m50 head...Vanos vs non Vanos

[e30rapidic]

i've researched this but there is such a jumble of information and arguments in most every string it's not clear...

Are there any differences between an M50 NON vanos head and an m50 head that has vanos? I know there is the vanos "lump"...but seems like that front casing/assembly piece will unbolt from an OBD-I S50 head and bolt up to the M50NV head? I know the cams/trays/ etc will switch over between the M5X and S5X vanos variants

I had read the non vanos head had valves that are 0.5mm thinner? Any truth to that? Not sure that would make any difference anyway.

Basically...will a non vanos M50 head work in an S50?

Thanks

[e30rapidic]

fyi - found one person that swapped the front cover and got by

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1036415

[matt]

You can run an non-vanos head on a vanos motor. I wouldn't recommend it.

The valves are 1mm thicker on the non-vanos. The valve springs are stronger to match, but the net result is more wasted valvetrain energy.

[Myster-E]

Non Vanos heads have dual valve springs

[e30rapidic]

thanks guys