S50 or S52?

[exproject]

Is there a preference? I'm looking on ebay at engines just gauging prices. I plan to buy the engine and get it back to spec while driving my E30 normally, then when the engine is good with fresh seals and all, do it in a weekend.

Just curious as I look at specs, only difference I can tell with the S52 is it's .2 liters bigger and I have a higher chance of getting a less worn engine.

Is there any other differences that are large enough to make one engine worth buying over the other?

[windsor318is]

i suggest you start reading the 24v swap thread a little, youll learn about both installations and there differences. its a sticky in this section

[turboeta]

I would go for the S50 just because it is OBDI, also don't plan on it taking a weekend :)

[exproject]

Noted about the weekend part heh. This looks difficult because there is no one central place of info except for sifting through almost 1000 replies to one thread.

This looks promising though.

http://www.e30dohc.com/wiki/index.php?title=Talk:Main_Page#S52B32

Yeah, I was just wondering if the treehouse adapter would negate the point of OBD I or II for S50/52

[e30polak]

s52 is a 3.2 vs a 3.0 like the s50, it creates around 16lbs more torque then the s50, if u use the obd1 manifold on it, it gains about 20hp..and it is a newer engine so it will have less miles on it, but probably be more expensive then the s50. however, i heard that s50s show better gains on bolt on mods...either way they are both great motors:up:

[exproject]

Good to know.

I have around 2200, which I hear is theoretically enough to complete a swap, but feasibly not seeing as I will want to fix any and all leaks plus replace parts before its in the car.

[mbonder]

You will need more than that just for the engine, either one unless you get a super deal somewhere. I would budget around 5k.

[Stu]

Good to know.

I have around 2200, which I hear is theoretically enough to complete a swap, but feasibly not seeing as I will want to fix any and all leaks plus replace parts before its in the car.

You will need a LOT more than $2200 to buy a decent mileage and strong S50/S52, appropriate swap parts, replacement parts, and all the other "here and theres" that will pop up. When I did my swap, I had about $600-700 worth of "here and theres."

[turboeta]

You will need a LOT more than $2200 to buy a decent mileage and strong S50/S52, appropriate swap parts, replacement parts, and all the other "here and theres" that will pop up. When I did my swap, I had about $600-700 worth of "here and theres."

Very true, I am just doing a M50 swap and I've already spent about $1000 and still have another $1500 to spend. For a S50 swap I would say atleast 5k, the little things add up quickly.

[BigD]

Yeah, 2200 on top of the engine+trans+driveshaft is a good budget (esp if you buy a nice clutch setup and new sensors, and do an OBDI conversion).

[Van Westervelt]

I was set to do my s50 swap for 5k, everything except exhaust. Then I did it the right way, and blew that budget to hell, upgrading everything I could get my hands on. Spent about 12k on the swap goodies.