Advantages of M52 Motor

[Müven30]

I just wanted to know some advantages of having an m52 motor with s52 camshafts and an m50 intake manifold.

[323i E30]

...as opposed to the M20 engine?
I'd say more hp and relatively strong in the low revs. Timing chain is also nice, and not having to adjust the valves every now and then.
If you want details on M52 engines you'd best check in the E39 or E36 sub though.

The company that tuned my M52 claims that it puts out 235hp, and when the E30 had to be re-weighed by the government to get it street legal again; the car turned out to be 10 kgs lighter than it was with its original M20B20.
Unreliable numbers aside, the car feels quick with this M52B28 and M50 intake.

[Müven30]

...as opposed to the M20 engine?
I'd say more hp and relatively strong in the low revs. Timing chain is also nice, and not having to adjust the valves every now and then.
If you want details on M52 engines you'd best check in the E39 or E36 sub though.

The company that tuned my M52 claims that it puts out 235hp, and when the E30 had to be re-weighed by the government to get it street legal again; the car turned out to be 10 kgs lighter than it was with its original M20B20.
Unreliable numbers aside, the car feels quick with this M52B28 and M50 intake.

Thank you, I been thinking about swapping my engine but my friend has been telling me that the m20 engine is the most reliable.. so I didn't know what to do. Thanks again!


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[323i E30]

Thank you, I been thinking about swapping my engine but my friend has been telling me that the m20 engine is the most reliable.. so I didn't know what to do. Thanks again!


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Well swapping another engine in doesn't do well for the value of the car, as people usually don't like buying someone else's project.
It has more downsides. I'm not really looking forward to the day my starter calls it a day for example, as we will likely need to get the engine out to change that thing.
There's more stuff like that, but that wasn't your question..

I ran into the engine a few years ago and bought it on impulse, then I went looking for a rust free E30 with a toasted M20.
I don't think I would have done it the other way round as I've been very happy with the M20 engines so far, but that's personal.
This car has given me more s%^t than any other E30 I've ever owned before... Could just have been a bit of bad luck of course

[Müven30]

I had a question, if I do an engine swap with that would I need a new transmission and engine harness?


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[Kershaw]

You could google those types of questions fairly easily.

[323i E30]

I had a question, if I do an engine swap with that would I need a new transmission and engine harness?


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Not sure about compatibility of those things. I bought everything plug and play from someone who took it out of his E30 for swapping in a V8.
That included engine with attached transmission, and all electrics.
It really is an often done swap, well documented on the mighty internet indeed.