M54B30 and M52B28

[Jacko_]

Hi guys, i'm wondering how similar the two engines are. The 2.8 single vanos has 192bhp whereas the later twin vanos 3.0 engine has 230bhp ish and i'm wondering how much difference the twin vanos makes first of all and then wondering how much the difference in CC makes.

I'm wondering if i can install M54B30 internals (crank, rod and pistons) into an M52B28. Reason i'm thinking this is i can run with the stock management and just live map it where as if i go down the M54B30 route then i think i'd need standalone management because it's canbus right?

Any advice would be great on this as i'm just thrashing ideas around at the moment for a bit more power.

[DanThe]

I built one a couple of years ago for my track car -

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 54&start=0

The exhaust vanos does nothing for performance at all, probably works against it as its purely for emissions purposes, the extra angle from the inlet vanos is nice, but pretty much everything else bar the extra stroke from the crank is working against you in terms of upping the power.

[Jacko_]

the extra angle from the inlet vanos is nice, but pretty much everything else bar the extra stroke from the crank is working against you in terms of upping the power.

Care to explain?

[DanThe]

Electrics and head design are the major factors

Check the thread, my engine produces more power and torque than a 330i and its built with standard M52B28 parts and management! I might get round to fitting the cams and mapping it one day

[Jacko_]

I read the thread...it's just people bickering about whats better - 12v or 24v.

I'm not sure what you mean about electronics and head design Dan?

I wanted to use the M54B30 crank, rods and pistons in an M52B28 and keep everything else the same including the std masnagement as i can live map it. What issues would i come up against doing this and what are the pros and cons of doing it?

[DanThe]

Its all pros! Everything goes together like it was designed to, bearings are the same size, so are the bores, if you struggle to find new piston rings I can get you a set in a few days

[Sjoerd320i]

Why would you do so much effort to make it a 3.0.

Isn't it easier to fit an s50

[DanThe]

No its not

[Sjoerd320i]

Well that's clear then

[Jacko_]

Cheaper for one, plus i've already got cams and throttle bodies so why would i bother going S50? Also the s50 uses a steel block rather than alloy and i don't want a steel block in my e21.

So Dan is it just a simple swap over procedure then, no messing about at all. I'm game for the swap.

What sort of power and torque was yours making? I checked the thread but using my phone so can't really make it out. I'd be really interested to know more about what you think of the conversion. Doesn't seem like many have done it, not sure why really but seems a good alternative for me over an above going s52. Sure i'll not have as much power as an s52 but it should still be enough for my little car.

You said you've not mapped yours yet, so your power figures are purely just from the components right, i wonder how mapping it would change things...

[DanThe]

236hp and 239ibft standard 328i cams and ECU, I have some US cams ready to go in, using the car on Saturday for the first time this year, cant wait to get the cams in and the bad boy mapped, its got to be good for 260hp+ IMO

[Jacko_]

Hum so just the crank, pistons and rods you've got an extra 40bhp. So with my 260bhp and the 40bhp from the B30 goodies i'm knocking on the door of 300bhp....not sure if it will work like that in the real world but still...worth a shot.

This i like.

Already looking at salvage 330s and 530s....hahah just need to find a cheap one for sale i can break for parts and i'm in. hehe.

[leeparkes]

Youve already got 260hp?

[Jacko_]

Yes

More to come i hope.

[leeparkes]

Whats the spec on the engine?

[Jacko_]

Nothing special tbh just M3 exhaust manifolds, de-cat, 257 cams, throttle bodies and remap.

[leeparkes]

Quite perky then.

[Jacko_]

always room for more