M52 project (update pg 2)

[ste]

I finally got my garage tidied out so was able to get the M52 on the engine stand. Before I could fit the engine to the stand I had to remove the clutch and flywheel. The standard flywheel is a horrible heavy dual mass thing. I think I'll bin that and see if there's a lighter weight alternative. UUC/Fidanza do a few options but they are pricey. After talking to Ian 332iSport I think something can probably be made from other standard BMW parts - probably using an e28 535 clutch and flywheel.



First job once we were on the stand was to remove the e36 sump. I still need an e34 sump and the relevant e34 oil pick up pipe if anyone has one?





I've also removed the standard crap 328 exhaust manifold as I'll be having one based on an M3 Evo hydroformed manifold (see 'groupbuy' forum).

I removed the water pump to check it was the later model with the metal impellers as the plastic impellers are a known weakspot. While it was off I removed the viscous fan, clutch and bearing as I'll obviously be using an electric fan.

I need a new pulley for the waterpump too. However I'll replace that when I also replace the powersteering pulley and the alternator pulley with UUC underdrive pulleys.

That's about it, but now I've made a start and have sorted my working environment I can hopefully get on with it.

[Jhonno]

www.apexengineering.com for the flywheel.. pukka JB Racing billet ali job

Looks good tho dude, pick up is dirt cheap from the dealers, bought mine new..

sump i'd get 2nd hand tho, think they are pricey..

kinda looks how mine does.. with less mess got my e34 sump on and no exhaust manifolds now tho

[Jhonno]

you need to remove that baffle from the engine also.. it fouls on the sump

[ste]

Cool cheers.

Did you fit the e34 baffle when you've removed the e36 one?

I'm actually getting a friend (www.preptech.co.uk) to try and make me a 'big wing' type sump without a low oil pan and with baffles.

I'm trying to avoid the ground clearance problems that Ian has.

Oli at preptech made a sump for my racecar and it worked perfectly.

Again it's something that if I can get a good design that I can prove to work I'll make them available to buy at a cost type price like the manifolds.

[Jhonno]

my sump didnt have a baffle in it..

so have nothing at all atm.. Big wing sump sounds interesting

Any progress with the manifold group buy yet?

[ste]

Some nice stuff on the Apex engineering site.

They list a 325 flywheel and an M3 flywheel. Would I be correct in thinking my M52 would need the M3 one? I know it shares a ZF box with the 3.0 M3 whereas the 325 etc uses the Getrag...


Hmm... they list Shrick M3 US cams too - they'd fit nicely in the M52.

[Jhonno]

The guy who works there Trent is cool also.. rang me to talk things through

not sure.. are the 325i's dual mass?

i like the look of their underdrive pulleys also.. now where did i plant that money tree...

[ste]

Any progress with the manifold group buy yet?

Not really - it's all in place I just need to get the engine in so I can take measurements to compare to Ian332i's engine. If the necessary points are the same we then know a manifold will fit both S50 and M50. Then it's just a case of trailering to BTB for the work.

[Jhonno]

M20 flywheel bolts straight on!

Of course!! Durrr... Why didnt i remember that!

Billet Ali is that much more sexual tho..

[ste]

M20 flywheel bolts straight on!

That's the kind of info I like.


Hmm... it seems to be a smaller diameter though. Would be a pain in the arse to build it and find it slips. I fully intend to treat this tourer like a rented mule.

[Jhonno]

Ali flywheel.. you know it makes sense..



Will spool up awesomely, a lightened flywheel transforms throttle response and lower gear acceleration

[Dan318-is]

Ste, i think this is the best 6 pot conversion you can do on an e30.

Although the s50b30/s50b32 is more powerful, it is very heavy due to the cast iron block i think. also, the s38 has way too many complications i think

the m52 can be easily deristricted, is cheaper than a s50 and lighter surely by a lot due to the aluminium block?

will be watching with anticipation. good luck mate

[DanThe]

I had to get my M20 flywheel skimmed as it was fouling the heads of some 6mm bolts on the block (M50 engine) but others have fitted it with no problems.

[ian332isport]

After talking to Ian 332iSport I think something can probably be made from other standard BMW parts - probably using an e28 535 clutch and flywheel.

Ste,

Ive been looking into this, and the E28 flywheel that I was talking about was from the 528e, so M20 based, not M30. I've yet to figure out if an M30 has the same flywheel bolt pattern as the M20.

I did find that the very early M50 did come with a single mass flywheel, but it uses the same sized clutch as the E30, not the 240mm version found on the larger engined car's.

If you are around, I'll pop over tomorrow for a chat.

Cheers,

Ian.

[DieselMeister]

I'd be interested to know regarding the flywheel as I've long disliked the dual mass thing. I'm still looking at an M52 / S50 conversion but would definitely prefer a single mass setup.

[Andy335Touring]

Ive been looking into this, and the E28 flywheel that I was talking about was from the 528e, so M20 based, not M30. I've yet to figure out if an M30 has the same flywheel bolt pattern as the M20.

I've got my E28 535 single mass fly wheel off at the mo so just shout if you want me to take some pictures and measurements/etc ?

[Brianmoooore]

not sure.. are the 325i's dual mass?

My experiences:
92 E36 320 = single mass
93 E34 325 = single mass
93 E34 325Tu = single mass
00 E39 M54B25 = auto, so don't know
?? E36 325Tu (£60 one) = dual mass.

[ian332isport]

I've got my E28 535 single mass fly wheel off at the mo so just shout if you want me to take some pictures and measurements/etc ?

Andy,

Don't suppose you have an M20 or M50/52 flywheel you could compare it with ?

Just need to know if it will fit on the end of an M50/52 crank.

Cheers,

Ian.

[Dan318-is]

iv got an m42 one if that helps!

[ste]

If you are around, I'll pop over tomorrow for a chat.

Sounds good - if the weather's still like this I could be tempted to visit the beer garden...

[ian332isport]

If you are around, I'll pop over tomorrow for a chat.

Sounds good - if the weather's still like this I could be tempted to visit the beer garden...

Oooh, that sounds like a plan

Alison finished early today, but tomorrow lunchtime is going to be nice and warm

I'll pop over unless I hear otherwise.

Cheers,

Ian.

[Toby_Unna]

Ian i'm sure the m20/m30 bolt pattern is the same if that's what you're asking. look on the parts database - the washer ring thingy that spreads the load of the 8 bolt heads is the same part number for a whole load of different engines. I needed one for my m30 and bought one that was said to be from an m20 320i, and it fitted perfectly.

[Andy335Touring]

I've got my E28 535 single mass fly wheel off at the mo so just shout if you want me to take some pictures and measurements/etc ?

Andy,

Don't suppose you have an M20 or M50/52 flywheel you could compare it with ?

Just need to know if it will fit on the end of an M50/52 crank.

Cheers,

Ian.

Sorry, i don't have another to compare it with but Toby might have answered the question ?

[ian332isport]

Toby might have answered the question ?

I think he has

Thanks guys.

I also think I know where I can borrow an E34 535i flywheel to check

Cheers,

Ian.

[Andy325i]

I have an M52 flywheel sat about if you need any measurements?

Andy

[Andy335Touring]

Toby might have answered the question ?

I think he has

Thanks guys.

I also think I know where I can borrow an E34 535i flywheel to check

Cheers,

Ian.

Sods law but i've not long thrown away a scrap E34 dual mass fly wheel

I had to grind three of the allen bolts off because they were well chewed up !

[ste]

Update:

I've been doing lots of mundane cleaning etc. Because the engine is aluminium alloy it isn't pinted so can be 'polished' up quite nicely. This is a first pass with high grip removing casting marks and then a run over with a drill mounted wire brush. Now I've started I'm tempted to completely polish the engine for uber bling... most of it is hidden though so how far should I go....?





I'll be swapping the thermostat housing for an alloy one - not only are they stronger but it's one more thing to polish up!

I've been removing other brackets, and ancilleries etc to clean them up off the engine. The oil filter housing casting won't be going back on as I'm fitting a 3.0 M3 one. (Thanks Sandy & Ian). This has the oil thermostat and oil cooler take off that the standard M50/m52 casting doesn't have. It also has a metal lid whereas the M52 one is plastic. Something else to polish...



The problem I am having now is that I need to fit the vanos oil feed into the place where the S50 has the oil temp gauge sensor. Unfortunately the thread is a completely different size.



Now I could easily drill the take off out and re cut the bigger thread but i'm keen to find out if the vanos feed will work from this place first. I know lots of oil fed variable timing systems rely on very specific pressures to actuate them. I'll do some more research first. This mod is popular in the US so I'll have a smooch around some US forums.

[buster]

looks good ste,get it all polished up for that ultra bling look