wheel, and a few other goodies like the m42 twin cam engine later used in the e36 318i/is/ti. Also, shock sizes are different (45mm OD vs. 51mm), etc.