M52 Vs M54 Vs N52

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M52 vs M54 vs N52

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster Post Reply Search Advanced search 15 posts • Page 1 of 1 Blacknight Joined: Fri 10 Apr, 2015 12:23 Posts: 18 Location: South Wales

M52 vs M54 vs N52

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Post by Blacknight » Wed 27 Jul, 2016 22:07

I'm just wondering, forget actual power differences, what are the actual differences / benefits v Between the two engines. For example, I understand the M54 is fly-by-wire, but is this actually a real world benefit? I remember going to my first fly-by-wire car and the throttle felt rather odd compared to the previous cable operated cars. Also, are all UK M52 and M54 blocks fundamentally the same? Could a 2.0 block be bored and lined to accept 84mm pistons from a 2.8 or have a crank from another unit installed? Last edited by Blacknight on Mon 22 Aug, 2016 12:40, edited 1 time in total. Top Southernboy Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39 Posts: 6438 Location: Johannesburg

Re: M52 vs M54

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Post by Southernboy » Thu 28 Jul, 2016 05:48

Some basic info... It would seem the 2.2 block will not accommodate the longer stroke of a 2.8 (75mm vs 84mm) "Normal is overrated" Z3 Upgrades and Additions Top NZ00Z3 Joined: Thu 23 Jun, 2016 01:26 Posts: 95

Re: M52 vs M54

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Post by NZ00Z3 » Thu 28 Jul, 2016 05:59

The blocks are fundamentally very similar and will take parts for both engines. There are differences. It starts getting very different when you look at the heads. - M52, single VANOS, Cooling water fed to the front of the head. - M52TU (M54 beta test), dual VANOS, Cooling Water fed through to the back of the head and has a completely different flow path through the head and block compared to the M52. - M54, dual VANOS,Cooling Water fed through to back of head and has same flow path as M52TU. M54 has different technology sensors for knock, cam position etc. Things like cams and associated gear are transferable between M52TU and M54. This covers the basic's. If you are looking at doing a swap of parts between engines, do your home work. Top deni2s Joined: Mon 25 Mar, 2013 22:02 Posts: 761

Re: M52 vs M54

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Post by deni2s » Thu 28 Jul, 2016 12:05

Maybe I am wrong, but M54 don't like high revs and has more torque at low end as opposite to M52. And for M52 there are more cheap add-on possibilities for increasing power. Black Z3 2.8 1997 Euro & Yellow Z3 2.8 1997 US Top peter2b Joined: Sat 01 Nov, 2014 18:47 Posts: 963 Location: cheshire

Re: M52 vs M54

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Post by peter2b » Thu 28 Jul, 2016 21:18

my 2.2 m54 revs very quickly too quick some times I hit the Rev limiter peter2b Top Blacknight Joined: Fri 10 Apr, 2015 12:23 Posts: 18 Location: South Wales

Re: M52 vs M54

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Post by Blacknight » Thu 28 Jul, 2016 21:29

Thanks guys My underlying idea is to take a 2.0 M52TU and look to bore out to 84mm or so to accommodate the better head off the 84mm units and then locate the suitable crank to get it to 2.4 or 2.5 hopefully then keeping it revvy like the short stroke 2.0 (would be crazy to just do 84mm bore on std 2.0 crank?? I think that would be 2.2 on a 67mm stroke)) and within the torque limits of the smaller sweeter gearbox. Would the 2.0 just have the liner bored to 84mm or is the liner different? It seems a lot of material to be able to remove fom a stock engine? I see from Wikipedia (so it must be true) there were 2.4 units produced for Thailand and the states had a 2.5 both using 84mm bore. I know it would be simpler to install the 2.8 and box but that's not what I'm after. Top NZ00Z3 Joined: Thu 23 Jun, 2016 01:26 Posts: 95

Re: M52 vs M54

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Post by NZ00Z3 » Thu 28 Jul, 2016 23:56

You would need to re-sleeve the cylinder after boring it out. Not sure how practical that would be? Keep in mind, that you will need to sort out the ECU (DME) to match the new engine capacity. Several options are available: - Re-map the fuel trims in your existing ECU, Will take some trial and error and you'll need good experience at this sort of thing. - Buy a M52TU ECU that matches your final engine capacity. Make sure that it is programmed for the same type of transmission as is installed in the car. You'll need to align it with the EWS (security module) or do a EWS delete. - Convert your car from a M52TU ECU to a M54 ECU that matches your engine capacity. Information is on the web on doing this. Same precautions as buying another M52TU ECU. Top deni2s Joined: Mon 25 Mar, 2013 22:02 Posts: 761

Re: M52 vs M54

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Post by deni2s » Fri 29 Jul, 2016 13:22

peter2b wrote:my 2.2 m54 revs very quickly too quick some times I hit the Rev limiter peter2b

Hitting rev limiter on m54 probably is safe. On m52 is common practice to increase rev limit, but I heard that on m54 that is not recommended. Black Z3 2.8 1997 Euro & Yellow Z3 2.8 1997 US Top Blacknight Joined: Fri 10 Apr, 2015 12:23 Posts: 18 Location: South Wales

Re: M52 vs M54

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Post by Blacknight » Wed 03 Aug, 2016 08:08

NZ00Z3 wrote:You would need to re-sleeve the cylinder after boring it out. Not sure how practical that would be? Keep in mind, that you will need to sort out the ECU (DME) to match the new engine capacity. Several options are available: - Re-map the fuel trims in your existing ECU, Will take some trial and error and you'll need good experience at this sort of thing. - Buy a M52TU ECU that matches your final engine capacity. Make sure that it is programmed for the same type of transmission as is installed in the car. You'll need to align it with the EWS (security module) or do a EWS delete. - Convert your car from a M52TU ECU to a M54 ECU that matches your engine capacity. Information is on the web on doing this. Same precautions as buying another M52TU ECU.

Or, I suppose, just get a 2.8 block/pistons (accepting that the engine block number will have to be changed on the records) and try to find one of the shorter 2.2, 2.4 or 2.5 cranks. 2.2 crank and 2.8 block would give an OEM 2.4 combination (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M52). Looking in to this further it looks like what I am actually after is the M52TUB25 from a M46 323/ E39 523. Shorter stroke with the 84mm bore. Couple this with the benefits of the better head that can go on the 84mm bore and then hope to keep it within the limits of the 2.0 gearbox. ECU problem solved there as well then. Does anybody know which gearbox the 2.3 / 2.4 / 2.5 (non-UK) models used? Top 330indy Joined: Tue 28 Jun, 2016 06:11 Posts: 6

Re: M52 vs M54

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Post by 330indy » Mon 08 Aug, 2016 02:20

M54B30 also has a forged crank Others (non M) are cast Top Blacknight Joined: Fri 10 Apr, 2015 12:23 Posts: 18 Location: South Wales

Re: M52 vs M54

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Post by Blacknight » Mon 08 Aug, 2016 22:15

330indy wrote:M54B30 also has a forged crank Others (non M) are cast

Is this of any significant benefit unless you are chasing the large torque of 3.0+ ? Top 330indy Joined: Tue 28 Jun, 2016 06:11 Posts: 6

Re: M52 vs M54

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Post by 330indy » Thu 11 Aug, 2016 03:56

Probably not The newer N55 has a cast crank and it's 300/300 hp/tq Top Blacknight Joined: Fri 10 Apr, 2015 12:23 Posts: 18 Location: South Wales

Re: M52 vs M54 vs N52

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Post by Blacknight » Mon 22 Aug, 2016 13:34

Amendment to the original thread ... I've just started looking further in to the lineage of the 6cyl engine and go to the N52 which replaced the M54. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N52 Some interesting 'improvements' here being the magnesium alloy block, variable valve lift and the variable length intake manifold. So, would this slot into the Z3 if the cable throttle parts were retro-fitted to get it into a 2.0 / 2.8? Would the variable valve and inlet need to be deleted if its not using the N52 brain? Seems like a good straightforward upgrgade (as long as you get a post 2008 unit) seeing as the 2.5 is 210ps and the 3.0 270ps (several states of mapped tune available as standard depending on original application). Top NZ00Z3 Joined: Thu 23 Jun, 2016 01:26 Posts: 95

Re: M52 vs M54 vs N52

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Post by NZ00Z3 » Mon 22 Aug, 2016 22:46

Interesting approach. Hope you have good Electrickery skills or know someone who has. About this time you should get a full wiring diagram of your car and the donor car. Tack every wire and connection between the ECU/DME and all other systems. Work out if you should remake the connection or delete the connection (and know the work arounds). You'll then have a very good idea of the potential success. The newer the ECU/DME the harder it is to re-program for work arounds. Top BladeRunner919 Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18 Posts: 2225

Re: M52 vs M54 vs N52

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Post by BladeRunner919 » Tue 23 Aug, 2016 07:23

What is your end-goal with the car? I assume you have a reason for wanting to do this? Top Post Reply Display: All posts1 day7 days2 weeks1 month3 months6 months1 year Sort by: AuthorPost timeSubject Direction: AscendingDescending 15 posts • Page 1 of 1

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