Any input on this?

[e30virgin]

I have been considering finding a low milage IS motor for low $, and adding bolt-ons until larger funds are available. I would do a lightweight flywheel, exh & int. manifold, maybe a mild cam, etc. Does anyone know of cam I could fit into a stock motor without too extreme of a duration / lift.

[Sean]

Why not look into an M50 motor? Or, was that what you meant?

Used M20's are running about the same price as used M50's. And, M50's can be found for cheaper depending on milage and stuff. Sure, you may need a new tranny (actually, I don't think you REALLY do), but the M50 has sooo much more headroom.

M20's an awesome engine, don't get me wrong, just the M50 is running the same price, might as well upgrade, ya know? ;)

[e30virgin]

what does it take to the the swap? will the stock tranny, ECU, motor mounts, driveshaft, etc. all work?

[e30virgin]

oh yeah, how much are M50s usually?

[Saul325is]

oh yeah, how much are M50s usually?

Depends on year, if you want Vanos, OBDI or OBDII?. A typical Vanos M50 runs around 800-2000 dollars with around 50-150,000 miles, as I said it all depends. If you want a really nice Vanos M50, you are probably comming around 2k. I am hoping to find an OBDI M52 for less than $2500.

-Saul

[nando]

you cab get an m20 for $500.. plus with th M50 you need to factor in installation. the M20 is straight forward. but yeah maybe save another $500 and do an M50.

[AdamF 88iS]

oh yeah, how much are M50s usually?

Depends on year, if you want Vanos, OBDI or OBDII?. A typical Vanos M50 runs around 800-2000 dollars with around 50-150,000 miles, as I said it all depends. If you want a really nice Vanos M50, you are probably comming around 2k. I am hoping to find an OBDI M52 for less than $2500.

-Saul

OBD1 M52? I'm 99% sure that such a thing doesnt exist. All the OBD1s should be M50 or S50 because the OBD2 came out in 1996, same year as the M52 and S52.

[Sean]

The only way for an OBD1 S52 or M52 to exist is to make it exist, and make the conversion yourself.

He is right, when the S52 and M52 were released, they began using OBDII at the same time.

[Bokes]

it'd be pretty cool to do an m52 obd1 conversion and swap it into an e30 though...

[Sean]

it'd be pretty cool to do an m52 obd1 conversion and swap it into an e30 though...

Someone here in Boise has done it. Bimmerphile (kris) knows the guy personally.

[e30virgin]

So what does it take to do an M50 swap with VANOS?

[Giorgio]

I know you can use the stock tranny for an m50, but not sure about the mounts and stuff. if bryson finds this post he will be able to inform on all the stuff you need, he is doing a non vanos m50 swap, possibly with an m52 block.

[Saul325is]

oh yeah, how much are M50s usually?

Depends on year, if you want Vanos, OBDI or OBDII?. A typical Vanos M50 runs around 800-2000 dollars with around 50-150,000 miles, as I said it all depends. If you want a really nice Vanos M50, you are probably comming around 2k. I am hoping to find an OBDI M52 for less than $2500.

-Saul

OBD1 M52? I'm 99% sure that such a thing doesnt exist. All the OBD1s should be M50 or S50 because the OBD2 came out in 1996, same year as the M52 and S52.

Yeah, you would have to do the conversion yourself...thats what I meant. I believe JasonH has allready done the OBDI M52 conversion, but the car is not yet running.

-Saul