Cylinder Heads Interchangeable? - BMW Forum

kevin_bordeaux · 12-19-2005, 03:04 PM

I own a "92 325i with the m50 engine. I need to replace my cylinder head. I just need to know what are my options as far as other heads (I know I can replace with original). I want to do a direct replacement with no modifications. Thanks.

Furious · 12-19-2005, 03:17 PM

from what i gather (something i looked into before doing my engine swap) is you can replace the head with a 3.0 M3 engine head, hotter cams larger valves, youll actuallly get a good gain out of it, but its a hard find , and gonna be a lot more expensive than a 2.5 head.

tomctx · 12-19-2005, 03:32 PM

IIRC, the 92 engine doesn't have VANOS. So you must find a non-VANOS cylinder head to swap. I don't think you can upgrade to VANOS, but not sure.

Furious · 12-19-2005, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomctx

IIRC, the 92 engine doesn't have VANOS. So you must find a non-VANOS cylinder head to swap. I don't think you can upgrade to VANOS, but not sure.

ahh good thing we have awesome members, good catch, i completely forgot to even consider vanos.

kevin_bordeaux · 12-19-2005, 05:17 PM

Is it possible for me to remove the Vanos assembly panel and just use the flat panel that comes on the Non-Vanos
engines?

tomctx · 12-19-2005, 07:13 PM

I want to say no, but I'm not actually sure. I'll take a gander at mine tomorrow and see if I can figure anything out. It will still be a guess though.

Furious · 12-19-2005, 07:16 PM

im at a loss right now myself, i want to say no as well however , with my car sleeping 100miles away from where i am , i cant have the luxury of checking. tomctx has you in good hands , he'll help you out
good luck

tomctx · 12-20-2005, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomctx

I want to say no, but I'm not actually sure. I'll take a gander at mine tomorrow and see if I can figure anything out. It will still be a guess though.

Took a gander this morning. I still don't know if it can be done. I will err on the safe side and say no. Do a google, find some other forums, and get some other opinions. Someone out there knows. Are you having hard time finding the right head? Can't your head be rebuilt?

kevin_bordeaux · 12-20-2005, 06:03 PM

I have 2 small cracks in my head and I can get a head with vanos from someone for almost free. So if it would work, than I could just take off the vanos and install the head just like it was my original.

kevin_bordeaux · 12-20-2005, 06:10 PM

Check this site out and let me know what you think. Thanks!

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...98&hg=11&fg=15

tomctx · 12-21-2005, 01:02 AM

From the looks of the pictures it might work. To be safe, here are two websites.

www.bmrparts.com and www.bavengine.com. They specialize in BMW engines and parts. I would ask them the question, I'm sure they would know for sure.

kevin_bordeaux · 12-21-2005, 07:15 AM

Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it.

92_325i · 12-21-2005, 05:46 PM

stick with the non-vanos head. it's a safer bet and with all the included components, it's a better head. the non-vanos engines themselves are better suited for high-power mods than vanos engines.