interested to see where this goes.... i didn't realize the s54 pump could bolt into the m54... did bimmerworld give any indication of whether this prevents an oil pump shaft failure on the b30?

 

I've never had an oil pressure issue (except for shearing off the oil pump shaft). I have a feeling it might have to do with the baffle in the pan and not the pump. The best solution (which is the most expensive) is to run the BMW Motorsport oil pump drive and pan baffle. On top of this, it's the most time consuming oil pump mod you can do. On the other hand, I got what I paid for. It works and is super reliable.

Oil Pan Baffle and Pump

 

That does look like a nice kit. Currently I have the VAC baffle, but I still have low oil pressures with that baffle.
I know you have had good luck with this setup. I'll probably will end up going to this as well, but for now I need something that gets me back out on the track (maybe only 3 more events).

interested to see where this goes.... i didn't realize the s54 pump could bolt into the m54... did bimmerworld give any indication of whether this prevents an oil pump shaft failure on the b30?

I pieced the kit together myself. Bimmerworld also sells a kit:
E46 M54 dual pump kit
I've sent them an email asking if they have to change anything to the pump to make it work in the M54.
I don't know if it will resolve the shaft failure. Wasn't this caused by high revs and the crankshaft + harmonic balancer + light flywheel not being balanced 100%?

 

You can try to run an extra quart of oil. That's what I did years ago when I had the 100% stock setup.

 

I run an extra quart. It helps some, but not enough.
Maybe I'll put the original one back and run street tires (just planning on a few DE's this year). I just wanted to make sure there are no other options before I do that.
mrshelley, you gave me another one, but that is not feasible for me at this point.
I know what I'll be on my Xmas list this year...

 

Wow. Any updates on this? Very interested!

 

I modified the oil pump and now it fits, but I ran into other issues. Still looking into solutions. I'll post more once I have a solution that works.
If you want to take all the guess work out, I'd suggest getting the bimmerworld kit or the BMW Motorsport oil pump/baffle

 

Oops - didn't see that you posted back.

Right on. I have the Bimmerworld kit in hand

 

Take a look at the picture below. If I line up the oil pump with the guiding pins (marked 1 and 2) then the hole for bolt 3 is off by a tad. It also looks like the hole for the pressure relief does not line up 100%.

In their kit, which uses an S54ish pump, I'm pretty sure Bimmerworld suggests modifying the bolt #3 hole on the pump just enough so that you can get the bolt to the threads.

 

Stimpy, I have another question whenever you get a chance: the Bimmerworld kit comes with surprisingly few parts - no sprocket, for example - would you use the sprocket & chain from the M54 pump on the S54 pump or get new ones? (assuming the M54 sprocket & chain were new). Realoem shows different part #'s.

 

That's where I'm having issues. When I use the original M54 sprocket, the chain is too long. I tried taking a link out, but then the chain is too short.
I have an S54 sprocket now, which is 1 tooth bigger than the M54, I think it will work, but I haven't verified it yet. It is also offset a bit, which will affect the alignment of the chain/sprocket. Since it is a chain it can have some play. Not sure if it will be too much. Next weekend (not this weekend) I'll attempt to install the S54 sprocket.
As I mentioned the sprocket is taller, which will alter the speed of the oil pump. Hopefully the difference in pressure won't be noticeable.

I've also looked into installing the S54 chain tensioner into the M54, but there are no holes in the M54 block to bolt it in (as far as I could tell)

Since you bought the kit from bimmerworld, give them a call and ask them. I'm sure they'll be able to help you out.

 

Bimmerworld kit is still on backorder. :banghead:

McSpeed when did you order it?

 

I inquired a few weeks ago and they were waiting on getting some more pumps in. They emailed me last week when they got the first one in but but maybe they have more now. I'd give em a call.

 

No can do presently but if you right click and save the enlarged pic on their site you'll see it's higher res than it seems - then, on the end with the wings or whatever, imagine a chamber kind of like a squished gallon of milk extending back away from you where you can't see it. When I saw it I was like "Sweet. The oil will not escape from that."

http://store.bimmerworld.com/e46e36-dual-pickup-oil-panpump-upgrade-p968.aspx

 

any update to this thread?

 

Basically, it doesn't work - on a 3.0L anyway. Bimmerworld ran their setup on M54B25's during their World Challenge campaign but on an M54B30 it turns out the pump doesn't quite clear the connecting rod cap : P

I went with Vaio's pump which is kind of amazingly solidly built - I'll post pics if he says he doesn't mind. And I put in the VAC baffle; if it's installed well I think it'll do its job just fine. The place that welded mine in said they had to do a surprising amount of cutting to get a good tight fit - something not mentioned at all in the VAC instructions. I told VAC about this so maybe they'll have reassessed the design by now.

Also for anyone installing the VAC baffle I'd recommend trying to get it as far back in the oil pan as physically possible so the top hole of the baffle clears the pickup strainer when you go to reinstall the pan.

 

The other thing to remember is that the S54 oil pump still has the weak shaft in it which is the real problem with the oil pump on a 3.0l motor. Going with another shaft and a pan baffle is the best option if you are going to do some serious tracking of a 3.0l motor.

 

Yeah I was surprised to see that the shaft looked identical between the stock pump and the pump in Bimmerworld's kit.

 

Holy crap that's nice!!!

Contacting Greg....I want one.