Which Engine to boost?

[Alpine e92]

I have 2 engines to choose from. Car is a 91 318i that currently has a M50TU w/95K on it , but i also have a S50 with about 140k on it. What to Superchaerge one of them. not sure if i should just build the M50 or go with the S50. Opinions please...

[JGood]

I have 2 engines to choose from. Car is a 91 318i that currently has a M50TU w/95K on it , but i also have a S50 with about 140k on it. What to Superchaerge one of them. not sure if i should just build the M50 or go with the S50. Opinions please...

Not sure what your questions is?

The s50 will obviously make more power then an m50 under the same boost conditions, and turbo's are more efficient then superchargers.

[Alpine e92]

with bad weather coming up here in NY i'm putting my bmws away. project time. just wanted to get some opinions on what to do with my e30.

[JGood]

with bad weather coming up here in NY i'm putting my bmws away. project time. just wanted to get some opinions on what to do with my e30.

Well if you have an s50 and an m50, why wouldn't you use the s50?

Unless you want to provide us some real info like compression or leak down results of both engines, your power goals, budget and reliability concerns, etc... then I have no idea what you're actually asking. Obviously a turbo s50 will make the most power, so do that?

[HR2L]

I voted turbo s50, but honestly you already have your m50 in place, might be worth just boosting that and leave the s50 on the back burner for that moment your m50 takes a dump. ;) Either way, sounds like a fun winter project. Keep us updated on your decision as well as build. :)

[Alpine e92]

M50 has a leaking headgasket and oil pan. so i'm pulling the m50 regardless. I'm fairly new to the e30/e36 game so wasn't sure if one engine was better for boost. Only other bmws i have had were e92 335i and e92 M3.

[gobuffs]

An S50 is an M50 just more displacement.

[JGood]

M50 has a leaking headgasket and oil pan. so i'm pulling the m50 regardless. I'm fairly new to the e30/e36 game so wasn't sure if one engine was better for boost. Only other bmws i have had were e92 335i and e92 M3.

Depends what you mean by 'better'. My 'better' may be max power. Your 'better' may be a modest boost level while spending as little as possible.

Gotta give us some sort of indication of what it is you want, if we're to make a decision for you ;)

Budget? Power goals?

[Alpine e92]

No real budget as i'm a dealer of most parts i would need. Would like to break 400whp. Really would rather go Supercharger.

[AnimalE30]

No real budget as i'm a dealer of most parts i would need. Would like to break 400whp. Really would rather go Supercharger.

If your m50 didn't have a bad headgasket you should turbo that one to 6lbs (300ish whp) to get your feet wet while prepping the s50 out of the car (arps, mls, o ring etc).

If you want 400 whp for more than a few months you'll need supporting engine work and I'm not aware of any one kit that will get you there with a supercharger. I think the AA kit is only good for 360.

Honestly, just build the s50 to handle 400whp and turbo it. You'll be much happier with that than a supercharger.

[10Toes]

I vote S50 jus because it has a stronger forged crank, and the itb's...

[AnimalE30]

I vote S50 jus because it has a stronger forged crank, and the itb's...

Wat? U.S s50 doesnt have itb's, unless i missed something.

[mdlimy]

Wat? U.S s50 doesnt have itb's, unless i missed something.

u didnt, clearly he missed something lol.

op, my vote is s50 turbo, freshen up the motor with bearings, mls hg, arp studs and as long as it is a healthy motor it will handle 400whp without a sweat....dont skimp on the tune, thats the most important part.

[bmwm42]

why not just sell both engines get a s54 turbo/supercharge it im sure you would have no problem breaking 400whp and bieng a dealer of parts should be no trouble and a more exciting build

[Alpine e92]

u didnt, clearly he missed something lol.

op, my vote is s50 turbo, freshen up the motor with bearings, mls hg, arp studs and as long as it is a healthy motor it will handle 400whp without a sweat....dont skimp on the tune, thats the most important part.

Yeah this will most likely be the route i go. I am an OETuning dealer here in NY. dont know if alot of e30 guys have heard of them but they are big with newer bmws. Jeremy the owner does all my tuning. S50 ran strong in the m3 it was in. we only took it out of the m3 because we put in a low mileage s50.