Claimed over 230hp from an m50

[NigelStu]

In STU you can't do much at all. No engine internals or balancing, no headwork, no overbore, no cams, no compression increase.

in SCCA STU Club racing (not autocross) - ALL of that can be done.



nando - yes. I am a ninja in training.

[NigelStu]

I

A fully built race M52 (BMWCCA JP class), with M50 manifold, KK headers/3" exhaust, Evosport or Sunbelt race cams will be 240-250whp and cost a buttload.

Similarly built S52 will be near 300whp, with similar cost.

This saddens me... both of those are shy of the really competitive zone.

but... please define 'buttload', as some buttloads are perceived as smaller or larger depending on who's looking.



ninja hijack complete?

[Bimmerman325i]

in SCCA STU Club racing (not autocross) - ALL of that can be done.



nando - yes. I am a ninja in training.

Ahhhh I got confused. You still won't make much more than 220-230whp without seriously investing tens of thousands of dollars. Much better and cheaper to go with an S52 with bolt ons (more power, tenth the cost) or an S54 (way more power, much cheaper than built M50) if your class would allow it.

M50 without ridiculous internal work, all bolt ons, breathing mods, and cams will be 220-240whp depending on cam.

M52, same prep level, 240-260whp

S50, same prep level, 250-270whp

S52, same prep level, 270-300whp

S54, header/exhaust/CAI/tune, 330-350whp.

I don't see headwork or balancing/blueprinting affecting those numbers enough to justify going with the smaller motors.

[dude8383]

205 whp is great, but that's not stock. :)

shhhhhh

still, if you're coming from an m42 ANYTHING else more powerful will feel amazing. lol

[Bimmerman325i]

This saddens me... both of those are shy of the really competitive zone.

but... please define 'buttload', as some buttloads are perceived as smaller or larger depending on who's looking.



ninja hijack complete?

haha too much ninja. I've got many dynos to back up the S5x numbers btw.

Buttloads as in tens of thousands of dollars for the headwork/blueprinting/overbore.

It will be FAR cheaper for the build level you are contemplating to swap in an S54. $10k installed in your car with 300-330whp without the peaky powerband of a 300whp S52.

An S52 with 300whp is possible and the combination of parts is well known, but you will have a 1500rpm powerband.

An S54 with 300whp is barely taxing the motor, and you have the full 8krpm flat torque and linear power to play with.

An S54 with supersprint stepped headers, 3"-3.5" exhaust, CAI, underdrive pullies, and a quality tune from Epic Motorsports or using Alex Lipowich's DTA setup will net 330-350whp all WITHOUT touching the internals of the motor whatsoever, on pump gas. This prep level on an S54 is ~$12k, which is less than you'd spend building an S52 with headwork/overbore/blueprinting/cams/bolt ons/etc.

Hell, guys with Alex's kit are making 330whp using ebay headers and oem e36 m3 exhaust components, and those are ridiculously restrictive.

[Wh33lhop]

that's because everyone who does an M50 swap thinks they've somehow shaved a full second off their 1/4 mile time by adding 10whp.

Haters gonna hate.