M50 swap feels sluggish

[pmat]

I have a tu and it does not feel the least bit sluggish, but then again im still used to an m42. Is your check engine light on?

[maclogos]

My m50Tu was very sluggish (first gear was the worst) until i found out all my ignition coils had destroyed boots. 3 of them were completely melted. Replaced all 6 with spares and the car is pretty damn quick now. Been enjoying the smooth rev band.

[Roysneon]

I can't compare my m50tu to an m20 as I've never had an m20, but my wagon with 17's will barely outrun my friends coupe with 15's and an m20b25.

To OP:

[Poorboyz]

I can't compare my m50tu to an m20 as I've never had an m20, but my wagon with 17's will barely outrun my friends coupe with 15's and an m20b25.

To OP:

I have an M50TU in a e36 parts car I have and at first I wanted to do the swap but then realized that its not worth it to me for the little amount of power I'll gain. I'm holding out for a M54/S54, other than that I'm staying M20.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4

[digger]

welcome to 10%, otherwise known as SFA

[Nick_S]

Planning an M50 swap this winter. Granted I'm coming from an M42. Just about anything will feel faster. Lol.

[OrangeFiero]

UPDATE: I replaced my maf and it idles much better and low end blipping the throttle is much improved. Also got an alignment. My toe was 4 degrees out... I ALSO found out my breaks were sticking a little, for some reason the piston doesnt want to retract all the way on its own. So after pulling up on the brake pedal, combined with the maf and alignment, id say im feeling at least 10hp, maybe more in the lows, its definitely noticeable.
Im going to swap the coils as i have 10 or 12 laying around, see if that makes a difference
Also going to get new injectors, mine looked sketchy at best when i go the engine, i just forgot to change them... If these things make a difference, ill let you guys know.

[theTBLACK]

I started with no engine in my car, and put in an M50 thinking it would be quick. Sorely disappointed. Wishing I knew more at the time and went straight to an S50 or S52. Sigh.

[golde30]

s52, the new standard e30 motor.

[M-technik-3]

NV is a fun DD engine, nothing wrong with it with few simple mods. Cam or cams, lightweight flywheel. Maybe some forced induction. But for daily they are fine. No need to worry about installing a new Vanos units when it goes bad. It's as mentioned a DOHC M20.

If you want more Bore it out add pistons and have a 3L but HP and Torque is not gonna go thru the roof. We have two as spares for our lemons car. Very reliable as they are simple.

[2mAn]

want torque? buy my S52 crank ;D

[theTBLACK]

want torque? buy my S52 crank ;D

How much?

[Mr.SWISS]

My first swap was a M50NV and FWIW it did have a few hp on the M20 and slightly better MPG. Low rev suffers from the heavy duty valvetrain but it wakes up after 4K.
I got a good deal on my swap and it was all local and had limited funds and needed a new engine with no knocky knocky.

I like at LEAST an M52B28 now that I've drove them all.

[RobertK]

No need to worry about installing a new Vanos units when it goes bad. It's as mentioned a DOHC M20.

If you want more Bore it out add pistons and have a 3L but HP and Torque is not gonna go thru the roof. We have two as spares for our lemons car. Very reliable as they are simple.

Actually Vanos units rarely go bad, they get noisey but honestly after I did my first one I was surprised at how easy it was to work on. It seems all mysterious but honestly it makes a big difference and really isn't that bad to work on.

[Vivek]

Yeah i was worried this was the case but im not going to be convinced quite yet. If i had a good running m20 and my m50 swap felt the same, then i prolly wouldnt think much, because 20 hp would barely be felt, but the fact that my m20 had 200k on it and dynoed at 135hp just months ago... and the m50 feels the same if not slower in some rpm ranges. My m50 only has 130k on it too.

Another point i will add, i am running an auto tranny dme and just though about that being the issue. I had a fiero v8 swapped and i had to fool the ecu to think it was in drive not park or else it would run a predetermined fuel map.

I'm surprised no one pointed out that 135hp (especially if its to the wheels) is really damn good for a 200k m20. If you consider a 15% drivetrain loss a brand new m20 should dyno around 140-145.