Talk to me about 3 sereis engines.

[Sry0fcr]

From what I've read it looks like for the most part M52 series engines share a common iron sleeved (The US didn't get the nickasil lining right?) aluminum block correct? Differences in displacement of course are bore/stroke related. I assume a high level of interchangability exists within the shortblocks becasue of this. How much different are the S50/S52/S54 engines? More specifically are the valvetrain components (camshafts, valvesprings, retainers), and possible pistons and connecting rods compatible with the M52 series? I'm comming from the Honda world, where mix matching engine components happens everyday and works... very well too.

[TboneM3]

The heads and most valve train parts are interchangable on the M/S 50/52
engines. Changing pistons/rod/cranks may yeild different strokes/bores but
should all fit. The M/S54 are in the newish E46 (2002-2005) and are not
interchangable (dual vanos) for the most part.

[Slick Willi]

The heads and most valve train parts are interchangable on the M/S 50/52
engines. Changing pistons/rod/cranks may yeild different strokes/bores but
should all fit. The M/S54 are in the newish E46 (2002-2005) and are not
interchangable (dual vanos) for the most part.

so wise :)

[T-Rex]

The US M52s are mostly iron blocks, only the Z3 got the aluminum block motors.

[theruss1an1]

To get you started:
92 was the year m50 engines didnt have vanos. They also had the double valve springs and hotter cams than the vanos m50 an. Also the block is stronger and the engine is very happy in the high rpms. m50 vanos has single valve springs and a single vanos unit on the intake cam. m52 is the same engine but stroked and I think has a little hotter cams than a m50. m52 also has a intake manifold with small port, the m50 has way larger ports and gives it a nice power boost. m50 and m52 have the same hp, but the m52 has lots more torque. s50 is just a tuned m50, bored stroked, camed etcs. s52 is like m50 is to m52, it only has more torque than s50.

m50 and s50 are obd 1
m52 and s52 are obd 2

all the heads are interchangable, but I unno about the non vanos engine.

There were a few threads about this I was trying to find but the search is down...

-Serge

[Sry0fcr]

If you can link me to those threads that'd be great. I'm thinking of picking up an E36 in need of mechanical work, I can tackle the rebuild myself but if the motor is going to be apart, there's no reason to put it back together bone stock.