I think my engine is a Vanos

[rotaryboots]

After a lot of searching I've only come up with problems and solutions to the vanos system and not identifying the system. I have a 92 M50 so its possible to have the system and I do see a solinoid going in where my timing chain is at. Whats some signs to tell the difference. And mine also doesn't make that rattle like they're known to do, or at least it doesn't yet

[yaofeng]

Does the engine look like that in the picture with a bump on the head? If it does it has VANOS.

[Miche]

You do not have vanos if you got a -92. But it's almost the same engine anyways, they are both m50 engines.
I think you have to read more about m50 engines to learn about what the differences are and for your own sake so that you learn about your own car better.

You can clearly see if you got vanos if you pop the hood, there is a slight bump on the valve cover pointing forward on the side where the intake is, if it is just flat it's non vanos.

This is vanos


And this is NOT vanos

And this is also non vanos.

[rotaryboots]

I have a 92 vanos then. There's that bump on the end. Is this right to have vanos in 92? build date 5/92

[5mall5nail5]

5/92 should be a "93" I guess... I am not sure when vanos started but 5/92 is definitely possible

[Deviate]

Originally Posted by 5mall5nail5

5/92 should be a "93" I guess... I am not sure when vanos started but 5/92 is definitely possible

I was under the impression that 9/92 was the first build-month for M50tu's...

Apparently I was wrong, though. Wouldn't be the first time.

[zubbie]

according to realoem the vanos cylinder head began in 09/92 as stated by deviate. perhaps the OP has an engine swap?

[Crazyrodeo06]

Def sound like a swap

[russiankid]

Some 92's had Vanos. For example, I found an E34 with a 09/92' build date, it had Vanos. It was registered as a 92'.

[rotaryboots]

It might have an engine swap idk. It only has 120K miles on it and I have all the service records but clear as day there is a bump on the end of the valve cover to accomidate the extra gear. What kinda power difference are we talking here? I think I read that the M50 vanos put down 190. would a non vanos be like 180ish?

[GarrettSR5]

Originally Posted by rotaryboots

It might have an engine swap idk. It only has 120K miles on it and I have all the service records but clear as day there is a bump on the end of the valve cover to accomidate the extra gear. What kinda power difference are we talking here? I think I read that the M50 vanos put down 190. would a non vanos be like 180ish?

It doesn't put down 190, 190 is what it puts out to the crank. Factor in drive train loss yada yada and it's far lower.
From what I understand, Non Vanos and Vanos make the same power Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Steve92E34]

i think there is a minor torque difference

[rotaryboots]

thanks, what I read didn't specify if it was crank or rwhp.

[Jbaroli]

Originally Posted by Steve92E34

i think there is a minor torque difference

There is a slight increase in torque at lower and medium rpms, but final torque value is almost the same, and a bit reduced fuel consumption and emission.

[Miche]

Definately seems like a engine swap has been in there then. 9/92 is the earliest prod date when vanos came so yes.

However, vanos does not give you more horse powers, it only gives you better torque range and fuel economy, it will be exactly as fast as a non vanos. Though, if you're towing something it'll give you some good benefits togheter with the low end torque thanks to vanos, so i would say vanos + towing hook otherwise you could be without the vanos imho, this is my own experience.