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Thread: Everything says it should be a m52, but seems to clearly be a M54

  1. #1
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    1995 BMW m3

    Everything says it should be a m52, but seems to clearly be a M54

    Anyone have any insight as to what may be going on here?

    http://www.sequimauto.com/InventoryDetail?id=18254

    Badging and vin lookup obviously indicate a 2.8, but from the under hood pic, it seems to pretty clearly be an m54 engine. Production date of 3/29/99, possible that it got the updated engine but still coded as an m52? Seems pretty unlikely
    Last edited by trulsrohk; 11-20-2018 at 05:02 PM.

  2. #2
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    Just so you know, an M52tu engine exists (used in 1999-2000 Z3), with dual vanos and DISA intake, which looks exactly like an M54.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  3. #3
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    Well that answers that then.

    I was not aware of that, thanks

  4. #4
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    Everything says it should be a m52, but seems to clearly be a M54

    There are some M52B28TU engines out there, these are Dual VaNos engines. Should be badged as a “2.8i”.

    Look for an on-line VIN decoder.
    Also go to www.realoem.com and insert the last seven of you VIN and the diagrams display your exact car.

    Scroll down towards the bottom for Z3
    https://www.bimmerworld.com/About-Us...-Engine-Codes/

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    Last edited by bluptgm3; 11-20-2018 at 06:47 PM.

  5. #5
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    Not all DISA valves were created equally. I swapped an M54B30 intake manifold onto my M52TUB28, which I highly recommend if you pick up a Z3 with the TU motor.

    20161109_190128.jpg20161102_154136.jpg
    Nathan in Denver

    1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
    1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    There are some M52B28TU engines out there, these are Dual VaNos engines. Should be badged as a “2.8i”.

    Look for an on-line VIN decoder.
    Also go to www.realoem.com and insert the last seven of you VIN and the diagrams display your exact car.

    Scroll down towards the bottom for Z3
    https://www.bimmerworld.com/About-Us...-Engine-Codes/

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    It is a TU

    Huh, seems for me probably not super desirable engine. Not much performance difference over the m52, while being more rare and presumable as (if not more expensive) to fix/maintain as an m54.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by s8ilver View Post
    Not all DISA valves were created equally. I swapped an M54B30 intake manifold onto my M52TUB28, which I highly recommend if you pick up a Z3 with the TU motor.

    20161109_190128.jpg20161102_154136.jpg
    How much are the parts for the swap? I've heard about the swap and have a Dinan chip, but I've heard you need to get the car tuned to take advantage of the manifold swap and I wouldn't know where to go for that

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by ihm96 View Post
    How much are the parts for the swap? I've heard about the swap and have a Dinan chip, but I've heard you need to get the car tuned to take advantage of the manifold swap and I wouldn't know where to go for that
    I was under $200 all in...the key is finding a manifold for sale with the DISA still attached, as folks ask a lot for DISA valves separately. You can also rebuild the M54 DISA with a kit from GAS, which I'd recommend on one with unknown mileage. The only other thing you need is a TB adapter plate and a lot of patience. The swap took me the better part of a day, but if I did it again I could knock it out in a couple hours.

    https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-4...take-manifold/
    https://www.germanautosolutions.com/...repair_kit.php
    Nathan in Denver

    1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
    1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42

  9. #9
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    Everything says it should be a m52, but seems to clearly be a M54

    Quote Originally Posted by trulsrohk View Post
    It is a TU

    Huh, seems for me probably not super desirable engine. Not much performance difference over the m52, while being more rare and presumable as (if not more expensive) to fix/maintain as an m54.
    Didn’t it have more HP and a flatter torque curve with more total area under the curve?


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  10. #10
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    It sure did. M52tu reaches peak torque much earlier in rpm band.
    It has a bit more potential too, compared to the non TU. The DME is much nicer as well.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by trulsrohk View Post
    It is a TU

    Huh, seems for me probably not super desirable engine. Not much performance difference over the m52, while being more rare and presumable as (if not more expensive) to fix/maintain as an m54.
    Its not as rare, it shares most parts with an M54, and pretty much anything you can throw on an M54 will work with the M52TU. I have the 2.5 liter engine, but have 330 ZHP cams, M54B30 intake manifold, DISA valve etc.

    Don't be discouraged thinking these were some rare one off motors. They are basically M54 beta.

    Suspension: Bilstein Sports, GC Coilover conversion, IE Subframe Bushings, IE RTABs, M roadster sways, M roadster front control arms, M roadster Front calipers/hubs.
    Engine/Driveline: M54B30 intake Manifold, Dinan CAI, ZHP Cams, Headers, Underdrive pulleys, Conforti Software, 3.46 diff.

  12. #12
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    Z3 Coupe individual
    Double vanos M52 is as common as the single vanos M52.

    Z3 & E36 RamAir systems, send private message for more information.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Remotion View Post
    Double vanos M52 is as common as the single vanos M52.
    M52 ran from MY 1996 - 1999 in the 323 and 328.

    M52TU in Z3 ran from MY 1999-2000

    M52TU ran from MY 1999-2000 in E46


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