Vanos M50 to 3.0L (Stu?)

[Jean]

I did a search and understand that it would take 3.0L m3 pistons and rods (s50/s52 rods are the same) + 3.0L crank. If a 3.2L crank is used then piston work is needed correct?

What other BMW pistons/rods/cranks can I use to accomplish this as well?

Thanks.

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"Stock C/R on all US M/S50's is 10.5:1, with the exception of the Non-VANOS 2.5 which is 10:1.

Both Alex and I had out motors built (Thanks Dad!) from '91 525i blocks, and 3.0 M3 pistons which were at our availability. Alex sprung for the 3.2 crank, so decided to go with a .040 overbore on the 525 block to fit the 3.0 pistons and 3.2 crank. As you can picture, the 3.0 pistons need to be machined down due to the stroke difference, but 86x89.6 was achieved with high-compression. It's a pretty straight-forward recipe for a lot of torque and HP--though not quite the CC's of a standard 3.2 bottomend (I believe they use 86.4 on the pistons, marginal difference).

The only 24v E30's I've driven have been mine and his, my dads 2.9, and a friends 2.5. I can tell you that the 3.2 crank makes a MASSIVE difference in the 2000-4000 range. While my 86x86 3.0 pulls well and makes plenty of torque, it doesn't really start to haul ass until 4000revs.

Any nicely setup M/S50 will pull well at high revs, but that is only used when you're racing somebody, or are on-track. If you plan to use your car for a lot of around-town driving, a 3.2 crank is a really good way to go. (PM Jason89i for more insight)

I can't say whether an 86.4x89.6 will make more power than a high c/r 86x89.6, but either setup with the right bolt-ons will make more power/tq than our brakes need!"

[Stu]

You can use a 3.0L crank, standard 135mm rods from the 3.0L, and the 86mm pistons from the 3.0L. You'll need to have the block bored to 86mm (obviously).

I've heard of people boring VANOS 325 blocks (93-95) to 86mm with no reliability problems, but it might be a good idea to pick up an early 91/92 block if you can get your hands on one.

I'll post more later on but I'm heading out the door at the moment

[PiercedE30]

OR you can get an S52 crank and M54B30 rods and pistons (or just an M54B30 rotating assembly). That makes 3.0L with 84mm bore.

[CorvallisBMW]

OR you can get an S52 crank and M54B30 rods and pistons (or just an M54B30 rotating assembly). That makes 3.0L with 84mm bore.

nice and torquey too with the longer stroke!

[SpecM]

-What CR is the 86x89.6?

[318isbmw]

Depends on deck height and piston tops...
And headgasket

[PiercedE30]

And chamber CC (if milled head).

[Jean]

So here is another option I see, sounds like no piston or block work needed, correct?

I have a M50 3.0 stroker rotating assembly It's a forged s52 crankshaft Also same crankshaft used in m54 3.0 (e46) m54 3.0 pistons,m54 rods.These parts have 80k miles on them ...this will drop right in to m50 block. same bore size(84 mm) no machining needed ...All you need is a good low mileage m50 block, and you are set...
Thanks,
Boris S.

You can use a 3.0L crank, standard 135mm rods from the 3.0L, and the 86mm pistons from the 3.0L. You'll need to have the block bored to 86mm (obviously).

I've heard of people boring VANOS 325 blocks (93-95) to 86mm with no reliability problems, but it might be a good idea to pick up an early 91/92 block if you can get your hands on one.

I'll post more later on but I'm heading out the door at the moment

Thanks Stu! Blunty told me you would know this :) Why the NV block though?

OR you can get an S52 crank and M54B30 rods and pistons (or just an M54B30 rotating assembly). That makes 3.0L with 84mm bore.

S50 crank/rods/pistons are probably easier and cheaper to get yes?

Does the s50 or m54b30 crank drop right in in place of the m50 crank and all of stock m50 hardware work the same?

[318isbmw]

Does the s50 or m54b30 crank drop right in in place of the m50 crank and all of stock m50 hardware work the same?

Yes they drop in easily, no work needed. Lately I've seen a few people selling s52 crank and m54 rods and pistons for sale for around 550. Was one last month, and seen a few on bimmerforums also.

[Jean]

What are they upgrading to?

[atomic]

Jean I am glad to see you with these threads going. I am just behind you with a s52 swap that is going to be gone through before hand...



Just a thought and not sure if you can use them, but I should be having some s52 cams FS in the near future.

[Danny]

Just a thought and not sure if you can use them, but I should be having some s52 cams FS in the near future.

Uh oh

[KangamangusDriver]

The NV block has thicker cylinder walls, stronger, better to bore.

[Jean]

Jean I am glad to see you with these threads going. I am just behind you with a s52 swap that is going to be gone through before hand...

Just a thought and not sure if you can use them, but I should be having some s52 cams FS in the near future.

Awesome, what are your plans with yours, going with Schrick cams? PM me regarding your cams please

Thanks!

[Jean]

The NV block has thicker cylinder walls, stronger, better to bore.

I see! Well, it's too late as I wanted a vanos motor so I gotta do with what I got. What seems to be the maximum safe bore on the vanos blocks? It will remain NA, but will be used on the track all of it's future life.