E39 528i M52 aluminum block??

[PiercedE30]

Ok, just looked at the AL blocks here at work. They are M54's. I thought that we had a M52 AL though...........I wonder where it went.....

[matt]

Weight of an iron block is listed at 50Kg in the ETK, the aluminum is 32kg.

That totally rocks.

[Rigmaster]

The white label on the back of the block FOR SURE says "E39 M52", it also says "DM 63" which is the BMW Production code for the M52TU E39 cars.... Still couldn't find a VIN sticker.

So, Matt, looks like you nailed it- M52TU Double Vanos Aluminum block... ;)

Piccies:

[PiercedE30]

yup.....what are you going to do with it?

[BDSax]

wow, maybe i should upgrade!

nice grab

[matt]

It could be swapped into an e30 with the proper standalone computer. We can certainly help with that. :mrgreen:

[Red325es]

If it's double vanos it's an m52tu. if so and it was an overheater please loosen and retorque the head bolts using correct procedure.
these engines do not take well to overheating if it was not caught in time
, if the seller said "blown head gasket" it could be pretty bad....likely
when retorque is peformed the threads will pull from the block..(the block according to bmw is junk at this point. if not and they hold torque pull the
head and check block with straight edge. head is likely junk as well.....these
heads with a good overheat crack easily......good luck.

pm me if you need sny technical info torque specs, advice, etc.

-Peter.

[Red325es]

also good note if you purchased this, and it's no good pull the bottom end apart and use the bottom end in m50 block. crankshaft is forged steel, rods are lighter and pistons are coated for less noise. (just replaced an overheated m52tu at work and pulled the guts out for my m50)

-pete

[Mike B.]

It could be swapped into an e30 with the proper standalone computer. We can certainly help with that. :mrgreen:

Why do these need standalone?

[matt]

also good note if you purchased this, and it's no good pull the bottom end apart and use the bottom end in m50 block. crankshaft is forged steel, rods are lighter and pistons are coated for less noise. (just replaced an overheated m52tu at work and pulled the guts out for my m50)

-pete

If the block is good, will the whole bottom end interchange?

Why do these need standalone?

Because they are OBDII and it's infinitely easier to put a standalone on them than try to make the OBDII system work in an e30.

Or you can try to make all the electronics play nice.

[PiercedE30]

Yea, the whole bottom end is interchangeable between the M52 and M50. Same main bearing size.

[matt]

The M52TU and the M52 with an aluminum block have different blocks. I am wondering if you can put an M52 head on an M52TU block. I need to check more of the accessory interchanges I guess.

[Jason89i]

The M52TU and the M52 with an aluminum block have different blocks. I am wondering if you can put an M52 head on an M52TU block. I need to check more of the accessory interchanges I guess.

double check the oil / coolant passages. i was told (no first hand experience) that the oil passages were different between the m50tu(or m52) and the m52tu. if you had the junk head gaskets, it would be easy to figure out. cheers, jason

[Red325es]

No the m50/52 head will not bolt up to the m52tu block......coolant
passages do not line up...(just tried it). internal components will work in the
cast iron block though.

-Pete

[Rigmaster]

Great info, thanks guys.

I'm still not sure wtf I'm gonna do with this thing- probably at least pull the head and have it checked for cracks- then decide based on those results.

Rest assured that if I decide to sell or part it out, you'll see it posted in the FS section here...


Bret.