RD 24v DOHC Head

[RobertK]

Does anyone know if this head is still available from RD or any other performance parts supplier?

[MR 325]

I doubt it

But call them up!

http://www.racingdynamics.com/RDBrandsLLC_ContactInfo.htm

[Jarvis]

I think it was Jordan that once said there's only 5 or 6 known to exist, and if you did happen to find one for sale you'd probably have to spend more than the entire value of your E30 to buy it.

[Beej '86 325es]

I think this has almost become a myth. I believe it was actually produced by a company called Callaway, and sold by RD. I used to have a big article on it. However, I've never actually seen an E30 that actually had it, but if you found one, you could probably do a couple of S50 swaps for the price. Sorry to sh*t on your parade. ;)

[Charlie]

General gist on these heads is that there were only two ever built.

They were built by Callaway for RD, were prohibitively expensively and were never really offered for sale.

BMW already went through the trouble of building a 24v head, it's called the M50.

-Charlie

[Jordan]

I can tell you 3 things. You will never find one, you will never see one with your own eyes, and you would never be able to afford one.

[Jon325i]

I can tell you 3 things. You will never find one, you will never see one with your own eyes, and you would never be able to afford one.

True, true and true. It was over 10 years ago when that 'idea' came about. A shame it never materialized.....it would've made for a awesome tuning project.

Jon

[RobertK]

General gist on these heads is that there were only two ever built.

They were built by Callaway for RD, were prohibitively expensively and were never really offered for sale.

BMW already went through the trouble of building a 24v head, it's called the M50.

-Charlie

If so is there a way to mate a M50 head to a M20?

[Matt86es]

Why not just get an M50, or better yet, an S50?

[gstuning]

If you want a 24V M20 get a M50 non vanos it´s been upgraded with a chain and variable throttle position sensor along with knock sensors.

Quite a leap from M20´s

If you must use M20 parts then fine, you can probably machine your crank to fit into a M50 along with the rods and some custom pistons.

In the end M50´s will always be a better choice then M20´s.
expect if you don´t plan on modding them,. then you can just pile up M20´s for the long run.

[RobertK]

Is VANOS the BMW equivlent of VTEC?

[rs4pro3]

basicaly, yes

[Jordan]

Is VANOS the BMW equivlent of VTEC?

Actually its the other way around.

[nando]

they also have different goals.. honda's is mainly for fuel efficiency, BMW designed theirs for a flat torque curve as well as fuel efficiency..

[BS87]

Didn't someone estimate that the cost of finding and purchasing an RD24v head would be slightly less or the same as machining/casting your own (if you had plans and such)?