M50 turbo or S50

[Major]

My car's been standing since late February waiting for me to make up my damn mind about either an M50 turbo or just dumping an S50 in the car. I've just been taking it apart slowly and replacing parts, going to respray it properly too.

It's primarily going to be a daily driver, would like to track it on the odd weekend. I'd love to have a turbo, really, I love the noise and the sensation. But if an M50 turbo costs, say, double an S50 for the same amount of power, then I'd rather not.

Then it's a case of whether it should be a VANOS M50 or not (or even an M52), or an S50B30 or and S50B32. We don't have the S52's here, so not an option.

What do you guys think? In terms of budget I'm prepared either way, I'll let it take as long as it needs to but I would obviously prefer the shorter, less expensive route if it's an option. ;)

[AL GReeNeRy]

i vote s50b32! 300+ HP stock! you would need a very expensive turbo setup on an m50 to get close to that number and it sure as hell wont be as reliable as a stock euro m3 motor. and if you still feel the need for speed, you can boost the s#!T outta it, while the m50 will be close to tapped out.

[mongule]

m52b28 turbo

/thread

[e30e]

What's the cost's of these motors in S. Africa?

[madjurgen]

m52b28 turbo

/thread

+1 million

OBD1 M52(iron) w/ S52 cams, small-to-medium sized GT35 or something similar, stock motor with MLS, 12-15 psi, TRM remote tuning, instant boost 400rwhp. Thats my plan anyways.

I think this is by far the best bang for your buck combo if you got some dough to spend. I feel ~400-450rwhp is about the limit of power on a street-driven non-M tire-limited e30. Anymore and youre just going to be spinning through third.

[Major]

What's the cost's of these motors in S. Africa?

I haven't had a very thorough look at the prices available, but of the few I've seen (and if I'm converting from ZAR to USD):

- M50B25 non-vanos --> $1083
- S50B32 in good condition --> $4064

I've read a lot on the FI section of bimmerforums, and everyone rants and raves about non-VANOS M50B25's there. The lower compression ratio, the beefier (heavier) pistons and rods, the strong valvetrain, zero complications without VANOS, easier to tune without it, iron block and smaller bore. I'm guessing a lot of this doesn't come into play when you're not running the same boost level as some of these guys? To be honest I'm not looking for anything above 300-350HP, seeing as (I'm assuming) E30's don't take well to power above that level.

I guess my question then is, why the M52? It's an ally block, you'd have to convert to OBD1, has VANOS, but the forged crank is a nice touch. Would a turbo M50/M52 run higher costs than an S50, looking at the prices I have and figuring it out relatively?

[BeirBrennerE30]

s50 first... then when you want more power turbo it

[whiltebeitel]

If all you want is 300 wheel horsepower, why not turbocharge the M20? It'd be cheaper than either of the other options without swapping engines, and you'll get plenty of torque.

[mazur]

M50 turbo. That's coming from someone with an S50...who's going turbo.


I just can't justify the extra cost for the S50, unless they aren't that expensive anymore.

[mongule]

Ok so if all the m52's are aluminium over there, then i suggest m50 turbo.

Its just that s50 vs m52 US ( iron block) are kind of close in terms of the engine itself. And the m52 is much cheaper. PLus you can get obd1 manifold, cams and euro hfm and be close to stock s50 power and still be cheaper then buying an s50.

I bought my m52b28 with 100k miles for 850 and thats including all accessories and harness and dme. ( no MAF though)

S50/s52s go in the 3k range.

With that extra 2k you could have a good start on a turbo kit.

But it all comes down to your budget.

An S52 turbo would be best. But will obviously cost more and from what power range your talking about, m50 turbo would be even cheaper and give you the power you want.

[e30polak]

M50 NV turbo FTW...wish I had gone this route instead of the s52.

The NV motor allows you to tune very efficiently with after market engine management like megasquirt, without having to limit or unplug VANOS.

It will probably come out to be about the same, or a little more $ then an s52, but with more POWA!!! :twisted:

P.S: O wait you have easy access to s50b32...that would be sick as well! Damn US s52 w/ no ITBs, and only 240hp! :(

[AL GReeNeRy]

i see a lot of folks instantly yelling turbo for POWAHHHHH. but remember, this guy wants a nice reliable daily driver...

OT: polak, are NV motors really that much easier to boost/tune than vanos motors? if i were going supercharger instead of turbo should i opt for a vanos or keep my nv?

[e30turboboy]

m50 turbo ftw

[MIKe30]

M50 turbo. That's coming from someone with an S50...who's going turbo.


I just can't justify the extra cost for the S50, unless they aren't that expensive anymore.

His s50 option >our american s50's

[e30polak]

i see a lot of folks instantly yelling turbo for POWAHHHHH. but remember, this guy wants a nice reliable daily driver...

OT: polak, are NV motors really that much easier to boost/tune than vanos motors? if i were going supercharger instead of turbo should i opt for a vanos or keep my nv?

Vanos+supercharger

NV+turbo

A turbo Vanos motor is great when done right, but if you are doing a custom setup and don't want to spend a butt load on dyno tuning, then I'd say go NV. With the m50 NV, you have a strong motor, which can handle plety of boost on stock internals, and you can still tune it properly with Mega squirt like an M20. :nice:

As for the Vanos route, I would like to go S/C with my s52, because I prefer a progressive increase in power. Turbo motors smack you in the face with boost, whereas a supercharger starts strong, and simply pulls stronger. Plus I can get a used stage1 SC kit with tuning and everything for under $3k no problem. ;)

If you talk to e36 guys they will tell you turbo all day long, but an e30 can only put down so much power reliably. I want to get about 350whp in my e30 after I get bigger brakes, wider rims+tires, and of course turbo flares! :twisted: