Most unamazing engine ever

[permit]

Well, my vanos is dead...like, the whole thing, not just that solenoid switch thing that costs ass loads of money. That, on top of a bent valve(s)=my car being slow as shit.

I raced 325Projectz on the freeway the other nite (he has a stock vanos M50), and he was neck and neck at every speed, and even baaaaaaarely pulling ahead at some points. With my old M50, I was outrunning him.

This blows, and now I have to wait until December to find the time to swap the head and pray that the junkyard gives me one that actually functions (unless someone is selling a freshly machined, vanos-working head for cheap, Bryson?).

Yeah, this is me bitching.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Re: Most unamazing engine ever

Well, my vanos is dead...like, the whole thing, not just that solenoid switch thing that costs ass loads of money. That, on top of a bent valve(s)=my car being slow as shit.

I raced 325Projectz on the freeway the other nite (he has a stock vanos M50), and he was neck and neck at every speed, and even baaaaaaarely pulling ahead at some points. With my old M50, I was outrunning him.

This blows, and now I have to wait until December to find the time to swap the head and pray that the junkyard gives me one that actually functions (unless someone is selling a freshly machined, vanos-working head for cheap, Bryson?).

Yeah, this is me bitching.

Hence why I'm going non-vanos.

Sorry about your vanos :(

[ColdAccord]

s50 time

[screamingbmwe30]

m20 time

[Bimmerfanatik]

m20 time

:rofl: Now now, he's come farther than most of us have - it's bound to have some...err...hiccups ;)

[screamingbmwe30]

im not bashing him just saying.

[Bimmerfanatik]

im not bashing him just saying.

Saying what? Go to a less powerful, more antiquated, less reliable (rubber timing belt!!), SOHC engine instead of work out the bugs on his junkyard vanos? You buy used, you take a chance. His gamble didn't prove as worthwhile as others, but it's not a total loss :)

[nando]

funny that the M20 is less reliable, I don't recall anyone's vanos units going out. ;)

[Bimmerfanatik]

funny that the M20 is less reliable, I don't recall anyone's vanos units going out. ;)

And I don't recall any M50's snapping a timing belt and destroying the head ;)

[nando]

I don't see your point.. a timing belt is a 1hr job and you should be replacing your waterpump ever 50k anyway, so what's the big deal?

[screamingbmwe30]

that you gain 10 to 15 hp and 60 lbs with an m50

[Bimmerfanatik]

I don't see your point.. a timing belt is a 1hr job and you should be replacing your waterpump ever 50k anyway, so what's the big deal?

Just because you replace it regularly doesn't mean it can't fail.

Are we really arguing whether or not an M50 swap is worth it? Or are you just trying to defend the m20?

[Bimmerfanatik]

that you gain 10 to 15 hp and 60 lbs with an m50

Could be one of the most ignorant statements made. While accurate, you're overlooking the fact they're capable of worlds more power than an M20, and fairly easily at that. Simple modifications will put it in the 250 crank hp range - you'll never see that with an M20 NA.

You're comparing apples to oranges.

[nando]

I don't see your point.. a timing belt is a 1hr job and you should be replacing your waterpump ever 50k anyway, so what's the big deal?

Just because you replace it regularly doesn't mean it can't fail.

Are we really arguing whether or not an M50 swap is worth it? Or are you just trying to defend the m20?

I don't think I've ever heard of a timing belt failure that wasn't related to neglect.

I'm mostly just playing devils advocate - I don't care what motor you put in your car at all. but then again the claims about poor reliability don't seem to jive with reality (i.e. 300,000-400,000 mile M20s). my block has 172k and there's nothing wrong with it at all.

[Bimmerfanatik]

I'm mostly just playing devils advocate

Ok, that's what I thought. You are right - high mileage M20's are in abundance. But then again, I drove a 280k mile 92 M50 and it still sounded new. I just think the technology and potential of an M50 far outweigh any benefits of sticking with the M20 - unless you're ok with the power of a stock one :)

Which, to be honest, I'm fine with - for a starter track car :)