S50 Power???

[FKNFASTM5]

Hey guys, i just had a "basic" question about how to get S50 power out of an M50.

I have read that a set of hot cams, an s50 crank and rods..
Can someone clarify that i have the right information, and fill in the lack of imformation that i have.

So, basically, how do you get s50/52 power out of an M50?

Thanks for all the help guys, hope to be showing some swap pictures this summer..

all my best,
Mike

[FredK]

Yes, triggrhaapi was all set to do a 2.9L stroker with S50 crank, rods, cams, and M50 pistons with a tad machined out of the valve pockets.

This would have gotten him S50 power.

For the cost of doing a bottom end rebuild, you're better if in my opinion just getting a used S50 or S52. This is how your budget would unfold:

$500 M50 donor engine
$300 S50 cams
$300 S50 crank
$150 S50 rods

$150 M50 ring set
$150 Headgasket kit
$50 Block gasket set
$40 Rod bolts (must buy new, these aren't reusable)
$80 Main bearings
$70 Rod bearings
$150 Timing chain rails
$60 Upper and lower timing chains, oil pump chain
$100 Timing chain tensioner

$100 Hot tank and hone block
$120 Clean and mill valve pockets on 6 pistons

You're now at $2320. Sure you'll have a pretty kickass engine, but you would have spent a lot of time, money, and energy getting this engine built up. This also assumes you have a good head. You could save a few bucks by not doing the timing system.

If I wanted to stick to a budget, I'd drop in an M50 in great condition, then later upgrade to an S52. The S52 is becoming more affordable day-by-day--more and more wrecks are available!

[FKNFASTM5]

Yes, triggrhaapi was all set to do a 2.9L stroker with S50 crank, rods, cams, and M50 pistons with a tad machined out of the valve pockets.

This would have gotten him S50 power.

For the cost of doing a bottom end rebuild, you're better if in my opinion just getting a used S50 or S52. This is how your budget would unfold:

$500 M50 donor engine
$300 S50 cams
$300 S50 crank
$150 S50 rods

$150 M50 ring set
$150 Headgasket kit
$50 Block gasket set
$40 Rod bolts (must buy new, these aren't reusable)
$80 Main bearings
$70 Rod bearings
$150 Timing chain rails
$60 Upper and lower timing chains, oil pump chain
$100 Timing chain tensioner

$100 Hot tank and hone block
$120 Clean and mill valve pockets on 6 pistons

You're now at $2320. Sure you'll have a pretty kickass engine, but you would have spent a lot of time, money, and energy getting this engine built up. This also assumes you have a good head. You could save a few bucks by not doing the timing system.

If I wanted to stick to a budget, I'd drop in an M50 in great condition, then later upgrade to an S52. The S52 is becoming more affordable day-by-day--more and more wrecks are available!

Thanks! I have not been able to find an S50 for under 3200. To me 2320 seems like a bargain.
The thing is i drive an E28 M5, i dont think i will be happy with regular M50 power. I realy dont want to spend a million dollars on this but it is something i really want to do.
Im in a bind..M50 and build it a little bit, or S50 and leave it....

[matt]

It's 2320 if you build the motor yourself, and build it properly.

Good luck with that.

[FredK]

The M50 can see around 190 whp with S50 cams and the appropriate software from Turner, together with a nice-flowing exhaust. If I wanted maximum bang for the buck, this is the way I'd go.

Alternately, I'd go with a M52 that has been converted to OBD-I, but this is only reasonable if you can get the M52 and OBD-I swap parts for cheap. However, this poses slightly more of a challenge getting it up and running than a straight M50 or S50 swap. With S50 or S52 cams you can get over 200 whp easily.

[matt]

I am (kinda) shopping for an M52 bottom end... with the S50 cams in the head I have now and an MLS gasket and head studs I could make a LOT of power with a turbo.

[1990m3]

why would you put in an m50/s50 in an e28 m5? the s38 is such a nice motor and is very very smooth.

how much do you want to sell the s38 for?

[FKNFASTM5]

why would you put in an m50/s50 in an e28 m5? the s38 is such a nice motor and is very very smooth.

how much do you want to sell the s38 for?

:tsk: im not selling my M5, or the motor, that car is staying intact. I am doing the ever so popular M50 into an E30 swap.

On another note, as stated earlier, just swapping the cams for S50 cams and good software should give out some good numbers?
What about a set of schrick cams for an S50? these cams must be little "hotter" than stock S50 cams...right?

Thanks for all the help guys,
Mike

[mazur]

:tsk: im not selling my M5, or the motor, that car is staying intact. I am doing the ever so popular M50 into an E30 swap.

What about a set of schrick cams for an S50? these cams must be little "hotter" than stock S50 cams...right?

Thanks for all the help guys,
Mike

The Schricks should give you 40hp over stock cams in an M50, 20hp over S50 cams.

[FKNFASTM5]

The Schricks should give you 40hp over stock cams in an M50, 20hp over S50 cams.

Really?!?!? i didnt know that these cams gave you so much power..cool ()

-Mike

[alexbaby88]

The Schricks should give you 40hp over stock cams in an M50, 20hp over S50 cams.

what does it do to your idle and low down torque?

[FredK]

Mazur, I'm curious as to where you found that you can run S50 US Schricks with an M50? I know they'll theoretically fit fine into the cam trays, but what about the piston to valve clearances?

[mazur]

Mazur, I'm curious as to where you found that you can run S50 US Schricks with an M50? I know they'll theoretically fit fine into the cam trays, but what about the piston to valve clearances?

Copy/pasted from TMS:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


larger E36 M3, MZ3, M52 inc 2.8 1995-99 Schrick Camshafts 256/264 (pair)
M3, MZ3, 328, 528, Z3 (E36, Z3, E39)


Schrick 264/256 degree camshafts boost mid-high end power for that extra motivation at higher rpm. Low-end torque is not seriously affected due to the M50/M52s VANOS System. And, higher profile cams work extremely well with an upgraded intake and exhaust. When upgrading the cams there are other areas you must take into consideration. Higher-flow fuel injectors, larger mass-air sensor, and custom programming are strongly recommended. Turner Motorsport sells complete intake & cam packages that boost power to over 290hp. See the Engine section under Camshafts for more info

All M50 based engines use the same set of schricks.:D

[So Live]

All except the nonvanos ones

[FKNFASTM5]

cool..
Back to the point..
If i take an M50 or an M52 now that an oppertunity arose, and put a good free flowing exhaust, a set of Schrick cams, an intake and good software... should that equal the power of an s50 without touching the bottom end??

Thanks for all your help guys
Mike