Definitive answers on s50 AC & Brakes

[tjh1127]

If you're following my other thread you'll know I have made the dive into an S50 swap to be installed by a shop. I know I should trust their word but I'm too picky and nosey so I need to ask you gentlemen.

I'm already planning 3.5 MAF, pulleys, tune (not sure which yet), and exhaust (mostly out of necessity).

One thing I said I need to retain is fully functional AC, he said no problem but as I'm reading I see you guys are discussing some changes that may need to be made to make sure it blows full cold - can you give me some insight.

Also, considering I'm sincerely hoping for around 260hp is the 4 lug set up and stock brakes acceptable or will I die immidiatelt? I don't track the car it's just a smile maker, daily driver.

Thanks all.

[DesertBMW]

3.5MAF will not give you more power at all, this has been proven many times. You won't make a 260hp on your S50, not even at the flywheel.
I live in hottest climate in the USA, today is 110F and AC in my E30 is cold, blowing 54F out of the vents. And all I did is make custom AC lines and charged it proper amount of 134a, I haven't changed other parts. People say you need this you need that but you don't.
4 lug setup should not be a problem, I haven't heard of anyone stripping 4 lugs with any kind of power.

[White325is]

You won't make a 260hp on your S50, not even at the flywheel.

I made 260 WHP, NA, With no issues.....

Stock 4 lug and stock brakes are fine. Make sure you run a quality tire.
For brakes I've always ran PBR ceramics and brembo blanks.

[tjh1127]

I made 260 WHP, NA, With no issues.....

Can you share your motor setup?


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[White325is]

Fully rebuilt s50.
3.5 maf.
Bimmerworld intake boot.
"CAI" if you will..
OBD2 headers, dual 1 7/8 into 2.5 inch back.
24lb injectors.
S52 cams.
Stock m20 single mass flywheel.
TRM tune.

Dyno chart.



Video.

https://youtu.be/Cny-zZsi6rA

I also ran on another mustang dyno locally not to long after this and made 3-5 hp less than this run.

[f4tj0n]

Fully rebuilt s50.
3.5 maf.
Bimmerworld intake boot.
"CAI" if you will..
OBD2 headers, dual 1 7/8 into 2.5 inch back.
24lb injectors.
S52 cams.
Stock m20 single mass flywheel.
TRM tune.

Dyno chart.



Video.

https://youtu.be/Cny-zZsi6rA

I also ran on another mustang dyno locally not to long after this and made 3-5 hp less than this run.

Nice, I made 242hp/222tq on my setup that is pretty similar to yours.

I have:
Fully Rebuilt S52 Bottom End/S50 Top End
Mishimoto 3.5" boot
540i MAF
21.5lb Injectors
eBay Headers>Custom 2-1 2.5" SS straight through exhaust
M20 clutch stuff
Turner Motorsports Chip

[White325is]

I found the power band to be a lot better with the obd2 headers over a set of long tubes. You can stick with the obd1 because they have a bigger port. But they look like shit. Haha

[M3PO]

You won't make a 260hp on your S50, not even at the flywheel.

Mine makes 290 at the wheels lol

114K mile S50B30
Ported head
Dual valve springs with SS retainers
286/272 Cams
Custom 3.5" Aluminum intake (built by me)
3.5" MAF
3.5" Intake Boot
3.5" Throttle body (adapted by me)
Long tube headers
Full 3" stainless exhaust (with HFC, built by me)
Custom tune

Pretty basic mods, and the car will kill E92 M3s all day (full weight).

[berlow94]

You boys sure do love your SAE dyno correction don't you.

[Nick's e30]

I made 217/209 with my S52 on a Mustang Dyno, stock everything other than an M50 manifold and a TRM 91 octane tune.

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/ID/3351/Tested-S52-vs-M50-Manifold-and-the-TMS-Stage-2-3-Packages-for-the-BMW-E36-M3.aspx

This article has to be one of my favorites about S52's and bolt ons. They managed to get up to 280 crank without anything done to free up the exhaust (at almost 200k). For those who don't want to read, mods are M50 manifold, 24lb injectors, AFE intake, 3.5AFM and Schrick cams. Comparisons were all done on a Mustang dyno.

[tjh1127]

Man only going from 160 to 217 hp for nearly $3k is a tough pill to swallow. Almost starting to think I should sell it and buy one already swapped


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[Nick's e30]

If you're cheap, you can do it for less; looking at my cost breakdown I spent an extra $1500 I probably didn't need to spend (chassis bracing, exhaust work that I wouldn't have needed had I skipped the chassis bracing, I could have probably managed the wiring harness myself, didn't NEED a brand new expansion tank, etc).

Despite the cost, there's nothing like the powerband in a well sorted S50/S52 car. It's the perfect amount of power for the chassis. And it also looks killer in the engine bay.

[nrubenstein]

No changes need to be made other than adapting the lines and making sure that the aux fan works. If you want to enhance the performance, bypass the aux fan resistor.

[mcdougal]

I went with the rx7 brake upgrade and love it. The only downside is that you have to run a pretty aggressive wheel offset or the spokes on most wheels will hit the calipers.