e46 2.8 84mm Crankshaft

[e30sh]

e46's are starting to show at the Pullapart's so parts are cheap. Are these cranks any easier to adapt to an M20 vs. the larger counterweight e36 versions? I've heard talk that the European market cranks were a little different in the e36 line.

[zaq123]

that crank has large counterweights as well. If you are in US and have no cheap access to a machine shop, custom pistons route is the only cost effective alternative. We are talking about a $1k expense for a set of pistons. Which is tolerable for a stroker build ...considering how cheap and available stroker cranks are.

[digger]

Cheapest way is a machine shop. You might get one of the early ones out of Europe but shipping would be a little steep and you are unlikely to come out ahead. There are various quality forged aftermarket Pistons starting at around 900 and up. The aftermarket forged option brings a number of benefits ( additional bore size, custom CR, deeper valve reliefs, depending on manufacturer better rings, improved resistance to crappy tune ).

[zaq123]

Cheapest way is a machine shop.

I guess it depends where you are. To shave, balance crank + to relieve piston valve pockets and balance pistons + pistons rings and wrist pins = right there with new pistons in my neck of the woods.

[TobyB]

CHEAPEST way is just to stuff the whole M54 in there, with MS43, etc.
Want it stroked? Spend a little more for a wrecked 530 or 330 with the 3L....

Saves weight in the block, too.

t
on an M54B30 kick this year.

[digger]

I guess it depends where you are. To shave, balance crank + to relieve piston valve pockets and balance pistons + pistons rings and wrist pins = right there with new pistons in my neck of the woods.

Balancing needs to be done with new pistons etc so I dont count that part