M50 Swap

[chbimmer]

I know there is a whole thread on m50 swaps but i want to know from anyone that has one please let me know....do you think it is worth it? Is it faST? I mean i dont ever think i have read about the after on these swaps. Maybe people dont have toime to post after they are done, cause they are in the car having a ton o fun. how much heavier is the M50 than the M20? let me know any up or downs you might have.


Please dont move this to engine swaps I dont want to know how to do it i just want to know how people like them!

[325Projectz]

Ummm its worth it so DO IT. I wouldn't go as far as saying a m50 is fast, but way better than a stock i m20. S50 is quick and a S52 OBD1 is a different story and price.

You won't notice any decrease in handling but if you get a car corner weighted after a m/s5x swap it would be better then before.

[DEV0 E30]

It won't feel :fast: since you have a 325i already, if it's just an M50 you'd be getting. Forced induction, or going for the S50/S52 is what I would advise. I have an M50 and it feels incredible compared to my ETA. It comes down to preference though. It's been said before with other opinions though, really if you search you will find a few threads just like what you are asking.

I'd say go for an S50 are bi-turbo it and try to keep it right side up on your local track.

[chbimmer]

HA HA I have an ETA right now that i am looking to do the swap in...I just bought a 325is. I just sold my E30 Turbo and really feel like i have gone back intime on perfomance. I dont want to do an S50 simply because of the price and i am getting ready to buy a house soooooooooo you know how that is. but i mean i had a 95 M3 and i was thinking that it might be a slight bit slower since the weight would be down a little.

[BavarianBimmer]

As far as my M50 experience goes : (I drove tonight an 525i M50 and bought it for my swap ;-) )

The M50 has the torque from the M20's and the rev happiness from the M42's


The M50 has just more response on the pedal and slightly more power

[325Projectz]

but i mean i had a 95 M3 and i was thinking that it might be a slight bit slower since the weight would be down a little.

A 95 M3 would still pull on a stock m50 e30.

[1990m3]

"The M50 has the torque from the M20's and the rev happiness from the M42's"

I'm not so sure about the rev happiness of the M42. My M42 revs better than any M50 I've ever driven. Personally, I dont' understand why you'd do the swap if you're not going to do either an S50 or S52. Don't mean to point fingers at the M50 boys here, but flame on anyway. I can take it. Just my very humble opinion

[Jon325i]

An M50 can be made to be more "rev happy".....its called ditching that boat-anchor excuse of a dual-mass flywheel. I've done a modestly lightened flywheel on an M20 and it made a big difference. I can only imagine how the same mod would effect an M50.

Jon

[1990m3]

flywheels are great, no doubt about it. I have a 8lb version in my S14 and a 10.5lb version sitting on the shelf waiting to bolt up to my S50. Easily among the best, most noticable mods possible!

And you're right, they do help the motors become rev happy, but that doesn't mean the M50 has anything up top...

[chbimmer]

considering that if you did the swap and your m20 has 168 hp and the m50 has like 192 or somthing like that. everyone that i talk to says it is noticeable top end or in like 3rd gear. plus if i can get an m50 for cheap then i would save 3500 bucks just o the motor alone.

[325Projectz]

Personally, I dont' understand why you'd do the swap if you're not going to do either an S50 or S52.

I almost agree with that. I first did a m50 swap for the reliability and gas mileage, as my m20 was about to blow up.

But if someone was looking for a major increase then yeah, s50 or > time.

[86325e]

I chose the M50 to stay within budget but yet still fun to drive around as a daily driver. I get 27 mpg with the M50 in my E30. Which is way better than the 19 mpg I get in my GTO. An E30 isn't a drag car. However, I wouldn't hesistate upgrading to a S52 if I come across one for a good price.

[dude8383]

I almost agree with that. I first did a m50 swap for the reliability and gas mileage, as my m20 was about to blow up.

But if someone was looking for a major increase then yeah, s50 or > time.

how much did everything cost you once it was fully installed and running properly?

[325Projectz]

About 4k, rebuilt motor and everything, new exhaust too.

[chbimmer]

wow......Planning on maybe that much in the long run...But i want to do upper and lower gasget sets. I want to port and polish the head and maybe find some type of cams to go in it but not really sure what to go with. do s50 cams fit?