Increased cylinder bore to 87 mm (from 86.4 mm) for a new total displacement of 3,246 cc (from 3,201 cc)
Modified camshafts
High pressure Double VANOS continuously variable valve timing system with faster operation at high rpm
Increased compression to 11.5:1 (from 11.3:1)
More advanced BMW/Siemens MSS 54 engine management control
Finger-type rocker arms for reduced reciprocating mass and friction
One-piece aluminum head casting for lighter weight
Scavenging oil pump to maintain pressure during heavy cornering

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M54#S54

 

So based on what he said there are a few primary changes.

#1. Bigger (more air/fuel = more power)
#2. It revs higher (thats what the finger rocker arms etc due)
#3. Higher Compression. THe more you compress fue/air the more power you will get
#4. VANOS & Cam tuning is more aggressive. More aggressive cams mean you will get more air in per revolution
#5. Air flow like intake/heads/throttle bodies/exhaust all flow more air.

All of those on their own wouldn't be that impressive. But when you combine them you get a very impressive number for their time.

 

The main difference: It's a completely different engine.

 

From reading the link above it doesn't seem to be a totally different engine. It may even be able to take performance parts from the M to the 3.0l.
That is really the question. How would I be able to determine what parts are interchangeable. If there are any.

I would like to see the specs of each to compare if that is available.

 

It is. A completely. Different. Engine. This isn't opinion. It's fact.

 

Choxor I believe I am not being clear. I am looking for the technical specifications of both the S54 and the M54.
Is there a place I can find this information.
I don't doubt that what you are saying is fact, but please share this info.
Such as
S54 Intake port = ??? CFM
M54 Intake port = ??? CFM
Difference in cams
Lifters
Valves
Is there a physical dimensional change in the engine block?
Is there a physical dimensional change in the heads?
If so where can I get this information?
Thanks

 

The M54 engine in your 330i is an aluminum block. The S54 block in the M3 is cast iron to handle higher stresses and higher temperatures. They are entirely different engines based on different development protocols, and the differences extend to more than just bore and stroke and head design.

 

While I do understand that there have been some cars over the years where the Base Model has the same engine block and primary components as the Performance Model, with the difference in performance coming from intentionally limiting the output and engine controls of the Base Model... that is not the case here. You won't unlock ///M performance by simply upgrading the ECU or a few parts of a 3-series engine, since they are dissimilar aside from the number and layout of cylinders.

So the question here really should be "how do I best modify my M54 engine to get better performance?" (which is a very do-able thing) rather than "how do I slap a bunch of S54 components into the M54 engine block, and how much power will this give me?" (it won't work and the power of your engine would be reduced to 0hp).

 

The question is about the specs of the M3, it is a naturally aspirated car, so one could think by looking at the engineering of the S54 motor it would help with the planning of a build. Or on the other hand it my not be worth the pains of building a M54.
With the displacement of the M54 only being .2 less of the S54 is, it would seem the motor has the potential to reach 300 plus horsepower without using forced induction.
With that said if one could use parts from the M motor money could be saved. (Intake, exhaust,heads)
So maybe the easiest thing to do is a complete engine swop.
I am getting tired of getting smoked by stock IS350s. .

 

I am new to having BMWs & just like any car I know I can buy one with more HP but there is something about building a car that I really enjoy.
It isn't necessarily about how much money I spend.
When someone pulls up they see a sleeper until they get smoked.


http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1422245

 

It isn't necessarily about how much money I spend.

Of course it is or else you would have purchased an M3 :eeps:

 

OP whats your goal?

Comparing a 3.0 to a 3.2 BMW motor is apples to oranges.

There is a lot of detail on both motors so what do you want to know? If you are trying to build a sleeper than add boost and don't bother with a swap.

 

I want to understand the specs of the 3.2 motor. There can't be 100HP difference by gaining .2 displacement.
So the differences would need to be evaluated to see if the 3.0 can get close to the 3.2 in HP
So I want to take the information and put it in a spread sheet so I can evaluate the differences and make a discussion based on data.
Example:
S54 Intake= 275CFM
M54 intake= 200CFM
That would be a HP increase, there are people that have used a S54 intakes on a M54. But the key point is to know the difference and then I can make an informed decisions on how and what to upgrade.
I would like to build a 3.0 motor that is naturally aspirated to get to the 300HP mark. That would be the goal of it proved that would be cost effective.
Thanks

 

Again apples to oranges.

3.0
Single throttle body, different head design, different valve design, and cylinders. Revs are also lower.

3.2
Individual throttle bodies, VANOS, and all the above mentioned in a S54.

If you want to take a 3.0 have more power, you need cams, headers, and a high flow intake. You can get 300 from a 3.0 with some basic mods and tune.

It does have a .2 difference bore but there is A LOT more than just that. You comparison while it helps is not really accurate. Your also missing suspension upgrades from a E36 to E46 if that what this discussion is about.

 

Solid lifters versus hydraulic
iron block versus aluminum
high pressure Vanos vs. low pressure
Completely different engine management
]
These are all some pretty significant differences

 

AHHHHH well there we go.

You will need to spend $$ to compete. Newer car with newer tech and that is reasonably fast.

IS350 - 306 hp @ 6400 rpm
S50 M3 - 240 hp @ 6000 rpm

Of course your going to loose stock to stock. M3 is not a drag car. If you want more power out of a S50, turbo or supercharge. There is a lot of kits and best bang for buck based on what you are trying to do. NA you will spend more for less.

 

Isn't the 3.0 non vanos? Vanos only came out on the S52?

Going off memory and to lazy to look

 

OP is talking about the M54

 

Sorry missed that. Yes single vanos vs double vanos

 

This is all good information. I am referring to the same year motors. A S54 and a M54.
I would like to get the 3.0 to 300HP.
Would like to understand the physical differences that make the extra 100HP.

If there is a thread that has taken a 3.0 and made the 300HP I would love the link.


I have seen here where the someone took a S54 Throttle Bodies and put it on M54 head.
Are there other parts that can be swooped out?

 

I forgot to ask if your talking about a multithrottle intake manifold from Dbilas that is made by a German aftermarket company for the S52B32? Or perhaps your confusing the BMW AG Motorsport race engine P54B20 a 2.0 liter inline six used in BTCC or WTCC race type series? I shall attach pictures of both. The S54B32 intake manifold and throttle bodies wouldn't work on an M54 cylinder head. Do you have a picture of what you saw maybe that would help?

 

I like to see how someone made S54 throttle bodies on a M54. Intake ports are different but anything is possible with money.

Last comment on this. If you want to make 300 HP with what you have it takes $$$. Knowing what are the differences will not make a difference as again apples to oranges. Your motor is what it is so you need to do the below if you are trying to make 300hp. Money can make anything happen and BMW modding sadly is not cheap. These motors are not like your old ford American Iron. These motors are German high strung precision devices. (Last sentence was meant to be said in German accent as if your trying to mod ... JOKE)

NA setup - Cams, intake, full header back, tune, That should get you closer to the 300 mark.

If 300 is your ultimate goal then boost the car with a super charger.

Not trying to stop you from researching but many of us have been there done that and save yourself some headache and just boost the car. NA BMW cars cost twice as much for little gains. American V8's take little to wake them up which I think you were hoping.

Hope that helps and good luck

 

https://store.vacmotorsports.com/vf-engineering----supercharger-system-e46-non--m-p2629.aspx

 

Here is the link that shows the s54 throttle body on an M54 motor.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1422245

Just a little info about myself, I am an Corporate Engineer that works for the best Automotive manufacturers in the world. I have spent my life building cars at home and work, the cars I have modified at home have all been the Big 3. A big difference than a BMW. There is a lot of info and interchangeable parts.

My son has a Z3 and it is a great car so I bought a 330i and it is a great car.

My son wants to build his car so I have started the research to do so. I am aware of the super chargers and NOS and have used both.

So the plan is to build a 3.0 and get the maximum HP I can get out of it with my son. Then change out the one in his car.

Then I will consider FI.

 

Don't want to sound like a naysayer but if it was easy to build a M54 to 300HP, there would have been a ton of them by now. Th E46 is an aged chassis now and most of what works and do not work have been evidenced.

Can you build a M54 to be 300HP with enough $? Probably yes. Will it reliable and daily driveable? Probably not...even if it was, the cost associated will be more than just buy an S54 out right.

Occam's Razor? Swap in a S54 and enjoy the time driving it with 333HP stock vs. spending the time trying to get to 300HP with an M54.

 

Thanks for the link. If you notice he had to do a lot of "custom" work to make it work. There is a lot more beyond just the throttle bodies as well.

BMW are not know for power. We are better know for carving roads than going to the drag strip. Just keep that in mind when you and your son mod that power is not what BMWs are about. Suspension upgrades and exhaust and call it a day. Then save the funds and upgrade into a M car if you want more power. Parts as you see are not easily changed to BMW models.

Also a Z3 is a twitchy car with Frankenstein suspension. So be aware when driving it will always try to kill you to quote a friend who had one.

 

tatd69 - where are you located?

n3985 - where is the like button for your post.

 

We are trying to help you here. BMW vs Big 3 two different worlds. Yes you can instal nitrous on a BMW but that is so out there. If you install it be aware you will get flamed for being a civic type owner

I am starting to think we are getting trolled here and we jumped in to help... No sure.

If you are not trolling us then we need to have a heart to hear about what you have and what your trying to do.

 

Flamed for being a civil type owner you're going to have to explain that to me because I don't get it. Lol

I am definitely not trolling I don't know what there would be to gain but it should be obvious what I want to do.

I have built cars all my life and my son is too and it is something we do for enjoyment.

The BMW is something I would have never gave a second look had my son not found a Z3 he wanted. After driving he is I went and bought a 330 and I drive it back and forth to work.

 

as has been said the engines are different types. pretty sure they don't share any of the same parts (or if it could be interchanged).

what you would be doing is a complete "blueprinted" long block build on your M54B30. and those specialty parts aren't cheap. then you'd have to do a full port & polish and cam work. if this is a project you want to do for fun, by all means do it. i built a few "balanced & blueprinted" engines in my day. just understand it will cost you much more in money to do on this engine platform.

the advice to go with FI is probably the cheapest for the gain. then again at this point with S54 engines showing up for well under $5K it would be your best bet for a "project" to do with your son. not only will it fit, it's going to supply enough power and be more reliable than other choices. and you can buy any parts it might need at any dealership or online parts supplier.

if you want to go nitrous, go ahead. it's nothing to be "flamed" about (when done right), nor should you care. it fits a certain power gain niche. and no one has to know you have it.

 

BMW AG Motorsport parts



Pictured here is the European S50B30 engine used in the BMW E36 M3 GT from 1995. Right away you will notice it has a different cylinder head than the USA S52 and note the individual throttle bodies for the intake manifold. I can tell you that BMW AG Motorsport division offers nothing for the USA spec S52B32 in way of factory race car parts. However I do know BMW AG Motorsport offers factory race car parts for the S50B30 and S50B32 race engines. The camshafts for the Euro S50B30 and S50B32 race engines are now categorized as P50 at the BMW AG Motorsport division. This helps separate the race spec from the street spec. I will list the different BMW AG Motorsport camshafts sizes. NOTE They are designed by BMW AG Motorsport division produced under some incredibly advanced design standards that consistently set them apart from the rest of the manufacturers. Please note for the record these are not and never have been SCHRICK. Schrick is not bad but when compared to the perfection standard at BMW AG Motorsport division in a race engine dyno test with identical engines they are always down by 25HP compared to the BMW factory built race spec version.
*********61 Einlassnockenwelle Inlet camshaft 264/7' S50B30GT
*********24 Auslassnockenwelle Outlet camshaft 260/1' S50B30
*********26 Einlassnockenwelle Inlet camshaft S50B30 260'
*********22 Einlassnockenwelle Inlet camshaft S50B32 260'
*********23 Auslassnockenwelle Outlet camshaft S50B32 260'
*********19 Einlassnockenwelle Inlet camshaft 288' S50B32
*********20 Auslassnockenwelle Outlet camshaft 272' S50B32
*********69 Auslassnockenwelle Outlet camshaft S50B30 272/2
*********74 Einlassnockenwelle Inlet camshaft S50B30 280/2
*********53 Einlassnockenwelle Inlet camshaft S50B30 284/1'
*********85 Stössel Cam follower d=37,5 h=6,11
*********38 Auslassventil Exhaust valve 30,5 7mm Na
*********27 Federteller unten LOWER SPRING POCKET S50B30+B32 Gr.A
*********51 Federteller oben Upper spring plate S50B30 Gr.A
*********58 Einlassventil Intake valve 35 /7 mm hohl
*********23 Ventilfeder Valve spring S50 Gr.A
If your trying to save money and build a race car, what are your race series rules and limitations? If its for the street, I believe someone mentioned supercharger kits for $5K that will be cost effective. Remember to restore your engine if its aging, the seals and gaskets will need replacing and always remember to get improved fuel injectors vs stock so you don't burn the pistons with a supercharger. I remember ESS has a nice setup, the only thing to make it even better would be a high performance fuel pump in the tank and stand alone ECU with Motorsport display and custom engine wiring harness but now your at $17K in parts without labor for street car enhanced fun. If you race get a dry sump system its worth every penny, saves money on rebuilds as well as assists with power deliver and consistency. If you don't have a dry sump it can knock the bearing out of the motor by dipping the oil, this can be done with some decent coil over adjustable suspension when cornering on the track at high speed. So get a dry sump, BMW AG Motorsport factory race engines big and small all have dry sumps.