IE Stroker Kit vs S50

[Javier h]

What about harassment issues as in smog? Like going to the smog station and having to deal with refs etc. I'd like to hear from California folks especially. It would be a nightmare to do all this work and then not be able to drive in California. I see lots of swapped cars here but frankly I wonder whether these guys are doing things to make 'em pass as oppose to just show up. We live in a State where being green is just a way of life and a freaking CAI will issue you a ticket if spotted. Yes, the cops in my area make you pop the hood and they check.

[z31maniac]

You're the person I need to talk to then, what were the factors that made your decision to go with the S52?

They are quoting 240 crank HP which equates to around 205 at the wheels, look around and see who is actually getting that out of a stroker build. I think there is an Aussie over E30tech making more, but I also remember reading about some "special" correction factor for the dyno to get it too read that high, so to me that's bunk.

With a great tune, headwork, cam and 3.1L 11:1 comp M20 you can expect probably 190-210 whp from what I've read.

In otherwords, to drive around a raunchy 25 year old technology race motor. Guaranteed the cam to make that power will make it a chore to daily drive on the street.

OBD-I S52 has 210+ whp STOCK (well the manifold but not a big deal). High comp pistons, cams, headwork on an OBD-I S52 will get you around 260-270 whp.

[z31maniac]

Oh and Metrix Motorsports will build you a 300+whp S52 for around 8k.

[NC325iC]

ive driven a 95 m3 and ive driven my 3.0l stroker

the power feels different, the stroker is torquier in low end for sure, but i wouldnt say max power is more (solely but dyno here)

[TexasTerp]

Oh and Metrix Motorsports will build you a 300+whp S52 for around 8k.

My total budget for the build will be around 8k, so I'm not interested in spending much more than that but that does give the the availability for say a built s52 with 250whp.

ive driven a 95 m3 and ive driven my 3.0l stroker

the power feels different, the stroker is torquier in low end for sure, but i wouldnt say max power is more (solely but dyno here)

The big issue for me is this, currently my car has approx 280k on the original engine. It's going to remain my daily and I want to update/upgrade the engine to make it more fun for daily driving, which means it will need more low end (below 3k) torque and enough WHP to have some fun on the highways. I have absolutely no plans to ever put this car on the track. It's all about some simple fun driving and good looks. If I can source a good s52 or just have Metrix Motorsports build me one,then I'll be willing to do the swap.I have no favor for a m5x.

[rThor432]

Timing chain > Timing belt

'nuff said

Says the guy who hasnt had to replace timing chain/guide rails on his S52.. :)

@OP-- I'd cast a vote for the S50/52. My car is as quick as a C6 Vette and a bit quicker than a 300 horse STI with the 2.93 rear end and the overdrive gearbox. I spent about ~$5k on my swap and I challenge any M20 car with $5k into the motor to pull that off.

Good luck with your decision.

[E30FreaK89]

I say stick to the motor that the car was designed around! keep the m20 and see what happens. When I get to the motor on my 325is im going with a 3.0/3.2 stroker.

[2002maniac]

I'd much rather have 200whp and 28mpg on the highway. There's only one way that I know of to achieve that...

[FredK]

Says the guy who hasnt had to replace timing chain/guide rails on his S52.. :)

@OP-- I'd cast a vote for the S50/52. My car is as quick as a C6 Vette and a bit quicker than a 300 horse STI with the 2.93 rear end and the overdrive gearbox. I spent about ~$5k on my swap and I challenge any M20 car with $5k into the motor to pull that off.

Good luck with your decision.

Dude. I still can't believe your car weighs 2450. Otherwise I'd have to be hoisting the ol' BS flag. :giggle:

At 2700 lbs/S50US/ZF320/3.46, I was pretty much even with a Cayman S on the front straight at NHMS. Of course, I only monitored his progress with a quick dart of my eye two times to see if the distance between us had changed. It didn't seem like it. I still like to say that he didn't have anything on me. :mrgreen:

But yeah, if you have to replace the timing chain/guide rails on an S52, it's similar to changing them on an M42, except you have NO ROOM to do so. Better to do that on a complete engine refresh than to try to do it in-car.

[Sean]

I like my stroker, and after I graduate I've considered building up a 3.0+ size M20 with limitless funds. But, in all honesty, I'd almost consider the s52 now. As said, gas mileage is there, it's a smoother motor, newer etc.

However, I daily drove my dad's e36 95 M3 for a month when building my motor. It's fast, but I got bored (maybe cause it didn't handle like my e30 though?). I never get bored in my car...ok, maybe not true. Sometimes when I'm in a straight line, I get real antsy "come on car, get up there, come on, faster!" - but I love my torque, LOVE IT TO DEATH! It's soo awesome! heheh

[thereisnoyun]

If all you are searching for is power and DD functionality, its probably easiest to drop a LS1 in there. It'll probably be the most power and DD friendly option, than trying to do all these machine work for m/s5x. If you want drivability on a DD, M20 is more than capable,but high bore stroker isn't really necessary to achieve DD friendly power.

I think m20 is a great motor, not not by the means of power, but by simplicity. Building a motor is ultimately more fun than dropping in a motor my m50/s50 swap. but thats just a personal option.

[rThor432]

Dude. I still can't believe your car weighs 2450. Otherwise I'd have to be hoisting the ol' BS flag. :giggle:

Ha, feel free to hoist the flag. I feel like doing it on half of my own posts :D. But yeah, a friend and I were on the highway one day and a C6 owner and his friend decided to get all over it at 80 to show my old piece of junk what their V8 was made of. They couldnt get away from me up to the top of 3rd (so ~120ish). The look on their faces was priceless when we drove by them as they were getting in the off-ramp lane.

Oh yeah, the road was empty freeway and I still feel irresponsible. But I'm just a guy at the end of the day, and I'm expected to make stupid choices sometimes.

[Wh33lhop]

Ha, feel free to hoist the flag. I feel like doing it on half of my own posts :D. But yeah, a friend and I were on the highway one day and a C6 owner and his friend decided to get all over it at 80 to show my old piece of junk what their V8 was made of. They couldnt get away from me up to the top of 3rd (so ~120ish). The look on their faces was priceless when we drove by them as they were getting in the off-ramp lane.

Oh yeah, the road was empty freeway and I still feel irresponsible. But I'm just a guy at the end of the day, and I'm expected to make stupid choices sometimes.

If someone here preaches that they would have done anything less in your situation, THAT's a post I'd call BS on.

[z31maniac]

If all you are searching for is power and DD functionality, its probably easiest to drop a LS1 in there. It'll probably be the most power and DD friendly option, than trying to do all these machine work for m/s5x. If you want drivability on a DD, M20 is more than capable,but high bore stroker isn't really necessary to achieve DD friendly power.

I think m20 is a great motor, not not by the means of power, but by simplicity. Building a motor is ultimately more fun than dropping in a motor my m50/s50 swap. but thats just a personal option.

Dropping an LS1 in an E30 is easier than a 24v swap?

Are you retarded?

[Wh33lhop]

Dropping an LS1 in an E30 is easier than a 24v swap?

Are you retarded?

I was going to say this, but I figured I didn't have to.

To the OP, it really comes down to where your priorities are. IMO, the stroker would be more original and honestly, cooler, as you'd have a kickass classic high-strung powerplant putting out some good power. The S5x would ultimately be the quicker of the two motors, but in a way you are losing a bit of the soul of the car by going DOHC.

Personally, faced with your decision, I'd have a hard time choosing but I would probably go with the S5x in the end. Everything will always feel underpowered eventually, might as well take large strides instead of small ones if there's no price difference.