M50 mods - what's simplest?

[gudgeon]

Looking ahead I will probably want to refresh my engine a bit. It's likely that a re-hone, new rings, bearings, and some valve work will be required, to get the engine a bit closer to factory condition.

While I'm about it, and assuming your starting point is an M50B25 vanos, and you want to keep the stock head and engine management (and probably cams too), what's the simplest upgrade for greater capacity?

Would it be M52B28 crank, rods, pistons?
Or is it possible to go up to B30 somehow (rebore is a possibilty)?


What's the story with ECU remap on these Vanos engines? I'm assuming it's advisable following the increase in stroke/bore?

Thanks

Jon

[DanThe]

If your going to 2800cc then just use the matching M52B28 loom/ecu, its the easiest way.
I wouldnt be rebuilding a standard M50 just for the sake of it, by the time you have the head off and the crank out you will realise its a waste of time, not to mention the £1000 worth of parts to do the job properly.
It is worth rebuilding a shagged 2.8 into an iron block though

[gudgeon]

Thanks Dan. I'm aware of the cost to do it properly.

I'd rather have a tight M50 then a sloppy M52, but I guess you're right I'd have to buy a whole M52 anyway. Is it just the double vanos that's different with the head?

[Brianmoooore]

The M52 you want has single vanos, just like the M50. Stay away from the M52TU, which has double vanos.

[gudgeon]

Thanks Brian.
So the M50 single vanos and M52 single vanos heads must be very similar?