M42 to M50/M52 Conversion......Worth it????

[ryan0143]

I am thinking about doing an M50/M52 conversion to replace my M42 engine.

How hard is the conversion to do? does the engine simply "bolt in" with some different engine mount adapters?

What are the performance gains?

Is there alot of fiddly electrical wiring to be done with different looms etc.

I would be doing all of the labour myself but what are rough parts costs to do this conversion i have seen M52 engines on the bay for around 500 quid.

and the ultimate question is, is it worth it?

Thanks

Ryan

[rancido64]

Loom & fan loom can be DIY'd or you can contact DanThe on here who does plug & play looms for these conversions.

Here's a parts list for the swap if you're using an m40 gearbox, you use a different prop if you're using an m42 box: http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=186900

I haven't started doing my swap yet, but so far it's cost me €560 and i have roughly half the required parts

[e30-EVN]

From an m42 to an m50 you are looking @ a 42 bhp difference, and as the exhaust has to be custom made and m52 tubular manifolds are needed a reckon you could see 200bhp if the exhaust is a decent free flow. For example mine is 2.5' custom made.

M52 with m50 inlet will crack 200bhp with nice lb ft but the draw back IMO is the alloy block and head design meaning once cooked once scrapped engine! Of course the way to overcome this is to by a scrap m52 engine to put pistons and crank ect into the iron blocked m50 gaining the strength and durability along with a bit more power, but this can be expensive!

Imo a healthy m50 in an e30 shell is quite a beast, mine pissed all over an audi tt, renault megan sport (2.0 turbo) and my mates astra coupe turbo to name a few idiots who underestimated my 22 year old car.

Not simply bolt in, a few parts from a few different bmw models are needed to pull this off but not impossible! Well worth all the effort imo mate

[ryan0143]

Ahhhh excellent, so 6 pot power FTW!!!!

looking at some M50 engines at the moment so hopefully give it a few months it should be on its way

[e30-EVN]

That's the way mate

24v 6pot FTW!!

[shedrool83]

Imho I would fit an m52 over the m50 .Its the same work and more cc and torque.
If the engine is a sweet one to start with and looked after once fitted i wouldn't worry about it overheating and scrapping the engine.



Alot of people are put off the m52 for the reasons e30-dk has mentioned tho.

I dont think you'll be disappointed with either .It just a matter of choice.

[DanThe]

If you had a week with a M52B28 E30 Ant I reckon you would be raving about them, as above, start with a good engine and you will be fine

[e30-EVN]

You've prob got a point there tbh Dan mate
I'm trying to get funds together to make mine 2.8 as it goes lol. Need some input and acurate figures on it though

[DanThe]

Its worthwhile to bump up to 3 litre if your rebuilding

[e30-EVN]

Likely cost of this??

I take it your talking e46 330 ci crank ect?

[E30BeemerLad]

Go for the 2.8 M52 over the 2.5 M50

Being realistic, you'll spend a grand doing the conversion.

I went in a stock 325 sport a few weeks ago and whilst it was a nice car, I realised how quick my M52 is in comparision

[Cook318IS]

I still remember the smile on Ekos face being in mine after he had only done his m50's! An m52 has a unbelievable difference over an m50 imo. Sod all this overheating scaremongery. Keep it well maintened like it should be and drive it like it should be driven!