Hi guys, I've been looking into doing this for a while, but got side tracked with a money pit E34 M5 3.8..
I've just got myself ANOTHER E30 as it seems i just can't stay away.
Does anyone know of a UK supplier that stocks ARP head stud kit for an M52?? The only kits i can find are for a steel block M50.
There is talk of time-serting the block and fitting the M50 Stud kit, but this sounds a bit dodgy..
Also does anyone know of a UK supplier for MLS head gaskets for the M52?? These also seem to be like hens teeth..
Cheers in advance!!
M52 2.8 Touring turbo build..
Moderator: martauto
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redcar
- E30 Zone Squatter
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- Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2011 11:00 pm
- Location: Hertfordshire
Hello, from what i've read about on the internet, most people tend to turbo the M50 as one of the commonest sort. M52 internals into an m50 block is possible, common although still less common compared to the m50 turbo.
I believe that people regard the m52 aluminium block somewhat unsuitable to turbo.
I believe that people regard the m52 aluminium block somewhat unsuitable to turbo.
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E30BeemerLad
- Married to the E30 Zone
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- Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Norfolk
Personally, unless you are planning on running a low boost setup (what's the point & you'll only want more) I would look at using the M50 block with the M52 internals as odds are, headgasket changes will become routine and the alloy block will only entertain so many lots of headbolts being torqued down before a drama occurs.
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Dave_M3
- E30 Zone Addict
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- Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: Cork
keep the S38 as a money pit and stick the turbo on that 
M42 rightness above 6500rpm, nobody can hear you scream
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Supafly
- E30 Zone Regular
- Posts: 559
- Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:00 pm
I've been enjoying my m52'd e30 for a while now and I'm also considering turbo'ing mine for a little more power circa 250 - 300 bhp.
I've read that det is potentially very bad on these engines causing the threads in the block to be pulled out. Although there are a lot of supercharged e36's out there on standard engines, some without charge cooling so low boost levels with a fairly large turbo should be safe....
Any experience out there??
More importantly for my possible build, how would you set it up with the factory ecu
As for studs I think I remember reading about a company called 'metric blue' (might be completely wrong here, memory is extremely vague) doing longer studs for the extra depth of the alloy block.
Is the m50 head gasket diferent to the m52? I ask because the crank and pistons from a m52 fit a m50 block, are the oil/water channels different?
I've read that det is potentially very bad on these engines causing the threads in the block to be pulled out. Although there are a lot of supercharged e36's out there on standard engines, some without charge cooling so low boost levels with a fairly large turbo should be safe....
Any experience out there??
More importantly for my possible build, how would you set it up with the factory ecu
As for studs I think I remember reading about a company called 'metric blue' (might be completely wrong here, memory is extremely vague) doing longer studs for the extra depth of the alloy block.
Is the m50 head gasket diferent to the m52? I ask because the crank and pistons from a m52 fit a m50 block, are the oil/water channels different?