Which 24v should I use for a swap?

[FredK]

JGood. A Fox body beckons.

[JGood]

Yeah, S50US puts down 200 - 210 whp, stock.

HFM, injectors, tune = $450 for maybe 10-15 more whp.

I wish the hp/$ for these motors was the same as an Ls1

[FredK]

Yeah, S50US puts down 200 - 210 whp, stock.

HFM, injectors, tune = $450 for maybe 10-15 more whp.

[JGood]

That is because you are assuming that an M50 swap costs $-50 and an S52 swap costs $4000.

If you were to compare apples to apples, and assume the only difference is the cost of the engine, it is $600 vs. $2500. Yes, that is cash. But then again, dropping in an LS1 takes longer than a weekend.

True. Still, IMO, 3x the price for the power difference is just a bit much for me. I guess if I'm dropping that kind of coin I'd want more then 230hp (which is only obtainable on a full bolt-on s52 with HFM, injectors, tune, etc... which is much more $$$). What does an s50 put down, 200-210?

[Ray Smoodiver]

Euro S50B32 with RMS supercharger

[FredK]

That is because you are assuming that an M50 swap costs $-50 and an S52 swap costs $4000.

If you were to compare apples to apples, and assume the only difference is the cost of the engine, it is $600 vs. $2500. Yes, that is cash. But then again, dropping in an LS1 takes longer than a weekend.

[JGood]

And TQ, my S52 put down more TQ at 1800rpm then the m20 did at peak at the crank.

I won't argue the low RPM torque of an s52. No doubt it destroys an m50 in that area.

But I will argue the value of that 20-40whp for $3k+. I've driven an s52 e30, and played with one in my m50 car. Not worth it IMO. Not in comparison to the value of an LS1 or S/C m50, etc...

Not saying it's a bad engine or anything, as it has great power and isn't overly expensive (especially nowadays, prices are dropping fast). It will walk on an m50 car and is cheaper then an ls1 swap. But for the hp/$, it's just hard for me to swallow.

[z31maniac]

And TQ, my S52 put down more TQ at 1800rpm then the m20 did at peak at the crank.

[FredK]

Don't get me wrong, if you spend $2k on an m50 swap, no, it's not worth it, and an s52 would be a better value if you can do it for $3k-$4k.

This is true. If you retain the transmission, driveshaft, and diff from the donor car, you can save quite a bit of money.

I've had both an M50 and an S50US. Both had 1:1 5th E36 transmissions through an S3.46 diff. There is no comparison. 240hp vs. 192hp is a large discrepancy in power.

[JGood]

OBD-I S52

Or don't fucking bother with it.

I don't know about that. I did my m50 swap in 4 days, and it cost a total of -$50 (after selling old parts). If you find good deals you can do this shit CHEAP. And it's easy.

My car now runs great. Gained over 1 second and 6 mph in the 1/4 mile over my 500lb lighter m20 track car. The car is light years more driveable and fun then my m20 car. It gets 5mpg better gas mileage. And there is virtually no maintenance. And no more ridiculous valve tapping.

IMO, do a cheap m50 or go LS1. If you are going to spend thousands of dollars you might as well get more then 240whp. I can get 190-200whp with a set of M3 cams. My firiends OBD-I s52 e30 isn't THAT much faster then my m50 car. If I would have spent $3k+ and only been that fast, I'd be furious...


Don't get me wrong, if you spend $2k on an m50 swap, no, it's not worth it, and an s52 would be a better value if you can do it for $3k-$4k.

[dude8383]

An s5x isn't that much more if you are doing the swap the correct way. I spent 2100 on the engine and around 6k total, most of the cost is in the other stuff. I think people manage to do m50 swaps for so cheap because they cheap out on it.

woah woah woah, i bought an M50 because it was cheap yes, but i rebuilt the whole bloody thing. that wasn't cheap.

OBD-I S52

Or don't fucking bother with it.

meh, coming for an m42 i'm pretty satisfied with my m50. my m50 isn't much of an m50 anymore though.

m52 crank, rods, pistons, s50 cams, 16lb flywheel, trm chip...the thing definitely moves so i can't complain. if i had an s52 i probably would have lost my license by now ;)

[kishg]

OBD-I S52

Or don't fucking bother with it.

+10

or go baller and do s54.

[z31maniac]

OBD-I S52

Or don't fucking bother with it.

[clydesdale]

Thanks for responding guys. For the search police - I am searching, but a couple of simple questions get me pointed in the right direction and saves HOURS. Thanks.

[Jean]

I would not even bother with a NV M50.... M52 at least!