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?
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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?
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