Different 33mm Hydraulic Lifters?

[Northern]

I'm in the process of rebuilding an M52B28 from an 05/96 production E36 328i (early enough that the head has the extra coolant temp sensor hole tapped and has the two sensor setup instead of the combined sensor.)

I found that the lifters from this early engine are not the same as 1998 328is that I dismantled a while back.

On the left, an INA lifter that you would get from pretty much anywhere, p/n 11321748884
On the right is some sort of other lifter, only marked BMW883.2. Seems to have less oil volume inside (potentially lighter), and a more elaborate oil entry port?
My only theory is that the right lifter is an original one, and at some point everything was updated to the INA part. Maybe some were replaced with some sort of lifter tick warranty replacement, cam replacement, or other service.



Anyone know anything about these BMW lifters?

[128keaton]

I'll have to confirm when I'm looking at it, but my production year 1996 M52B28 has the same lifters as on the right. I have the later style head though.

[pazi88]

I have only seen the INA lifters in m52 heads.

[Northern]

I have seen a few sets of M54 cam trays on ebay with the ones on the right as well (many with INA left version as well), so that also messes up my original theory unless a LOT of cars have had lifter replacements?


"M54B30"

[pazi88]

The INA ones are from factory 100% sure. But it's not surprise if BMW has used different brands when assembling these engines. For example the bearings can be from Glyco or Kolbenschmid in these from factory.

But I'm also interested about the brand of those that look lighter than INA ones. Maybe Kolbenschmid 50006409

[cdl723]

I just opened my head up and the intake had the INA lifters and my exhaust had the ones on the right. I was a little confused, but i ended up cleaning them and threw them back in

[Northern]

Almost forgot about this thread.

INA Disassembled, innards cleaned:



BMW 883.2 disassembled/cleaned



INA Assembled & Filled with Acetone (~5% difference in SG from oil)



BMW 883.2 Assembled and filled with Acetone




So the fluid volume in the INA lifter doesn't quite make up the initial difference in mass.

The only other thing worth mentioning is that the piston of the 883.2 is ~1mm larger dia than the INA lifters, but it's really hard to say if that would help them support more load or not because the ball valve and leakage are probably just as large of a factor.