Is the M50 route worth the hassle?

[mattmk1]

I have a 87 pre facelift 325i with the early high compression engine The car now needs a bit of work so iv pencilled in the summer months as time to give the old girl a little overhaul.

Wether to swap to the m50 engine is top of my head scratching sleepless nights agenda. I can get hold of a known good, M50 325 lump with ancillaries from an early e36 for £200. Having looked round the forum the swap to M50 seems a fair bit of hassle in sourcing the correct list of parts. The physical swap doesnt bother me, nor does the wiring.

My m20 engine has 100k on the clock, runs fine but binge drinks on fuel and never really feels that responsive. Its powerful, but in a lazy slow revving kind of way. It now needs a new exhaust and so i either get a stainless system and manifold and a re fettled ECU from A Tech, probably giving me 180 ish bhp? Or Swap to M50 which would give similar? figures but is a lot more work?


So does the M50 have hidden benefits? Is it noticeably more powerful or more useable than the m20? Are the m50s more economical? Or is it one of those debates whereby its just personal opinion as to which engine characteristics are preferred?

Cheers for any input, thought id ask before the cheque book gets a battering.

[stup86]

I'm in the process of the conversion at the moment.

I didn't really have too much problem sourcing the bits, it actually took a lot less time than I thought.

I can't tell you how much more economical (if any) it is until mine is fitted, which should be in a few weeks time.

I'm sure in my case though that it will be worth the 'hassle'

Cheers

Stu

[town325i]

I used to work with some one that had an M50 converted E30 at the same time i had a m20 325i and i can tell you the the M50 was a hell of alot better on fuel than my car doing the same journey over a period of 6 months the m50 would do 30mpg on the motorway i could only manage 25mpg

[monkey]

i get about 28 mpg out of mine but that is on b roads . i would hope better on motorway driving . cant tell you if its better than an m20 as mine started life as a 4 pot

[BMracing]

You could convert to facelift management, that will improve your economy and give you at least a handful of ponies too.

[Blitz]

I dont see M50 being worth it now when you can have M52.

[penton08]

^^^^ exactly!! and a GOOD m20 engined car will keep up with a thrown together m50 conversion.

[town325i]

^^^^ exactly!! and a GOOD m20 engined car will keep up with a thrown together m50 conversion.

Your joking right most E30 325i's cant even keep up with an E36 325i

[325isporttech1]

The M50 is not a nice engine rather nasty actualy...you have been warned not good on petrol either from my experience.

If you must do an m52b28 conversion.

But an early m20 like yours is much better, just get a decent chip and an exhaust and a proper tune up of the valves etc and it will do an easy 30mpg amd be a lot cheaper than a conversion.

[penton08]

^^^^ exactly!! and a GOOD m20 engined car will keep up with a thrown together m50 conversion.

Your joking right most E30 325i's cant even keep up with an E36 325i

not at all mate! my old sport used to keep up with, and sometimes pass my mates m50'd touring. a few nasty bodge ups on the exhaust and a hot air induction kit on a m50 conversion will leave you wondering why you bothered. on the other hand if you do it right it can be worth while!

[Jhonno]

The M50 is not a nice engine rather nasty actualy...you have been warned not good on petrol either from my experience.

If you must do an m52b28 conversion.

But an early m20 like yours is much better, just get a decent chip and an exhaust and a proper tune up of the valves etc and it will do an easy 30mpg amd be a lot cheaper than a conversion.

WTF?! The M50 is a good lump.. Better on fuel than an M20 as well..

An M50 is worth the hassle, 192bhp out the box, better fuel consumption etc.. Not even an expensive swap

Drop a lightened flywheel in there whilst you are there, makes for a good combo

[town325i]

^^^^ exactly!! and a GOOD m20 engined car will keep up with a thrown together m50 conversion.

Your joking right most E30 325i's cant even keep up with an E36 325i

not at all mate! my old sport used to keep up with, and sometimes pass my mates m50'd touring. a few nasty bodge ups on the exhaust and a hot air induction kit on a m50 conversion will leave you wondering why you bothered. on the other hand if you do it right it can be worth while!

He must of had a shitter of an engine then because from my experience of an M50 converted E30 is that it goes really well compared to an M20 engine.

[penton08]

He must of had a shitter of an engine then because from my experience of an M50 converted E30 is that it goes really well compared to an M20 engine.

overall.... yes a m50'd car is going to be quicker. but 20 bhp is not alot in the real world. ive been around a few m50 coverted cars and they seem to go alright but why bother with a engine swap for alright? you may aswell do a m30 swap

[tommy22]

you may aswell do a m30 swap

[penton08]

dont worry tom i will pull that "shiter of an engine" out and chuck a m30 in for you!!

[325isporttech1]

The M50 is not a nice engine rather nasty actualy...you have been warned not good on petrol either from my experience.

If you must do an m52b28 conversion.

But an early m20 like yours is much better, just get a decent chip and an exhaust and a proper tune up of the valves etc and it will do an easy 30mpg amd be a lot cheaper than a conversion.

WTF?! The M50 is a good lump.. Better on fuel than an M20 as well..

An M50 is worth the hassle, 192bhp out the box, better fuel consumption etc.. Not even an expensive swap

Drop a lightened flywheel in there whilst you are there, makes for a good combo

Ive never driven an m50 e30 so i dont know what they are like in them

I have on the other hand owned a e34 525 sport and driven an e36 325 breifly (both m50)and wasnt impressed with the power delivery,fuel consumption and the overall driving experience was dull...might just of been the cars but if it was me i would go for the m52b28 as it is just sooo much better and also easier to increase the power.

Before hand thow just try getting your high compression m20 in fine fettle as they do fly when they are in good tune then if you still are not happy with it swap it out

[Jhonno]

The M50 is not a nice engine rather nasty actualy...you have been warned not good on petrol either from my experience.

If you must do an m52b28 conversion.

But an early m20 like yours is much better, just get a decent chip and an exhaust and a proper tune up of the valves etc and it will do an easy 30mpg amd be a lot cheaper than a conversion.

WTF?! The M50 is a good lump.. Better on fuel than an M20 as well..

An M50 is worth the hassle, 192bhp out the box, better fuel consumption etc.. Not even an expensive swap

Drop a lightened flywheel in there whilst you are there, makes for a good combo

Ive never driven an m50 e30 so i dont know what they are like in them

I have on the other hand owned a e34 525 sport and driven an e36 325 breifly (both m50)and wasnt impressed with the power delivery,fuel consumption and the overall driving experience was dull...might just of been the cars but if it was me i would go for the m52b28 as it is just sooo much better and also easier to increase the power.

Before hand thow just try getting your high compression m20 in fine fettle as they do fly when they are in good tune then if you still are not happy with it swap it out

So you've tried the engine in 2 heavy turds.. The power deliver is far more linear than an M20, and doesn't run out of go at 5k odd..

Why waste the money doing that? Just chuck it out and put something decent in..

M52 would be my choice, but the M50 is not a bad lump still

[e30shed]

My 325i has an early h/c engine running motronic 1.3 and a chip, it seems responsive, revvy and hauls ass nicely. Personally, if I gave a monkeys about fuel consumption, I'd get a Clio diesel

[Andy325i]

M52 FTW, not exactly expensive these days and add some value to the car too. My M52B28 is a WORLD away from my M20 325i. Seriously you wouldn't see the B28 for dust. Get someone to give you a ride in an M52 engined car and you'll wonder why you didn't do it ages ago!

Oh and when not being given stick its FAR more economical than the M20!

Andy

[325isporttech1]

I wouldnt waste my money bothering to uprate a late m20 but the early one hes got is worth it and my old high compression m20 was good for 190 odd bhp and didnt run out of steam atall, as far as i know it just had a starchip and a scorpion exhaust and was in fine tune

i agree they were 2 heavier cars and definitely turds ive tried the m50 in to be fair but it was enough to put me off for life. The m52 is an awsome engine and well worth the agro.

Ive had 2 m52b28 328i sports and they flew compared to the m50 turds and were good for 150 and low 6's to 60 so in an e30 would be very quick

[d6dph]

The M50 is not a nice engine rather nasty actualy...you have been warned not good on petrol either from my experience.

If you must do an m52b28 conversion.

But an early m20 like yours is much better, just get a decent chip and an exhaust and a proper tune up of the valves etc and it will do an easy 30mpg amd be a lot cheaper than a conversion.

WTF?! The M50 is a good lump.. Better on fuel than an M20 as well..

An M50 is worth the hassle, 192bhp out the box, better fuel consumption etc.. Not even an expensive swap

Drop a lightened flywheel in there whilst you are there, makes for a good combo

Dan, How hard would you say the swap is? I'm thinking I need 24v in my snotter.

[bss325i]

My M20 makes power all the way to 6000rpm!



A healthy M20 can still deliver the goods!

[d1mmy]

Do the M50 (or M52) 24v conversion. The car drives better in all aspects, You will be impressed.

If you were local i could have taken you for a test drive.

12v vs 24v my opinion having both, 24v all day long.

[325isporttech1]

Thats a nice figure. what has yours got done to it?

Im not of fan of ppl throwing away m20's as i can never understand why as i love them

[nickso]

The M50 is not a nice engine rather nasty actualy...you have been warned not good on petrol either from my experience.

If you must do an m52b28 conversion.

But an early m20 like yours is much better, just get a decent chip and an exhaust and a proper tune up of the valves etc and it will do an easy 30mpg amd be a lot cheaper than a conversion.

WTF?! The M50 is a good lump.. Better on fuel than an M20 as well..

An M50 is worth the hassle, 192bhp out the box, better fuel consumption etc.. Not even an expensive swap

Drop a lightened flywheel in there whilst you are there, makes for a good combo

Dan, How hard would you say the swap is? I'm thinking I need 24v in my snotter.

ffs, when will you noobs learn.

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... pic&t=6676

[d6dph]

yeah yeah, use the search button.

That was more me asking Dan when he wants to do it

[nickso]

yeah yeah, use the search button.

That was more me asking Dan when he wants to do it

bah, laziness.

or its all this moderation....no time for swapping.

[Kos]

He must of had a shitter of an engine then because from my experience of an M50 converted E30 is that it goes really well compared to an M20 engine.

overall.... yes a m50'd car is going to be quicker. but 20 bhp is not alot in the real world. ive been around a few m50 coverted cars and they seem to go alright but why bother with a engine swap for alright? you may aswell do a m30 swap

are you stupid


an m30b35 would be luck to make 210bhp and its a heavy lump.

as i've said in a previous thread, the m52 with an m50 inlet is far more potent engine. makes more power, its lighter and more economical.

fits easier with less cost, no custom mounts required and an existing m20 rad keeps it cool and fitting your existing m20 fly wheel and this really wakes up the engine.

there will be the few people who will still say go for n m30 but it just doesnt make sence. its lothargic and not vcery tuneable. the only negative when comparing the m52 to and m30 is cost, how ever but the right donor car and your m52 engine will cost you nothing by the time you break down the donor car

for me its a no brainer

[HartgeH27]

He must of had a shitter of an engine then because from my experience of an M50 converted E30 is that it goes really well compared to an M20 engine.

overall.... yes a m50'd car is going to be quicker. but 20 bhp is not alot in the real world. ive been around a few m50 coverted cars and they seem to go alright but why bother with a engine swap for alright? you may aswell do a m30 swap

are you stupid


an m30b35 would be luck to make 210bhp and its a heavy lump.

as i've said in a previous thread, the m52 with an m50 inlet is far more potent engine. makes more power, its lighter and more economical.

fits easier with less cost, no custom mounts required and an existing m20 rad keeps it cool and fitting your existing m20 fly wheel and this really wakes up the engine.

there will be the few people who will still say go for n m30 but it just doesnt make sence. its lothargic and not vcery tuneable. the only negative when comparing the m52 to and m30 is cost, how ever but the right donor car and your m52 engine will cost you nothing by the time you break down the donor car

for me its a no brainer

Be polite !

[Felix79]

Another thing to think about is it's actually a low milage engine all things considered and would be a shame not to get it running as it should first. Also you have plenty of other routes you could go down other than replacing with a more modern engine.

[Kos]

that is polite lol

But to be honest iain, the M30 was probably said in jest (well I hope it was)

[penton08]

it was in jest, yes! but what im saying is why remove a good m20 to fit a m50? i can see your point about the m52 as it is easy to find a bit more power. imo i would rather spend the money on the m20 than swap for a m50.

[Jhonno]

WTF?! The M50 is a good lump.. Better on fuel than an M20 as well..

An M50 is worth the hassle, 192bhp out the box, better fuel consumption etc.. Not even an expensive swap

Drop a lightened flywheel in there whilst you are there, makes for a good combo

Dan, How hard would you say the swap is? I'm thinking I need 24v in my snotter.

It is not a difficult nor complex swap.. Your chariot would suit a 24v lump nicely

yeah yeah, use the search button.

That was more me asking Dan when he wants to do it

My offer of spanner wielding still stands..

E36/46 rack swap whilst we are there also

[Ace 325i]

I've been considering the M52 and box out of the 728i we are scrapping, but can't let go of the higher compression lump. The sound it makes, the way it looks.. think it adds character to the car! Mines only done 103K and had a full top end rebuild/adjusted tappets etc 2K ago.

And the power isn't that bad..

One day...I'll bite the bullet. Has to be big enough though! Would BMWs 4.0/4.4 sport engine from the E38 etc fit in an E30?

[pacerpete]

M50s are so last century !