m30 or m50

[munky30]

ahh ok, thought you meant the shiny tubey things that go for £400+

Does the same mod need to be done for an M52 conversion?

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Sounds far more cost effective!!!

[munky30]

Does the same mod need to be done for an M52 conversion?

Please ignore this comment! They're basically the same engine so of course the mod needs to be done....

[eko]

ahh ok, thought you meant the shiny tubey things that go for £400+

Does the same mod need to be done for an M52 conversion?

Yes i assume so!

Heres my original engine conversion thread,loads of pics in there
(Wiow brings back memorys)!

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=43766

[dazleeds]

ahh ok, thought you meant the shiny tubey things that go for £400+

Does the same mod need to be done for an M52 conversion?

Yes i assume so!

Heres my original engine conversion thread,loads of pics in there
(Wiow brings back memorys)!

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=43766

eko no link

[munky30]

yes there is

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Can someone cut the pics into this thread for me please?

[Jimbob]

It's a case of see what happens to be honest mate. I've got a 328i front section cut down, ready to be welded to my aftermarket system (same pipe diameter). The M50 and M52 share the same problem of the exhaust manifold hitting the steering UJ - so this also needs cutting and welding.

[eko]

Sorry Daz,edited

[dazleeds]

yes there is

weird when i read that i couldnt see a link not even had 1 yet so i guess that means its time for one

[Jimbob]

Ah yea just forgot, the M50 manifold is cast, and the M52 one is mild steel so I think that means the cast manifold is TIG welded and the mild one MIG welded? Not up to speed with that sort of thing...

[dazleeds]

Sorry Daz,edited

phew thort id lost it then

still gonna have one anyway

[munky30]

yes there is

weird when i read that i couldnt see a link not even had 1 yet so i guess that means its time for one

[Rosc0PColtrane]

yes there is

weird when i read that i couldnt see a link not even had 1 yet so i guess that means its time for one

Like he needed a reason!!!

Don't encourage his wanton behaviour, Munky!!!

He didn't even offer to share!!

[munky30]

Thats because he knows I am a responsible citizen that doesnt partake in such debauchery.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Thats because he knows I am a responsible citizen that doesnt partake in such debauchery.

I never said anything about accepting. It's just nice to be offered, once in a while!!

[Andy335Touring]

If i was doing a cheapish(?) E30 engine swap again the choice would be between the M30 and M52(more money though), does the M50 put enough power over a decent M20 to justify the cost/hassle ?

Ask your self if you will be satisfied with the level of power or will you get bored with it ?

Another comparison(power wise) would be tweaking the M20 with a cam/six branch/remap(or stroker) V's an M50 swap ?

[munky30]

Thats because he knows I am a responsible citizen that doesnt partake in such debauchery.

I never said anything about accepting. It's just nice to be offered, once in a while!!

Would you offer an ex-alcoholic a drink?

I would.... its funny to see them squirm.

[diamondblacke28]

andy335.

is the m50 quick enough keeps poping into the back of my mined.

the fact that i already have a good 525i i could use as a donour put the m50 down as a possiblity.

i do love that 3.5 m30 motor.

my 325i diamond black is already chipped and has an fse power boost valve and it doe's motor
also lowered,billys,cross drilled front discs sweet sounding exhaust(make )
z3 selector,black leather

[munky30]

fse power boost valve? Whats one of them then?

Sounds remarkably similar to a certain useless resistor you can buy from egay....

[jmc330i]

The M50 is a new conversion and i believe is the furture for e30 engine conversions.

I think youre right there.

Not 100% sure but i believe that mocking up a manifold is a bit tricky and the electronics can be a issue, if you install the VANOS equipped engines.

Manifolds can be tricky and expensive, but can also be done as Eko said and not cost too much.
The wiring is done at the engine loom to body loom connector (C101) and is a case of rewiring the M50 loom into an E30 plug. The VANOS shouldnt be an issue as its all contained in the engine loom, but the EWS on the M52s does complicate things a little, although its not a major issue to wire in.

fse power boost valve? Whats one of them then?

Sounds remarkably similar to a certain useless resistor you can buy from egay....

Its basically an expensive fuel pressure regulator to replace the perfectly good one BMW used. Its meant to increase the fuel pressure faster than the standard one to give a richer mixture under acceleration. They have also caused the occasional under bonnet fire

[diamondblacke28]

ive had my emisions checked and it was lean.
i removed the fse and refitted the standard regulator.
and the reduction in responce and sheer acceleration was remarkable.
so i refitted the fse.

the improvement is unbelievable.
it does'nt half accelerate faster with an fse.
and its still doing about 27mpg

so dont knock it till you've tryed it

[diamondblacke28]

of topic or what lads.

i am after views on the m30/m50 engine conversions.

[jmc330i]

so dont knock it till you've tryed it

Not wanting to stray off topic too much more, but I have tried the fse, not on my E30 but on my Vauxhall (modded 2.0 16v) - lets just say my experience was different to yours
Of the 2 E30s Ive known to have the fse fitted, both caught fire as well as a couple of 16v Astras and Novas - I hang my head in shame for knowing such people

of topic or what lads.

i am after views on the m30/m50 engine conversions.

Both conversions have little problems to overcome in terms of doing the work, but I dont think one is worse than the other. They are both well documented now on this and other sites, so help and info isnt going to be a problem.

Personally I would lean towards the M50/M52 for an everyday car, Im not sure I could or would want to afford the M30 running costs

[Theo]

Not convinced that the M30 mpg is so awful. From a tank I got 225 miles with regualr stints of driving like a twat, and alos 7/8 laps of Castle Combe. This is a 318is fuel tank so about 50ish litres?

[Jhonno]

55 litres i believe Theo

FSE's are wank, all hype, if it makes a difference there must be something wrong in the 1st place.. Or its a placebo

[bigdek]

Not convinced that the M30 mpg is so awful. From a tank I got 225 miles with regualr stints of driving like a twat, and alos 7/8 laps of Castle Combe. This is a 318is fuel tank so about 50ish litres?

Thats only 18mpg(ish)

Not the end of the world but not too great .

[Jhonno]

but that inc lapping coombe and driving like you do when you get a nice new fast car.. so as an average that it good imo

[Jon_Bmw]

And a stint on the rollars...

[DRIFTBOY]

My 335 (M30) in every day driving - bit of town, bit of open road, bit of driving like I stole it, I get 19 - 21 mpg consistantly.
On a 200 mile run I got 27mpg.

I'm running with a 3.73:1 diff and 15" wheels, so it's not even a great motorway cruiser.

I was quite surprised and happy with these figures. (Assuming the milometer on my speedo is accurate that is!).


Martin.

[Speedtouch]

Just experiencing an M30B35 for the first time myself, in an E34 535i (manual). It's got stonking torque from low revs, meaning that in normal driving you barely need touch the throttle so mpg isn't that bad (and mine has the dreaded FSE!), also revs to 6500rpm thanks to a Superchip

[clubfx2]

Any Zoner got info on a m50 conversion... I am keen to change my m20 engine for more bhp. Mountings, gearbox's, etc....

I had a semi worked m50 in my e36, was pushing 230bhp, luvly silky smooth and a 150mph motor.

[clubfx2]

I got 225 miles out of my 325i se. That was average 110-120 cruising speed...

[Andyboy]

Hmmm. The M50 is a nice upgrade over an M20 - not solely for power but for economy and driveability. If I just wanted 20 bhp I'd be slipping a cam into the M20. But it's a pain to fit and the only readily available gearbox is the E30 318i M40 box - use the E34/E36 box and it's horribly undergeared until you fit a taller ratio diff (more money).
If you could find a mechanically good 535i or 735i manual that's what I'd be using - you can't argue with 1000cc extra and all that low down grunt.

[jmc330i]

the only readily available gearbox is the E30 318i M40 box

Thats for the M50? Just out of interest, what flywheel and clutch combo is that using?
I read on here somewhere that the M50 clutch and flywheel can be used with the M40 box, but wasnt sure if thats right or if you get the same problem of the gearbox rotating like with the M20 box.