m52 engine swap

Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:14 pm

hi evry1, im am new to this zone and do not yet own a e30, but am looking for 1 at the min, just wondered would it be best to buy a 318, 320, or a 325, and take out the engine and change it to a m52, as my bro owns a 325i cab and his was REALLY REALLY tappety, so he swapped to m52 and now sounds mint, just to make sure is the m52 the 525i 24 valve vanos?.

Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:19 pm

Welcome to the Zone

Ideally you want to start with a 325 as it will have uprated suspension and rear disc brakes.

Or you could get a 318 cabby or touring and use this for a engine conversion.

The 525 is a M50, M52 is a 2.8

Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:22 pm

m52 is 328/528 vanos
m50 is 325/525 non vanos or vanos depending on age
Look at the thread in technical on this site loads of info or search option at top of page.
I am doing same thing soon. Just in the process of mot ing the 325 24v so i can mate sure the motor is mint before i strip it for my sallon. Cant wait to get it in.

Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:30 pm

oh yea the m50, would it be worth spending the money on m50 swap or stick to the e30 engine, also i hear its possible to take a auto engine and put it to a manual box, is this true or av i heard bull s**t?

Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:35 pm

Its possable but far easier to use a manual engine to start with. Its a popular conversion so i am hoping its worth it as i am about to do it. I would read the 35 page thread on the swap if i were you help make up your mind

Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:41 pm

i hear its possible to take a auto engine and put it to a manual box, is this true or av i heard bull s**t?

This is indeed true, just need to put/replace the spigot bearing