3.0L, 84mm bore, 89.6mm crank?

[bimmernut333]

yes.. with a larger crank ;)

and it's not 2.9l either. I have the same pistons. it's 2823cc, you need 2850cc minimum for "2.9l"

they call it a 2900 in their marketing (because a 2.8 is usually just under 2800cc), but it's not really a 2.9. same with the 3200, it's not 3.2 liters, but 31XXcc (3.2 requires an 86.4mm bore).

Yea I do know that.. it's like a mustang being a 5.0 when it's really 4.6xx. It's mainly just a marketing thing I believe.

[nando]

well, even by rounding up standards, it's not a 2.9 liter.

they stopped calling them mustang 5.0s when they went to the 4.6, too.

[SpecM]

the 302ci/5.0 mustangs were 4.94L

the 281ci/4.6L OHC motors were always called 4.6

Sent from my Vortex

[downforce22]

Are there any documents that describe the different pistons in detail? Something with dimensions maybe?
I read an old bfc thread that mentioned a bmw training manual that might have this kind of info.

I'd like to compare pistons before I start making chips and find out I went too deep.

I believe you are looking for this?

http://web.archive.org/web/200505261...Mahle_m20.html

[supernaughtIX]

I finally found some reasonably priced rings for the M54 pistons! This project is back online.
BimmerBoys in London, ON are awesome. Anyone in canada need parts, they can do awesome pricing and can get almost anything(replacement) you can find at other online shops. Their website isn't very populated yet, but shoot them an email and they will quote you. Shipping is free for my parts so far, and they communicate very well.

I picked up a spare block on the weekend, so I will tear it down tonight and start fitting the M54 stuff.

[RobertK]

I finally found some reasonably priced rings for the M54 pistons! This project is back online.
BimmerBoys in London, ON are awesome. Anyone in canada need parts, they can do awesome pricing and can get almost anything(replacement) you can find at other online shops. Their website isn't very populated yet, but shoot them an email and they will quote you. Shipping is free for my parts so far, and they communicate very well.

I picked up a spare block on the weekend, so I will tear it down tonight and start fitting the M54 stuff.

Rings for M54 pistons are easy to find.

https://www.rockauto.com

We just got a set of German Goetze branded M54 piston rings for $13.27 per set plus $32 for international shipping from the UK.

Ended up being roughly $115 shipped for a complete set of Goetze brand M54 piston rings.

Also, Grant sells a nice set of rings for the M54 that costs $180 shipped. Made in the USA.

I've used both brand of rings without complaints though the oil rings from Grant are easier to install.

[supernaughtIX]

Thanks for the link, lots of good prices there. I did some light searching on Grant rings and found some threads saying they were not the best. Either way I think I will be ok.

Protoblock is stripped, getting it cleaned up

[RobertK]

Thanks for the link, lots of good prices there. I did some light searching on Grant rings and found some threads saying they were not the best. Either way I think I will be ok.

Protoblock is stripped, getting it cleaned up

The only threads I can find about Grant rings are people dissing them that have never actually used them based on the assumption that they are made in China. The build quality is as good as the Goetze rings I've used but can't really go wrong with Goetze German made rings especially when the price is $65 less.

Mahle OEM rings are ~$500 shipped for a set which is ridiculous since there is absolutely nothing special about them compared to the other 2 available brands.

[supernaughtIX]

well that's it, i did light searching, found those threads. I don't believe everything I see on the internet, but I'm encouraged to hear from people that do have experience directly.
I'm getting a price I'm happy with, the job is going to progress. I should have measurements for how much to cut the pistons by the weekend

[gath]

^^^ How is the progress on the build and did you get the #s to machine down the m54b30 pistons?

[gath]

I was thinking of building with the m54b30 crank, rods, and use the m54 pistons which seem to be about 1mm high at TDC in a m20 block. http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...43&postcount=3
What is the insight about not machining them or what combo do you use. I have a whole m54b30 bottom at my disposal.

[nando]

that's shown with no gasket though. even stock pistons protrude a little at TDC.

[CarsSuck]

that's shown with no gasket though. even stock pistons protrude a little at TDC.

Doesn't the b25 piston crown stick up, like, a lot? And eta pistons are flat topped?

Seems like the m54 pistons could work well with an eta or 731 head, but then you're stuck with the smaller ports and valves. I wonder how that would balance out in terms of power.

[gath]

I actually don't know the thickness of a stock HG, any knowledge on that? I think they could be between 0.4 - 1.0 mm, but I still don't remember the protrusion being that pronounced to about 1 mm on my last m20 build though. But either way if I'll be working with the m54 pistons, machining has to be done for valve relief and maybe a little skimming. So with the gasket you don't think there would be any contact?

[gath]

Build one of these over the summer. No machining is required.

Robert, what combo did you use? Like I had said, I wanted to use m20 block, m54b30 crank, rods and pistons, m20 885 casting head (worked on). Any word of advice?