M54 Madness, the remix

[2mAn]

that looks great!

quite a head scratcher when you look at that motor, but I like it. Just says "euro motor" to me even though its just a M54 for the most part (extreme over simplification)

[hoveringuy]

Plug and play?

Mostly. It fits the head just same. The coils are different so the wiring harness needs to match.

The round black cover is for the integral PCV. It used to not be serviceable, but now the membrane can be ordered from Russia and there are 3-D printed plastic caps (the tabs break when you remove it). I want mine to be be labeled "NOT OIL" in big letters.

[robrez]

Small update. I installed a metal M56 valve cover. The plastic M54 one can crack and leak, a new one is $379. The M56 cover will never crack and has robust oil vapor separation built-in, plus it simplifies coils to the later pencil design. (no more bolts!).

Plug and play?

[hoveringuy]

Small update. I installed a metal M56 valve cover. The plastic M54 one can crack and leak, a new one is $379. The M56 cover will never crack and has robust oil vapor separation built-in, plus it simplifies coils to the later pencil design. (no more bolts!).

[Jokester]

god you aren’t helping my temptations. Hahahahah. Amazing work btw.

[hoveringuy]

So overall, which engine do you think is faster? Straight line, track, etc. which engine do you prefer?

Schrick cams, for sure!

[nando]

Steve,

Looks awesome! Some day, we'll have to do another dyno day together - basically, your original M54 swap (and being able to adjust valve timing on the fly, vs me using a wrench) was sort of the basis of everything I've done over the last ~5 years (has it been that long? longer?).

Also, good sign - my 7 and 8 year olds think my E30 is a real race car (lol), and they're dying to go to a track day with me. :P

[Jokester]

So overall, which engine do you think is faster? Straight line, track, etc. which engine do you prefer?

[hoveringuy]

Did you ever figure out that huge torque drop before 4kish rpm? Seems like a completely different engine now, high rpm power with less low end torque is more S5x than m54.

It is a different engine. It used to have great torque at low revs and fall on it's face after 5500, now it's weaker on the torque but doesn't fall on it's face as bad. (ok, it pulls pretty hard...)

we need action shots!

[Jokester]

Did you ever figure out that huge torque drop before 4kish rpm? Seems like a completely different engine now, high rpm power with less low end torque is more S5x than m54.

[2mAn]

we need action shots!

[hoveringuy]

Any updates?

Car's been at the track all summer. I was dueling with an S54 Z4 for about 5 laps a few weeks ago. He pulled on the straight but I caught him in the back, it's been a lot of fun!


I'll install a metal M56 valve cover after the Ridge in a few weeks.

[Jokester]

Any updates?

[Jaker]

Nice!

[hoveringuy]

Crossed the scale at 2780.

-205lb driver and my winter weathertech heavy floor mats.
-3/4 tank of gas.

That puts me at around 2560+/-. Not bad...

Stock curb weight is 2844.

M54, no a/c. M50 intake.
No tar, full interior, sunroof delete. No radio/speakers. Single 2.5" exhaust. w/o cat.