m52 iron block... not worth it?

[quillbro]

I got a lead on an m52 2.8l block was about to go through with it when the guy told me its not an aluminum block.... What do you think i should do....

I was gonna do a 2.8 block with an m50 nv head. I dont want this motor being heavier than my m20.

Is it not worth it should i just wait and look around? Thanks. -EVan

[backtrail69]

The 2.8 is a good motor, but I would definitely keep the vanos system. With s50/s52 cams in there, nice exhaust, chip, HFM and obd1 you should be at or above a stock s50 for way less money..

[E30_fiend]

The 2.8 is a good motor, but I would definitely keep the vanos system. With s50/s52 cams in there, nice exhaust, chip, HFM and obd1 you should be at or above a stock s50 for way less money..

Werd

[quillbro]

Well I heard alot about people comparing the m50nv with the m42 and saying it had the same power progression. I actually really liked the m2, one of my favorite bmw motors.

Ive driven m42's, m20b25, s50, and turbo m20's and i think the m42 was probably the most fun just cuz it reved out so well....

And if what i hear is right and the m50NV head acts the same way, than id really like that i think.

Plus iv'e allready invested alot of money into a nv head and cams.

But what do you think about the block? Is it gonna make the front end noticeably heavier? If so i would just die :(

[Charlie]

You want the vanos, trust me.

-Charlie

[backtrail69]

Its not that much heavier. I wouldn't worry about it.

[e30polak]

Get rid of the a/c system like most of us, and you won't feel much of a difference.

Alum block is nice, but hard to find and no good for boost...just make it easier on yourself and buy the iron m52.

[Drew325is]

An alloy block M52 is at least 20kg/44lbs lighter than the M20 (http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=99913)...and I believe the M50 is then significantly heavier than the M20. So there's good weight savings to be made with the alloy block. But as previously stated, if you're going to go for big boost you might want the more robust iron block.

[EtaSport]

Its noticable heavier, but not a whole lot. I hear it about 50 lbs more, dump some weight from a/c, even p/s. In my opinion it makes the car handle better. Front end really pushes through the corners and just plants. My 318 is lighter, but so less predictable, it has too much understeer where the m50 runs with just a bit of oversteer, a lot easier to drive hard.

[Mr.SWISS]

Its noticable heavier, but not a whole lot. I hear it about 50 lbs more, dump some weight from a/c, even p/s. In my opinion it makes the car handle better. Front end really pushes through the corners and just plants. My 318 is lighter, but so less predictable, it has too much understeer where the m50 runs with just a bit of oversteer, a lot easier to drive hard.

I have to second that. I think my car handled better and was more predictable when I dropped the M50NV in.