Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Swap or rebuild, I need some opinions!

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Swap or rebuild, I need some opinions!

    One of the spark plugs has stripped out of my motor and to do and sort of decent repair it requires that I pull the head. My friend also has a wrecked 328is that he said I can have the motor from. My dillema is this:

    Do I pull the head and have it rebuilt or do I do a swap now?

    The m52 has around 180,000 miles on it and does not have the wiring harness or tranny. My motor has 230,000 miles on it but ran really well until the spark plug issue.

    If I keep my stock motor I still may swap sometime down the road but this would allow me the time to save and do it right. I'd also be putting in a cam (Schrick 284 or 288 probably,) 19# injectors, 027 AFM or MAF and some MarkD software.

    Which do you think would be cheaper/faster/more reliable?

    Thanks,
    Brendan
    '89 325is S50 Track Montser
    '04 X5 Daily/Tow Vehicle

    http://www.avarestoration.com

    http://www.myspace.com/brendanfiddle


    Click here if you want to be my zombie slave...

    http://www.youtube.com/user/Fidhle007

    #2
    Originally posted by Fidhle007 View Post
    One of the spark plugs has stripped out of my motor and to do and sort of decent repair it requires that I pull the head. My friend also has a wrecked 328is that he said I can have the motor from. My dillema is this:

    Do I pull the head and have it rebuilt or do I do a swap now?

    The m52 has around 180,000 miles on it and does not have the wiring harness or tranny. My motor has 230,000 miles on it but ran really well until the spark plug issue.

    If I keep my stock motor I still may swap sometime down the road but this would allow me the time to save and do it right. I'd also be putting in a cam (Schrick 284 or 288 probably,) 19# injectors, 027 AFM or MAF and some MarkD software.

    Which do you think would be cheaper/faster/more reliable?

    Thanks,
    Brendan
    That's a tough one... cheaper and easier would be to repair the M20, a head pull and reinstall can be done in a day. reliable I would have to say M52, and faster well I'm biased.
    Originally posted by 325Projectz
    don't listen to the diagram... listen to mr. swiss.
    :nice:

    Comment


      #3
      Stick with your stock motor if you want reliable.

      M52 would be faster.

      Comment


        #4
        To me a new m20 would be a better feeling then an old 24v.
        https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-h...wE3UqwjjmaTrXg

        Comment


          #5
          I think I can get my head rebuild done for under $1500, and then I'd still have the option of swapping in the M52 over next winter. I suppose the question is this: Do a good job on a head rebuild/cam/injector/chip setup or half-ass a motor swap? I know that sounds a little biased but I think you might see my point: if I spend money now, am I going to resent having spent it later on?
          '89 325is S50 Track Montser
          '04 X5 Daily/Tow Vehicle

          http://www.avarestoration.com

          http://www.myspace.com/brendanfiddle


          Click here if you want to be my zombie slave...

          http://www.youtube.com/user/Fidhle007

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Fidhle007 View Post
            I think I can get my head rebuild done for under $1500, and then I'd still have the option of swapping in the M52 over next winter. I suppose the question is this: Do a good job on a head rebuild/cam/injector/chip setup or half-ass a motor swap? I know that sounds a little biased but I think you might see my point: if I spend money now, am I going to resent having spent it later on?
            I don't see why you can't pull the head, tap the hole, have it checked and stem seals replaced for under $400. I justified my swap by a rod knock on the M20. And whoever said the M20 is smoother than the M/S5xx is out of their mind. My M50 is waay smoother on accel and general perkiness, is quieter, I have no more wires, cap and rotor, timing belt and tensioner, accessible waterpump, etc. Not to mention 20+ more hp in stock setup. Now I did use the 10lb Fidanza flywheel so that maybe why I think it is a bit more sporty.
            Originally posted by 325Projectz
            don't listen to the diagram... listen to mr. swiss.
            :nice:

            Comment


              #7
              Well, I'm thinking about $500 for the head work but the cam, valve springs, seals, and chip all add up...
              '89 325is S50 Track Montser
              '04 X5 Daily/Tow Vehicle

              http://www.avarestoration.com

              http://www.myspace.com/brendanfiddle


              Click here if you want to be my zombie slave...

              http://www.youtube.com/user/Fidhle007

              Comment


                #8
                How durable are M52s? The mileage scares me a little although it is from an auto car.
                '89 325is S50 Track Montser
                '04 X5 Daily/Tow Vehicle

                http://www.avarestoration.com

                http://www.myspace.com/brendanfiddle


                Click here if you want to be my zombie slave...

                http://www.youtube.com/user/Fidhle007

                Comment


                  #9
                  Maybe not bother with moddin the M20 and just fix it for cheap till you can get enough saved to do the M52 swap properly?
                  sigpic

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Even with hookups the m52 swap will be expensive. And you would have installed a motor that is really getting up there in age.

                    I'm with JJe30. Fix it cheap. Save up and get a lower mileage engine.

                    Originally posted by whysimon
                    WTF is hello Kitty (I'm 28 with no kids and I don't have cable)

                    Comment


                      #11
                      I agree also with the cheap fix option. I would do that, keep your head stock, and maybe find a nice m50 from an e34.
                      Originally posted by cabriodster87
                      "Honey? What color is this wire? Is it the same as that one? Are you sure? I don't believe it. OK, it works. Thank you sweetie."
                      Originally posted by Kershaw
                      i've got a boner and a desire to speed.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        I'm going to veto that option. I simply can't bring myself to buy a motor if it's code doesn't start with "S", especially if I have an M52 to use free of charge. Perhaps I should fix my head (the one on the car, the one on my shoulders is beyond help) and do some MILD upgrades and see where I'm at, and then, if I still want more, I'll rebuild the M52 completely and drop it in. Besides, then I'll have a freshly rebuilt M20 head with a lightly used Schrick cam for sale in a year or so, I know y'all will wanting some of THAT action... ;)

                        Of course I could just use the M52 for parts and build a sweet stroker...
                        '89 325is S50 Track Montser
                        '04 X5 Daily/Tow Vehicle

                        http://www.avarestoration.com

                        http://www.myspace.com/brendanfiddle


                        Click here if you want to be my zombie slave...

                        http://www.youtube.com/user/Fidhle007

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Don't get hung up on the M52. It has high miles. You should at the very least do a leakdown test on it to check the condition of the head and rings.

                          Also, consider the cost of an OBD-I conversion. They aren't cheap. In many cases you can almost pick up an M50 engine for close to the cost of the OBD-I swap and oil pan.

                          An engine out of an E34 is probably around $700-800.

                          If you use your free M52, you will need an oilpan ($175), harness ($125), DME ($150), CPS, knock sensors ($80 used), Vanos extension cable ($20), manifold and TB ($125). That is $675. And you've just installed all this cool shit on an engine with 180k.

                          If you shop around or you have hookups you can get some of this stuff cheaply, BUT even then, you might save a few hundred bucks.

                          An engine refresh is not a cheap endeavor. Everyone postures that they will just do a refresh, but if you calculate the cost of doing so, it is quite expensive. And why the hell would you rebuild an M52, if you are so averse to buying a motor that doesn't start with S?

                          Originally posted by whysimon
                          WTF is hello Kitty (I'm 28 with no kids and I don't have cable)

                          Comment

                          Working...
                          X