Salt Lake - M50 swap thread

[DatUtahGuy]

So if you hate hate hate the M20, you must hate hate hate hate hate the M50, which is a very similar engine to the one in that thar blue car of yours.

[Roland H]

So if you hate hate hate the M20, you must hate hate hate hate hate the M50, which is a very similar engine to the one in that thar blue car of yours.

Your argument fails based upon the concept of illogical reasoning.

The M50 is a better motor, but to swap one into an E30 is rather pointless imho.

[iamsam]

Your argument fails based upon the concept of illogical reasoning.

The M50 is a better motor, but to swap one into an E30 is rather pointless imho.

so... my reasoning is illogical based upon the concept of illogical reasoning?

Sure thing...

Let me quote you again:

I just don't understand the point of putting a plain-jane M50 into an M20 E30. I hate hate hate the M20, but I'd take it over an M50 any day of the week.

The bold statement clearly establishes your preference of an M20 over an M50, and also establishes your dislike for the M20, therefore (using logic) you must dislike the M50 more than the M20.

pointless argument anyway. I'd put an M50 in my E30 if I had the chance. It needs a new motor, why not one with 60 more hp?

[Roland H]

so... my reasoning is illogical based upon the concept of illogical reasoning?

Sure thing...

Let me quote you again:




The bold statement clearly establishes your preference of an M20 over an M50, and also establishes your dislike for the M20, therefore (using logic) you must dislike the M50 more than the M20.

pointless argument anyway. I'd put an M50 in my E30 if I had the chance. It needs a new motor, why not one with 60 more hp?

I failed to specify "in an E30." my bad. you win. enjoy your victory.

The M50 is clearly a superior motor.. in the E36. But have you ever driven an M50ed E30? they're still slow. For the same amount of money and effort you'll put into an M50 swap, you can have a tricked out M20 stroker that makes more power and is cheaper to maintain.

[blefevre]

I want to join!

A M20 E30 is slow. A M50 E30 is slow. I'd take the one that sounds 10x better.

OP: Enjoy the swap!

[quikveedb2]

I would argue that the M50 is a simpler motor in terms of maintenance, and clearly most are going to be newer/have less miles and thereby be more reliable. For someone like me who DD's their e30, it sure seems like an upgrade from the noisy and in most cases old & tired M20. I understand that the actual physical labor involved ion the two swaps is similar, but since money is sometimes a limiting factor in motor swaps, I can see why someone would choose the M50 with upgrades later over going straight to the S5x. Regardless, OP, I'm excited to see your progress.

[iamsam]

I failed to specify "in an E30." my bad. you win. enjoy your victory.

The M50 is clearly a superior motor.. in the E36. But have you ever driven an M50ed E30? they're still slow. For the same amount of money and effort you'll put into an M50 swap, you can have a tricked out M20 stroker that makes more power and is cheaper to maintain.

im not trying to "win" here, I just wanted to understand what you were saying, but since you clarified "in an E30" it makes much more sense now.

And in that case, I agree, I would not swap in an M50 into an E30 that has a perfectly good M20 in it already for the upgrade reason alone, that is for sure. That kind of money and labor for another ~20 hp simply isn't worth it.

However, if I had an E30 that needs a new engine regardless (which mine does), I could either spring for another stock motor, or pay approximately the same and with slightly more labor put in an M50, and I would consider that a good "stock replacement engine". So it makes sense that you wouldn't want to tear out a good M20 that works fine just to put in another good "stock replacement", but if you had to because your M20 blew up, may as well be an M50.

[DatUtahGuy]

Everyone stfu.

Updates Nico?

[iamsam]

Everyone stfu.

hey i'm all about swaps man! I wanna see some updates!

[Styleprojekt]

You guys made me not wanna do this swap anymore, its a bloody waste of time!

Either way, been taking the engine apart to get parts cleaned, but couldnt get a hold of the special inverted torx style tool for a while so the head only came over yesterday. Been brainstorming the wiring harness adapter, reading countless wiring charts and got 90% figured out I'd say
I made a plan to re-route some wiring and do a partial mini shave. My poly motor mounts came in yesterday too and my buddy is welding the tranny brace on Saturday...so hopefully by Sunday night I'll have some pictures and updates worth reading to make this thread less boring.

The plan, hopefully it will actually happen this time around:
- Tuck lighting harness etc
- Weld Tranny brace
- Pick up cleaned parts
- Finalize Harness wiring plan

[iamsam]

why do you need to weld a tranny brace?

[eds325ix]

I've got a set of inverted torx you can borrow. Bought them to pull the head and the tranny of the ix I just parted, don't know when(if ever) I'll use them again.
Hit me up if you wanna use em. I'm in Pleasant Grove/Sandy.

[iamsam]

by inverted torx, do you just mean the female torx bit?


If so, Harbor Freight has them for cheap, just pick up a set for $9.99. Is there a Harbor Freight near you?

[Styleprojekt]

why do you need to weld a tranny brace?

Weld/modify the brace, same thing :)

Got the motor apart, was pretty nasty on the inside but healthy. Getting rid of the last bit of carbon buildup and cleaning the block to paint. I move super effing slow on my projects cause I have too many other things to do so I just do a bit here and a bit there.

And yes, we have a Harbor Freight here I just picked up some things to clean up the block from there.

I've got a set of inverted torx you can borrow. Bought them to pull the head and the tranny of the ix I just parted, don't know when(if ever) I'll use them again.

Hit me up if you wanna use em. I'm in Pleasant Grove/Sandy.

Thanks for the offer, got it all taken care of until I need to re-assemble. I may come back at you then :)

My friend was working on this car this weekend, eye candy:

[DatUtahGuy]

good on you dude, glad to see some progress being made.