M20 vs. M50 and is 30hp worth $5000 ????>>>>

[JULIAN]

Ok here is the situation, I have a 1991 cabrio and am thinking of either getting a 0 mile M20 2.7 stroker motor done and installed for $4000 or have a M50 3.0 liter XXX??? mile conversion with tranny, etc. for $9000 give or take a few dollars each. I figure that the M20 2.7 liter stroker motor will make about 205-210hp the M50 3.0 liter is making 240hp. Now which would you choose and why ?? Also do you think that the extra 30-35hp is worth the extra $5000 ??? Please note I do not plan on tracking the car, etc. just want the extra HP, also the M20 2.7 liter motor will probably be good only for 6500 rpm or so, where as the M50 3.0 liter motor can rev pretty good at 7000+ rpm. Like to here everyone's thoughts on this.

[scottycs]

Seems like alot for a s50.

[BimmerSteven]

Do you plan on wanting to upgrade to more power in the coming years? If so, an M20 becomes neither cost effective nor streetable in such a high state of tune. You start to run the ragged edge. Me personally? I'd do an E36 motor swap. Mind you, I've already got a built (somewhat, at least) M20 street motor.

Remember that with 240hp comes the need to upgrade brakes, suspension, etc.

[mrsha007]

i think 5k is too much for a m50 swap, but if its that much, yes it is still worth it. there is a whole world of mods available for the m50 engine. and almost nothing out there for a m20. think aobout all the tuners with s/c's and turbo's for a m50. AA gen 2 stage 3...

[JULIAN]

Originally posted by BimmerSteven
Do you plan on wanting to upgrade to more power in the coming years? If so, an M20 becomes neither cost effective nor streetable in such a high state of tune. You start to run the ragged edge. Me personally? I'd do an E36 motor swap. Mind you, I've already got a built (somewhat, at least) M20 street motor.

Remember that with 240hp comes the need to upgrade brakes, suspension, etc.

What ever swap I decide on, bascially I do not plan on extensively modding the car, maybe simple bolt ons like exhaust, intake, and chip and that is about it. Also this will be my daily driver car. Yes, if I do the M50 swap especially the 3.0 liter motor than one has to think about upgrading the brakes, etc. which is $$$$, whereas with the M20 2.7 liter stroker better pads, etc. might be suffecient. Does anyone here now have an M20 stroker motor in their car ?? If so how do you like it ?? Also has anyone had a M20 stroker then swapped it out for a M50 motor ?? Like to hear your expereinces, comments, etc.

[E30racer]

Go with the m50 you may end up paying an extra 5000 grand tryn to get 30-35hp, plus all the mods you can do to a m50 are way more worth doing on a m50 than a m20 good luck!

[EVOIIIM3]

SO you want a 2.7 M20 or a 3.0 S50? There is a LOT more to it then 30hp!
The M20 is going to be just about at it's peak, the S50 is just starting out! The S50 is also a LOT less maintaince!!! There are also a TON of aftermarket go fast parts on it, you can even add a SC or Turbo. The torque and Vanos of the S50 will KILL the M20 of around the same power.

If you got the money and check the S50 out, get it! You will not be sorry!

[Reelizmpro]

I agree that the S50 has more potential. As it should! it's a derivative of the M20 engine with updated technology. The truth is, they are more expensive and harder to obtain. I just drove a 2.8 M20 that has ONLY custom pistons, TD crank and mild port work and that thing hauls ass. For the money, I don't see how it can be beat. 2 E36 M3 owners were envious after the test drive and one guy (BMW employee) estimated it around 230HP. I thought that was kind of high for the mods made and I estimated between 210HP-220HP. We plan on getting these cars on the dyno to see what the numbers are. Anyway, I know everyone's pro-M50/S50 but do your homework and add up the numbers and see if it's really worth it for you. I think Mark Distelhorst spent at least 5K for his M50 including conversion.

[BimmerSteven]

Yes it's much more than just a horsepower increase. You're adding/shifting weight; changing the dynamics (power-band, etc) of the car; and making into a different beast. Simple bolt ons (intake/chip/exhaust work well together) make an S50 an absolute beast in an E30 chassis. Even with a full interior and no weight reduction to compensate the added engine weight, it'll be fast.

Sounds like you just need to freshen up your M20. Just because the twin-cam motors have more potential to make power (and a more popular current aftermarket) does not necessarily make them better.

I wanna build another M20 since I have almost all the parts just sitting around.

[JULIAN]

the other choice I have may be to get a regular M50 2.5 liter swap for about $6000-6500 and later install a JC chip, M50 M3 cams, etc. which would yield about 210-220 crank hp according to Turner Motorsports. So basically this would be a little cheaper than the M50 3.0 liter swap by about $2500-3000 in the begining but still yield about the same or more HP than a M20 2.7 liter stroker motor. Ahh descions decsions.

[Natedogg]

lol ok? When did the s50 come up? I thought he was talking about the m50? Big big difference price wise. If you got the money do the s50 convo, if not do the m50. I say leave the m20 alone all together.

[Reelizmpro]

Originally posted by Natedogg
lol ok? When did the s50 come up? I thought he was talking about the m50? Big big difference price wise. If you got the money do the s50 convo, if not do the m50. I say leave the m20 alone all together.

Because he stated M50 3.0 liter. M50's are 2.5 liters (189HP), so I figured he was talking about the S50 3.0 liter M3 engine (240HP). For 9K, he better be talking about it.

[Alex Mc]

The 24V motor is just light years beyond the M20.. The 24V setup just pulls at every rpm, and god a 3.0 would be incredible. I highly recommend at least a 2.5 M50 or 3.0 S50.

[Digitalwave]

Well, M20 strokers are cool but for around the same price you could drop in a 2.5L M50 which, stock, won't have as much HP as the stroker, but is MUCH more tunable. As Mike said, the M20 is going to be pretty rung out with 210 HP, but the M50 is just getting started with 192 HP. Turbo and SC kits are readily available and just bolts ons like Euro HFMs, big injectors, M3 cams, exhaust/intake/chip should take you well over the HP of the stroker and those mods aren't very expensive. The S50 is just a bad ass engine (ask Alex), there is really no going wrong with that engine swap.

[mrsha007]

Originally posted by Digitalwave
Well, M20 strokers are cool but for around the same price you could drop in a 2.5L M50 which, stock, won't have as much HP as the stroker, but is MUCH more tunable. As Mike said, the M20 is going to be pretty rung out with 210 HP, but the M50 is just getting started with 192 HP. Turbo and SC kits are readily available and just bolts ons like Euro HFMs, big injectors, M3 cams, exhaust/intake/chip should take you well over the HP of the stroker and those mods aren't very expensive. The S50 is just a bad ass engine (ask Alex), there is really no going wrong with that engine swap.

very good post. the m20 stroker, 3.0 or 2.7 is one of the best bang for the buck engine upgrades. but if you haveshit loads to blow the m50 can be made fast. but if you have shit loads of $ to blow, why m50? get a s50 or s52. thats why i find the m50 so pointless of a mod. ive seen what a 2.7 does. and i cna just imagine what a 3.0 or 3.1 ( alex's dad) will be able to do. i havent seen a m50 e30 yet, but i have herd what it does. not worth the price unless you get a super super deal.