Connecting rods, M50NV vs M52 with pics

[Boostedhoopty]

I have heard people talk on the forums about the nv rods being stronger, but I didn't know how much of a difference there was until I took a few of my parts engines apart to build a new one. I figured you guys would enjoy some pics for a direct comparison

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[someguy2800]

shhhhhhhh!! Its a secret!

[Butters Stoch]

135 vs 140 correct ? The big boys are 140mm rods ?

[someguy2800]

non vanos is 135, vanos is 140. Non vanos rods will drop right in an m52, s50, s52.

[Boostedhoopty]

non vanos is 135, vanos is 140. Non vanos rods will drop right in an m52, s50, s52.

Correct, I just double checked and they both measure the same.

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[Boostedhoopty]

Has anybody found the limits of these rods? Im about to put them in my engine with wiseco pistons and hope to make atleast 600whp. I've been through several sets of pistons in the low to mid 500whp range but never hurt any stock rod

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[chikinhed]

What is the weight of the M50 NV compared to Eagles?

[someguy2800]

I am making about 800 whp with them and an m52 crank with wiseco pistons. Non vanos rods are 653 grams, eagles are 540.

[Boostedhoopty]

That's what I like to hear!

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[grinchxvx]

God damn those NV rods are beefy in comparison


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[Mklock]

Yep soon a set will cost 800$ Better buy 10 sets right now.

[328iFun]

Makes me wonder why people usually say go m52 instead of m50

[pbonsalb]

The M52 gives more displacement to make torque and spool a turbo and the rods are still good for 500 lbs rwtq. I think an M50 is a good choice in a lighter car like an E30 or a gutted E36, but in a full weight E36 that is street driven, I'd like more displacement -- ideally S52.

[boostd4]

So I have a friend who works in parts for a BMW dealership and I'll drop him a line to see what these NV M50 rods run new. What model/years should I be looking for?

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YIKES, never mind. Rods for an 1992 e36 325i dealer cost is $147/ea = $882. Junkyard would be the only reasonable choice over a set of lighter/stronger aftermarket rods.

[Butters Stoch]

So I have a friend who works in parts for a BMW dealership and I'll drop him a line to see what these NV M50 rods run new. What model/years should I be looking for?

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YIKES, never mind. Rods for an 1992 e36 325i dealer cost is $147/ea = $882. Junkyard would be the only reasonable choice over a set of lighter/stronger aftermarket rods.

What's the part # ?

[dburt86]

11241730420

11241730420

[pbonsalb]

So these are 1992 only rods?

[boostd4]

I just guessed on the 92 325i. Rods should be similar cost across most non M motors so I gave up after finding they were $150/ea. Someone please correct me on which models/years the NV M50 came in.

[someguy2800]

They came in 92 325i E36 and also 91-92 E34 525i. You also get the excellent M50 non vanos valvetrain with the deal. I don't really see it making sense buying them new from bmw vs just getting eagles but if you happen across a non vanos m50 for cheap enough keep the head and the rods out of it.

[Butters Stoch]

There is a set on eBay right now for $119 with pistons.
New are $157 each

[boostd4]

So.... the CX Racing ones are ~$300/set... (?) I guess these are a good find for the UBER budget minded... For <$200 more you get forged H-beams?

[pbonsalb]

The M50 NV rods look like a good bang for the buck option though at 650g each, you are adding 2 lbs to the rotating mass over K1 rods, which are 500g each.

No one here has tried the cheaper asian rods like the ones CX Racing and others sell. It is possible they come from the same factory as Eagle or K1 but may not get the same finishing or quality control.

[someguy2800]

The stock rods are also forged so I guess you have to choose between a rod forged and machined by germans, or forged and machined by children in some third world jungle. All the eagle's, molnars, K1's ect... are also forged in china but at least you can bet the clearances will likely be right since they are sized in the US and use american fasteners.

Another thing to note about non vanos rods is they have a strange undercut on the rod bolts so if you are going to spin them above 7200 rpms you may want to get ARP rod bolts for them. I have ARP rod bolts in mine and I shift at 8000 to as high as 8400 rpms. Also on 100% stock non vanos valvetrain.

Here is a couple pictures next to an M52 rod I took a long time ago





From left to right, M20b27, M50, M52, K1 H beam, Howards aluminum



M50, M52, K1 H beam, Howards aluminum

[pbonsalb]

That M50B27 rod looks even beefier than the M50B25NV rod.

[someguy2800]

It isn't, they are really spindly in side profile. Also the length is 130mm. M20b25 rods are 135mm and similar design but also very thin