The things you find....2.8l cranks

[ForcedFirebird]

Was organizing/inventorying the crankshafts this morning and didn't even realize somehow over the years managed to score a 2242898 Euro crank. Probably through bartering, or often times customers will unload their spares when we finish a job to help[ curb the invoice.

Here you can see from top to bottom: modified US 2.8 84mm crank (m52), unmodified US crank (lighter m54), then Euro small diameter.

[Motheye99]

What are the benefits of the Euro crank?

And does the timing wheel on the m54 effect its operation in the M20?

[ForcedFirebird]

What are the benefits of the Euro crank?

And does the timing wheel on the m54 effect its operation in the M20?

If you notice, the couterweights are much shorter and clear the m20 pistons without modification. The m54 and m52 cranks come with the CPS reluctor, that one is fresh pulled from a motor and it hasn't been unbolted yet. In Europe, they continued to use OBD1-style CPS/reluctor in the e36's. AFAIK the states got the block mounted CPS at first due to the 1996 OBD2 mandate, so there's no provisions on the Euro crank for a reluctor.

Will try to weigh them before installing them, but the m52 and Euro are a fair bit heavier than the m54.

[whodwho]

Thank you nice comparison pics. I didn't know there was such a difference on the M52 vs M54 on the rod throw mass. Looks like I am running a M54 crank which fits the bill on the current build but wonder if the M52 would be better stronger for boosted engines and better on harmonics for RPM built engines

[digger]

Doubt you’re going to rpm it enough to worry about the crank it’s a baby stroke

[ForcedFirebird]

Is it rod throw mass? The reliefs are center in-line with the main journals.

81mm m20b27 : 49.7lb
84mm m52b28 : 50.8 (after modification)
84mm m54b28 : 46.7
84mm m52b28 : 52.7 (Euro)
84mm m52b28 : 53.7
75mm m50b25 : 41.8
75mm m20b25 : 49.3