s52 vs. m50

[Tracymcgradyownz]

I was talking to a friend and he said s52 would be a sweet swap, and the car will b fast until u get wasted by someone who turboed a civic. I was wondering if it would be better to go m50 and turbo it, or go s52. I know s52 is a lot more, but turbocharging an m50 will be a lot too. If s52 is better, than should i stay obd2 or go to the obd1 conversion. I was wondering if someone can help me out. I want a fast car that can beat ur average performance car. If anyone can help me out and tell me my choices that would be great. Thanks for ur help.:D

[Van Westervelt]

m52 converted to obd1 and turbo c'd

[PiercedE30]

m52 converted to obd1 and turbo c'd

the truth.

[Jand3rson]

If you are going from a 325e, unless you are phenomenal driver, I wouldn't go straight to an S50. You're talking a jump of over 100 hp. I would do the M50, and then when you decide you want more power, change out the cams and crank to S50 parts, and voila, S50. They're the same engine except for those 2 things, maybe a couple other little ones.

[Van Westervelt]

If you are going from a 325e, unless you are phenomenal driver, I wouldn't go straight to an S50. You're talking a jump of over 100 hp. I would do the M50, and then when you decide you want more power, change out the cams and crank to S50 parts, and voila, S50. They're the same engine except for those 2 things, maybe a couple other little ones.

Really? I thought one was 2.5 and the other was 3.0? :p

Ask Jeff how his s52 cammed obd1 m52 played against my s50.

[Tracymcgradyownz]

Thanks, ill consider it. im still leaning torwards the s52 side because that is what i originally planned, but that wont sit well with my money, especially if i turbo it.Either way i go im gonna spend a wad of cash. Thanks guys.

[B3M2W5]

I have the same car you do. Or i did til it lit on fire. To you either way you go its going to be way faster the the eta. Yet for the effort and time it takes to do this swap. I would just go for the S52 conv. to OBD1 with Euro HFM 24# injectors and a Nice light weight fly. If you are going to spend the money any way its worth it to spend the little extra and get the better engine. I didnt and i have a feeling im going to regret it.

[grib]

The S50/52 is more power, but not too much. Coming from an e, it will force you to use your throttle as a throttle - and not an on/off switch. ;)

If you plan to go boosted, the differences between the M52 and S52 will probably be too subtle for the difference in cost. I would save the money spent on the S engine and put it toward the best kit/components you could afford.

[Tracymcgradyownz]

yeah, that was what i was thinking, but the only thing holding me back is the extra cash for the obd1 conversion. I am leaning more torwards the obd 2, even though i heard the obd1 gives u an extra 30 hp. I dont want to spend an extra grand and a half to convert to obd 1. But then if i go turbo with obd2 it will be a crazy hassle, and very difficult to do. Thanks for ur insight though, i really appreciate it.

[Jand3rson]

Really? I thought one was 2.5 and the other was 3.0? :p

Doesn't changing the crank and rods increase the bore and stroke to 3.0?

[grib]

yeah, that was what i was thinking, but the only thing holding me back is the extra cash for the obd1 conversion. I am leaning more torwards the obd 2, even though i heard the obd1 gives u an extra 30 hp. I dont want to spend an extra grand and a half to convert to obd 1. But then if i go turbo with obd2 it will be a crazy hassle, and very difficult to do. Thanks for ur insight though, i really appreciate it.

If you're okay with the complications of OBD-2 tuning and the EWS system (discussed in other threads), you can recover most of the "lost" HP simply by swapping manifolds. There are several kits that run about $250-300 IIRC, plus $100-200 for the M/S50 manifold itself.

[e30_kid89]

Doesn't changing the crank and rods increase the bore and stroke to 3.0?

I think that alone will only make it a 2.9L. The block still needs to be bored out from 84mm to 86mm to make it a true 3.0.

[MR 325]

Doesn't changing the crank and rods increase the bore and stroke to 3.0?

Changing the crank and rods does not change bore... silly boy

[Tracymcgradyownz]

yeah, thats true grib. Never thought of that, thanks.

[Jand3rson]

Changing the crank and rods does not change bore... silly boy

Oh yeah, forgot about that. :D pwn3d.