M52 is an iron block (but some Z3's with the M52 had an alumimum block). But the M52TU is an aluminum block.

 

Okay, thank you for the clarification. I was asking because it seems as though 500whp was the limit for an m54 however I read recently someone had success to the tune of ~800hp, not sure how long it will hold up though.

 

Seems like more and more info about how to boost M54s is coming out. From my understanding a conservative build on an M54 would be fantastic in terms of reliability considering the lack of a need for valve adjustments. You'd still need to sort out the oil pump issue and turbo spacing though.

I'd be happy with just 360rwhp.

 

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1787170-600whp-s52tu-e46-build-thread

This has been done in a e46 before with 3200cc iron block and double vanos retained

with 2014 tuning options it should be quite reliable

 

with 2014 tuning options it should be quite reliable

What options are those?

 

m52tu and m54 have the same block and cylinder head.

 

The m54 head lines up with an s52 block?

 

Hell no.
No reason to use m54 head. Get the entire iron engine if you want to BOOST.
The s52 head is common; same casting #400 as m50 and m52.

 

Wasn't there a video of a black 330ci on youtube? The account was bluejeansonfire, is that a different person or build? Lol just trying to clarify. It's a nice build too!

 

Wasn't there a video of a black 330ci on youtube? The account was bluejeansonfire, is that a different person or build? Lol just trying to clarify. It's a nice build too!


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Yes, that was Julio.

Oddly enough, he sold the kit on that car to me, and built a custom setup.

 

How's it feel thus far? Butt-dyno wise.

 

Ill let you know in a month.

 

I know I'm bringing up an old thread, but I am wondering if anyone has every put an m54 head on m50/2 iron block. I understand the issue is a big coolant port on the m54 head that doesn't exist on the earlier model iron blocks; correct me if there are other reasons. If the one port is the issue and it's an addition to the m50 head's cooling capacity, then why couldn't we run it with the assumption that the head would simply have less cooling, equal to that of an m50 head? I honestly don't want anyone saying it won't work unless you have tried it and found that oil and water mixed, or it wouldn't cool right, or etc.. I don't have a way to properly test this on a project car or engine Dyno.

 

I have been curious about this for quite some time now. I honestly think it would bolt up and function, however I'm pretty sure that that missing coolant channel would turn into a massive coolant leak from the head. It would need to be blocked off, or a plate made to return the coolant moving through it to the coolant system. However, if that port leads to its own 'closed circuit' of coolant, then it might just bolt up and work. I have also read a few posts saying that the coolant in an M52 circulates the opposite direction of an M54, but I don't see that as an obstacle worth stopping over. If I had the funds to get an M54 head and an M52 short block specifically for this experiment, I would. Maybe I will this spring when I level out a bit financially.