Alpinas and cams

[Apache]

Can anyone confirm if a B3 3.2 has a hot enough cam to make it idle roughly? I am unsure if this is normal or not, although it sounds remarkably like my old M5 3.6

[Marquis_Rex]

Apache said:

Can anyone confirm if a B3 3.2 has a hot enough cam to make it idle roughly? I am unsure if this is normal or not, although it sounds remarkably like my old M5 3.6

I guess it depends on your definition of 'rough idle'.
DO you feel it through the floor boards or gear lever?

[Apache]

no, but it seems to run smooth for a bit then rough again, I've checked for leaks

[Dunk76]

The Vanos can play up a bit on the M52 heads - not a critical issue like the M3/M5 engines, but enough to throw the cam timing out a touch.

[Apache]

Could it be a dirty ICV? although no one seems to know how to get to, or clean one on this engine (US spec M3 block with M52 head)

[Dunk76]

It's a US S50 block with M52 head

[Apache]

S52B32 US M3 block with an M52 single VANOS cylinder head to be precise.......so I'm told

[Apache]

How could I tell?

[Apache]

Well, the guys on the register gave me that info and it was confirmed by Sytner Notts, I also read that this block originated as a 3.5 in the M1......I've emailed the factory at Buchloe but not heard anything back yet

[Marquis_Rex]

url=http://bmwfans.info/original/E36/Cou/323i-M52/USA/L/M/1996/12/mg-11/ill-11_2773/][/url]

http://bmwfans.info/part-11111405514/

I think what Apache means by US only as shown in the above links is that with this bore and stroke this cast iron block is only used in the US M3.
The Euro M3 block has a taller deck.
The cylinder heads, valves etc etc of the US M3 is common with the normal 328i.
The block was kept cast iron however, even when the M52 Tu 328i was avaliable as all aluminium (with cast iron liners). This is because the US M3 uses bigger bores than the 328i.

None of the M50 blocks have much similarity to the M1/3.5 litre engine-which has bore centres of 100 mm versus 91mm for the M5X series. If anything the M50 has some similarities in terms of casting cores to the old M20.

[Apache]

Yep.....that block with Alpinas crank, Mahle pistons and a heavily reworked M52 head. As for the M1 connection, I am only going on the advice of these chaps.....

http://thealpinaregister.com/forums/viewtopic.php?...