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

[Coyote_ar]

No actually thats a regular alu M52. same block as the Euro M52s.
You cant tell its not a M52TU/M54, because the head is the same of regular M52s, and not the reverse flow from the otherones.

References to M54, became irrelevant when he decided to stay at 2.8L.

Oh, and BTW, the alu block is not crappy at all. You just need to run the proper thermostat. When BMW started using alu blocks, they also chose to raise the operating temperature of the engines, to improve emissions. This makes the engines more prone to overheating and warping. And even then, its the head and not the block that gets most of the damage. Aluminium has a better thermal conductivity, so it stays cooler easier than iron blocks. It just need the coolant at a proper temp. Change that thermostat from the original 105c, to 85c, and you wont have temp issues again.

The only real weak point in the alu blocks, its the threads for the head bolts. Studs there is a must.

Even the issue with the nikasil liners can be solved by using steel liners like the later M52TU or M54 (allthough in this case since its from a Z3, it should have the alusil liners so that should be fine).

[Mr.SWISS]

guys, I have ZERO interest in the M54, this is my M52 build. Take all that shit somewhere else, please...

You are building an M52 "TU" which is essentially an M54 without forged crank and some update bits.

Had you gone with an M52B28 or an S52B32 your budget would be thanking you and so would your right foot. And you factor out that crappy aluminium block that hates getting hot and despises harmonics.

[JCarp90]

I like shiny bottom ends.

[2mAn]

guys, I have ZERO interest in the M54, this is my M52 build. Take all that shit somewhere else, please...

[nrubenstein]

FYI, the M54B30 failure mode is actually shearing off the oil pump gear. Not unwinding the nut.

[2mAn]

finally all done from the machine shop and now its at KD Motorsports. Kevin should be installing the timecerts and installing the head soon. Im hoping he does it before the weekend so I can go there on Saturday and start installing shit on the block. but here is some true money shots...

the head you've already seen, but now its out of my bedroom and at the shop with everything else...

cylinderhead ready to go1 by 2mAn

cylinderhead ready to go2 by 2mAn

and now the block. Im a big fan of freshness like this
block finished1 by 2mAn

block finished2 by 2mAn

block finished3 by 2mAn

he also cleaned up the other parts...

clean parts1 by 2mAn

I think the motor must have been converted to OBD1 already because I saw this conversion piece for sale from TMS. glad I didnt buy it.

clean parts2 by 2mAn

I also got my G260 flywheel shaved and ready. Machine Shop said it weighs 14lbs. I am happy with it. Was also balanced with the factory Sachs clutch/ pressure plate. The clutch might not handle the power, but we'll find out. Didnt want to deviate too much from OEM stuff. I can always upgrade later.

machined flywheel1 by 2mAn

machined flywheel2 by 2mAn

I've got about two weeks to get the long block assembled and installed into my E30. Moving from Seattle to Orange County and want to take the car with me. I can have the wiring completed down there, if not then I will be leaving it up in Seattle and have KD Motorsports finish it all for me, but then I have to drive 1200 miles with a fresh motor and I dont think thats a smart move.

I also picked up another brand new C101. I bought the round one thinking my 84 had already been converted but I found that it just had an adapter, so I bought an early C101 since I want it to be plug and play. No soldering, just freshly crimped OEM goodness. fun stuff!!

c101s by 2mAn

I cant wait to be driving this thing, should be so much fun

[slammin.e28]

the mechanic I bought the motor from is installing timecerts (sp?) before we put it all back together

Good move.

I'm going to watch this. I'm gearing up to build an M52 sometime.

[2mAn]

the mechanic I bought the motor from is installing timecerts (sp?) before we put it all back together

[Mr.SWISS]

Hope the head bolts hold torque when you bolt the head back on!!

[2mAn]

block is almost complete. one hurdle after another, but its almost done...

pistons by 2mAn

piston_plus_rod by 2mAn

block_almost_assembled by 2mAn

I should finally be moving the block back to KD Motorsports next tuesday and then its time for final assembly

[2mAn]

just got word that my pistons have arrived! i dont know what to say anymore haha...

also found this link to help with the OBD1 conversion, figured Id leave it here in case anyone else wants to do the same.

http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=130494

[Gerta]

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:

Dude that blows.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[RobertK]

I'm not a big fan of super lightweight flywheels. I've also seen them eat pressure plate straps and saw through bellhousings. 16-18lbs is the lightest I recommend going. Those 8lb flywheels are ridiculous. Everyone I know that gets one, puts the stock one back on.

You can have a professional crank shop balance the crank, dampener and flywheel / clutch setup as an entire assembly and that will make a huge difference.

[Mr.SWISS]

what kind of stuff do you expect to start falling off?

I plan on tracking this car and I want to avoid that from happening. Oil Pump nut will get loctite or welded. Also staying away from the S52 crank.

Oil filter housing bolts, intake bolts, bellhousing and starter bolts. Just random things will start just coming loose for no apparent reason was our experience on an 01 325i we manual swapped with a UUC setup. IIRC it was 12lb?

I'm really not a fan of lightweight fly's and light/solid crank pulleys FYI so I am biased.

[2mAn]

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.

what kind of stuff do you expect to start falling off?

I plan on tracking this car and I want to avoid that from happening. Oil Pump nut will get loctite or welded. Also staying away from the S52 crank.