Build yourself an S50B30 clone for cheap!!! DIY

[carwiz008]

I have put 50k miles on mine and several track days. Lots of torque.

[JEC928]

I have put 50k miles on mine and several track days. Lots of torque.

I finally took the time to go through your imgur pictures, thank you for labeling the important ones:
1. Plasti-gauge the bearing journals for correct clearances, 0.002"
2. New Grant piston rings with part # S5266
3. Reassembly with torque wrench and angle protractor.

Good to hear that you've got reliability and torques. This sounds like an excellent and fun project.

[arubenstein]

Cheap S50 would be M50 engine with M54B30 rotating assembly plus S50/S52 camshafts and you got yourself a 3.0L beast. All parts fit just fine, no machining required.

Here is my video explaining the details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT5v6CrGStg

Thanks for the video, it is very useful. Two questions:

1) which head gasket did you use, and what thickness?

2) how do you know that the compression ratio is 10.3:1? I presume you could use a thinner gasket to obtain a higher compression (looking to get around 10.7:1).

Any help highly appreciated!

[madnod]

hi can this be done without pulling out the engine?

i don't have the space or tools to remove the engine, i've just finished my suspension rebuild and the oil pan modification, so i can remove the lower parts of the front suspension with ease in order to access the engine from below.

can i replace the crank shaft while the gear is connected to the engine.


also can i do the timing without removing all the front of the car?


i got the M54B30 and while i was planning just to do the M50 intake upgrade for my M52 at this stage i checked the compression and my cylinder six is having a very low compression, so most likely something related to the valves, so that changed my plan and now i have the stroking being a natural option as i need to service my engine head.

[mikyyy]

Hello to all. I have to install m54 intake camshaft on my m52b25 . exhaust camshaft is stock with 228 duration. I have to slow it this right? if yes, how many degrees ? Thank you

[madnod]

hi, 2 questions


1- how to remove the crankshaft pulley off the m54b30? i removed every thing except the crank due to this.

2- can i install the B30 parts into my B28 without removing the head? ie form the low side of the engine.

thanks!

[Avec]

hi, 2 questions


1- how to remove the crankshaft pulley off the m54b30? i removed every thing except the crank due to this.

2- can i install the B30 parts into my B28 without removing the head? ie form the low side of the engine.

thanks!

Someone else can help with #1, but as for #2, the pistons go in through the top, so you will need to remove the head.

[Hofmeister]

Someone else can help with #1, but as for #2, the pistons go in through the top, so you will need to remove the head.

torch the bolt, find a way to lock the crank from spinning then grab a breaker bar and a long bar for more leverage.

[madnod]

thanks, i've just had a cranksahft tool made, i'll bolt it to then end where the flywheel goes to hold the crank while removing the front bolt.

[spyderg0d]

FYI.. Just found riens top end gasket set on eBay for $100 free ship. Bottom end gasket set for $55 free shipping. Don't spend the $300 at advanced or $425 at autozone for the exact same parts!!! Literally just cancelled my advanced order. Saved $150 for waiting 4 days.

[ByrdmikalE36]

So question about the s50b30 clone if I wanna use the Pistons for my m50 with stock crank and rods. Will it work or have to run 135mm rods

[xxxxxxx]

Estimate for output from a non-vanos M50?

[pbonsalb]

So question about the s50b30 clone if I wanna use the Pistons for my m50 with stock crank and rods. Will it work or have to run 135mm rods

Unless you can relocate the wrist pins on the pistons higher to accommodate the 140 mm rods, which you cannot without using aftermarket pistons, you need 135mm rods.

[Alameer]

let's revive this thread and get more info here.
i'll share some information that i have, which is something that is confusing me at the same time.


i currently have a a M50B28 high compression engine in my E30 (using the M50B25TU pistons) which is said to have 11.25 CR. and i measured the output of the engine on a Mustand dyno and gave me a 203 WHP and 259 WTQ ( i have some fuel issues too and the graph looked messy). I also have Alpina headers and a few other mods including a Miller WAR chip (using the provided universal performance tune).


a friend of mine has an E34 and build a M50B30 engine with Euro M3 headers and S50US cams, in addition to an OBD2 TRM tune, and gave 218 WHP (WTQ figures where somewhere around 270-280) on the same dyno


in the next couple of days my car will be sent to the mechanic for an engine rebuild since it looks like i broke a piston ring or something (the muffler thinks it's a train chimney or something).


i'm talking to my mechanic about what we can do to the engine for this rebuild and he says that i should stay with my current 2.8 setup and add the S50US cams that i have on the side, and don't go with the 3.0 upgrade as he says that the 3.0 setup doesn't rev as fast as the 2.8 from 5000-7000 RPM (which is something bad because i street drag race from time to time and need the engine to rev quickly in that range).


from everywhere i read, everyone is going with the M54B30 stroker option, and i'm thinking which one to go with?! and wouldn't the S50 cams give me figures close to my friend's 3.0 setup while maintaining the 2.8 assembly of mine?


opinions and comments are very welcome, and would really appreciate if anyone shares his actual experience with similar projects.


if you have questions please feel free to ask

[Hofmeister]

let's revive this thread and get more info here.
i'll share some information that i have, which is something that is confusing me at the same time.


i currently have a a M50B28 high compression engine in my E30 (using the M50B25TU pistons) which is said to have 11.25 CR. and i measured the output of the engine on a Mustand dyno and gave me a 203 WHP and 259 WTQ ( i have some fuel issues too and the graph looked messy). I also have Alpina headers and a few other mods including a Miller WAR chip (using the provided universal performance tune).


a friend of mine has an E34 and build a M50B30 engine with Euro M3 headers and S50US cams, in addition to an OBD2 TRM tune, and gave 218 WHP (WTQ figures where somewhere around 270-280) on the same dyno


in the next couple of days my car will be sent to the mechanic for an engine rebuild since it looks like i broke a piston ring or something (the muffler thinks it's a train chimney or something).


i'm talking to my mechanic about what we can do to the engine for this rebuild and he says that i should stay with my current 2.8 setup and add the S50US cams that i have on the side, and don't go with the 3.0 upgrade as he says that the 3.0 setup doesn't rev as fast as the 2.8 from 5000-7000 RPM (which is something bad because i street drag race from time to time and need the engine to rev quickly in that range).


from everywhere i read, everyone is going with the M54B30 stroker option, and i'm thinking which one to go with?! and wouldn't the S50 cams give me figures close to my friend's 3.0 setup while maintaining the 2.8 assembly of mine?


opinions and comments are very welcome, and would really appreciate if anyone shares his actual experience with similar projects.


if you have questions please feel free to ask

m50 intake manifold and s50/2 cams with retune should help HP at a bit of bottom end torque loss.

[Pyropete82]

Anyone know if the n52 intake cam can have the same 5mm cut done on the Vanos sprocket to fit the e36 head and single Vanos unit?

[bimmerguy406]

Anyone know if the n52 intake cam can have the same 5mm cut done on the Vanos sprocket to fit the e36 head and single Vanos unit?

They're two completely different cams.

[quan408]

now is this an M50B28 iron or aluminium block

i am currently in the process of a new build, and i have all the necessary parts needed.
both M50 iron block and M52 iron block. Also both heads. M54B30 rotating assembly. S52 cams. ARP headstuds with proper head gasket for boost. full custom turbo kit as well. all suspension. trany. clutch. ect.
Most likely will be going with the M52 bottom end, M50 head route

Ive gone through every single post in this thread and the only question I would have is, are you guys swapping the M54b30 rotating assemble in both iron and aluminium blocks or just one of the two? Also is there a clear answer on which oil baffle to use?

thank you

let's revive this thread and get more info here.
i'll share some information that i have, which is something that is confusing me at the same time.


i currently have a a M50B28 high compression engine in my E30 (using the M50B25TU pistons) which is said to have 11.25 CR. and i measured the output of the engine on a Mustand dyno and gave me a 203 WHP and 259 WTQ ( i have some fuel issues too and the graph looked messy). I also have Alpina headers and a few other mods including a Miller WAR chip (using the provided universal performance tune).


a friend of mine has an E34 and build a M50B30 engine with Euro M3 headers and S50US cams, in addition to an OBD2 TRM tune, and gave 218 WHP (WTQ figures where somewhere around 270-280) on the same dyno


in the next couple of days my car will be sent to the mechanic for an engine rebuild since it looks like i broke a piston ring or something (the muffler thinks it's a train chimney or something).


i'm talking to my mechanic about what we can do to the engine for this rebuild and he says that i should stay with my current 2.8 setup and add the S50US cams that i have on the side, and don't go with the 3.0 upgrade as he says that the 3.0 setup doesn't rev as fast as the 2.8 from 5000-7000 RPM (which is something bad because i street drag race from time to time and need the engine to rev quickly in that range).


from everywhere i read, everyone is going with the M54B30 stroker option, and i'm thinking which one to go with?! and wouldn't the S50 cams give me figures close to my friend's 3.0 setup while maintaining the 2.8 assembly of mine?


opinions and comments are very welcome, and would really appreciate if anyone shares his actual experience with similar projects.


if you have questions please feel free to ask

- - - Updated - - -

even though its old, this is still my favorite thread!!!

[mikyyy]

Hello to all. I have a m50b20 block to bore to 84mm and make the stroker m50b30. I already bought pistons and connecting rods used and the intake camshaft, are missing all the other components. I have so many questions to which I have not answered in the various threads that I read.
1 - I have to pave 1mm from the block to get a decent compression ratio? I saw that someone did it and not someone else
2 - Whereas I have to buy new piston rings and the block I have, has a 80mm bore, what I have to bring the bore? therefore I will have to choose the measure of piston rings
3 - same thing for the crankshaft bearings, I saw that on realoem there are several measures. I have to measure the crank?
4 - maintaining oem pistons and connecting rods, I can think to make low-pressure turbo?
5 - keeping the naturally aspirated engine, which head gasket should I buy? with regard to the turbo engine (if it can do)?

[Wes1311]

Do I have to use different cams or can I use the original m50 cams and cam tray?

[AFDanHef]

It seems like there is some concern about harmonic vibration with the m54 crank stroked motors out there ....

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3011...6307721705856/

This one guy says not to rev over 6500rpm!! .... Anyone having any trouble with this?? This is the first I'm reading of this being a problem. Does this dude know what he's talking about or is he just a hater?? Also, this makes me think a little more seriously about getting a VAC ATI damper now. Even though they're $800!!! .... I was thinking to get one eventually ... but now maybe sooner than later.

[gdavid]

It seems like there is some concern about harmonic vibration with the m54 crank stroked motors out there ....

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3011...6307721705856/

This one guy says not to rev over 6500rpm!! .... Anyone having any trouble with this?? This is the first I'm reading of this being a problem. Does this dude know what he's talking about or is he just a hater?? Also, this makes me think a little more seriously about getting a VAC ATI damper now. Even though they're $800!!! .... I was thinking to get one eventually ... but now maybe sooner than later.

I've read the same things. I haven't installed my motor yet so I don't have any first hand experience yet. What I can say is that the m50/m52 damper fits looser on the m54b30 crank than it does on one m52 crank the diameter is slightly smaller. Rather than buying a ATI damper, I bought a used M54b30 damper which fits a little tighter, my working theory is that the slop allows the damper to wobble even though the bolt is tight. The m54 damper does not have the teeth for the crank position sensor but my motor is a m52 so I don't need them. I'm also going to put some specialized Loctite made for such applications on it before I install the engine. Just my 2 cents and haven't tested anything yet but interested in the topic.

[spyderg0d]

I bounce my m50tub30 off the rev limiter frequently. Not 1 problem besides if you think kick ass torque is a problem. Lol. That's stock balancer, with the internal phase gear on the crank and a e39 clutch kit.

[Scopio]

Hi, I just recently did the s52 clone with a 2.8 iron block engine and m54 3.0 internals. Also added m50 intake manifold to my e39. It runs great

[Scopio]

I first did it on an Aluminium block.. but it was an epic failure. The block thread keep loosing, installed inserts but still failed... now on running in iron block and it's a success