The big dif

['85 325e - RJ]

I am kind of new at this BMW engine swappin thing - I want to put in an M3 engine and was told that I shouldn't go any older than a 95 because of the OBD1 vs OBD2 thing - I don't even want to get into that. Anyways, I've been researchin all this stuff and listening to some of you talk about the swaps (especially on that 32 pager). My main question is what is the different between the S50, S52, M50, M52, and S14 - They're all M3's right? If someone could clarify that would most definetly help! Thanks.

[Ryan Stewart]

We took this trip to garden grove
It smelled like lou-dog inside the van, oh yeah

S14 - E30 M3 4 banger
S50 - 1995 E36 M3 (us)
S52 - 1996-99 E36 M3 (us)

If you want an S50 you cant go older than a production date of 1994 and a model date of 1995. If you go with an S52 you have to convert back to OBD1, if you dont want to mess with that the easiest route is the S50. If its made in 1995 then you will have to get a chip to disable the immobilizer or convert back to the older DME.

Expect to pay $3000+ for a good low mileage S50 (no tranny) unless you get very lucky.

[Addissimo]

This aint no funky reggae party
$5 at the door

The part of the question Ryan didnt answer:

M50 - e36 325i 1992 - 1995, e34 525i same years 189hp. 2.5 liter
1992 does not have vanos (variable valve timing), 1993-1995 does
m52 - e36 328i 1996 - whenever the e46 came out 193hp i think. 2.8 liter

With the m52 you'll have to convert back to obd-1, if you do some basic stuff (s52 cams, obd-1, software, etc you'll look for about 250hp at the crank.)

The z3 came with an aluminum m52 that weighs as much as the m20, if you went for that you're car would be balanced pretty close to the way it is now. Its spendy though, and i think most of the people on this board don't think its worth it.

If i drove a hard top i would have gone for the aluminum m52 and done some light turbocharging...

blah blah blah
whatever
bye

-Addis