E30 m50 / s52

[Hartge H26]

I have a M50 in my E30 and regretting I didn't spend the extra $$$ and go s50/s52 route.

I have a S52 available but what parts do I really need to do the upgrade.

Is it just the block and head?

Thanks

[FredK]

Pretty much, yes. The head is nearly the same (it's the same casting), the only difference being the cams, cam trays, valve springs, and spring upper plates.

[dpgrand]

It'll be cheaper to just sell your m50 and then buy a complete s50 or s52

[e30s52]

/\ this would most likey be cheaper.

[madjurgen]

Maybe not the cheapest route but I would look for a high-mileage S52 bottom-end. You can find them occasionally on bfc from people parting out moneyshifts for 500-1k$. Rebuild it with new rings and bearings and slap your good M50 vanos head on top. As long as your valves seal well, you got yourself a mostly rebuilt 3.2 for the cost of buying a decent mileage complete S52.

[ColdAccord]

just buy an s52 shortblock and keep all your obdI stuff. do a search, there are complete parts-lists and how-to's on here

[Hartge H26]

thanks.

[318isbmw]

Maybe not the cheapest route but I would look for a high-mileage S52 bottom-end. You can find them occasionlly on bfc from people parting out moneyshifts for 500-1k$. Rebuild it with new rings and bearings and slap your good M50 vanos head on top. As long as your valves seal well, you got yourself a mostly rebuilt 3.2 for the cost of buying a decent mileage complete S52.

I agree... I believe the valvesprings are different in the top end, but that's not a huge deal, just swap in some s52 trays and valvesprings and such and call it a day. And you know its new, no low compression or other issues.

[dpgrand]

There are quite a lot of possibilities with the m50 family of motors. A lot of stuff is interchangable.