Let's talk weight distribution m42 vs. m50

[Schwarz325]

Just curious on this subject. M42 sits pretty far back, from what i remember behind the front sway. Now with the m50 sitting in the 318is chassis, does it really make that much difference on the handling?

For example, my e30 has a m50 in it with g/c coils 450 and 700lbs springs, koni adjustables, front sway bar, etc.

The damn thing handles pretty damn good. Would a m42 make that much of a difference? I've toyed with the idea of swapping a turboed m42 in it, for the weight distribution. I know i can turbo the m50, but we're talking weight distribution and balance here.


And this is just brainstorming/thinking/curiousity. I'm not doing it this summer or anything.


what's your opinion?

[blunttech]

It makes a big difference. You lose the light tossable feeling of the m42.
But it still handles well if set up properly and is a good trade off in my mind

[markseven]

Just curious on this subject. M42 sits pretty far back, from what i remember behind the front sway. Now with the m50 sitting in the 318is chassis, does it really make that much difference on the handling?

For example, my e30 has a m50 in it with g/c coils 450 and 700lbs springs, koni adjustables, front sway bar, etc.

The damn thing handles pretty damn good. Would a m42 make that much of a difference? I've toyed with the idea of swapping a turboed m42 in it, for the weight distribution. I know i can turbo the m50, but we're talking weight distribution and balance here.


And this is just brainstorming/thinking/curiousity. I'm not doing it this summer or anything.


what's your opinion?

If your car is corner-balanced you're golden. I would be more worried about coming onto the boost on corner exit. :p

It makes a big difference. You lose the light tossable feeling of the m42.
But it still handles well if set up properly and is a good trade off in my mind

+1

[gverelli]

Check out this thread, there is some good information on balacing a car. If you get it balanced Im sure it will be much better. M42 is fun if it came with the car, but no way would I swap out a m50 for it... Take a look I hope it helps...

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=201632

[Chris916]

Hey guys, while were on this topic of setting up the balance for an m50, what spring rates would be ideal for track?

Im currently swapping an m50 into my 318is track car and will be getting gc coilovers. im thinking 500f/750r. This is an autoX/HPDE car and i am planning on getting into time attack.

What do you guys think?

Thanks

[Adrian_Visser]

I would talk to the guys at GC about that. I was recommended 440/700, I DD my car and auto-x with hopefully some HPDE time this summer.

[bataangpinoy]

is the downing-atl S/C kit for the m42 a good choice?

[Hey-U]

is the downing-atl S/C kit for the m42 a good choice?

Yes

[e30pq]

I own an S50 E30 cabrio and co-own a M42 turbo E30.

Both have the same suspension (GC F575 R650 with Koni SA) The cabrio has 700 rears.

The S50 cabrio is a great car. It's quick and it does well at the autocross. It's also fun to drive around town. It has a roll bar and a full interior so its about as heavy as an E30 can be.

The turbo M42 weights about 2450 with me in it and 1/2 tank of gas. Needless to say this car is faster. It pulls harder and it has more HP and torque than the S50. Details on this car are at whttp://www.hqautosport.com

In my opinion a NA S50 or M50 properly installed should be more dependable because it's less complicated.

Here is a link to a recent club race we participated in. We missed the qualify session so we needed to start at the back of the pack.

http://vimeo.com/21678495

[funcrew]

An even better balanced option would be a M30 built on the World Products aluminum block. You would have nearly the power of the S52, and only a few pounds heavier than the M42, and the M30 is a much simpler, cheaper to maintain mill than either of those.

The group buy is sold out, but several guys are stockpiling blocks in case they don't make any more, so you might want to post up a WTB inquiry.

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=203319

[Schwarz325]

I don't have the car anymore, but in the future i'll build one again. I was honestly just really curious. My car handles awesome with the m50 and the ground controls. Then again, i've never had anything built like that before.

[///MLIFE]

Bumping an old thread just because I was curious for answers/opinions. How would/does an M50 with all AC components deleted feel in comparison to a stock M42. Do the roughly 40ish lbs added (Swap with removal of AC) still have the weight penalty associated with it. I always though the "heavy" feeling came from the motor sitting further forward in the car but I wanted to here from others with experience.

[varg]

Bumping an old thread just because I was curious for answers/opinions. How would/does an M50 with all AC components deleted feel in comparison to a stock M42. Do the roughly 40ish lbs added (Swap with removal of AC) still have the weight penalty associated with it. I always though the "heavy" feeling came from the motor sitting further forward in the car but I wanted to here from others with experience.

I haven't driven it, but you're talking more than 40lbs here and a majority of it over the front crossmember.

Dressed M42+G240=427lbs
Dressed M20+G260=497lbs
Non Vanos M50=428lbs
M50+G260=507lbs

So 80lbs difference vs M42, 10lbs of it is the G260, that means 70lbs extra in the engine. The CG of the engine/transmission combo is also further forward.

So what's the difference between 318is on tuned coilovers vs M50 swapped 318is on tuned coilovers? I don't know (disregard stock suspension, because 70lbs of extra engine on stock suspension would just be awful). Remember that a 325is has a heavier diff and weight added to the trunk (~35lbs of heavy sound deadening/ballast) to balance the car out, so M50 swapped 318is vs M50 swapped 325is will have a small difference in weight distribution.

G260 weight from: http://s33.photobucket.com/user/Drew...ighIn.jpg.html
Engine weights from: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=233682
Transmission weight difference G260 vs G240: http://www.m42club.com/forum/index.php?topic=13169.0
Sound deadening/ballast weight: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=185909

Solution: Aluminum block M5X engine.

[2mAn]

solution: Aluminum block m5x engine.

;d

[nando]

or N52 :p

it's 355lbs fully dressed, and I think that includes the exhaust manifolds. If the getrag 260 is about 75-80lbs that puts it right around a stock M42, and that's before you do anything like an A/C delete or lightweight flywheel.

M54 would be an option too, and it's a more straight forward swap, about 25lbs more than an N52. I think there's a EWS delete now for MS43 so no excuses for not being able to swap it because of electronics. :p

aluminum M52 is so rare it's hardly worth talking about. Especially when there are literally millions of M54s out there..