m50 transplant

[Osamam3]

I bought a complete m50 325i to use as a donor for my 318 vert conversion . I know this may have been done to death but for a reasonable transplant what would this cost ? ps i'm not doing the mechanics .

the reasoning behind the m50 is I might get it turbo-ed one day .

[bimanut]

Depends on what you want,
Slap it in and make do or a proper job.
For a slap dash job.. a few hundred quid.
For a proper job there aint gona be much change out of two grand.

Mines still not in and i`ve stopped counting how much i`ve spent

[kangman]

Depends on what you want,
Slap it in and make do or a proper job.
For a slap dash job.. a few hundred quid.
For a proper job there aint gona be much change out of two grand.

Mines still not in and i`ve stopped counting how much i`ve spent

Whats the difference between a half job and a proper job? what do you get for the extra cash?

[Motorhole]

If you're not doing the mechanics, also account for at least 25 hours labour at a good garage, if doing a proper job! At my local VAG specialist, that alone would set you back about £1200.

In terms of parts, the extra cash gets you a good service, new radiator, new clutch, new engine and gearbox mounts, new prop donut and centre bearing, plug and play wiring if you so desire, electric fan conversion if you so desire - you get the gist! That's not including brake and suspension upgrades either which many view as a necessity. As your vert. is a 318i, the very least you will need will be 51mm front struts, 6-pot springs and vented discs with the correct calipers.

[bimanut]

A complete strip down engine with all new gasgets,oil seals,water pump, thermostat,timming chains,sprockets, oil pump,a nice plug n play loom for engine and fan(which i still need)
May aswell use the steering rack if its any good new rods n ends,custom pipes for it,custom linkage.
All the bushes on the car have probably seen there best days and going from a poxy 1.8M40 to 2.5M50 your going to notice that.
Thats without even thinking about gearboxes,short shifts and all the little bits that go with it and a decent diff cuz a little 1.8 engine diff aint gona cut it.

[Osamam3]

I bought a whole donor car so looking to get most parts from it then buy whatever else I need . I know I will need arp bolts plus the car comes with a private plate !

[Rav335uk]

Youe vert will laready have the larger struts and discs all round, also the suspension will be the 6pot one.

[bimanut]

What about the springs rav will they not be 4pot springs even though its a cab ?

[Rav335uk]

I don't think so, as the cab weighs in more that a standard 4 pot.

[Osamam3]

would you guys say the m52 is a better engine pitted against the m50 ? i realise with good manifolds the m52 makes a lot more hp but what of drivebility and durabilty ? which is best ?
i do realise you have to service and mantain even the toughest of engines to ensure durabilty .

[bimanut]

True, just havent read that before and curious as i have a cab too

[bimanut]

If i was buying an engine i would go for the M522.8 as long as the linner issues are taken into account but i already had the M50 engine so went with that.

[Osamam3]

see another thing is which has better mpg ? i can't make a u turn now as i won the bid and collecting the car friday .

[bimanut]

Wouldn have thought there was much in mpg between the two,i dont know.
My M50 is a non vanos so performs well under its neck bein wrung which suits me

[Osamam3]

you already got a m50 in yours ?

[Osamam3]

What's the better bet here guys m50 or do I buy a m52 lump and use all the other stuff from the donor ?

[Quaser]

the m50 is a stronger block to turbo

[Ianb]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the M50 will be no ball of fire in a vert. I did an M50 single Vanos into my Cabby which was originally a 1.8 but i had already put a M20 2.5 in it and once i had the M50 in i really wished i'd left the M20 as it wasn't much faster and IMO the M20 sounded better. With a vert the 2.8's the way to go as once you change to the m50 inlet it's a good bit more power and a fair bit less weight.
The problem is the Cabby's heavy anyway compared to the 2 door.

[Osamam3]

So does it make sense to go ahead with the purchase of the donor car ? Will I be able to justify cash spent on buying the e36 ? It's just over 500 . I realise I will need a m52 motor one with the less dramatic block

[Rav335uk]

M30 is the best bet for a cab.

[Osamam3]

so RAV does 2k get me a m30 conversion ?

[Rav335uk]

If you do the spanner work yourswlf.

[Osamam3]

that's cold lol

[Rav335uk]

Lol