The Poor Man's M50 3.0l Stroker Dyno Numbers are in.

[AWDBOB]

I'm building one right meow. I'll post my results here when I'm all done.

[stonea]

I'm building one right meow. I'll post my results here when I'm all done.

Aren't you doing a M52?

[AWDBOB]

Aren't you doing a M52?

I'm doing the poor man's 3L stroker- OBD2 M52 style. I've got M54b30 internals to drop into the M52- they have the same bore, M54b30 just has a longer stroke. It's actually easier on the M52 block vs M50 because you don't have to mess with the timing trigger wheel/gear on the M54 crank.

I've got S52 cams and an M50 mani.

After selling M52 guts it's a wash with purchasing the b30 rotating assembly, so I get .2L of displacement for only a little extra work.

It'll be fun to see what it makes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT5v6CrGStg

[stonea]

I'm doing the poor man's 3L stroker- OBD2 M52 style. I've got M54b30 internals to drop into the M52- they have the same bore, M54b30 just has a longer stroke. It's actually easier on the M52 block vs M50 because you don't have to mess with the timing trigger wheel/gear on the M54 crank.

I've got S52 cams and an M50 mani.

After selling M52 guts it's a wash with purchasing the b30 rotating assembly, so I get .2L of displacement for only a little extra work.

It'll be fun to see what it makes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT5v6CrGStg

I looked into that, but I couldn't get a definitive answer on if it was worth it or not. From my understanding although you get .2 liters of extra displacement you loose some compression. Regardless I'm interested to see how your build comes out. I think I'm going to pass on the M52 3.0 stroker and just buy something that is already a 3.0 ;D

[RobertK]

If you want 3.0l that will take boost this is the way to go.

If you are going NA then now days a M54 swap is probably a better choice.

We just finished another 3.0l M52 stroker hybrid build but it is a very unique setup.

Cliff notes.

- M52 single vanos iron block
- M54 3.0l Crank + Rods
- Custom high comp pistons (milled to spec from a different BMW engine)
- E46 ZHP Cams
- M52 single vanos head modified to accept double vanos
- M56 valve cover
- M56 Intake manifold (with working DISA)
- MS43 ECU + E39 M54 wire harness

So far over 1000 miles on break in and runs like a top. Waiting to dyno tune to post results and then we will post a more detailed thread.

[stonea]

If you are going NA then now days a M54 swap is probably a better choice.

That's the way I want to go. Its all pretty much bolt in now and days. Its more expensive, but I think its worth it.

[nando]

yes, it's lighter and you get newer/better components. Also any DME will work - including MS45, which I can do. :)

Are M54s really that expensive? The E46 is getting pretty old. Hell, I only paid a few hundred bucks for my N52.

[Jaker]

- E46 ZHP Cams
- M52 single vanos head modified to accept double vanos
- MS43 ECU + E39 M54 wire harness

So far over 1000 miles on break in and runs like a top. Waiting to dyno tune to post results and then we will post a more detailed thread.

Is there a build thread with details on this? I have a built single Vanos 3.0 that I want to convert to dual Vanos. I have all the parts to do it, just waiting for the right time to go ahead and the nerve to hack up a single Vanos head for the mod.

I have seen a thread or 2 over on E46Fanatics about the job. Is it really as straightforward as it seems?

[ForcedFirebird]

Are M54s really that expensive? The E46 is getting pretty old. Hell, I only paid a few hundred bucks for my N52.

Yes, but the problem is people over heat them and rather than break it down to mill the block, most people just buy a complete used motor - it costs much less in labor. So, they are still in demand for the typical "consumer". Depending location, they are pricey (check out car-part for your area).

[RobertK]

Yes, but the problem is people over heat them and rather than break it down to mill the block, most people just buy a complete used motor - it costs much less in labor. So, they are still in demand for the typical "consumer". Depending location, they are pricey (check out car-part for your area).

You can M54s all day long for $600-800 now.

Issue is the cars that these came in are now worth less than the cost to pay someone to install a new engine.

I've purchased a couple 330i engines from pull a part for
$200 and whole cars for $400-$600. Just parted a wrecked E60 530i 6spd manual I bought for $600.

M54B30 is a great engine if not overhead considering people still ask $1500-2500 for a S52

[AWDBOB]

I looked into that, but I couldn't get a definitive answer on if it was worth it or not. From my understanding although you get .2 liters of extra displacement you loose some compression. Regardless I'm interested to see how your build comes out. I think I'm going to pass on the M52 3.0 stroker and just buy something that is already a 3.0 ;D

It was hard to find a definitive answer on it, but all the cases I've seen it done, the results looked promising. M54 just seemed like too much of a hassle to swap compared to the M52, effort and cost. This 3L motor build will be ~$1K all said and done, all freshened up.

This is the build that convinced me to pull the trigger. Page 19 is motor build and dyno results.

http://www.cliosport.net/threads/e36-track-day-hack-m52-m54-3-0l-engine-build.717773/page-19

Also-

What rings do you guys typically use? The Mahle option seems good and MUCH cheaper than OE, have you used them/think they would work alright?

Link:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-mahle-parts/piston-ring-priced-per-piston/11257506252~mah/

[stonea]

yes, it's lighter and you get newer/better components. Also any DME will work - including MS45, which I can do. :)

Are M54s really that expensive? The E46 is getting pretty old. Hell, I only paid a few hundred bucks for my N52.

I was talking about the swap being more expensive not the motor. Especially if you are like me and buying a harness adapter and paying someone to flash the ECU.

It was hard to find a definitive answer on it, but all the cases I've seen it done, the results looked promising. M54 just seemed like too much of a hassle to swap compared to the M52, effort and cost. This 3L motor build will be ~$1K all said and done, all freshened up.

I'm definitively curious to how it turns out.

[AWDBOB]

I'm definitively curious to how it turns out.

Compression with M52b28/M54b30 hybrid will be around 10.2:1, figured I'd post that here, since above you mentioned you thought it was low.

(i was incorrect)

[Jaker]

If you desire higher compression, you can also use M54b30 crank/rods and use M52 pistons to make a 2.9L w/higher compression (correct me if I'm wrong on that).

I can't comment on the compression, but the M52 is still an 84mm bore, so the displacement with the M52 pistons and the M54B30 crank will stay at 3.0 (2,979cc to be exact).

[AWDBOB]

I can't comment on the compression, but the M52 is still an 84mm bore, so the displacement with the M52 pistons and the M54B30 crank will stay at 3.0 (2,979cc to be exact).

Thank you! If I had a brain I'd be dangerous. I will edit my original posting.