To swap or not to swap

[RobE30]

About 3 years ago (40k or so) I freshened the bottom end of of my m20 (rod bearings and oil pump), a j. conforti chip and installed a shrick cam 272/284 and life was good. Now the o.p. light comes on when I first start the car and I'm generally fed up w/ drunken idle and flat spots on the lower rpm range etc. Before I go any farther w/ expensive things I did a full tuneup etc. & I have a 173 ecu coming soon to see if that helps w/ the idle and flat spots and am putting in a new ops. What I'm getting at w/ this post is, if these items don't help the prob, is it worth the effort and time to swap in a m50/52 etc or continue to tinker w/ the m20. I don't plan on ditching my car anytime soon and want to make it a smoother DD, not looking to make a race car, just a proper E30. Im looking for input for those who have swapped and want to hear opinions etc. I know its been covered many many times before but I want to cover all my bases before I tear into my car. Thanks--ROB

[hoveringuy]

If you can get your m20 running well it's not worth it unless you want more power. I liked my m20, I wanted more power.

[RobE30]

Well more power is always a plus. My car is fun to drive on back roads etc. but its a bit of a drag in stop and go traffic and low rpms. I'd like something thats a bit more balanced ( I think I went w/ too big of a cam?) Like I said I'm going to put the other parts in before I make a decision so we shall see. Thanks for the input

[dougsic]

A few years ago at 60k miles, I swapped out the m20 for an s50. I spent $6500 on the swap, then another $1500 on a custom exhaust, $3000 for Shrick cams, installation and tuning plus who knows how much on incidentals.

While I enjoy the added power, was it worth it?

Well, the torque of the stock m20 was pretty fun and it sure was much less expensive to maintain.

The lifters in my s50 are now ticking and it's really annoying me. That'll be another $1000 to have them replaced.

I've got well over 12 grand into an engine that's in a car worth maybe five?

Doesn't sound worth it, does it?

[e30s52]

/\ I take it you didnt do the swap yourself? you payed one hell of alot for shricks. You could have got sun belts for that much with lifters.

[drifty340i]

I dont think the m50 swap is worth it at all. For me, id need/want an extra 150hp+ extra to make it worth while, and you also have to think about weight balance etc.

A turbo might be your best freind? You guys in the US seem to be able to do it quite well and quite cheap