E30 M3 valve springs

[Output Flange]

Bit of a random question here, but does anyone know the history of valve springs on the E30 M3?

Did they change over the different iterations of the engine, and if so which are the "strongest"?

I have an inkling that the late models used a different version than the early models - does that ring true?

[mark.c]

Without having a look at Realoem to check on numbers, I'm sure that the SE springs are different and are suitable for most fast road build applications. Hopefully Stevesingo will be along shortly who will know this off the top of his head, failing that if you popped over to S14power they will definately know whats hot and whats not in the valve spring world.

[stevesingo]

You are correct.

Non Sport Evo engines have spring part number 11 34 1 312 867 which superseded 11 34 1 312 704. This spring is marked with yellow/yellow markings

Sport Evo engines came with spring part number 11 34 1 315 912, which is the Gp N homologated spring and the one you should use if you are looking at uprated cams.

I use these springs with 292/284 schrick cams and a 7800rpm limit. No issues in 21k miles.

[Output Flange]

Thanks, that ties up with what I thought.

The complication here is that I don't have an S14, I have an M88. It kinda looks like they should work, but I haven't found anyone who's tried.

[stevesingo]

The Evo Spring is the same as the S38B38 and S50 engines.

Interchangeability

M88 (E28 M5)

Lower retainer 11 34 1 309 571
Upper retainer 11 34 1 309 570
Collets 11 34 1 307 134
Spring 11 34 1 308 830/11 34 1 308 831 (out/in)
Follower 11 34 1 308 831
Valve In 11 34 1 305 480
Valve Ex 11 34 1 305 435

S14 (Non Evo)

Lower retainer 11 34 1 307 961
Upper retainer 11 34 1 307 922
Collets 11 34 1 307 136
Spring 11 34 1 315 912
Follower 11 34 1 308 158
Valve In 11 34 1 309 343
Valve Ex 11 34 1 309 487

From a raw part number point of view, it doesn't look good. I'd be tempted to buy an Evo Spring, s14 retainers and collets and see how it goes together.

[Output Flange]

The Evo valve spring part numbers are listed as:

14 VALVE SPRING X 11341312704 $19.84 ENDED
14 SET VALVE SPRING YELLOW/YELLOW X 11341312867 $36.55

The second part number is also shared with the M635CSi:

•6' E24, M6, Coupe, S38, MANUAL, USA, (5514) : Valve Timing Gear - Cam Shaft
•6' E24, M635CSi, Coupe, S38, MANUAL, EUR, (5511) : Valve Timing Gear - Cam Shaft
•6' E24, M635CSi, Coupe, S38, MANUAL, EUR, (5531) : Valve Timing Gear - Cam Shaft
•6' E24, M635CSi, Coupe, S38, MANUAL, EUR, (5532) : Valve Timing Gear - Cam Shaft

But not the M5

This is based on picking a 1990-build M3. I don't know for certain if that is an Evo, just assumed it was end of production.

[stevesingo]

The Evo Spring is the same as the S38B38 and S50 engines.

Interchangeability

M88 (E28 M5)

Lower retainer 11 34 1 309 571
Upper retainer 11 34 1 309 570
Collets 11 34 1 307 134
Spring 11 34 1 308 830/11 34 1 308 831 (out/in)
Follower 11 34 1 308 831
Valve In 11 34 1 305 480
Valve Ex 11 34 1 305 435

S14 (Non Evo)

Lower retainer 11 34 1 307 961
Upper retainer 11 34 1 307 922
Collets 11 34 1 307 136
Spring 11 34 1 315 912
Follower 11 34 1 308 158
Valve In 11 34 1 309 343
Valve Ex 11 34 1 309 487

From a raw part number point of view, it doesn't look good. I'd be tempted to buy an Evo Spring, s14 retainers and collets and see how it goes together.