changing a non vanos to vanos conversion - Page 2 - United Bimmer Community

**brien4787** · 04-02-2006, 07:36 PM

turbo the non VANOS m50 =)

**brien4787** · 04-02-2006, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsperf

yep, they both have the same peak horsepower, but just like you said, it doesnt show you the graph, but speaking from personal expierience, trust me you wanna go non-vanos

**xsperf** · 04-02-2006, 08:31 PM

hey, your not even in this conversation, mr. 4 cylinder

**c1apton** · 04-02-2006, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsperf

hey, your not even in this conversation, mr. 4 cylinder

**jms** · 04-03-2006, 12:39 AM

Why don't we just have a fight to the death to decide, we throw in all participants and the last one standing tells us which he thinks is better. And that will be that.

You can't argue with deathmatch.

**vwk** · 04-03-2006, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c1apton

VANOS (Variable Valve Timing) to convert would be an intense & expensive project with no real benefit. It's a slightly different head, camshafts, timing gears, chains, some oil line plumbing, a solenoid and a new DME. The only thing a VANOS system does is it adjusts intake camshaft timing based on engine load, engine speed & temp. You'ld only gain a smoother "mid range" in simple terms.
If you want Vanos get a motor already equipped with it. As "Dough" mention in his case to repair would be $630 but he has all the original parts - you would be looking close to 2k to convert. FI would be a better choice for power/torque etc.

Sorry to correct you, but the head is the same.
You can even use a 328i head if you rebuild a M50 engine.

The difference is in the camshafts.

**///M Power** · 04-03-2006, 02:48 AM

Theres more than just camshafts.

**c1apton** · 04-03-2006, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwk

Sorry to correct you, but the head is the same.
You can even use a 328i head if you rebuild a M50 engine.

The difference is in the camshafts.

Are You HIGH? See if you "might" be able to spot a difference?

**tomctx** · 04-03-2006, 07:35 AM

Over at www.bimmerwerkz.com, there is a person, triggrhaapi, that not only claims it can be done, but professes to have accomplished the task of changing non-vanos to vanos. He says all you need is the vanos unit, cam cover, cam carrier, camshafts, upper camshaft bearings. Just thought I would throw some gas on the fire.

**c1apton** · 04-03-2006, 08:00 AM

It CAN be done, but it's not just a cam swap.It's going to take some "constructive" engineering and it would be really expensive (unless you're a junkyard shopper) And the overall gains wouldn't be worth the effort. If I had a non vanos it would be supercharged long before I ever considered a vanos unit.

"Spinal Tap > Puppet Show"

**vwk** · 04-03-2006, 10:04 AM

If I'm high? Lol i'm not a n00b who just heard a story..

I've bought 2 heads last week for a non-vanos engine, the head isn't a problem, just as long it's not a 320i M50, but that wasn't delivered in the US.

You can use the head from a Vanos engine on the old M50 engines.

It's a little "reading between the lines", and of course it's not only cams.

You still need what triggrhaapi said, but the head isn't the problem.

**Rob** · 04-03-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c1apton

Are You HIGH? See if you "might" be able to spot a difference?

Maybe it's me, but it looks like the first picture is the head off of an M20, not M50 non-vanos. The intake ports are the same between the M50 non-vanos and vanos heads, plus I only see 1 spot to install the (1)cam in the first picture.

**xsperf** · 04-03-2006, 09:07 PM

the way i see it is, the head IS different because you have to have that little space to actually put the vanos unit, you know, the little bump at the edge of the engine, but now i guess thats called the "cam cover" , but then think of it again guys, if you replace the "cam cover" and the camshafts, thats basically replacing the whole head

**vwk** · 04-04-2006, 01:59 AM

It's true it's a real pain in the ass and pain in the wallet to do so..