Picked up a broken s52

[Kershaw]

Looks like it had experienced the money shift. All exhaust valves bent by contact with the pistons. Pistons look pretty ok though. I'm trying to decide what to do with the motor. I think I have 2 options.

1. Put the s52 cams in my e36 m50b25. Put the crank and con rods (and buy custom pistons) and put that in my e30 ix.
2. Get a replacement m50/m52 head, put the s52 cams in there, put the s52 back together and put the whole engine in my e36.

A big influencer on this decision is whether or not the I can easily do option 2. I put ATF in all the cylinders last night and this morning cylinders 1 and 2 had very little ATF in it. Are the piston rings potentially shot or is it just because the motor is cold?

Pic: http://i.imgur.com/mgfix2J.jpg

[nando]

Option 3: 3.2 M20 Stroker with RHD ITB's and a schrick 288 for your ix. ;)

[Kershaw]

Well that's option 1. ITBs and a big cam would be down the road. Although 2 would be easiest, I'm finding it difficult to put any speed/hp effort into my DD that I don't really care about. It runs well with a chip and an intake, gets 27mpg, why mess with it?

Edit: Although I don't think I want to spend $1500 on MM 3.2 sport pistons. Maybe I can pick up m54b30 pistons, doesn't that make a 2.9l? Honestly, I wasnt expecting to rebuild a motor so the cheaper the better. Any other piston alternatives?

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Option 4 sell it and buy a real M engine not a cam'd m52. Like s54

[2mAn]

Option 1

[Kershaw]

I have an ix, so engine swaps are not worth the trouble imo. It's also not just a cammed m52, it's a cammed, bored, and stroked m52.

Also, I only picked it up because it was scrap price. I figured at the very least I could part out the motor. Option 4 is still on the table though because I still don't know what to do with it.

Do you have any piston ideas for option 1?

[mitchlevy7]

I have an ix, so engine swaps are not worth the trouble imo. It's also not just a cammed m52, it's a cammed, bored, and stroked m52.

Also, I only picked it up because it was scrap price. I figured at the very least I could part out the motor. Option 4 is still on the table though because I still don't know what to do with it.

Do you have any piston ideas for option 1?

Not to dampen your plans, but if you do part it out, I'm looking for a s52 crank!

[Kershaw]

Why not just pick up the whole bottom block and cams too? Lol. Turbo s52 > turbo m52.

[Kershaw]

I want to reassemble the s52 and sell it. Or at least get all the disassembled pieces off my work bench. I pulled an m52 head and the plan is to swap the cams/trays/lifts over into it.

So as far as I can tell I need:
headgasket kit
head bolts
chain guides
water pump
front chain cover gaskets

What are the reputable brands/kits to get, which ones should I stay away from?

Any tips/tricks are also appreciated.

[mitchlevy7]

Why not just pick up the whole bottom block and cams too? Lol. Turbo s52 > turbo m52.

I was planning on making an "s52" with the m52 I already had. Was going to do a forged bottom end so all I really needed was the crank. I already have a head with the cams in it.

Looks like you already have plans for it though. Good luck with it!