IE Stroker Kit vs S50

[z31maniac]

nando, find diggers thread, I remember he had to use some special "shoot out" mode correction figure on the dyno to get that number.

But I do like the idea of an M20 striker from the idea you aren't adding the weight up front.

[rThor432]

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

Haha, yeah I was gonna say the same, but again didnt feel like I needed to...

[nando]

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.

this isn't really true.. it's just because nobody here does them right. Look at what the guys in europe, australia, etc are doing. 200whp is no problem for a 3.1, but people here like to stick with mild cams, half assed port work, poor tuning and basically the cheapest parts they can find.

The best example I can think of was dave length's 3 liter, which sucked for him because he basically just bought all the most expensive parts but there really wasn't any thought to how they would work together. I don't think he ever got it running on anything but the stock chip before the car was totalled and he had to part it out.

Everyone always goes down the wrong path - dbilas ITBs is a great example. Sure, you get a bit better top end and throttle response, but $3k spent on headwork and tuning would go much further. There are plenty of people making well over 200whp with the stock manifold, just not here. Digger's 3.1 comes to mind, and I doubt it's really that undriveable. ;)

[nando]

if you are going with a stroker IE is definitely not the place I would go..

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[2002maniac]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.