Stock M50 install vs m20 rebuild

[carazy]

Hey all,
I'm comming to a bit of cross roads here and I thought I'd pester you lot.
My 323i's head is starting to show it's age and is blowing smoke underload even with some of the super thick oil in it.

Now obviously I want this fixed asap but money is a limiting issue.
My plan was to purchase an M50vanos and dec it out with cams, head work, stroke it and fit it but I don't think the current motor will last long enough for me to get that sort of money together.

So is a stock m50vanos a good value for money improvment over a rebuild m20 engine? If I have to rebuild the m20 I'm just going to turbo it but I'd rather run the newer m50 engine.

What are your thoughts? Is the m50 convert only worth it if it's filled with hi-po bits?

[Jordan]

Buy a good low mile stock m20b25 for $500-650 or so, and swap it in. Lots cheaper, and good power upgrade.

[carazy]

I don't see how that is my best option. The m20b25 has 170hp correct? If so that's only 20hp more then my current motor but the change to motronic from ljet requires the same amount of work as the m50.

I appreciate the suggestion but It's either going to be rebuild of current motor or m50

[gstuning]

I don't see how that is my best option. The m20b25 has 170hp correct? If so that's only 20hp more then my current motor but the change to motronic from ljet requires the same amount of work as the m50.

I appreciate the suggestion but It's either going to be rebuild of current motor or m50

Thats not true,
All you have to get is the motronic ecu and harness, you can keep your trans, clutch, driveshaft, hoses, radiator and so on,

It´s basically just a M20 install

[clutterbucker]

No matter if its an M20B25 or an M50B25...he'll have to switch out all the ECU and harness, and I believe that's his point. The work of a motor swap isn't quite worth it if there's an only slightly more expensive option that is just that much better. The M50 vanos has 192 hp and a great torque curve.

I say bang out an M50. That's what I'm doing, and I started off with a 325i.

I don't see how that is my best option. The m20b25 has 170hp correct? If so that's only 20hp more then my current motor but the change to motronic from ljet requires the same amount of work as the m50.

I appreciate the suggestion but It's either going to be rebuild of current motor or m50

Thats not true,
All you have to get is the motronic ecu and harness, you can keep your trans, clutch, driveshaft, hoses, radiator and so on,

It´s basically just a M20 install

[James Crivellone]

Since when is a harness/ecu swap hard? tons of documention out there to do it...

[carazy]

Thanks for the replys guys.
I'd love to talk to a couple of people that have actually done the m50 conversion but your replys are certianly valued.
I think at this stage I'd rather swap in the m50 as it has more chance of higher NA power then the m20 and the fatter low down torque curve + better economy help to.

Cheers.