Idea on options of a rebuild

[e30s50b30]

Hi guys it's me again I have been doing some thinking and the engine I will now go for is the m52 . The s50 is good but not cost effective if things go bang and they seem thin on the ground . What is the best way to get a fast 2.8 is it to turbo or supercharger and what are the cars like to live with after mods ? I only have had ms all my life apart from a e36 320 vert , I am looking for a lot of power to be honest I love a car that is a Hogg around the country b roads I don't want to be racing civics I want to leave them for dead . Ta

[penton08]

A properly fitted, well looked after S50 wont go bang. They are tough engines and i gave mine a beating on regular occasions and it never missed a beat!! If you think the s50 is too expensive to maintain/repair then stay well away from FI!!

The m52 is not ideal for boost either, You would be better off going m50 if your set on forced induction.

[DanThe]

Fi and cost effective are so far away from each other its ridiculous!

[e30s50b30]

I have no qualms buying a s50 I had a crap experience and I am looking ar ideas of having a really fast car I am looking at all options and trying to see which is best , common sense says m52 stock with remap and m50 manifolds but the kid in me says s50 all the way . I'm just looking for a nudge I guess coz I want a monster .

[leeparkes]

If you want it to be as quick as your lash up S50 was then id go with an M52 with cams and re-map, im guessing your S50 was only knocking out around 250hp with those manifolds stranging it, so with a much lighter engine at around 230hp you wont be far off the mark.
If you want more then a 'proper S50 swap is what you need but then again this will sting you about 5 bags and for what you get (approx 290hp) is it worth it? for that money you could turbocharge an M50 and be at a reliable 400hp, but as Dan said turboing can spiral into an expensive build.

What is your budget?