m52 head vs s52 head?

[328e36]

Hey guys, I was wondering if there are any differances between the m52b28 head and the s52b32 head other than the cams?

Im just wondering when time comes to do s52 cams, if there would be any advantage to finding a complete s52 head with cams, or just find some s52 cams.

Are they the exact same casting? Do they have the same springs? retainers? valves etc? Or are the cams the only differance?

[Butters Stoch]

Only cams

[hakentt]

yes only cams. But part number for valve springs are different

[328e36]

Are you saying the valve springs are differant, or are the same just with differant part number?

I might try to find a complete s52 head with cams, so I can get that head rebuilt and decked (should I pay for a slight port and polish as well?), while having no downtime for my car except the one day, or weekend that I switch heads.

If you had an m52, and bought an s52 head, what all would you do to the head? Just deck it and rebuild as needed? Or should I get the head ported and polished while Im at it? Anything else I can do with this head for a little more power?

[328e36]

stock m52 head with s52 cams?

or

buy s52 head with cams, rebuild, port, polish, mill, thin hg, arp?

[dano670]

Are you saying the valve springs are differant, or are the same just with differant part number?



I believe the springs are tapered on the S52 and not on the M52. But the head itself is identical.

[Rudolph320i]

its a bit easier to just swap the cams i think, you dont have to mess with the manifolds or new head bolts or all that stuff.

[328e36]

I know it'd be easier to just drop the s52 cams into the stock m52 head, but would it be worth the little bit of money to pick up a spare s52 head with cams and have it ported and milled?

Or do these engines not show any advantage to port and polish?


I believe the springs are tapered on the S52 and not on the M52. But the head itself is identical.

So IF I go the easy route and just do the cams in the stock head I should get s52 springs as well?

[ChuckDizzle]

+1 for just cams. I believe its the same cam tray as well

[dano670]

I know it'd be easier to just drop the s52 cams into the stock m52 head, but would it be worth the little bit of money to pick up a spare s52 head with cams and have it ported and milled?

Or do these engines not show any advantage to port and polish?

So IF I go the easy route and just do the cams in the stock head I should get s52 springs as well?

As for the porting and polishing, I have read that not much gains are accomplished by this route. I also would do just the cams.

[rynburns]

cams and SOFTWARE..mabe even injectors..otherwise it wont be living up to its potential

[sjpgoalie]

Are you saying the valve springs are differant, or are the same just with differant part number?

I might try to find a complete s52 head with cams, so I can get that head rebuilt and decked (should I pay for a slight port and polish as well?), while having no downtime for my car except the one day, or weekend that I switch heads.

If you had an m52, and bought an s52 head, what all would you do to the head? Just deck it and rebuild as needed? Or should I get the head ported and polished while Im at it? Anything else I can do with this head for a little more power?

Yes, they are tapered. Probably not the only difference about the springs either.

[328e36]

Ok, so porting doesnt do much on these heads as they are allready pretty much perfect from factory. Just cams and springs it is.

[ChuckDizzle]

Ok, so porting doesnt do much on these heads as they are allready pretty much perfect from factory. Just cams and springs it is.

That's the general consensus. Its a large investment for a very small performance gain.

[Nomade30]

There is about 10-20g difference per valve in valve spring component weight, I wouldn't go through the effort on a m52, but on an s52 I would.

[keeslinger31]

IF one were to port the head where is the weakspot?
I have ported a few heads including the ones on my lt1 and it helped alot
I can't see it hurting just curious if anyone has experience in the matter

[walkant]

Exhaust if not in California