S50 Vs. S52

[mazur]

The increase in stroke is beneficial in an S52 no matter what people say.

S52 is better and will make more power, but it's more expensive to swap because of the OBDII.

The conversion to OBDI is not hard. If you think you can complete the engine swap itself, then OBDI conversion will be nothing.

You're going to have to weigh the pro's and con's, but S52 will always be better in my book (in N/A form).

[jrdeamicis]

The increase in stroke is beneficial in an S52 no matter what people say.

S52 is better and will make more power, but it's more expensive to swap because of the OBDII.

The conversion to OBDI is not hard. If you think you can complete the engine swap itself, then OBDI conversion will be nothing.

You're going to have to weigh the pro's and con's, but S52 will always be better in my book (in N/A form).

More displacement is a +.

There is a couple really nice things about the S52 I like. Internal Crank Mounted 60-2 wheels. Using a M44 VR sensors on that wheel. Metal Coolant Pipe system, an extra .2!, Cheaper piston rings.

[avery0829]

e30s5dan-I haven't asked him yet about the leakdown test. How would I find the production date?


Yeah, I talked to the guy with the S50, got the vin numbers. He told me that it has been sitting for 10 years in his dads garage back in the day it was going to go in an MG haha.

[jrdeamicis]

10 years? OHH GOOD.

[Adrian_Visser]

Yeah I'm sure nothing rusted on the internals in ten years. Stay away! Even if they fogged the cylinders and filled it with preservative oil something in that engine is rusted up. Not to mention every seal in it is probably shot from sitting.

[mazur]

Yeah I'm sure nothing rusted on the internals in ten years. Stay away! Even if they fogged the cylinders and filled it with preservative oil something in that engine is rusted up. Not to mention every seal in it is probably shot from sitting.

+1. An engine that's been sitting around for that long is only good for a rebuild, nothing else.

[avery0829]

Well I guess I need to do more shopping. Said he would sell it to me for 1500 though ha

[Wh33lhop]

I've seen better deals on low-mileage motors that still run. ;) Keep looking, you're in no rush.

[Adrian_Visser]

Well I guess I need to do more shopping. Said he would sell it to me for 1500 though ha

$1500 ain't that great I picked up my 85k mile s52 with stewart water pump and underdrive pullies for $1600 and it hasn't been sitting for ten years. Prices are low right now just keep searching.

[avery0829]

Yeah, I passed on that one. The search is still on.

[87e30]

Just go s50 erik. same hp just some less tq. But still more than the m52, which is really enough... s50 will cut costs of going obd2 and just be less hassle. Still plenty of speed.

[Danny]

Clayton knows all about S50 cars :D

[87e30]

Clayton knows all about S50 cars :D

haha. troof. I regret not going s50. Then again I'm already plenty close to getting arrested with just the m52.

[StereoInstaller1]

I got my S50 for way way less than that, but it needs lots of shit, plus condition is unknown...but it ran well when it was wrecked...

I have driven M50, M52, S50 and S52, plus M30, both stock and lightly tweaked.

I say B4B winner is the S50, all in all. Tranny is no hassle, gearing is no hassle, install is cheap and easy, parts are cheap and tuning is well known.

Mileage is HUGELY improved over the M20, and especially the M30. Makes for a fun car...right, Daniel?

[Wh33lhop]

Just go s50 erik. same hp just some less tq.

That extra ~200cc does actually net you a bit of power over the 3 liter, as long as you OBD1 convert it (or just slap an M50 manifold on). Either way the S52 has more area under the curve. Plus, you'll have a newer motor. Whether or not it's worth the extra cost and headache of doing an OBD1 conversion... well that's up to you.

The nice thing about the S50 is definitely that it's already OBD1, and if it ran before you swapped it, it should run in your car. Converting from OBD2 adds uncertainty.

I got my S50 for way way less than that, but it needs lots of shit, plus condition is unknown...but it ran well when it was wrecked...

I have driven M50, M52, S50 and S52, plus M30, both stock and lightly tweaked.

I say B4B winner is the S50, all in all. Tranny is no hassle, gearing is no hassle, install is cheap and easy, parts are cheap and tuning is well known.

Mileage is HUGELY improved over the M20, and especially the M30. Makes for a fun car...right, Daniel?

Surprisingly, when driving up to the picnic Danny equaled and sometimes even bested my M50 car's mileage by an MPG or two (I was usually around 25-27mpg, he was around 26-28, we both beat on our cars mercilessly). My motor's a bit older and more tired than his, but it was still interesting. Maybe a VANOS motor would net a bit better mileage with less aggressive cams, higher compression and more midrange/less need to downshift.