What should my new build have for a heart?

[KangamangusDriver]

So my e30 was totalled...Bastards!

Well I found a new shell to build from the ground up, this is an opportunity for me to build a better and faster E30.

Im having trouble with engine choices and need some help..

Thoughts and options;
1.) Rebuild my M50 w/vanos for boost
2.) Buy a S50 and build for boost
3.) Buy a s50 and build for N/A
3.) S52 and go OBD1 all motor

Thoughts, comments, help will all be appreciated!

Thanks guys!:idea:

[FredK]

I'm thinking S52.

1. You already have a Vanos M50, so you have all of the OBD-I swap parts
2. S52s are more plentiful than S50s. It's easier to find an S52 with lower mileage out there.
3. S52s have the updated hardened retainers
4. DO EEEET!

[StereoInstaller1]

S62 FTW.

Luke

[erik325i]

Build a 2.9L alluminum block m52.

-Erik

[rede30]

I think the s52 would be best since you have the donor. I had a s50 sitting in my barn that had gone to shit and i was planning on using that as a donor for a s52 but then i realized i would rather have a rebuilt s50 than a used unknown s52.

[Mastrcruse]

s70/2..come on someone has to try it. haha

[Garageaholic]

m30 Ftw!!!!

[KangamangusDriver]

Im pondering a S52 and converting it to OBD1.

How involved is the conversion?
Costly?

or build up a S50..

[FredK]

Do you still have your M50 Vanos engine from your old car? If so, the cost of the conversion is super low, probably less than $100.

You'll need to transfer over the crank position sensor, cam position sensor, vanos solenoid (if you don't want to buy a $25 extension cable), knock sensors, M50 manifold and throttle body, fuel rail, tap the head for a second temperature sender, and install the OBD-I wiring harness. The coolant pipe also needs to be modified or to use the M50 rubber 4-way hose, you can buy a fitting from Turner that gets epoxied to the engine.

Then you'd need software.

[KangamangusDriver]

Do you still have your M50 Vanos engine from your old car? If so, the cost of the conversion is super low, probably less than $100.

You'll need to transfer over the crank position sensor, cam position sensor, vanos solenoid (if you don't want to buy a $25 extension cable), knock sensors, M50 manifold and throttle body, fuel rail, tap the head for a second temperature sender, and install the OBD-I wiring harness. The coolant pipe also needs to be modified or to use the M50 rubber 4-way hose, you can buy a fitting from Turner that gets epoxied to the engine.

Then you'd need software.

yeah, I do have the M50 vanos still.

As far as software, what needs to be done? Custom?
Where do you tap the head for the coolant temp sens?
What coolant pipe are you speaking of? The one for the T-stat?

Does anybody know of documented literature on the conversion?

Thanks guys!!

[ping65810]

I actually like the m30. Plus, $$ is a lot less, and throw a turbo on and you will decimate ALL the m50s and s50s, all for a lot less money.

[FredK]

You know how there are two coolant temp sensors in the M50 head (one blue, one brown)? There's only one on the M/S52 engine. The head casting is the same, though. The rear temperature port is not drilled and tapped, instead there's just a blank spot in the aluminum.

There's a tutorial on the conversion at http://homepage.mac.com/aceves/Home.html

There is a little info in this subforum on ways to avoid tapping the head, but I don't believe it's that hard provided you have a good quality tap and drill bit. Just go slow, use plenty of thread cutting oil, and for every 1 revolution back the tap out a quarter to break the chips.

On OBD-II engines the 4-way rubber hose is replaced by a metal coolant pipe. The fitting in the front of the head is different; there's no male fitting that you can slip the 4-way coolant hose onto.

I believe a lot of people run the 3.0L S50 software, though I believe there is 3.2 OBD-I software out there. Probably from AA or something.

[KangamangusDriver]

Thanks for your help!!

[Brew]

S52 is the way to go. Do it. Do it. Do it.
Don't worry about building it for F/I, you can get plenty of power with stock compression, and better off-boost performance.

[KangamangusDriver]

S52 is the way to go. Do it. Do it. Do it.
Don't worry about building it for F/I, you can get plenty of power with stock compression, and better off-boost performance.

I think I will go this route, got a really good price on a fairly low mileage S52.

How do you like the power delivery of your S50 brew?