my 24v build, slightly different than the norm. Now with dyno numbers!

[Mr.SWISS]

Usually its the nut that falls off just like on S50 and S52s.

People who track them have had issues with the harmonic balancer fatiguing but there is an aftermarket solution for that now.

Slap a lightweight fly on your M54/M52TU and take it to track and romp on it a few sessions.
I bet you stuff will start falling off.


IMO it's all about the metals density and harmonic absorption.

[2mAn]

Nice work Simon. When do you think all your parts are going to arrive?

well, I thought everything would've been ready to go by now, but it seems that TMS didnt have the pistons. They told me they would be shipping them directly from Wiseco, but what they failed to tell me (that I found out today by calling) was that Wiseco needed to forge them first and they wouldnt be getting shipped until the end of the month. Needless to say, Im furious, but it is what it is and I will just have to work on other things to keep myself busy.:curse:

[Gerta]

Nice work Simon. When do you think all your parts are going to arrive?

[2mAn]

ok, update time. Turner sent S52 pistons so that delayed things another week while waiting for them to ship the correct pistons across the country... another week is going by but I decided to do work on the million other things I needed to do rather than sitting around bitching and moaning.

Biggest thing I am currently tackling has been the wiring harness. Was poking around in the engine bay and low and behold I see the rectangular C101 hiding under the fusebox. Looks like the round C101 was just an adapter. Now I need to order a rectangular C101. No big deal, my list of factory parts order is growing and Im going to wait until I know for sure Ive got 99% of the parts I need. I also solved my S52 exhaust manifold issue. Pics are worth 1000 words, they says so heres a couple pics ...

s52exh-manifolds-welded1 by 2mAn

s52exh-manifolds-welded2 by 2mAn

wiseco-pistons by 2mAn

hopefully the next pic will be an assembled bottom end

[2mAn]

dropped by the machine shop to chat and see what was up. brought my camera so I snapped some pics. I told them I like to document my builds so they said they would try and take some pics while they boring the block and whatnot. I didnt get any pics of the pistons because they were still in the box.

bareblock1 by 2mAn

bareblock2 by 2mAn

I picked up the Alum block, so light! hahaha I was giddy, it couldnt have been more than 30-40lbs

crank by 2mAn

I also got my quote for tearing down the block, boring, honing, testing, etc and also reassembly and Im paying more for the Metric Mechanic bearings than I am for them to do all this work. Thats a relief! I cant wait to be driving this thing, sadly it wont be until after the E30 Picnic unless a miracle happens

[RobertK]

well, m54b30 do have some issues with harmonics at high rpms actually ... the oil pump is braken appart by the vibrations.

Usually its the nut that falls off just like on S50 and S52s.

People who track them have had issues with the harmonic balancer fatiguing but there is an aftermarket solution for that now.

[e30austin]

Word.

[kid325e]

Sub'ed. : )

[2mAn]

Well, went to Europe and had a blast. Got to drive the Ring and see a whole bunch of cool stuff. Now that I am back, I am eager to get back to work. Unfortunately Metric Mechanic hasnt sent my bearings out yet because they didnt have them in stock. Talked to Jim @ MM today and he said by the end of this week/ early next week the machine shop will have them, so hopefully by the end of next week I will have an assembled bottom end. In the mean time I will be getting everything ready to keep the ball rolling. Probably going to finish up the C101 plug next

[Coyote_ar]

well, m54b30 do have some issues with harmonics at high rpms actually ... the oil pump is braken appart by the vibrations.

[RobertK]

Interesting to see how a stroked AL block handles high RPM harmonics...

Better keep that dual mass on it.

M54 blocks handle it just fine. Not sure why an aluminum M52 wouldn't.

I picked up an aluminum M52B28 out of a Z3 right before they were about to crush it. Lucked out and picked it up for $500. I have a couple M54 3.0l cranks laying around and I have been thinking of doing the same build for shits and giggles.

[2mAn]

small update. Ordered Wiseco Pistons as they were basically the only readily available piston in the first overbore size. Also was going to order new factory bearings, but decided to get the coated ones from Metric Mechanic. Im leaving for Europe for two weeks today so hopefully the machine shop will have my bottom end done by the time I get back. Im itching to drive my car, but I know its still a ways out. *sigh* It will be totally worth it when Im done though, that is a fact

[Link]

This is great.

[2mAn]

Went by the machine shop today. They couldn't get the crankshaft bolt off because they didn't have a badass impact, so I took one to them. problem solved.

Next was the whole issue of my pistons. I requested a rehone, and the machinist recommended getting new pistons because he wanted to make sure there would be no blowby. As much I don't want to buy the new pistons, new factory pistons actually cost more than most aftermarket pistons and I am concerned about the engine because of its history. It came from a racecar on the eastcoast and though we aren't 100% sure, this motor was pulled because it was blowing smoke. We did notice on the cylinder walls that one side of each bore (the same side on every bore) didn't have the hone marks anymore. I bitched and moaned but eventually I called Turner Motorsports (TMS) and they have some Wiseco M52 pistons in stock. $150 each... I HATE doing things twice so I will probably break down and get the pistons (and all new bearings) to ensure its done right. Motor should be all reassembled by the time I get back from my vacation.

With that bitching aside, my cylinder head was done so I picked it up. Pressure tested and straightened and cleaned for a little more than a benjamin.





I also had a lengthy conversation with Jason at TMS about the pistons, but we also talked about my setup in general. He also suggested avoiding the s52 crank unless I was going to pay the machine shop extra to make sure there wouldn't be any problems with valve-piston clearance. I decided I am keeping this thing 2.8, dont want to stress the Al block. S52 crank for sale BTW :)

[2mAn]

thats one of my worries, Ive been tempted to just leave it a 2.8