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 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...
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.
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.
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.
I find the box gives better feel and a better balance of lightness at very low speeds and weight at higher speeds. The rack has rather less feel and is generally too light, although it can still be a pain to park.
The stripped, caged M3 has obviously both lost weight (through being stripped) and gained some (by being caged and blown). My stock E46 318i Touring was 1440kg. 1680kg is the figure BMW give for the 520iT with driver and fuel IIRC. Sure, the M54 doesn't rev as high as the S54 (mine goes to 6800rpm) but I'd like to gain more than 1100rpm... and I'd like not to put another 47kg over the nose.
The GT3 isn't my thing. I'm not really a Porsche person. However, that's not really a valid comparison - we're talking sensible-sized estate cars, not bespoke purpose-built sports cars. A more valid comparison might be with an Audi RS6, given that it has a big heavy engine stuck out up front and a penchant for understeer.
The stripped, caged M3 has obviously both lost weight (through being stripped) and gained some (by being caged and blown). My stock E46 318i Touring was 1440kg. 1680kg is the figure BMW give for the 520iT with driver and fuel IIRC. Sure, the M54 doesn't rev as high as the S54 (mine goes to 6800rpm) but I'd like to gain more than 1100rpm... and I'd like not to put another 47kg over the nose.
The GT3 isn't my thing. I'm not really a Porsche person. However, that's not really a valid comparison - we're talking sensible-sized estate cars, not bespoke purpose-built sports cars. A more valid comparison might be with an Audi RS6, given that it has a big heavy engine stuck out up front and a penchant for understeer.
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