'91 Sterling S50 Swap

[zcenterb]

^^ thanks for the kind words, I am certainly not skimping on anything and do not plan to any time soon.

^ I hope so, thats the goal. And no i haven't, ill have to check it out, thanks for the info.

Long term I am hoping to do a full engine rebuild from top to bottom with higher comp pistons and much hotter cams with a port and polish and upgraded internals, etc, but for now the engine is plenty powerful as it sits.

[J.Rizo]

I like builds like this. just fun simple builds.

[zcenterb]

It was a fun experience for sure. I am open to any suggestions too, ide like to hear what people think

[Panici]

I was always under the impression that S50's (both S50b30 and the later S50b32) had factory ITBs?

Like this:


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I believe what you have in your car is an S52b32

Please correct me if i'm wrong.

Here are a couple pictures of both in an E30 for your reference:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=183853

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[zcenterb]

Not US spec S5x's. All US spec M3 engines came stock with manifolds and a single throttle body instead of the ITBs, which all of the euro engines got from the factory. My engine is a US S50B30. Ide prefer to have a euro S50, but they are quite a bit more pricey to get hold of with low milage in the states.

[zcenterb]

In other words there are 4 base versions of the S5x... Euro S50B30, Euro S50b32, US S50B30, and US S52B32

[Panici]

In other words there are 4 base versions of the S5x... Euro S50B30, Euro S50b32, US S50B30, and US S52B32

TIL.
Euro S50b30/S50b32 is dual vanos and really has nothing to do with the M50. Heads and everything are completely different.

Whereas the US S50B30/S52B32 is single vanos and basically an upgraded M50/M52.

[zcenterb]

Basically yes... But they are significantly cheaper to pick up than euro S50s and much easier/cheaper to find parts for. Some reasons why I chose mine.

[Mike_z]

Do you have any videos of the exhaust by any chance?
I have an S50 powered car as well, but the exhaust was custom made by the previous owner, seems to be pretty quiet.

I'm looking for alternatives, btw what is the diameter of that exhaust? Beautiful car by the way looks absolutely great

[zcenterb]

Thank you very much, I appreciate the kind words. And no unfortunately I don't have any videos, but biases aside its one of the best sounds I've ever heard come from an e30... It was wicked expensive though...

And everything is euro spec, I'll have to look at my documents and double check but it's all euro spec supersprint, so it's deffinately bigger than stock US stuff

[zcenterb]

Straight from Turner:

"This Euro center resonator replaces a stock European-spec center resonator or US/Euro catalytic converter section. The Supersprint exhaust piping is 60mm in diameter - 10mm larger in each pipe than a standard US exhaust system. This larger sizing helps to improve exhaust flow which frees up horsepower from the engine."

60mm = a hair over 2.36in.

[zcenterb]

Which diameter sway bars should I pick up? Ireland engineering fully adjustable, but 25/22mm or 22/19mm? opinions would be appreciated, I haven't made up my mind..

[zcenterb]

Bump any suggestions?

[zcenterb]

A quick update.

Purchased a full wilwood pedal set and mounting bracket for a booster delete. Aquired an early model steering column to swap in (considering doing a write up on the process). Decided to stay on stock brakes for now, but the massive kit will come at some point. Also bought 22mm F 19mmR sways from Ireland as well as a full racing bushing refresh for the rear subframe and full reinforcement set. Will be installing all this as well as the clutch and flywheel kit I have yet to purchase as soon as the semester ends,

[thorhack]

Nice swap dude, I wish you had more pictures! :D Can't wait to see some track footage!