How much for a m50 swap?

[ThatOneEuroE30]

I'm looking into a m50 but i cant seem to find any for sale. So i figured I'd ask the couple questions I have. My first question is on average how much will a m50 swap run and is it better to get a non vanos or a vanos. Also do i need to find a 250 5spd to run instead of my stock 260? I think thats all my questions

thanks.

[franky2fingaz]

I had all these questions answered by spending a couple weeks reading dozens of threads and Google searching (which most led to the forum anyways), followed by looking for an engine locally (within 150 miles) on CL. $300 got me a M50TU, G250 and a harness from an E36 coupe (does not mean you'll find the same deal). As far as the VANOS, if it's bad then the engine will run regardless, and rebuilding one is not that difficult as long as you can wrench a bit (plenty of YouTube vids about this), there are special tools that are needed and are expensive for the VANOS, if you can't afford them and don't want to deal with it then a regular M50 would do just fine...
You might not have an easy time finding a M50 in Nebraska, but use salvage yard searches like http://www.car-part.com/ .. it might help

Edit: The search for an E34 engine on the site yielded more hits than an E36 ... a bit of a drive but some yards deliver..

[kalib0y]

Searching around will be the best thing to do becuase different people have taken many different routes. In my experience Non-Vanos has been preferred when going forced induction but you can still go either way.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

I had all these questions answered by spending a couple weeks reading dozens of threads and Google searching (which most led to the forum anyways), followed by looking for an engine locally (within 150 miles) on CL. $300 got me a M50TU, G250 and a harness from an E36 coupe (does not mean you'll find the same deal). As far as the VANOS, if it's bad then the engine will run regardless, and rebuilding one is not that difficult as long as you can wrench a bit (plenty of YouTube vids about this), there are special tools that are needed and are expensive for the VANOS, if you can't afford them and don't want to deal with it then a regular M50 would do just fine...
You might not have an easy time finding a M50 in Nebraska, but use salvage yard searches like http://www.car-part.com/ .. it might help

Edit: The search for an E34 engine on the site yielded more hits than an E36 ... a bit of a drive but some yards deliver..

Thank for the feedback, and your right finding a engine in nebraska is a needle in a haystack. I can find them all over in the larger cities by nebraska but the only city closer then 8 hours is kc.

[Nick_S]

I picked up an M50NV with G250, harness, driveshaft and partial exhaust for $300. Granted the trans was junk. With most basic maintenance done on the motor aswell as a lot of other new gaskets, seals, clutch, linkage etc I'll be at around $1500-1700 when it's all said and done. Good luck with your search, I doubt if there are many engines out your way. May be worth the extra money to have one shipped.

[nsxguy7]

You may want to check here in Denver. I had six to choose from after a one hour search on craigslist for less than $700. I settled on a running '92 E34 with 150k for 500 bucks, and it even came with the more desirable ZF310 5 speed. I am a big fan of buying a complete car for several reasons, most importantly because you'll get everything you need for the swap instead of all the little stuff nickel and diming you to death. Second, I can easily sell the stuff I don't need for at least $500...meaning the parts bill for my swap will be almost free. When you do a search on Denver CL, look under cars for sale and not parts for sale. You may even find something you can drive home.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

You may want to check here in Denver. I had six to choose from after a one hour search on craigslist for less than $700. I settled on a running '92 E34 with 150k for 500 bucks, and it even came with the more desirable ZF310 5 speed. I am a big fan of buying a complete car for several reasons, most importantly because you'll get everything you need for the swap instead of all the little stuff nickel and diming you to death. Second, I can easily sell the stuff I don't need for at least $500...meaning the parts bill for my swap will be almost free. When you do a search on Denver CL, look under cars for sale and not parts for sale. You may even find something you can drive home.

Thanks for the info, I'll probably end up doing that when it comes time. I just need to muster up the will to make that dreadful 10 hour drive.

[nrubenstein]

Don't bother. The M20 is a nice engine and the M50 hardly gives you any additional power. I would not recommend swapping for next to no additional power, extra weight on the nose and all the work that goes with it.

[NickL]

Car-part.com

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Don't bother. The M20 is a nice engine and the M50 hardly gives you any additional power. I would not recommend swapping for next to no additional power, extra weight on the nose and all the work that goes with it.

Believe me it's worth it haha. I don't have your average e30. It's a 84 320i with the m20b20 it's pushing about 100 horse. So for around 500-1000 I can get another 100 horse without needing to turbo.

[Nick_S]

Believe me it's worth it haha. I don't have your average e30. It's a 84 320i with the m20b20 it's pushing about 100 horse. So for around 500-1000 I can get another 100 horse without needing to turbo.

Is it a european one? If so your car may have a G240 in it.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Is it a european one? If so your car may have a G240 in it.

Yup it's euro

[Nick_S]

You should double check the trans because it is likely 240. When using a 240 for an M50 swap most of us either shorten the selector and linkage or buy the euro 320 stuff since it's direct bolt in.

[nrubenstein]

Believe me it's worth it haha. I don't have your average e30. It's a 84 320i with the m20b20 it's pushing about 100 horse. So for around 500-1000 I can get another 100 horse without needing to turbo.

I'd put in an M20B25, then. Seriously.

[Wanganstyle]

another vote for stock usa m20b25 complete