Anyone in the PNW interested in an M54?

[John T]

Yep, I'm running one. It's bitchin'.

If the cam journals look good it probably didn't overheat.

You mind if I pick your brain about the swap?

[hoveringuy]

The motor is very similar to an S52 with some exceptions. My swap was basically an OBD1 conversion that we're all familiar with. You could keep it OBD2 but I have no experience with that.

- Oil pickup needs to be fabricated to that pan because the oil pump is built stronger in aluminum blocks. Easy to do. Standard e34 pan fits fine.

- No VR mounting bung on the front cover, need to use M44 VR crank sensor in the stock location on rear of motor in place of the Hall sender. Or I have a circuit that converts Hall to VR signal.

-I used OBD1 MAF, knock sensors, throttle body. OBD2 exhaust manifolds fit great, as do headers.

-M54 uses 24 lb injectors. With S50 injectors you could run an S50 tune. I have a TRM tune.

-stock thermostat works, but Zionsville has a nice little manual thermostat conversion plate that's inexpensive. My billet thermostat was expensive.

-External fuel pressure regulator needs to be used, M54 has a dead-end fuel rail. (not flow-through like M50, etc.) Works just dandy.

-take your pick of transmissions. I'm using the G260.

-I'm running the 413 OBD1 ecu with some extra circuitry to control the DISA valve and the dual VANOS.

Result is 217 whp and and a fantastic torque curve, plus aluminum goodness on your front axle.

There will be a lot more M54's in the future as the 330s get balled-up.

Here's how the M54 compares to the S50:

[John T]

The motor is very similar to an S52 with some exceptions. My swap was basically an OBD1 conversion that we're all familiar with. You could keep it OBD2 but I have no experience with that.

- Oil pickup needs to be fabricated to that pan because the oil pump is built stronger in aluminum blocks. Easy to do. Standard e34 pan fits fine.

- No VR mounting bung on the front cover, need to use M44 VR crank sensor in the stock location on rear of motor in place of the Hall sender. Or I have a circuit that converts Hall to VR signal.

-I used OBD1 MAF, knock sensors, throttle body. OBD2 exhaust manifolds fit great, as do headers.

-M54 uses 24 lb injectors. With S50 injectors you could run an S50 tune. I have a TRM tune.

-stock thermostat works, but Zionsville has a nice little manual thermostat conversion plate that's inexpensive. My billet thermostat was expensive.

-External fuel pressure regulator needs to be used, M54 has a dead-end fuel rail. (not flow-through like M50, etc.) Works just dandy.

-take your pick of transmissions. I'm using the G260.

-I'm running the 413 OBD1 ecu with some extra circuitry to control the DISA valve and the dual VANOS.

Result is 217 whp and and a fantastic torque curve, plus aluminum goodness on your front axle.

There will be a lot more M54's in the future as the 330s get balled-up.

Here's how the M54 compares to the S50:

Thanks for the info.. I've been in performance for a long time but am very new to the older bmw's. What mounts did you use and where can I find info on trannys?

[hoveringuy]

Any e36 mounting arm and the e28 m5 mounts. I actuallly forgot if I used the e46 arms or not....

The Getrag 260 is dime-a-dozen. It will also work with an e36 ZF box. The choice will effect driveshaft and transmission mounting.

[John T]

Any e36 mounting arm and the e28 m5 mounts. I actuallly forgot if I used the e46 arms or not....

The Getrag 260 is dime-a-dozen. It will also work with an e36 ZF box. The choice will effect driveshaft and transmission mounting.

Will e46 arms work, I have a ton of those.
325 IC should have a getrag 260?
The reason I ask is because the bottom end and tranny are still in my wifes car, i bought the car that way.

[John T]

I need to go home, get a beer, sit on the couch and read a few hundred pages of swap articles starting with yours

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=116803

[John T]

Starting to lean towards keeping it, well shit I already have it. And besides one person, nobody has seemed to be interested.

[daniel]

It's bitchin'.

understatement

[87e30]

If you're capable (which it seems you are) it would be a nice swap for sure.

[John T]

If you're capable (which it seems you are) it would be a nice swap for sure.

Touched base with Hoveringuy, very nice guy (buying him a beer or hotdog or filet mignon whatever-whenever i meet him face to face).

He filled me in on the ins and outs of swaping the e30, there is so much garbage on the net these days, he was able to give me solid answers on some Q's i had seeing as how Im an e30 noob.

So anywho, I,ve decided to keep the engine... M54-Wife, S54-Me

As soon as I get parts together I'll start a build thread.

Ive always been an engine management guy so my build will not include the use of any factory DME, airflow sensor, throttle body, intake manifold, ect...

AEM
Speed Density
one off manifold
Throttle body TBD pending manifold desighn.

I will be Tearing down the engine this weekend, if anyone wants me to I can start a build thread but it will be slow moving - I constantly tweak on all our cars so play money is streched thin:

87 Cab M54
87 Cab S54
94 Civic Street/all motor drag car
93 FD3S RX7 - long story
05 QX56 - wifes daily, this one just needs to be vacuumed all the time, ALL THE TIME -kids:tsk:, oh and somehow my wife warped the front rotors and EBC wont replace them ---DAMN

"I take back all the times I could have napped as a kid"

Thanks Hoveringuy - I now have direction on this project.

[hoveringuy]

AEM
Speed Density
one off manifold
Throttle body TBD pending manifold desighn.

Oooh... This should be fun!

Build thread!

[Dominic49]

i hope it wasnt overheated or it'll be timesert the block time >.<


fun motors though! glws!

[Mlarsen]

Pics of orange e46?

[John T]

I'll get some up when I get to work on monday

[hoveringuy]

Pics of orange e46?

John mentioned that he works with Horse Power Freaks (HPF), I don't think his e30 will end-up with methanol injection but he certainly has the background for a great project.