M50 3.0L stroker, who's done it?

[FreedS4]

I know brokenbimmer533 is running MegaSquirt, but what is everyone else running? Stock DME with a chip?

[trackjunkie21]

Stock DME with a chip for whatever cams/injectors you are using.

[dcskate102]

My bosses old track car used a stroked m52. That thing owned on the track.

Also theres a thread on bf.c about building the motor you're looking for. Ill try to link it.

[FreedS4]

My bosses old track car used a stroked m52. That thing owned on the track.

Also theres a thread on bf.c about building the motor you're looking for. Ill try to link it.

I'd appreciate the link. Can't wait to finally get mine built! Just want to make sure I've got all bases covered, prior to getting any further into the build.

Chris

[DesertBMW]

I'd appreciate the link. Can't wait to finally get mine built! Just want to make sure I've got all bases covered, prior to getting any firther into the build.

Chris

Why do you need a writeup? Just get rotating parts from a E46 3.0L and install them, there is nothing to write up here. All the parts fit fine, same as if you are rebuilding your M50

[LuckyHenriksen]

I have the two engines gathered to do this same build. NV M50, M54B30. Just trying to decide what to do as far as cams go. S50 cams the best bet?

[FreedS4]

Why do you need a writeup? Just get rotating parts from a E46 3.0L and install them, there is nothing to write up here. All the parts fit fine, same as if you are rebuilding your M50

Thanks for the words of wisdom.

You make it sound like this is as simple as changing an air filter. Which piston rings did you run in your 3.0L stroker? What about piston/valve clearance, what'd you come up with? Which head gasket did you use? What DME/chip combo did you use? All questions that, in a build thread (of which, I've already stated I haven't found a good one), would be answered.

While I appreciate your simplistic view of this stroker build, I'd like to get as much input from people who have actually done the build as I can, so I'll be the best informed as I can be. I generally like to gather as much info as I can, prior to doing major projects beforehand, so the project goes more smoothly and there is less downtime.

Well I'm glad I explained myself to someone who, most likely, has never done a project of this capacity in their life. Can I have my 5 minutes back?

Chris

[FreedS4]

I have the two engines gathered to do this same build. NV M50, M54B30. Just trying to decide what to do as far as cams go. S50 cams the best bet?

With the M50nv, you can't use both S50 cams, as the S50 had VANOS on one of the cams (I don't remember which). I decided to buy a set of M50nv Schrick cams (which they don't make anymore). I got them for a steal of a price, so I couldn't pass it up. Probably didn't really answer your question that well.

Chris

[jrdeamicis]

Thanks for the words of wisdom.

You make it sound like this is as simple as changing an air filter. Which piston rings did you run in your 3.0L stroker? What about piston/valve clearance, what'd you come up with? Which head gasket did you use? What DME/chip combo did you use? All questions that, in a build thread (of which, I've already stated I haven't found a good one), would be answered.

While I appreciate your simplistic view of this stroker build, I'd like to get as much input from people who have actually done the build as I can, so I'll be the best informed as I can be. I generally like to gather as much info as I can, prior to doing major projects beforehand, so the project goes more smoothly and there is less downtime.

Well I'm glad I explained myself to someone who, most likely, has never done a project of this capacity in their life. Can I have my 5 minutes back?

Chris

As far as the tune, I would start it on a 3L tune but I would compare some timing and fuel maps from the M54 (base maps minus vanos) to get the spark and fuel maps closer to the 84x89.6 setup.

The m54 setup is pretty slick. I will be building an M52TU (z3 alu) with an M54 rotating assembly for a local E30 soon.

[jrdeamicis]

With the M50nv, you can't use both S50 cams, as the S50 had VANOS on one of the cams (I don't remember which). I decided to buy a set of M50nv Schrick cams (which they don't make anymore). I got them for a steal of a price, so I couldn't pass it up. Probably didn't really answer your question that well.

Chris

Just run the S50 cams. They will be fine for your application.

I would be interested in seeing some other setups.

[FreedS4]

As far as the tune, I would start it on a 3L tune but I would compare some timing and fuel maps from the M54 (base maps minus vanos) to get the spark and fuel maps closer to the 84x89.6 setup.

The m54 setup is pretty slick. I will be building an M52TU (z3 alu) with an M54 rotating assembly for a local E30 soon.

I'm going to run my stock 525i M50nv DME, but get a chip cut with a 3.0L tune. It should run pretty well on that. I'm not too sure what to expect with the 3.0L storker, to be honest. I've heard such conflicting info on these builds. That being said, I know it's going to be a helluva lot more fun to drive than my stocker M20!

Just run the S50 cams. They will be fine for your application.

I would be interested in seeing some other setups.

I'll be running my minty M50nv Schrick cams (256/244), which should add a nice bit to my stroker build. Again, I haven't seen a whole lot of solid data on what to expect from the cam set-up, but I'm betting it'll provide some nice gains.

Chris

[firefirefire90]

what's the purpose of doing this over a S50 or OBDI S52?

[FreedS4]

what's the purpose of doing this over a S50 or OBDI S52?

For me, it was the challenge (first engine build) and the price. I bought a complete 525i, pulled the motor and other various parts I wanted, then sold the car and other parts for almost a $500 profit. I then bought a M54B30, took out the internals, and sold everything else for another $500 profit. Used the excess money to start acquiring all of the parts I need for my swap and to buy all the parts to do a full rebuild of my 3.0L stroker. I know this is not always the case, but I was in no rush and found some awesome deals that I couldn't pass up.

Chris

[trackjunkie21]

what's the purpose of doing this over a S50 or OBDI S52?

If someone already has an m50/m52 this is a cheaper option than sourcing another engine.

[RobertK]

what's the purpose of doing this over a S50 or OBDI S52?

Cheaper if you get the M54 parts for the right price and had plans to rebuild whatever engine you bought anyway. A stroker 3.0l will not r3v as fast or as high (safely) as a S50 due to the fact that is an under-square setup versus the S50 which is a better balance of stroke and bore, but the longer stroke helps it produce slightly more torque than the S50.

The reality is though if you completely rebuild a M50 3.0l CORRECTLY plan on spending as much if not more than you would on a drop in ready S50. just sayin'