m50 sWAP

[Jazzbass 1]

Please excuse what must be very simple and basic questions to you experts on mods.

Do you need to get certification when you change up in engine size?

What effect does it have on insurance?

Reason I ask is that I know someone who had a '70s Mitsi Colt in which he had shoved a 2l engine, to replace the original 1.6l. He had to get it certified and his insurance company wouldn't touch it.

[bravo 34]

Yeah it has to be certed.

The requirements are if engine is changed it MUST be certed UNLESS:

1) it is of the same or less capacity, and

2) has equal or less weight; and

3) has the same or less power output; and

4) uses the same fuel; and

5) uses the same unmodified attachment points and system; and

6) uses the same ancillary equipment (accelerator linkages etc); and

7) uses the same family of block and cylinder head from the same vehicle manufacturer; and

8) is of the same configuration.

m50 swap violates:

1) if upgrading from m20b20.

2) as it weighs more

3) as it has more power

5) if you use the m20 gearbox as you have to fabricate a new transmission crossmember.

6) as you have to use a modified brake booster

7) as it is a different family of block and cylinder head i.e m50 not m20

so it must be certed. But should fly through with no probs if you follow the rules which are easy as pie for this swap. (That is assuming that you make your g/box crossmember strong and properly, and that your certifier does not think that you need to upgrade suspension, struts, wheel hubs and brakes to deal with additional weight/performance. Which they shouldn't from what I have been told in this case, but it would be worth talking to the certifier in your area before you start)

m20b20 -> m20b25 violates:

1) and 2).

As for insurance - that is up to your company.

Edited March 14, 2006 by bravomikewhiskey

[Guest Spargo]

Jonty, how much for MK2 booster and where? What MC you running?

A popular mod for the vanos engine is to put in M3 cams. M3 cams dont work in the non-vanos yet you can achieve the same "spec." by swaping the intake to the exhaust side, and buy a new (Schrick) intake cam.

If non vanos, don't bother, as this motor has pretty hot cams from the factory.

With M20 tranny, it will sit 20degress off centre, unless you fab up this:

[Guest Spargo]

The non vanos intake cam is the same profile (not sure about the lift) as a M3 exhaust cam. Then you get a custom cam (I belive 252 with 10.2mm of lift) to put in the intake side, giving you M3 profiles.

[bravo 34]

I thought it was 10deg, not 20.

[Guest Spargo]

100 pound is still 100 pound.

Not when the price is 200 pound!

Yea yea, 10/20 thanks for the correction.

[Guest Andrew]

would be easier to bend the selector rod than fab up a custom mount.

[conrod 1]

Jonty, how much for MK2 booster and where? What MC you running?

A popular mod for the vanos engine is to put in M3 cams. M3 cams dont work in the non-vanos yet you can achieve the same "spec." by swaping the intake to the exhaust side, and buy a new (Schrick) intake cam.

If non vanos, don't bother, as this motor has pretty hot cams from the factory.

With M20 tranny, it will sit 20degress off centre, unless you fab up this:

Those M3 cams you refer to are US spec. M3 cams (S52) The Euro spec. M3 (S50) cams definitely won't fit an M50 or M52.

[bravo 34]

would be easier to bend the selector rod than fab up a custom mount.

If you are referring to the need for a custom cross member or not, you need one to use the m20 trans as the m50 is on a tilt and therefore so is the 'box. e36 trans mounting points are in the right place to use the stock mounts if you want to use an e36 trans.

The selector rod still needs to be modified once a custom crossmember is made for m20 trans, but this isn't hard - you could do a bit of bendy,bendy, but prob better to cut and weld 'a-la' r3v thread.

[bravo 34]

Thinking about it, I wonder how many people have used the sheet-metal shift console on a m20 trans for a m50 swap - Would have fitment issues I imagine.

[Guest Spargo]

Those M3 cams you refer to are US spec. M3 cams (S52) The Euro spec. M3 (S50) cams definitely won't fit an M50 or M52.

Yea, forgot to metion US spec sorry, only works as their M3 is stroked M50.