M52b28 question.

[e46cruiser]

Okay so I'm in the process of collecting information and doing research on swapping an m52b28 into my e46 and then boosting the motor. I've been reading up on it for a few months now, well just the turbo side of things. I've been reading up on what works what doesn't, and also looking at setups people do and what they use for tuning. So now that I've done some research I feel I might be up to the task with the help of the forums along the way! Now onto my question! Is the m52b28 from an e36 the same engine used in the e39? Is there anything different or is it completely the same engine, I've found a e39 m52s for sale but I never knew if it was the exact engine people boost in e36s. Sorry for the dumb question, I just had to double check before buying the engine!

[Lysis]

No, they aren't the same engine. The e39 engine is designated the m52b28tu and it features adjustable cam timing on both the exhaust and the inlet cams, whereas the e36 m52 had Vanos on the inlet cams only. In addition, most e36 m52b28s had an iron engine block while the m52b28tu features an aluminium block. The m52b28tu engines were also fitted with an entirely different intake manifold; the new manifold had what BMW calls DISA. The DISA flap changes the route the air takes when passing through the manifold depending on the rev range of the engine. This allows the m52b28tu to provide increased low down torque over the earlier e36 engines.
As you can imagine these mechanical upgrades required upgraded electronics to run and the m52b28tu uses a different DME to the m52b28.

In short, the engine you are looking for comes out of an e36. Preferably an early (95-97) e36, because the later ones had an aluminium block rather than the standard cast iron.

[e39hamann]

The e39 did come with the same engine as the e36 during the first few years of production. My 97 528i has the single vanos m52 in it, I believe the 97 and 98 model years came with this and then in 99 it switched over to the m52tu

[e46cruiser]

No, they aren't the same engine. The e39 engine is designated the m52b28tu and it features adjustable cam timing on both the exhaust and the inlet cams, whereas the e36 m52 had Vanos on the inlet cams only. In addition, most e36 m52b28s had an iron engine block while the m52b28tu features an aluminium block. The m52b28tu engines were also fitted with an entirely different intake manifold; the new manifold had what BMW calls DISA. The DISA flap changes the route the air takes when passing through the manifold depending on the rev range of the engine. This allows the m52b28tu to provide increased low down torque over the earlier e36 engines.
As you can imagine these mechanical upgrades required upgraded electronics to run and the m52b28tu uses a different DME to the m52b28.

In short, the engine you are looking for comes out of an e36. Preferably an early (95-97) e36, because the later ones had an aluminium block rather than the standard cast iron.

oh okay, from what I was reading they came with the same engine but like I said I'm not to sure if that's entirely true. I'll have to keep looking into it!

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The e39 did come with the same engine as the e36 during the first few years of production. My 97 528i has the single vanos m52 in it, I believe the 97 and 98 model years came with this and then in 99 it switched over to the m52tu

Okay see that's what I was thinking, that's what I read that some years came with the same engine as the e36 but I wasn't sure what years.

[BimmerBreaker]

Yes, earlier E39s used the M52B28 non-TU. I believe they switched to the TU engine in 99.

[e46cruiser]

Yes, earlier E39s used the M52B28 non-TU. I believe they switched to the TU engine in 99.
Perfect! There is a few m52s out of early model e39s and I was thinking of using that engine! So another question, if I get the one out of an automatic e39 will the harness and dme from a manual e36 swap over ?

[BimmerBreaker]

Yes. The blocks are the same so as long as you swap the DME with it you can do a manual conversion no problem.

[e46cruiser]

Yes. The blocks are the same so as long as you swap the DME with it you can do a manual conversion no problem.
Looks like I'll be doing the swap earlier than expected! I have one last question, what would you guys choose for a build m50 or m52? I found a running m50 for 200 only thing missing is the harness. The engine was running prior to him taking it out last week. Guy is doing a motor swap and is keeping his harness to make a custom one! I was thinking of picking it up and throwing a gt35r and running around 400rwhp and then going higher.

[BimmerBreaker]

Use either. You can put an M52/S52 head on it later if you want.

Though it will be more work to make an M50 work in an M52 car, but not any significant amount of work.

[e46cruiser]

Use either. You can put an M52/S52 head on it later if you want.

Though it will be more work to make an M50 work in an M52 car, but not any significant amount of work.

Ill be picking up the m50 next weekend ! This will be going in an e46 btw so we will see how it goes lol.

[e46cruiser]

You can put an M52/S52 head on it later if you want.http://fashionold.com/4e.jpg

Yeah the guy above you explained that to me! I've been finding a lot of motors as of recent with low miles! Found an m50 with 67k on it for $450!

[slocar]

You might want to check your local laws chief ... pretty sure the engine has to be newer than the car you're putting it in ... and there was no m52b28 or m50 in 2002. You have emissions testing ... they will find out.

[e46cruiser]

You might want to check your local laws chief ... pretty sure the engine has to be newer than the car you're putting it in ... and there was no m52b28 or m50 in 2002. You have emissions testing ... they will find out.

Well for one there is no emmisions testing where I am, and I'm not planning to daily the car. Eventualy it will be a dedicated track car.