Frankenstein M52 motor build Q's

[Sevenx]

Hello,

Just curious if anyone can answer some questions. Currently I'm sitting on an m52b28 OBD1 swap with 130kish miles, chip, and full exhaust/intake. Im considering boosting the motor, but the mileage is a little bit of concern to me.

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me about what my options are in terms of throwing an s50 or s52 head onto the motor, what exactly needs to be done for the two to mate up, what kind of gains I can expect, and is it worth it? Any downsides?

Also, if I swap in s52 cams, do I only need the cams themselves? Can an M52 with this mileage handle moderate boost or would it be a ticking time bomb?

Thank you

[Schwarz325]

You'd be wasting your time with an s52 head. The m52 and s52 heads are the same except the cams. So, just toss the cams in and you're good to go.

S50 head is also very very similar, but it has different cams and cam trays as well as different temp sensor mounting locations i believe

[328ijunkie]

You'd be wasting your time with an s52 head. The m52 and s52 heads are the same except the cams. So, just toss the cams in and you're good to go.

S50 head is also very very similar, but it has different cams and cam trays as well as different temp sensor mounting locations i believe

you forgot springs ;)

[Sevenx]

So in order to properly swap in s52 cams, I need both the cams themselves and the valve springs? Im assuming a retune would be in order as well.

[328ijunkie]

Well tons of people keep the stock springs in there with no ill results, but they are different :D

[rpob5t]

if its an M52 head it should have the correct valve springs. I remember checking this out when I built my M52 (OBD1 w/ S52 cams) last summer and finding that the M52/S52 springs are the same spec (not true with M50/S50 parts), someone correct me if I'm wrong but if you have the "bee-hive" springs on the car you should be fine (though you may want to swap them anyway if mileage is high)...