Thinking about buying another block to build up outside of the car...

[Bud Brown]

What should i get? Want to stay cheap, something with lowish miles, doesn't need to be anything crazy, maybe just a little more power. I want to leave that in my garage and build it up over the years to swap into the m when the current motor goes caput. Should i just look for another s50? Build it up NA or FI?

tia, bud.

[Stück]

For your purpose, it really doesn't matter what block you start with. So long as it is from the M50 family I think you will be A-OK.

You can pick up a S50 with some bent valves pretty cheap. That would be my first pick.

[berlinetta]

why not go with an OBD I conversion on an S52?

[raoke]

An aluminum one.

[Reprisal]

why not go with an OBD I conversion on an S52?

I concur. get the extra displacement and proceed to give it the OBD I treatment. I'd go so far as to rebuild the sucker while it's on the engine stand, that way you've got a fresh motor waiting to drop in...

[Boxerchip]

I have been looking at doing this and ive been leaning towards a B50S32 its the euro 3.2 and starts with 321 HP... with bolt ons and engine work you can get it close to 400HP, that would be an amazing swap for when your engine fails you.

[JClark]

New N54 (?) bi-turbo out of the 335i.

[Bud Brown]

reasonable here, lol.

maybe just find another s50 and rebuild, port, polish, cams?

[Theodore]

I would go the S52 OBD I route. A bit more displacement, can still be found cheap.

[Bud Brown]

what would i need to do to swap an s52 in?

[Theodore]

Search for OBD I conversions. Vitolo just made a great thread about it.


I was waaaay off... Here it is. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=602151

[ultimachi]

Well if you're going to completely rebuild the engine why not get a cheap M50/M52? Completely gut it and rebuild with upgraded parts. An aluminum block would be tits.

[Bud Brown]

Well if you're going to completely rebuild the engine why not get a cheap M50/M52? Completely gut it and rebuild with upgraded parts. An aluminum block would be tits.
est. price of the block and what it would cost to rebuild it?

[ultimachi]

An M50/M52 is much cheaper than an S50/S52 in like condition. Pricing depends on where you get it from.

[ZimDoc]

why not go with an OBD I conversion on an S52?

For the price its not worth the time or the problems. Also you can tune OBD II cars just like OBD I cars not.

I'd just get a M50 Non vanos and build it for boost. Then pick up on the side a good body, blown motor 325 to swap in during your M3 engine build!!!

[UltimateM]

Don't worry too much about the miles either. Its been said that a 'seasoned' block is better then a newer one. Back in the day when BMW was making the 1200hp turbo charged 1.5L (Brabham F1) they would look for blocks with over 100,000km on them for this reason.

[Nova1]

Kind of a waste man. You're block should last a pretty long time, barring valve issues. Not sure of your mileage. I doubt the rest of the car in Connecticut weather is going to stand up to the life of two engines. Especially if it's 11 years old already. To each his own though. Just have fun with the engine you got.

If you must though. Just find a money shifted S50/52, simplest direct replacement.

[UltimateM]

The reason why I built a second motor was so that I didn't have my car down for so long. I have spare cars but I miss my M when its down, man I miss my M right now (I'm on vacation).

[Gizmo330iT]

Build a 3.5lt block in the meantime?:dunno

[UltimateM]

It all depends what the final goal is. If hes going boost then 3.5L may not be the best option since the 87mm bore leaves little space in between cylinders to get the head gasket to seal properly.