M54 Madness, the remix

[Jaker]

^ Where did you source that style ATI damper from? Did it come with a hub made for it or uses the stock crank hub?

I bought it from Dan at Pure Performance in Cali. The hub is from ATI as well. Complete replacement for everything OEM.

that header for what looks like s54 looks alright, id be getting stepped primaries if i was you

Mine will be stepped primaries, 1.5 x 9"/1.625 x 9"/1.75 x 9".

Primaries look a little large, but the design is bang up. People tent to over-size headers - but keep something in mind - NASCAR use 1.625" primaries (stepped up after) on a 4" bore and make 100hp per cylinder.

See above.

That photo was just to show the "equal length" style/design that my fabricator Zack envisions.

[ForcedFirebird]

Primaries look a little large, but the design is bang up. People tent to over-size headers - but keep something in mind - NASCAR use 1.625" primaries (stepped up after) on a 4" bore and make 100hp per cylinder.

[digger]

that header for what looks like s54 looks alright, id be getting stepped primaries if i was you

[craz azn]

^ Where did you source that style ATI damper from? Did it come with a hub made for it or uses the stock crank hub?

[Jaker]

Well since the OP said it was OK, here's my build. I won't be doing a build thread of my own. However, I will answer any questions that might come my way.

1993 325is - 2,380lbs no driver

3.0 build, M52 Z3 aluminum block, Vanos head
11.5:1 84.5mm Imagineering pistons (Paul Burke)
Metric Mechanic rally cams
Molnar rods
Ported head
1mm over valves
3.5" intake
540i MAF
Riot Racing 68mm TB
24lb injectors
22nd Productions remote tune (22rpd.com) on Bosch 413 DME
Lightweight S52 crank
UUC flywheel/M5 clutch
Raceland shorty headers
Custom 3" exhaust
Several oiling mods





And the start of the new header (I bought 2 of them):



Expecting something similar (but better looking) to this:

[hoveringuy]

Do you plan on a dyno trip?

Yes! I just resolved my last issue this morning. It wasn't revving past 6000 because I'm using a Toyota 1JZ ignitor box which has smart dwell. I had my dwell at 3ms and the ignitor box was protesting at 6000 by cutting spark, not limiting dwell. I reduced my dwell to 2.4ms and now it spins to 7200.

So, I will schedule a return to the dyno.

-New exhaust. Car is 10x quieter and also stronger with the OBD2 headers and smaller diameter down pipes.

-Static cam timing. Intake cam had been retarded about 8 degrees. Dead-on now.

-VANOS seals. They broke into pieces when removed. Intake cam was not advancing nearly enough and was hard to control.

On the negative side I added a MAF which I didn't have before.

[ForcedFirebird]

No, it's cool. Any knowledge that advances the art is welcome.

Do you plan on a dyno trip? Seeing you went for comfort on the exhaust, am curious (I think the new exhaust would actually be better). Many thing "headers" instantly means more power, but usually the contrary. On the m20 we saw a couple wtq, 0whp gain, but it was just a side exit and cheesy y-pipe close to the collectors (not a car we bult, just one we tuned before and after).

[hoveringuy]

I don't have a build thread and I now feel like I'm hijacking Steve's thread in a big way.

No, it's cool. Any knowledge that advances the art is welcome.

[LJ851]

I don't have a build thread and I now feel like I'm hijacking Steve's thread in a big way.

Sounds like you need to post up a build thread here to redeem yourself.

[Jaker]

I don't have a build thread and I now feel like I'm hijacking Steve's thread in a big way.

[ForcedFirebird]

Nice Job Jaker.

270whp and 240 ft/lbs of torque from an M54? I don't believe that, but I'd love to see the dyno sheets to prove me wrong. :)

People underrate the m54. Said it already in this thread, the Spec e46's are 225 with completely stock engines aside from DME flash, OBD2 m52 exhaust manifolds and Spec exhaust.

[2mAn]

Jaker, do you have a build thread?

[hoveringuy]

I need one of your dual Vanos controller boards so I can do my conversion easily!!

I'll trade you for some of your 94 Octane...

[Jaker]

Amazing! That's one of the strongest NA three-liters I've ever seen. Probably 310 at the crank and a strong torque curve, too.

Your build needs to be cloned. Props!

I need one of your dual Vanos controller boards so I can do my conversion easily!!

[CorvallisBMW]

Wow that's an impressive dyno chart, well-built!