<![CDATA[M52 or S52 in an E30]]>I have always been a fan of the M52 as a 24v swap option because prices on S52 are on crack IMO but the extra displacement means more fast.

Either engine would be going in an E30 (my E30)

It will not be boosted.
It will have the basic bolt-ons (S52 cams on the M52, headers, tune, intake manifold etc.)

From what I see, the M52 usually make 215-225whp on a dynojet  and the S52 make 230-240whp with more low end torque.

One line of thought is that M52 blocks are abundant and cheap if another one needs to be sourced. They are also found in automatic verts that don't get pegged off the limiter regularly and may possibly have less wear for their given mileage (this is only theory).

On the other hand, you gotta take what you can get for power with an NA engine and the extra torque of the S52 would make a big difference when you are in the wrong gear.

I also live in the real world where money is a thing and the $1200 or more I save by doing an M52 could be spent on a rebuilt head, rebuilt vanos, and lots of other refresh items.

BUT, should I ever sell my car (I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW) everyone has a boner for an S52 car and will pay $55,000 for one all day  (+/- $45,000)

Is the M52 considerably better bang for the buck, or will I be filled with regret for not holding out on an extra 0.4L of displacement?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/topic/4842/m52-or-s52-in-an-e30RSS for NodeWed, 16 Sep 2026 05:51:02 GMTMon, 15 May 2017 13:33:00 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sun, 25 Jun 2017 12:19:23 GMT]]>

Snap said:

So time the cams with the cams at TDC and the timing chains removed and the engine 45 deg off TDC. Then rotate engine back to TDC and attach chains. This is my interpretation

Exactly.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80989https://wibimmers.com/post/80989Sun, 25 Jun 2017 12:19:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sun, 25 Jun 2017 03:14:42 GMT]]>Also if you take a Chanel lock apart and use the piece with the top jaw, you can use that to turn the exhaust cam sprocket like the vanos removal tool. Or how I did it my first time with no special tools just using a box wrench to loosen the intake cam sprocket nuts to turn it.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80984https://wibimmers.com/post/80984Sun, 25 Jun 2017 03:14:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sun, 25 Jun 2017 03:05:40 GMT]]>There is a guy on YouTube that has a video with all the information you need, step by step walk through cams won't break unless you are a complete idiot. I did the install by myself.

i think it's called like m5x headgasket something or another.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80983https://wibimmers.com/post/80983Sun, 25 Jun 2017 03:05:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sun, 25 Jun 2017 01:31:26 GMT]]>So time the cams with the cams at TDC and the timing chains removed and the engine 45 deg off TDC. Then rotate engine back to TDC and attach chains. This is my interpretation

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80981https://wibimmers.com/post/80981Sun, 25 Jun 2017 01:31:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sun, 25 Jun 2017 01:28:29 GMT]]>Just don't have the bottom end at TDC and you can spin the cams all you want. There is only a small window where they would collide. You don't need tools for any of it. Just a straightedge to set the cams square with each other, easy peasy. When it's time to do it's can walk you through it.

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80979https://wibimmers.com/post/80979Sun, 25 Jun 2017 01:28:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sun, 25 Jun 2017 01:10:09 GMT]]>I almost bought a set of s52 cams for $150...guess I should have done it. 

While reading up on proper removal/instal l I see a guy over on R3V that broke one and ended up getting a single intake cam for $350 as it was the best deal they could find.

[emoji1304]

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80978https://wibimmers.com/post/80978Sun, 25 Jun 2017 01:10:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sat, 24 Jun 2017 22:04:19 GMT]]>Oh jeez, there are more tools required ?!?🤦🏻‍♂️

Doing some reading

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/E36-Camshaft-Removal/E36-camshaft-removal.htm

And now I understand your 2-person method. Thanks for mentioning that. Now I am trying to understand how the procedure described in the pelican article would even work with the head installed since they are moving the cams in a different position than TDC... (reading continues)

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80976https://wibimmers.com/post/80976Sat, 24 Jun 2017 22:04:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sat, 24 Jun 2017 19:36:18 GMT]]>

Snap said:

I have A fancy cam tool

The blocks for locking the squares?  Or the cam installation tool?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80975https://wibimmers.com/post/80975Sat, 24 Jun 2017 19:36:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sat, 24 Jun 2017 18:02:41 GMT]]>I have A fancy cam tool

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80974https://wibimmers.com/post/80974Sat, 24 Jun 2017 18:02:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sat, 24 Jun 2017 16:44:21 GMT]]>It's a 2 person job to remove/install them.  One to hold the cam with a wrench so it doesn't turn and another to tighten the cap where the pressure is.  Then you can put all of the other caps on before releasing it from turning, assuming you don't have the fancy cam tool.  I have done it with no special tools one time and would try it again but be careful.  Or maybe I am way more careful than I need to be.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80970https://wibimmers.com/post/80970Sat, 24 Jun 2017 16:44:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sat, 24 Jun 2017 16:11:35 GMT]]>I think the cheapest I have ever found them was $250 but yes, the ///MPower tax is becoming an epidemic. Now i just have to keep from breaking them [emoji58]

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80969https://wibimmers.com/post/80969Sat, 24 Jun 2017 16:11:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sat, 24 Jun 2017 14:50:59 GMT]]>

Snap said:

The Supersprint replica headers I bought were $87 shipped, new. Tune was $200, manifold was $75, cams were $400

Wow, the prices on those sure went up!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80968https://wibimmers.com/post/80968Sat, 24 Jun 2017 14:50:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:58:57 GMT]]>Yep, M52 or bust. They are newer than an M50, more powerful than an M50, and basically the same price. $1000 for 40 whp is easy to deal with when you are already doing an OBD1 build and have to buy the tune and manifold anyways.

The Supersprint replica headers I bought were $87 shipped, new. Tune was $200, manifold was $75, cams were $400

Just need to pick up the M52 now

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80967https://wibimmers.com/post/80967Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:58:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:30:50 GMT]]>It is convenient that the heads are no different between m5x and s5x.  So by swapping cams you have the full thing rather than still being limited by smaller ports or other differences.

Just an FYI early (OBD1) heads have different cam trays and lifters that don't fit the late cams that have the extra balancing material between the lobes.  The profiles are the same between OBD1 and OBD2 but the OBD2 cams are thicker.  Just a heads up, it looks like you aren't considering an M50 anyway but just in case.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80966https://wibimmers.com/post/80966Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:30:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:24:19 GMT]]>Oh man...you have me thinking bad thoughts now

That's over a grand for 40hp though=(

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80965https://wibimmers.com/post/80965Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:24:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:20:16 GMT]]>Stock E36 328i (M52) baseline vs. same car with M50 manifold, S52 cams, tune, air filter, intake elbow, asc delete, stock exhaust

23b565cf23b0f00ccb3298b9643b30a8.png

Add headers and exhaust for additional gains.

The hp/$ quotient is strong

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80964https://wibimmers.com/post/80964Sat, 24 Jun 2017 13:20:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Mon, 12 Jun 2017 18:47:33 GMT]]>Stroke m52 to 3.0 with the m54 rotating assembly. That way you can refresh the m52 with new bearings and gaskets and still be cheaper than s52.

It just happened that i have m52 i that don't need[emoji39]

Or m50nv stroked to 3.0 with m54 bits and run crazy cam and itbs. Oh i just realized that i have n50nv too that i might get rid off [emoji848][emoji6]

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/80585https://wibimmers.com/post/80585Mon, 12 Jun 2017 18:47:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Tue, 16 May 2017 18:15:21 GMT]]>

straight6pwr said:

the point is to drive these cars, right? or am i doing it wrong?

Clearly you don't understand the WIBimmers crowd. Most members actually prefer a non-running BMW that is constantly being worked on.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/79673https://wibimmers.com/post/79673Tue, 16 May 2017 18:15:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Tue, 16 May 2017 18:11:17 GMT]]>The time aspect is what you have to think about if you are just gonna throw an engine in and worry about it later. You may not have the time to work on it later, but have the time to do it correctly right now and get it over with. That's just my thought.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/79671https://wibimmers.com/post/79671Tue, 16 May 2017 18:11:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Tue, 16 May 2017 17:51:13 GMT]]>

Snap said:

I was honestly expecting more M52 votes. Extremely valid point about doing it right ONCE, which actually goes both ways. I could do an M52 swap right by refreshing everything and be able to get it together and driving this summer. To do the same for an S52 I may have to save my pennies and shoot for completion next year.

buy the motor, stuff it in, than worry about fixing stuff/refreshing later. the point is to drive these cars, right? or am i doing it wrong?

you won't have done any extra work this way. youll just have the pull the motor one time in the future for your refresh.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/79670https://wibimmers.com/post/79670Tue, 16 May 2017 17:51:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Tue, 16 May 2017 17:38:00 GMT]]>I was honestly expecting more M52 votes. Extremely valid point about doing it right ONCE, which actually goes both ways. I could do an M52 swap right by refreshing everything and be able to get it together and driving this summer. To do the same for an S52 I may have to save my pennies and shoot for completion next year.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/79668https://wibimmers.com/post/79668Tue, 16 May 2017 17:38:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Tue, 16 May 2017 17:10:03 GMT]]>I have never driven a swapped car so I can't comment on that part of it, but I think there is value in "doing it once" and getting the S52 right off the bat as they are only going to get more expensive. No matter what you do with the M52 it will always be a little bit short of the S52 (unless you do an M54 rotating assembly), so if your goal is maximizing performance from an NA 24v, might as well get the S52 now versus wanting one later. If you can find a wrecked M3 for a reasonable price and have the time/space to take it apart, you can keep the S52/zf combo, part out the rest and end up with a decent deal on a motor/trans.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/79666https://wibimmers.com/post/79666Tue, 16 May 2017 17:10:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Tue, 16 May 2017 14:13:33 GMT]]>Also true=)

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/79655https://wibimmers.com/post/79655Tue, 16 May 2017 14:13:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to M52 or S52 in an E30 on Tue, 16 May 2017 13:09:48 GMT]]>True. Doesn't change the fact every sale ad should include an engine pic. Especially if you mention it in the title.

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/79648https://wibimmers.com/post/79648Tue, 16 May 2017 13:09:48 GMT