M50 head on M52

[Jhonno]

Anyone know if the M50 non Vanos head will fit on the M52 2.8 block and work?

Also if i were to use a non Vanos setup i could use a standalone engine managment couldnt i?

[Bryson]

yes and yes. you can use standalone on either nonvanos or vanos

[Jhonno]

I thought there were mapping issues with using standalone on vanos lumps as it has to control the Vanos as well..

[Bryson]

well that depends if you want to take advantage of vanos with your standalone ;) Only certain standalones do it IIRC

[Jhonno]

is it something worth making use of? im trying to keep it simple without vanos (i it goin wrong!) but if it is of benefit..

What standalones will run the vanos properly then?

[Addissimo]

If you get a nice standalone (which you'll have to in order to take advantage of the distribuitorless ignition) you can set all of the ignition timing and what not, so that vanos will become pretty much pointless. Look into the Simple Digital Systems products www.sdsefi.com

-Addis

[Rich V]

If you get a nice standalone (which you'll have to in order to take advantage of the distribuitorless ignition) you can set all of the ignition timing and what not, so that vanos will become pretty much pointless. Look into the Simple Digital Systems products www.sdsefi.com

Even if you can adjust ignition timing, the VANOS is most definitely beneficial. Keep in mind it is adjusting cam timing to help boost the midrange. IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Any stand alone with a switched output will work fine since the VANOS is either on or off.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Anyone do this or try this? I can pick up an m52tu with a blown head gasket for almost nothing, and want to use that in conjunction with my non-vanos M50...

[Beej '86 325es]

Anyone do this or try this? I can pick up an m52tu with a blown head gasket for almost nothing, and want to use that in conjunction with my non-vanos M50...

Nope, M52TU won't work in combination with an M50, the coolant and oil passages are different. I bought what I thought was an M52 Aluminum Z3 engine, but it turned out to be an M52TU. I was going to use that block with my S50 head, but they were totally different.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Anyone do this or try this? I can pick up an m52tu with a blown head gasket for almost nothing, and want to use that in conjunction with my non-vanos M50...

Nope, M52TU won't work in combination with an M50, the coolant and oil passages are different. I bought what I thought was an M52 Aluminum Z3 engine, but it turned out to be an M52TU. I was going to use that block with my S50 head, but they were totally different.

I thought the M52 tu was aluminum? How can I tell if it's the aluminum block or not?

So basically if I buy this m52tu, I won't be able to use any parts from the M50?

[Beej '86 325es]

Anyone do this or try this? I can pick up an m52tu with a blown head gasket for almost nothing, and want to use that in conjunction with my non-vanos M50...

Nope, M52TU won't work in combination with an M50, the coolant and oil passages are different. I bought what I thought was an M52 Aluminum Z3 engine, but it turned out to be an M52TU. I was going to use that block with my S50 head, but they were totally different.

I thought the M52 tu was aluminum? How can I tell if it's the aluminum block or not?

So basically if I buy this m52tu, I won't be able to use any parts from the M50?

The one I had was aluminum, yes. But I'm not sure if all of the M52TUs were aluminum...I guess it just depends on what it came out of. If it came from a Z3, then yeah, it is.

Some of the minor components are interchangeable, but if you're looking to take a head off of one and stick it on the other, it's not going to work. If you're building an engine pretty much from scratch, like I am, then some of the parts are reuseable. I was able to get some internal cylinder head parts like cam trays, timing chain tensioners, cam sprockets, and stuff like that from the M52TU and stick them in my S50 head.

[Jason89i]

yes, the m50 head will fit on the m52 engine (single vanos 96-98) only the z3 got the aluminum.

no, the m50 head will not fit on the m52tu engine (doubl vanos ) not sure which ones (if not all) were alum.

cheers, jason

[Funkmasta]

You may have valve interference putting a non vanos head on an M52 block... Non vanos heads have more agressive intake cams...

Check out the cavities on 92 pistons compared to a 93.

[DanThe]

You may have valve interference putting a non vanos head on an M52 block... Non vanos heads have more agressive intake cams...

Check out the cavities on 92 pistons compared to a 93.

Has anyone done this without having valve interference problems? Cant find much concreate info through searching.
Ive got hold of an M52 with a cracked head so am planning on bolting my M50 non-vanos head on the block for a cheap power increase.

Cheers

[PiercedE30]

i am also thinking of doing this with the m50nv I have sitting awaiting a build up. I was originally just thinking of putting the s50 crank and rods in there for increased displacement and compression boost for more power.