BMW M50/M52 Engine Installations

[scottie]

cheers for that

just managed to download it

[peterux]

I have abandoned my M52 engine conversion in my Sportster.

Consequently, I have a complete set of Engine, Gearbox and Alternator mounting brackets for fitting a BMW M50/e36 engine in a Sportster. The alternator bracket is designed to fit a Lucas alternator to the drivers side of the engine.
These were purchased from Marlin in February 2009 and are no longer required.
They are brand new and unused apart from the alternator bracket that was bolted to the engine to check the fit. The gearbox mount is the 'old' type that fits OK. I've also got an new Lucas alternator as an option.

If anyone is interested in buying these at a substantial discount to Marlin's price, please send me a PM.

[denniswpearce]

Why Peter, I thought you were sorted, is it all proving too problematic ?

[peterux]

Originally Posted by denniswpearce

Why Peter, I thought you were sorted, is it all proving too problematic ?

Hi Dennis,
I abandoned my attempt to fit a 2.8 M52 engine about a year ago. Whilst these are superb engines, they come with fiendishly complex electronics and I couldn't find anyone at the time who could confidently and reliably disable the BMW immobiliser system. (Timbo has the only M52 Sportster that I am aware of and I believe his car has been off the road for over a year). The other option I looked at was the M52 with an after-market ECU but because of the BMW dual VANOS system you are talking megabucks for the ECU and rolling road sessions to get it set up. (not a cheap option).

So I took a different route (trail blazed by Patrick Short) of fitting a M20 2.5 engine fitted with a 2.8 crankshaft and shorter 2.0 conrods.
I have effectively built the same power engine as the M52 2.8 without the hassle of the immobiliser issue, or the need to swap my gearbox, engine mounts and numerous other parts to make it work. This is the engine that I have now installed and 'broken-in' - just waiting for the spring road testing

Sorry for the long rambling explanation!

[jeremy]

Hi Peter, if you have your m52 still with you, could you measure the diameter of the water pipe as it enters the front of the head, I mean to replace this long hose but don't want to empty the water to measure it,as I am testing my engine. Thanku. Jeremy

[peterux]

Hi Jeremy,
yes, I have still have the engine but not sure which hose you mean.
Can you look at this diagram and let me know which one?
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...15&hg=17&fg=05

On the M52 engine, the hoses are fitted with a kind of quick release bayonet fittings. Is that the same as yours?

...peter

[jeremy]

Hi Peter hose 6 I think is equivalent to my hose 7
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/c/b/2.png

[jeremy]

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/w/k/84.png
I think this is the diagram I mean.

[peterux]

Originally Posted by jeremy

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/w/k/84.png
I think this is the diagram I mean.

Ah, OK, I think that is an M50 diagram. I think your engine must be an M50, not an M52.

Ian (Morris) will be able to give you that measurement as he as that stage of build.

Do you mean the one visible in this picture?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58068042@N07/6589688767/

...peter

[jeremy]

Yes, that's the one, semi plugged.

[jeremy]

Thanks peter,have sent ian a pm re same.

[peterux]

Originally Posted by jeremy

Thanks peter,have sent ian a pm re same.

If you pop a comment on this photo on his Flickr site he''ll automatically get an email.

[mashtun]

Ian's latest photos show he's now got his cooling hoses connected up so it may not be easy for him to measure.

I've got an M50 on a stand at the moment and that hose is currently disconnected. The hose itself isn't exactly round at the end but it's about 23mm ID at the mouth (presumably that's stretched a bit from when it was new?). The housing it attaches to is 25mm OD at the first lip/ring and then approx. 24mm OD on the peaks of subsequent 'corrugations'.

Mark.

[jeremy]

Thanks mark, that is exactly the info I needed,cheers Jeremy

[morris]

Hi Jeremy, I just checked my engine and can confirm the same as Mashtun

[jeremy]

Thanks guys

[peterux]

Just reviving this old thread instead of starting a new one....

As well all know, BMW straight six engines are mounted over at a cant angle to fit under the bonnet.
Can anyone confirm that BMW M50 engines are mounted at the same cant angle as the M52 engines?


thanks......peter

[Mike]

Originally Posted by peterux

Just reviving this old thread instead of starting a new one....

As well all know, BMW straight six engines are mounted over at a cant angle to fit under the bonnet.
Can anyone confirm that BMW M50 engines are mounted at the same cant angle as the M52 engines?


thanks......peter

Hi Peter

As close as I can tell by the naked eye your engine mounts would put the engine at the same angle as mine, so if they were designed for an M52, then I'm reasonably sure, M52 cant = M50 cant.
How accurate do you need to be?

Mike

[peterux]

Originally Posted by Mike

Hi Peter

As close as I can tell by the naked eye your engine mounts would put the engine at the same angle as mine, so if they were designed for an M52, then I'm reasonably sure, M52 cant = M50 cant.
How accurate do you need to be?

Mike

Hi Mike,
I'm not sure if Marlin designed those mounts for an M50 or M52 engine. (I found the invoice but it just says 'engine mounts'.)
I think they are the same angle but wanted know if someone can confirm.
I'm test fitting with my gash M52 but wanted to make sure the M50 is the same angle in case I end up with an M50 engine for the final install.

thanks, Peter

[mashtun]

What angle is your M52 at? This photo of my engine still in situ in the donor suggests the M50 lies at 30 degrees off the vertical (give or take half a degree).


Front Panel and Bumper Removed by Mash_Tun, on Flickr

Mark.