Zephyr's Lachs M52B30 Stroker Build **ITBs**

[AWDBOB]

Mahle is the manufacturer of the OEM rings so those are basically OEM piston rings. Just not in BMW package. Don't understand what could be wrong those if stock oem rings last very long. I have mahle piston ring set going into my m52b30 build
(Mahle pistons etc. marked in realoem: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=11_2925)

Yes, I do believe you are correct, however they are coated and supposedly caused much of the oil consumption issues many of the high mileage m54s saw. Again, I have never personally used them, this is just what I have been told by a few engine builders.

Those Grant rings I linked are quite affordable and are supposedly of good quality.

Sorry to derail your thread OP, carry on with the good stuff!

[pazi88]

No don't use thicker headgasket. It's never good idea. Also you would need crazy thick headgasket to get decent compression ratio for punp gas using b28 pistons. Just use m54 pistons with new rings.

And I think the non OEM piston ring sets are quite cheap:

https://m.ebay.com/itm/6x-Kolbenringe-GOTZE-BMW-3-0l-330i-530i-730i-X3-X5-Z3-Z4-M54B30-M54B25-84-0mm-/271450692472?hash=item3f33b8db78%3Ag%3A1x0AAOSwDcpZs%7EKA&_trkparms=pageci%253Ada880971-9d12-11e7-9612-74dbd180eb4b%257Cparentrq%253A9935d5f215e0a990b7d76102ffe76ed1%257Ciid%253A1

Folks typically steer away from the Mahle rings due to the coating on them from what I've been told, cannot verify this 100%.

Mahle is the manufacturer of the OEM rings so those are basically OEM piston rings. Just not in BMW package. Don't understand what could be wrong those if stock oem rings last very long. I have mahle piston ring set going into my m52b30 build
(Mahle pistons etc. marked in realoem: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=11_2925)

[Metallated]

I wouldn't reuse piston rings...yes, they cost a lot, but it isn't worth the effort to tear your engine down to rebuild it twice, just to save a few bucks now...

Many differing opinions on this on the interwebs, but IMO, you are putting the same bore size pistons into a (lightly) honed/worn block, so you are at least going to lose a few thou there. I'd replace them.

FYI, Grant makes some good, affordable rings, because the OE variants are ridiculously expensive.

Folks typically steer away from the Mahle rings due to the coating on them from what I've been told, cannot verify this 100%.

I'll be following this closely!

What rings are you using?

Yeah I know.. I don't want to reuse them either but I've already spent much more money than I'd like and I still need an oil pan and flywheel.

I did some reading and it seems like the M52 rings are beefier and preferred, as it seems that although they drag less M54 rings wear easier and burn oil once they do. I want to keep the M54 pistons and rods because they are balanced with the crank, and they're a bit shorter than M52 pistons, making them perfect for a 10.5:1 compression, which is what I'm aiming for.

I've done a bit of research and I think I can put the lower two M52 rings on the M54 piston. I'm not very confident this will work so if it doesn't I'm planning to use the M52 pistons and rings, and use a thicker head gasket.

I really appreciate all the advice and opinions!

[e30austin]

I wouldn't reuse piston rings...yes, they cost a lot, but it isn't worth the effort to tear your engine down to rebuild it twice, just to save a few bucks now...

[AWDBOB]

I thought about replacing the rings but the ones on my pistons look decent, so I'm hoping I can get away with reusing them. We'll see if this comes back and bites me in the ass..

Many differing opinions on this on the interwebs, but IMO, you are putting the same bore size pistons into a (lightly) honed/worn block, so you are at least going to lose a few thou there. I'd replace them.

FYI, Grant makes some good, affordable rings, because the OE variants are ridiculously expensive.

Folks typically steer away from the Mahle rings due to the coating on them from what I've been told, cannot verify this 100%.

I think the new owner of the Aluminum Monster might be interested in these. PM me details

Hey back off they're mine :devil:

[cali_e30]

I have all these parts from 2 engines at home. Awaiting more details that you find before diving in head first.

[2mAn]

If you are thinking cams, I think I'm ready to upgrade from my Metric Mechanic Rally spec cams to something more aggressive!

I think the new owner of the Aluminum Monster might be interested in these. PM me details

[IronJoe]

Subscribed! Looking forward to your progress Zephyr!

[Bimmerguy91]

Looking forward to this build! I actually bought an M54B30 donor to rob the internals from to do this exact build with but ended up with an S52.

[Metallated]

I'll be following this closely!

What rings are you using?

I thought about replacing the rings but the ones on my pistons look decent, so I'm hoping I can get away with reusing them. We'll see if this comes back and bites me in the ass..

[AWDBOB]

I'll be following this closely!

What rings are you using?

[Metallated]

this is gonna be rad. thinking about cams?

If you are thinking cams, I think I'm ready to upgrade from my Metric Mechanic Rally spec cams to something more aggressive!

Thanks for the interest everyone!

Currently I'm planning to use the m54 intake cam, for long duration and better lift. Ideally I'd like to get a pair of s52 cams but I can't afford them right now...


Today I cleaned the cylinders; I was expecting to need to shear them to remove the ridges formed by the pistons, but I was happy to see that very little of an edge had formed. However for anyone looking to build a stroker this is very important to check, if it's big and not removed it can snap piston rings.



Ridge remover:



I also resurfaced the block:

[Jaker]

If you are thinking cams, I think I'm ready to upgrade from my Metric Mechanic Rally spec cams to something more aggressive!

[wworm]

this is gonna be rad. thinking about cams?

[oekundar]

Looking good so far...engine that is... :)