M54 Madness, the remix

[2mAn]

Yes, sort of.

The short answer is 230hp at 6000rpm. I still have a rev limit that I can't get rid of. Somehow it got stuck at 6000 and wouldn't change to 7200.

My intake cam is also retarded 6 degrees in static timing and the VANOS seals are weak, torque wasn't that strong down low.

Once I get everything sorted still looking for at least 240.

Those are great numbers, are those at the wheels, because thats damn good!

I still will never forget you letting me drive your car. What an experience. Absolute torque monster, awesome for a daily driver. Love your updates, keep em coming

[hoveringuy]

Yes, standard Dynojet whp. With Schrick cams and M50 intake it's configured to make power up to 7000 so if the rev limiter hadn't kicked in, who knows?...

As an aside, I tore down the old engine when the swap was all done. This was the engine that I essentially bought for scrap because it had overheated when it lost coolant. I had to Timecert the block and heat-straighten the head. It was in amazingly good shape. I expected to see upper ring damage or piston scuffing but none.

[Jaker]

Any plots that you can share? I'm very curious about what the torque curve looks like. As you may remember, I am planning a dual Vanos converison on my 3.0 single Vanos build. I want more area under the curve to the left of the graph.

[mike25]

Yes, sort of.

The short answer is 230hp at 6000rpm. I still have a rev limit that I can't get rid of. Somehow it got stuck at 6000 and wouldn't change to 7200.

My intake cam is also retarded 6 degrees in static timing and the VANOS seals are weak, torque wasn't that strong down low.

Once I get everything sorted still looking for at least 240.

........... The pull of the Dark Side ? .........

Top end power figures quoted: bottom end torque loss noted !

But I guess the real test for a daily drive is - How does it drive in regular daily traffic?

[hoveringuy]

Here's the plot. I'll let everyone digest this and then post the old motor superimposed with this plot.

Keep in mind, intake cam static timing is off by 6 degrees (more retarded), VANOS seals are weak so the cams aren't tracking that great, ignition timing is probably Ok but not optimized. Fuel seems fine.

Of course, the 6000 rpm rev limit ghost in the software.

Still 232 at 6000 isn't a bad start...

[nando]

if anything, a bit of mechanical retard is helping your top end power - assuming it's the intake cam.

[mike25]

Giving up DISA and /or the new exhaust seems to have cost a lot of torque below 4000rpm?
Looking back at your earlier dynos this change definitely takes you over to the Dark Side! - Top end high revving power gained at the expense of torque below 4k rpm.

It would be interesting to see this dyno compared to a stock M50B25, not for absolute figures, but for how the power is delivered. I suspect you've gone a long way to achieving your objective of performance like the M50B25 with a rising crescendo as it comes on song over 4000rpm?

[TheAxiom]

Those headers/close collector are KILLING your low end power and you're probably gaining nothing up top for it.

[hoveringuy]

Compared to the original motor with ZHP cams and DISA intake....

[mike25]

Compared to the original motor with ZHP cams and DISA intake....

At 3250rpm you are down by -35HP & -60 Ft lbs - is there something amiss to affect things this badly?

Do you think DISA is giving you the huge 2500-4000rpm gains in the old engine?


This was always an experiment, so what are your current thoughts?

[digger]

not 100% tuned yet, but them headers and collector......probably never going to provide as broad a power band

[hoveringuy]

At 3250rpm you are down by -35HP & -60 Ft lbs - is there something amiss to affect things this badly?

Do you think DISA is giving you the huge 2500-4000rpm gains in the old engine?


This was always an experiment, so what are your current thoughts?

I expected it to be down a little where DISA is most effective because, seriously, DISA kicks-ass where it's effective. The stock M54 is really great in that band. The stock M54 is a good motor, period.

That said, my tuning and configuration isn't as strong as it should be. I'll be going back to stock OBD2 headers primarily because they're more civil, but they'll probably be better than my current headers. That will help.

I'll re-time the cams and replace the VANOS seals, which have been very bad at maintaining cam position.

It'll be better.

[mike25]

I'll be going back to stock OBD2 headers primarily because they're more civil, but they'll probably be better than my current headers. That will help.

As a scientific experiment it will be interesting to see what just the header change makes?

What do your stock OBD2 headers look like?

Here in UK we have two quite different versions - the simple early version, which is the same as our M52TU,



and had a Secondary Air Pump for emission control, then the later ones have CATs built into the header, which eliminated the SAP?

[ForcedFirebird]

Take a look at the Spec e46 guys. They are making over 200whp on stock engines using m52 exhaust manifolds (cat-less) and well designed secondaries/exhaust and a Spec tune.

[TheAxiom]

Take a look at the Spec e46 guys. They are making over 200whp on stock engines using m52 exhaust manifolds (cat-less) and well designed secondaries/exhaust and a Spec tune.

Why not Turner or the like Shorty headers? They seem to add a massive amount of power to the low end in comparison to the stock M52 exhaust manifolds.
And why not SS style long tubes? They are proven power gainers...