I have an 03 MCS 78k miles. Blown engine. Threw con rod.

I purchased a 2005 MCS complete long block w 74k miles. . I want to put my 03 MCS head on the 05 block, as the head was just rebuilt bu BMW before the engine blew and has some new lifters I want to keep in place.

Is there any reason at all to put the 2005 MCS head on INSTEAD of the 2003 head?

Just curious before I resurface and drop it in.

 

They should be the same as long as they are both non-jcw heads.
The hp gain for the 2005 cars came from a coated sc, newer ecu, and an extra sensor for the ecu to work with. Then revised gearing helped drivability a bit.

 

I prefer the 2003 head as it came out of a VERY well taken care of car vs the 05 had some gunk and patina and must have not changed the oil anywhere near as much.

Just peace of mind I guess.

Anyone else want to chime in?

 

Yup, except for JCW all the 1st gen Heads are the same, S or not.

 

S vs non S ARE different...the valves. Different materials for the S...more heat resistant.

 

Hmmm, cores are the same, if you buy I replacement the part numbers are the same, I guess all the replacements are just spec'd for the S.

Yup, found it, original intake valves are different, everything else is the same....
So yes, the replacements must be just spec'd for the S.

My bad, haven't messed with stock heads for a while now.