Question about m50 power adders?

[89325iturbo]

Hi,
I was thinking about doing an s50 swap, but now im curious about what can be done with the m50?
If it was to be stroked to a 2.8 litre, with M3 cams, and matching JC chip, headers, it would be on par with the s50 power right? I've heard with those mods you can get in the area of 240-250 engine horsepower. Does that seem about right.
Also can you do the euro HFM, and cold air intake with a m50, or only the s50?
Curious because it might be cheaper to build a stroked m50, that will practically be a fresh engine, and have the same power as the s50. Thanks

[FredK]

Yes. Check out this thread over at bimmerforums:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=516730

225 rwhp, 209 rwtq out of a 2.8 OBD-I with

3.0L M3 Cams, 540 MAF, Conforti Intake, MPact MAF/TB Tube, Eurosport Pulleys, 21.5lb Injectors (Stock on 2.8L), modified 2.8L exhaust man, custom cat back exhaust

I am not sure if there is off-the-shelf software, but you can usually get a custom chip for around $650.

[Jon325i]

This topic has been tossed around some, and there are varied opinions on what works best. A few points to consider....

1) Cost - two sides to the argument here; for $x,xxx you can get a used S50 which makes good power and torque in stock form. If you wanted to go the built-up M50 route, acquiring all the parts needed for the lowest price is important. This is especially true if you plan on having a shop doing the majority of the work. The extent of the mods desired can easily add up in price so unless the wallet is bottomless, put some thought into what you want to do.

2) Output - A tuned M50 and make just as much (or more) power of an S50....the link Fred posted illustrates this. Weigh the options of what works best and remember to keep the costs in mind. You don't want to go through all kinds of work and expense only to find out you could've dropped in an S50 for less money.

3) Reliability - Of all the points mentioned, this one stands out as the most significant IMHO. As I mentioned, the cost of a used S50 can on par with a modded M50. The difference here being is that the M50 will have been apart, inspected, and modded before you install it in your car. If you go with a used S50 and don't do much with it prior to installation, there's the 'unknown' variable to consider since you're not sure of the entire history of the engine and could have a looming problem waiting to surface once you drive it hard one day.

Just some thoughts to ponder.

Jon

[bimmers4life]

This topic has been tossed around some, and there are varied opinions on what works best. A few points to consider....

1) Cost - two sides to the argument here; for $x,xxx you can get a used S50 which makes good power and torque in stock form. If you wanted to go the built-up M50 route, acquiring all the parts needed for the lowest price is important. This is especially true if you plan on having a shop doing the majority of the work. The extent of the mods desired can easily add up in price so unless the wallet is bottomless, put some thought into what you want to do.

2) Output - A tuned M50 and make just as much (or more) power of an S50....the link Fred posted illustrates this. Weigh the options of what works best and remember to keep the costs in mind. You don't want to go through all kinds of work and expense only to find out you could've dropped in an S50 for less money.

3) Reliability - Of all the points mentioned, this one stands out as the most significant IMHO. As I mentioned, the cost of a used S50 can on par with a modded M50. The difference here being is that the M50 will have been apart, inspected, and modded before you install it in your car. If you go with a used S50 and don't do much with it prior to installation, there's the 'unknown' variable to consider since you're not sure of the entire history of the engine and could have a looming problem waiting to surface once you drive it hard one day.

Just some thoughts to ponder.

Jon

Well said.