Tips for built M54?
Discussion
Hello all.
I've currently got two E39s - my 535i daily and a 520i touring that's used rather less these days. The latter is currently looking very tatty and tired, and, frankly, needs a lot doing to it. A full bare-metal respray, for a start. It's on its second M54B22 engine, and I'm not 100% certain the replacement is entirely healthy either, it's starting to display the slight vibration at low revs that the first did when the valve stem oil seals went. I'm also finding, after the 535i, that the 520i is lacking grunt - but it's a more musical sound to my ears, and it's still nice to wind out to the redline.
So, I was wondering, if I had the opportunity, what can one do to the M54 engine? I'm prepared to go for another swap if necessary, perhaps to a bigger engine. In terms of tuning the engine, I understand that the major issue is that valve float starts by about 7500rpm, and one needs solid lifters and cams (a company called Schrick makes both, apparently) to go higher - along with a head porting job to flow more... but I've also read of some harmonic vibration issues, and also of oil pumps letting go. What else might one need to know? If I wanted to create the ultimate alloy-block M54, without going forced-induction, what needs doing?
I've become very attached to this particular car, there are a lot of family memories bound up in it, so I'm not just going to scrap it and buy a 540i. I'd like to keep that straight six sound and power delivery, and make something fairly unique in the process.
If this doesn't work out, I'm thinking along the lines of an N73 swap! OK, at mid-400s of hp, they're not that much more powerful than a mildly breathed-on S62, but there's a lot more displacement to play with (the R-R Phantom version is 6.75 litres)... and I presume that if the canted-over M54 fits, so should an N73! I know that there are V12 E39 swaps out there...
At the moment, this is firmly in the realms of dreamland, as I have neither space nor money nor time to pursue such a project, but forewarned is forearmed and all that...
I've currently got two E39s - my 535i daily and a 520i touring that's used rather less these days. The latter is currently looking very tatty and tired, and, frankly, needs a lot doing to it. A full bare-metal respray, for a start. It's on its second M54B22 engine, and I'm not 100% certain the replacement is entirely healthy either, it's starting to display the slight vibration at low revs that the first did when the valve stem oil seals went. I'm also finding, after the 535i, that the 520i is lacking grunt - but it's a more musical sound to my ears, and it's still nice to wind out to the redline.
So, I was wondering, if I had the opportunity, what can one do to the M54 engine? I'm prepared to go for another swap if necessary, perhaps to a bigger engine. In terms of tuning the engine, I understand that the major issue is that valve float starts by about 7500rpm, and one needs solid lifters and cams (a company called Schrick makes both, apparently) to go higher - along with a head porting job to flow more... but I've also read of some harmonic vibration issues, and also of oil pumps letting go. What else might one need to know? If I wanted to create the ultimate alloy-block M54, without going forced-induction, what needs doing?
I've become very attached to this particular car, there are a lot of family memories bound up in it, so I'm not just going to scrap it and buy a 540i. I'd like to keep that straight six sound and power delivery, and make something fairly unique in the process.
If this doesn't work out, I'm thinking along the lines of an N73 swap! OK, at mid-400s of hp, they're not that much more powerful than a mildly breathed-on S62, but there's a lot more displacement to play with (the R-R Phantom version is 6.75 litres)... and I presume that if the canted-over M54 fits, so should an N73! I know that there are V12 E39 swaps out there...
At the moment, this is firmly in the realms of dreamland, as I have neither space nor money nor time to pursue such a project, but forewarned is forearmed and all that...
I haven't seen many people tune the M54, apart from supercharging. A lot of people seem to change an M52/52tu with 3.0 l M54 parts. A common idea seems to be an M50tu steel block with the M54 3.0 crank. Why not just put a 3.0l M54 in? I suppose you could fit different cams and bigger pistons to modify it.
I don't give a crap that my E39 is probably worth less whole than it is in scrap. It's my car, I have an emotional attachment to it, I want to do stuff to it to make it fit for purpose and better than it's ever been before. That specific example. Not any other. It's been to so many important family events, and it was the first car I had that I felt was a worthy successor to my old P6. Quite frankly, if I end up spending the price of a new 5-series on it, I'd consider it money better-spent than if I'd just bought a new 5-series. I considered an S54 swap but the extra weight isn't worth it, I don't think, and making the electronics communicate isn't simple, which is why I'd rather work with an M54. I couldn't give a stuff if it doesn't make economic sense compared to taking the more obvious route. The S54 swap has been done but it's a bloody nightmare. http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1...
If you want to stick with the M54 how about these:
https://store.vacmotorsports.com/mobile/cp-carrill...
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/BMW-E46/c-134-bmw-...
http://www.rogueengineering.com/rogue/PP/POWERPULL...
https://store.vacmotorsports.com/mobile/vac-oil-pu...
It sounds like a good project. Despite the costs involved as you say, if you like the car and know what you want to achieve- go for it. I'd be tempted to buy a 3.0 engine and build it up.
https://store.vacmotorsports.com/mobile/cp-carrill...
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/BMW-E46/c-134-bmw-...
http://www.rogueengineering.com/rogue/PP/POWERPULL...
https://store.vacmotorsports.com/mobile/vac-oil-pu...
It sounds like a good project. Despite the costs involved as you say, if you like the car and know what you want to achieve- go for it. I'd be tempted to buy a 3.0 engine and build it up.
RoverP6B said:
I don't give a crap that my E39 is probably worth less whole than it is in scrap. It's my car, I have an emotional attachment to it, I want to do stuff to it to make it fit for purpose and better than it's ever been before. That specific example. Not any other. It's been to so many important family events, and it was the first car I had that I felt was a worthy successor to my old P6. Quite frankly, if I end up spending the price of a new 5-series on it, I'd consider it money better-spent than if I'd just bought a new 5-series. I considered an S54 swap but the extra weight isn't worth it, I don't think, and making the electronics communicate isn't simple, which is why I'd rather work with an M54. I couldn't give a stuff if it doesn't make economic sense compared to taking the more obvious route. The S54 swap has been done but it's a bloody nightmare. http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1...
I'm not sure the extra weight is the issue you think it is, but I'll leave that up to you.The reason fitting an S54 was a nightmare for the guy in the link is that he started with the wrong base car - using something with an M54 already fitted will be much, much simpler.
Is your car auto or manual? If it's auto then an S54 is out of the question straight away. If manual, I'd still be inclined to go that route.
Guy in the UK has just built a 1 series coupe rally car with an M54. It has a lot of parts from Vac - dry sump, ported head, solid lifter cams, forged pistons and steel rod,Jenvey throttle bodies, Motec ecu - mated to a tractive sequential gearbox. It produced around 370bhp I believe
Not sure the 6-speed will fit in the tunnel. Anyway, regardless of that, I did ask for tips for the M54. What can I do with the M54? Schrick solid rockers and cams, Mahle pistons, forged rods? I'd like to work with a shorter stroke than the S54, make it rev higher... something about the idea of rebuilding the existing B22 into a kind of touring car motor appeals to me.
RoverP6B said:
Not sure the 6-speed will fit in the tunnel.
It will - don't forget the E39 came with a 6 speed box from the factory.RoverP6B said:
Anyway, regardless of that, I did ask for tips for the M54. What can I do with the M54? Schrick solid rockers and cams, Mahle pistons, forged rods? I'd like to work with a shorter stroke than the S54, make it rev higher... something about the idea of rebuilding the existing B22 into a kind of touring car motor appeals to me.
You did, you're right. But I don't really understand what you're trying to achieve by sticking with the M54 - you want it to rev like a banshee, or you want more performance, or neither?Not all E39 shells are the same, though, and only the V8s got the six-speed, sixes were all 5-speed. What I'd like is simply an engine that'll rev like hell... the S54 is just too long stroke and I don't want an iron block up front. The idea of building a touring car motor out of an M54 appeals to me.
RoverP6B said:
Not all E39 shells are the same, though, and only the V8s got the six-speed, sixes were all 5-speed. What I'd like is simply an engine that'll rev like hell... the S54 is just too long stroke and I don't want an iron block up front. The idea of building a touring car motor out of an M54 appeals to me.
So, you want to spend stupid money on an engine which even at the best of times was sort of the runt of the 6-cylinder family? You say you want an engine that revs like hell? I am sorry to be blunt and perhaps a touch rude - but are you trolling? The S54 is too long stroke and does not rev? The engine which is widely considered to be the best ever 6-cylinder unit BMW has made, which has won them numerous races and it just happens to rev to 7900 in street form and 9000 in full-on race trim... Another point - the E39 is a big old bus. Don't get me wrong - I have one, and I am really sad to see it go, but even with a 4.4 it needs all the torque because it is neigh on 2 tons. Your 2.2 won't make any meaningful torque below 4000rpm, are you sure you want to be working the gearbox like a DTM driver all the time but in a E39 Touring?
Yeah, I like thrashing it. It shifts adequately to keep up with traffic, it's never left me holding people up... and the sound of the six toward the redline is such a nice sound that I'd like rather more of it.
The main reason I don't want an S54 is the weight, and a secondary consideration is the fact that it 'only' goes to 7900rpm stock. On the roads I drive regularly, turn-in is everything, and that extra 47kg is going to make a fair old difference. The S54 is about the same weight as my 535i's M62, and that really doesn't turn in as sharply as the 520i, although it has rather more grunt and the V8 steering box is better than the rack-and-pinion on the six-pots (controversial, I know...) - and, weight-wise, the 520iT is 1680kg, which isn't too bad for what it is.
The main reason I don't want an S54 is the weight, and a secondary consideration is the fact that it 'only' goes to 7900rpm stock. On the roads I drive regularly, turn-in is everything, and that extra 47kg is going to make a fair old difference. The S54 is about the same weight as my 535i's M62, and that really doesn't turn in as sharply as the 520i, although it has rather more grunt and the V8 steering box is better than the rack-and-pinion on the six-pots (controversial, I know...) - and, weight-wise, the 520iT is 1680kg, which isn't too bad for what it is.
RoverP6B said:
Yeah, I like thrashing it. It shifts adequately to keep up with traffic, it's never left me holding people up... and the sound of the six toward the redline is such a nice sound that I'd like rather more of it.
The main reason I don't want an S54 is the weight, and a secondary consideration is the fact that it 'only' goes to 7900rpm stock. On the roads I drive regularly, turn-in is everything, and that extra 47kg is going to make a fair old difference. The S54 is about the same weight as my 535i's M62, and that really doesn't turn in as sharply as the 520i, although it has rather more grunt and the V8 steering box is better than the rack-and-pinion on the six-pots (controversial, I know...) - and, weight-wise, the 520iT is 1680kg, which isn't too bad for what it is.
Ok, pls explain to me how a fully laden 520iT is 1680kg when my brother's supercharged E46M3, which was stripped, caged, carbon roofed, wiring harness cut out, buckets. lighter wheels etc. came at 1463kg ready for the road? The main reason I don't want an S54 is the weight, and a secondary consideration is the fact that it 'only' goes to 7900rpm stock. On the roads I drive regularly, turn-in is everything, and that extra 47kg is going to make a fair old difference. The S54 is about the same weight as my 535i's M62, and that really doesn't turn in as sharply as the 520i, although it has rather more grunt and the V8 steering box is better than the rack-and-pinion on the six-pots (controversial, I know...) - and, weight-wise, the 520iT is 1680kg, which isn't too bad for what it is.
S54 only revs to 7900? So what does a M54 rev to in stock form? How many high revving engines have you built that you can write things like that?
Turn in is everything where you drive? Gee, I guess then you would refuse a GT3 since they understeer in stock form.
And the steering box better than a rack? I am out, enjoy trolling...
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