M50 3.0L Stroker

[Eljosh]

Hello,
I'm still researching this. But I have been reading about the m50 3.0 liter stroker, with the m54 crank piston and rods. From what I have read the M54 rotating assembly is lighter than the m52 assembly. And I also have read the m50 block is better to use because I has oil sprayers and a few things, I may be wrong on that one, and the m52 head is lighter too.
For cams I was thinking about using s52, but I have heard you can use two exhaust cams from the m54, for a different power curve, I forgot which kind of curve it is tho.
I have read there is a performance m54 with different cams, has anyone used those?
Reading about using m54 stuff, would using N54 or N52 rotating assembly be better? Since the blocks are basically the same.

I reason I have to looking into this type of swap is that I can get a m50 black and m52 head for scrap value. So I could get most of the pieces for dirt cheap. I also plan on boosting it.

[DesertBMW]

would using N54 or N52 rotating assembly be better? Since the blocks are basically the same.

LoL!

I reason I have to looking into this type of swap is that I can get a m50 black and m52 head for scrap value. So I could get most of the pieces for dirt cheap. I also plan on boosting it.

get M52B28 crank and rods, then get M42B18 pistons, this will get you 2.8L and 9:1 compression ratio. And you will have perfect engine for boost. For boost application you don't want hot cams, you want the stock M52/M50 cams

[Eljosh]

Yea, I was just thinking out side the box, with the N motor stuff. Thought it was a cool idea. Something diferent.
So should I start with a m50 block and use a m52 head still? or should I just get a m52 since I need the crank and the rods anyways.
Also how would it drive NA? I will drive on it while I save for the turbo.

[DesertBMW]

get the whole M52, they are cheap now. It will ride fine on 9:1 compression. Basically that's what M20 runs on.

[Jib05]

I'm currently doing this conversion in a Non vanos m50b25. The only reason im going down this route is because i got the motor and parts for a very good price from a reputable seller. You may as well go s50/s52 if you are in the states.

[RobertK]

Having been down this road.. If you have the money to pick up a S52 you will be happier in the long run.

A good engine rebuild is not cheap and a cheap engine build is not good... and can be a huge waste of time.

The 3.0l stroker M50 we built had a final build price of ~$3000 for all the parts, gaskets, fluids, swap parts, etc. to do it right. Made less power than a S50. For $2000 you can pick up a decent S52.

[brent5631]

The 3.0l stroker M50 we built had a final build price of ~$3000 for all the parts, gaskets, fluids, swap parts, etc. to do it right. Made less power than a S50. For $2000 you can pick up a decent S52.

What were the specs of your build and do you have dyno numbers/graph?

[matthugie]

+1 on what RobertK said. A buddy of mine built a 3.1 M50 stroker and I was not impressed. He was really happy once it was finally done (and spent about $3k on it) and expected it to run with my s52 car. I let him drive my car and the first words out of his mouth when he got back were that my car was significantly faster. He sold the car a month or two later.

Amusingly, when I went to VIR a couple months ago the new owner was there and we ended up in the same run group. I talked to him before we were on track and he was expecting the straight line performance to be similar, and it definitely wasn't. I know exit speed is a factor (he is more experienced on track and has better suspension so I shouldn't have much advantage there), but I was reeling him in on the straights.

[tinkerputzer]

How was you're friends m50 tuned and was it nv?

[blasphemy101]

get M52B28 crank and rods, then get M42B18 pistons, this will get you 2.8L and 9:1 compression ratio. And you will have perfect engine for boost.

M42 pistons will work with M52 rods in an M5x block??? If you don't mind sharing, what work (if any) needs to be done to make this combo work?

I'm considering setting up an M5x motor for boost early next year. I was thinking about M54 internals with a small turbo+low boost for a good powerband, but I love the feeling of the big turbo (H1C) on my M20... This combination seems like a much more desirable way to lower compression than the typical thick MLS headgasket, even if the combustion area won't be the correct shape.

[DesertBMW]

M42 pistons will work with M52 rods in an M5x block??? If you don't mind sharing, what work (if any) needs to be done to make this combo work?
.

Yes. No need to do anything, it all fits fine, and you will have nice domed shaped pistons with correct valve cutouts. That's the reason why I told you this.

[Wh33lhop]

+1 on what RobertK said. A buddy of mine built a 3.1 M50 stroker and I was not impressed. He was really happy once it was finally done (and spent about $3k on it) and expected it to run with my s52 car. I let him drive my car and the first words out of his mouth when he got back were that my car was significantly faster. He sold the car a month or two later.

Amusingly, when I went to VIR a couple months ago the new owner was there and we ended up in the same run group. I talked to him before we were on track and he was expecting the straight line performance to be similar, and it definitely wasn't. I know exit speed is a factor (he is more experienced on track and has better suspension so I shouldn't have much advantage there), but I was reeling him in on the straights.

Wonder what he screwed up. Assuming similar CR and the same cams and springs the motors should be near identical. Did he tune it?

I've also heard of fully built S52s making the same power as junkyard motors with sunbelts. Sometimes it really is a crap shoot.

[RobertK]

Seen some nice 2.8l setups with Sunbelt cams but those are some semi-agressive cams but still can't match the S52 in overall torque.

My buddy's 3.1l M50 was an OBD1 Vanos setup with S52 cams. I had the dyno sheet laying around and it put down 189rwhp on a Mustang dyno and Technica 3.0l tune (he also had one bad lifter). According to the guy running the dyno the fuel mixture was spot on. The issue I believe is in the M54 pistons which give it a CR between 10:1 ~ 10.5:1. He recently overreved via money shift and now wants to completely rebuild it with different pistons to achieve a higher compression between 11:1 ~ 11.5:1 to see what it will do.

[blasphemy101]

Yes. No need to do anything, it all fits fine, and you will have nice domed shaped pistons with correct valve cutouts. That's the reason why I told you this.

Great to know. Thanks for the information!

[emmanuel.dlc]

for what its worth.. my m50b28 11:1 put down 225whp/199wtq on a dynojet

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