M50 Swaps bottom line????

[MudDuckMedia]

Alright as many of you know I have the car now I can get the motor (in like three weeks). :D

So after much calling and typing I have decided to do the swap. I need any body who has done it (successfully) to reply to this thread. Pics would be nice ;)

Any kind of tip or what to expect from this swap would also be great!

[Stu]

What info are you looking for? Bottom line as in final price?

I'd recommend looking through the DOHC swap thread at the top of the M/S50 forum.

[cahomey]

People get interested in the swap but don't want to research.

Search through threads and figure out what you need to do. All the information is there.

It will feel better in the end knowing you did it on your own too.

[static]

first thing you should know is that many seem to agree m50 swap is not worth the effort/price

otherwise there are so many variables, it would be silly to name any bottom line.
If you going to do swap yourself, you're gonna do research anyway, so why not start there and not jumping in buying parts?

[tonytony]

you should also gather all the parts you need first, unlike what i did, i bought them while doing hte swap. My car was already in pieces anyway so it was that big of a deal. You'll also be modifying things that may not have been discussed in the threads, i did anyway, my power steering hoses required more than most talked about. lots of patience and enginuity will be required.

[EtaSport]

Be prepared to have your car down for awhile if this is your first swap. You will most likely need tons and tons of little parts you never would have though of. Think of what exhaust you'll want to run, and make sure you have all the parts you think you'll need before tearing into the car.

Also, firmilarize yourself with how the m50 fuel injection works, and what parts go where. The read the dohc swap thread and get an ETM. I just finished an m50 swap in my friend's e30. It took a lonnnnnnng time, but it is damn quick for a stock motor. Worth it IMO, if you can find deals.

[cahomey]

Also, firmilarize yourself with how the m50 fuel injection works

What in particular are you refering to?

[MudDuckMedia]

well basicaly just wonder about time and what kind of options are people looking at when they choose their parts
Here is the bottom line question???

Can I realy get some HP from this thing?

[Tom944]

well basicaly just wonder about time and what kind of options are people looking at when they choose their parts
Here is the bottom line question???

Can I realy get some HP from this thing?

If you are really thinking about it seriously you should read the The comprehensive DOHC engine swap thread. Ton's of info and trial & error in there. It's as good as all you need.

[EtaSport]

What in particular are you refering to?

basically going through the wiring diagrams to find out what gets power from where, and what goes where on the ECU, makes it easier to diagnose no start problems and such. Get an idea of what resistance ratings your supposed to find if you have a motor of questionable functionality, just to make sure things work.

[bmw332i]

well basicaly just wonder about time and what kind of options are people looking at when they choose their parts
Here is the bottom line question???

Can I realy get some HP from this thing?

Like most people here have already stated, read the entire stickied swap thread on this page. Most of the posts there are filled with good info, but you'll need to weed through some of the B.S. at times.

Options? Like what? Tranny, flywheel, diff, etc....?

And the answer to your final hp question, maybe/possibly. It all depends on how much you want to spend on the motor. You can reliably build an m50 with things such as:

CAI (Conforti or the like)
BBTB (Dinan or BMP)
s50 cams
Underdrive Pullies
Chip (Conforti)
Headers (some say they aren't worth it)
Bosch Cat
Free Flow exhaust of some sort


All that stuff is good for maybe 190-195rwhp. BUT, at that point, you will have spent what it costs to purchase an s50 or s52, and still not be at the same level of power. You'd probably even spend over what it costs to purchase and slightly mod an s5X for even more power.

Of course, you could just put a home-made turbo on the m50, and make some very respectable power, but then you'll have issues eventually with the longevity of your motor....unless you do it right, and that means more $$$$.

It's entirely up to you, but make sure you read the swap thread first to see what's involved.