M20B25 Head mods

[SkiFree]

Huh, interesting, I didn't know that.

Really depends on the shape of the head to begin with. Some do, some don't depending on a couple factors.

[delatlanta1281]

I really want to know how this guy can swap an S52 into an E30 for less than $1500

He must be asleep, dreaming of how he can pull it off.

[dinanm3atl]

He must be asleep, dreaming of how he can pull it off.

Seriously. I want to see the Math. It might be possible if you got some amazing deal off some moron but past that... My engine sold for 2200+ shipping with 109,000 miles. 1500 dollar S52s are out there but the mileage will be higher and dropping it in 'as is' wouldn't be wise. This is not including any wiring. Engine Mounts. Trans Brace. List of parts goes on.

I want to see the Math...

[delatlanta1281]

What would the wiring harness, and the mounts cost?

[MR 325]

Really depends on the shape of the head to begin with. Some do, some don't depending on a couple factors.

Please, elaborate...

;)

[Wanganstyle]

Seriously. I want to see the Math. It might be possible if you got some amazing deal off some moron but past that... My engine sold for 2200+ shipping with 109,000 miles. 1500 dollar S52s are out there but the mileage will be higher and dropping it in 'as is' wouldn't be wise. This is not including any wiring. Engine Mounts. Trans Brace. List of parts goes on.

I want to see the Math...

the last S52 was ...2001? so minimal 1 decade old??

I sold my last running S52 needing rings to be rebuilt for 1650. I have looked at a $1500 s52 before and found a giant crack in the head between 4-5, at least my worn ring s52 had a known issue and was sold to be rebuilt with full discolsure.

S52 is a 10 year old lump and quite possibly is in worse shape than many M20's. Rings, lifters, oil pump are all in the going to take a shit zone at a decade. How many people on r3V have actually replaced THESE things?

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s52 coils and boots die quickly; laguna seca is bermuda triangle for coils.

s52 vanos will hug u if you rebuild it (unless you set it back wrong because didn't buy proper vanos tools)

S52 rings are NOT cheap.
S52 lifters or any M50 vanos lifters are $25x 24 of them.
Oil pump can be rebuilt, also is not free.
Crank Case vent valve is a plastic honkster and should be replaced ($65) or M50 manifold obd1 swap'ed - not free.

S52 EWS ecu also needs a flash by TMS to be happy in e30 with no EWS, or the popular R3v junkyard m50 obd1 with garbage mystery sensors and ghetto wiring adaptation will be performed lol

I could see a $1500 S52 that happend to not be broken consuming easily $1500 in work. Many will just stuff it in and pretend it is "good".

In this sense my M20 is also Good, but requires no work and no install. and it'll run forever just as is.

\\

M20's can break rocker arms yes, but S52's can have collapsed lifters. UGH
m20 can break a timing belt yes, but s52 can throw the chain. and spin off the oil pump sproket nut. UGH

I'm familiar with s52's because of the hated car it came in (e36). even the running s52's are pretty trashy units, last s52 swap I did required a complete intact running donor e36M I drove a half a month to verify health first before playing the swap game.

[sweet6e30]

I really want to know how this guy can swap an S52 into an E30 for less than $1500

answer: ..... photoshop and pocketing the rest ;)

[acolella76]

I could see a $1500 S52 that happend to not be broken consuming easily $1500 in work. Many will just stuff it in and pretend it is "good".

this is the 'r3v way'. Buy junkyard motor, buy enough parts to make it 'sort of' fit in the engine bay, spend countless hours wondering why the hell it won't start or run right.

I love the m20, and i'm not going to really argue the 24v swap. I love when people practically give away their m20 :)

[delatlanta1281]

this is the 'r3v way'. Buy junkyard motor, buy enough parts to make it 'sort of' fit in the engine bay, spend countless hours wondering why the hell it won't start or run right.

I love the m20, and i'm not going to really argue the 24v swap. I love when people practically give away their m20 :)

Agreed.

[Wanganstyle]

this is the 'r3v way'. Buy junkyard motor, buy enough parts to make it 'sort of' fit in the engine bay, spend countless hours wondering why the hell it won't start or run right.

I love the m20, and i'm not going to really argue the 24v swap. I love when people practically give away their m20 :)

agreed. I like S54 and other 24v's, but I also enjoy the affordability and availi of M20 + g260 :)

My favorite part of R3v swapped e30's with 24v's? the engine mounting, it looks like SHIT. Hard poly revSH*T mount will not give way when push comes to shove = engine mount broken, E30 chassis frame BENT........mmmm fail.

I'm happy knowing that if I slam my m20 oil pan into something ridiculous the stock engine mounts will tear and the engine can destroy my hood etc, but not my frame rails. F**K finding another 25 year old chassis that I can actually accept as my own money pit.

r3v junkyard garbage with garbage mystery sensors and mystery tunes, pick n pull fuel injectors/pumps make me CRINGE.
I wonder how many of these awesome swaps actually got new intake manifold gaskets ......


why so few OBD2 swaps? r3v'ers tend to enjoy ghetto wiring adapters.

I spent easily $1500 in maintaining my S52 in the old e36m. at a decade, even the lowest milage units could use a full head rebuild w valve job.
all engine/trans mounts are dead, the dual mass fly is dead by 80k, intake manifold needs to be replaced with a M50 PROPERLY and everything needs fluid leaks..............and the proper OEM BMW hoses are NOT CHEAP.

M20 waterbox is actually the same part as s50b32 euro, and oh- it costs $80 brand new. S52 swap would also need a different pressure cap on the bottle (a brand new one), and all the little side ho's - because they will take a shat on you.

So few new plastic water tanks being installed with "refreshed" s52 swaps..... there was this saying in the Bibical times about new wine + old wine skins.......it still stands when talking about old HO's and engines.

M20 it fits SO PERFECT. like it was actually installed at the factory, not "factory like fit".

wooo even the M20 clutch fan and M20 radiator shroud fit my e30 perfectly lol

M20 is light. feels and sounds so nice :)

[acolella76]

Yeah. Say I boost my engine and blow something up. $200 for another M20. Say I had a boosted 24v motor, $400+. Say I break an oil pan on my M20, $75 bucks or a trip to a pull-a-part. Say that happened in my 24v... a couple weeks and $150 later you will be able to drive again. More pros that cons to keeping an M20 if you ask me.

[moatilliatta]

What about shaving the head?

[Syncro325is]

Weld the coolant channels, and replace rockers with new OEM, with perhaps a new cam, and you will be ready later on down the road for boost, and ready now for a bullet proof m20.

[custom e30]

dude, fix whats wrong and then do this, either turbo or to n/a upgrades like....chip, 19lb injectors, headers, short shifter and suspension,

[Tree25]

Purchased a Seta bottom end with a rebuilt b25 head. + 272cam, hd rockers and 19lb injectors. Chika chika what!?