Antomy of a bulletproof S52?

[Wanganstyle]

I agree and realize I need to give some clarification. The S52, with stock E36 pan/pump, is pretty robust and can tolerate brief oil pressure fluctuations. Friend raced (not tracked, raced) his 285whp ITB'd S52 for a half season with the data acq showing he was dropping to crazy low oil pressures in certain situations. After half a season of that, he replaced the (sheared off) oil pickup with a z3 pickup tube (better bracket) and no longer had the oil issues.

The motor ended up dying, but not due to the oil issue- bearings were completely fine. The motor died from constant 7500rpm use shearing the woodruff key on the snout of the crank, which is also why the oil pickup sheared in the first place. When he pulled the motor apart, the crank and rod bearings were in great shape despite having the oil fluctuations for a good portion of his season. That is with an oil cooler, to be fair, but that didn't get installed until after the z3 pickup was installed.

People with E34 pan/pickup have reported less oil pressure fluctuations than with E36 pan/pump, but I don't have enough real guts-deep experience with that setup to comment.

Accusump wouldn't hurt but I honestly don't think it's worth the hassle.

In regards to Oil Pickup; We consumed a used OEM e34 part in about 50 hours of endurance racing; solid everything mounts and only pure race conditions. The vibrations and stress made the cast aluminium part break down; Not good.

If your e30 is a serious track car a S54 oil pan and multipoint pickup system would be much more ideal for a OEM parts assembly solution. Obviously it doesn't just bolt on or we would consider it

[Bimmerman325i]

I like everything in this thread, but I have to take issue with this...

Oil pressure issues will kill any engine, doesn't matter how built or "bulletproof" it is.

I don't actually track an S52 (yet), but anything you can do to keep oil pressure in hard [left] corners will help gain reliability.

My M20 has a baffle, windage tray, and I fill it around 1.5 quarts over. Because the suspension is good and tires are so incredibly sticky nowdays, I still get minor pressure drops in a few select left-handers on the track

I never even notice the pressure dropping when on track, but when I go back and look at the in-car video, I see the gauge needle flicking around a bit.

I don't like the complication of Accusump and I don't really want to run one, but it might be my next step for keeping my motor alive.

If the S52 has a better option, like S54 pan/pump like was mentioned, I would do that in a heartbeat.

I agree and realize I need to give some clarification. The S52, with stock E36 pan/pump, is pretty robust and can tolerate brief oil pressure fluctuations. Friend raced (not tracked, raced) his 285whp ITB'd S52 for a half season with the data acq showing he was dropping to crazy low oil pressures in certain situations. After half a season of that, he replaced the (sheared off) oil pickup with a z3 pickup tube (better bracket) and no longer had the oil issues.

The motor ended up dying, but not due to the oil issue- bearings were completely fine. The motor died from constant 7500rpm use shearing the woodruff key on the snout of the crank, which is also why the oil pickup sheared in the first place. When he pulled the motor apart, the crank and rod bearings were in great shape despite having the oil fluctuations for a good portion of his season. That is with an oil cooler, to be fair, but that didn't get installed until after the z3 pickup was installed.

People with E34 pan/pickup have reported less oil pressure fluctuations than with E36 pan/pump, but I don't have enough real guts-deep experience with that setup to comment.

Accusump wouldn't hurt but I honestly don't think it's worth the hassle.

[M-technik-3]

If your running a S54 oil panto utilize a dual pick up in an E30 you have to modify it. Next wise comment?

[mr2peak]

Could do a modified subframe.

Which has nothing to do with the motor….

[M-technik-3]

Could do a modified subframe.

[kingston]

I'd love to be able to run that setup, but this is for my Franken-car (E30 with an S52).

More great info being posted all the time. Thanks so much!

[B1mmer]

I like everything in this thread, but I have to take issue with this...

Oil pressure issues will kill any engine, doesn't matter how built or "bulletproof" it is.

I don't actually track an S52 (yet), but anything you can do to keep oil pressure in hard [left] corners will help gain reliability.

My M20 has a baffle, windage tray, and I fill it around 1.5 quarts over. Because the suspension is good and tires are so incredibly sticky nowdays, I still get minor pressure drops in a few select left-handers on the track

I never even notice the pressure dropping when on track, but when I go back and look at the in-car video, I see the gauge needle flicking around a bit.

I don't like the complication of Accusump and I don't really want to run one, but it might be my next step for keeping my motor alive.

If the S52 has a better option, like S54 pan/pump like was mentioned, I would do that in a heartbeat.

For an M20, a better solution is to run a Paul Poore oil pan. It has spring loaded internal baffles. I see zero pressure loss (video confirmed) since switching to this pan. It's about $550 and you have to wait in line for Paul to build a batch, but it's worth it. - AB

[TobyB]

shit, that M54 pump has a scavenge pump on the back of it, doesn't it???

that's... kinda cool...

t

[M-technik-3]

We added a s54 oil pan and dual oil pick up similar to this write up. Then added a oil cooler.

http://www.eatsleeptinker.com/2013/07/10/bmw-s54-oil-pan-and-dual-pick-up-pump-conversion-for-s50s52-engines/

[theevildoodlebob]

I would second the oil cooler and ducting to the cooler and radiator. I worked on an e36 M3 bmwcca race car and when it was originally built we put full shrouding on top, bottom, and sides that went all the way into the contours of the bumper for it. Later that season a different mechanic did some maintenance to it and they removed everything and threw it away. Next time out the car was running hot both coolant and oil.

[aventari]

Accusump is not needed, these engines are quite robust and tolerant of oil pressure fluctuations. S54 pan solves that issue, e34 pan is already an improvement from the stock e36 under braking.

I like everything in this thread, but I have to take issue with this...

Oil pressure issues will kill any engine, doesn't matter how built or "bulletproof" it is.

I don't actually track an S52 (yet), but anything you can do to keep oil pressure in hard [left] corners will help gain reliability.

My M20 has a baffle, windage tray, and I fill it around 1.5 quarts over. Because the suspension is good and tires are so incredibly sticky nowdays, I still get minor pressure drops in a few select left-handers on the track

I never even notice the pressure dropping when on track, but when I go back and look at the in-car video, I see the gauge needle flicking around a bit.

I don't like the complication of Accusump and I don't really want to run one, but it might be my next step for keeping my motor alive.

If the S52 has a better option, like S54 pan/pump like was mentioned, I would do that in a heartbeat.

[kingston]

Thanks for all the thoughts, guys!

I keep the motor at 7K, maximum.

The car has AKG Motor & transmission mounts. (The motor mounts are the 24V E30 ones to keep everything where it should be.) Shift detents were done on the ZF when the trans & S52 were installed. The shifter is a solid-mount shifter, similar to the AKG DTM one.

I remain on the fence about the oil cooler. Seems like the thing to do is install an oil temp gauge and see what temps I'm hitting at the track...

I will be doing the Stewart water pump & the VAC oil pump kit.

Thanks again for all the replies!!

[Northern]

Another suggestion - prevent a money shift with some good, hard motor and trans mounts.

New shifter detent pin bushings and a rebuilt shifter would help with that as well.

[athayer187]

Another suggestion - prevent a money shift with some good, hard motor and trans mounts.

[whitebulat22]

Anecdotal evidence of bulletproofness, but I have a bud with a stock one outside of exhaust and computer work which has survived more than 400k non gentle miles without a rebuild outside of rings. It's in it's original home of an E36 M3 chassis which has received mechanic owner maintenance. As long as it's taken care of and not doing too much more than it did from the factory it might already be as bulletproof as bulletproof gets.