Is this an e36 M3 s50 engine?

[m3f_CraigMak]

So, I got this engine posted up for sale on craig's list and this guy called me and and told me that this is not an e36 M3 engine. He says it doesn't look right. I have no idea how to tell for sure. The VIN # off the ECU checks out as being from a 1995 M3 but I have no idea how to check the serial numbers on the engine itself or even which number would be the serial number. Can anybody here tell me how to figure this out for sure or at least give me their opinion based off the pics? Thanks

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/mobilsolutions/Engine1.jpghttp://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/mobilsolutions/engine2.jpghttp://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/mobilsolutions/engine3.jpg

[m3f_jvit27_52f3efd044]

Seems legit from the pics.. look on the back of the cylinder head, closest to where it would be against the firewall. There's a VIN tag and it should start with "WBSB"


Also, what's the part number on the DME?

[m3f_fitchesbas_a4754265ce]

looks like one to me. The guy you talk to is probably thinking that the oil fill cap is in the wrong place (since it was different on 96+ US spec). But it looks like a S50 to me.


Not sure how to check for sure, but there must be a way.

[m3f_CraigMak]

Here are some additional pics. I got a pic of some numbers on the engine and the back of it(i think). If that orange tag is supposed to be the vin tag that is gone.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/mobilsolutions/numbers.jpghttp://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/mobilsolutions/front-1.jpg

[m3f_mmenefee_522b06418e]

That's an S50. Silver valve cover, M50 intake, the oil fill at the back, and the proper filter canister. What's his beef specifically?



Also, remember, this is an S50, not an S52. S52 has different (stock) intake runners, black valve cover, and the oil fill at the front, among other minor differences.

[m3f_CraigMak]

He was saying that the intake manifold did not look right, the throttle body was in the wrong spot, the headers looked wrong etc...

[m3f_mmenefee_522b06418e]

Yea, he's probably expecting this (S52-3.2L)

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/faq/S52_Engine.jpg



You've got this (S50 - 3.0L)

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/faq/S50_US.jpg

[m3f_jvit27_52f3efd044]

That's an S50. Silver valve cover, M50 intake, the oil fill at the back, and the proper filter canister. What's his beef specifically?



Also, remember, this is an S50, not an S52. S52 has different (stock) intake runners, black valve cover, and the oil fill at the front, among other minor differences.


An S50 is visually identical to an (vanos) M50. They both have green 17.5# injectors too..


One thing that makes me wary is the 0/84 cast... M50's had an 84mm stroke but I don't remember if they marked it there on the block like that.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/mobilsolutions/numbers.jpg


Kind of strange the VIN tag was removed though.. how many miles does this thing claim to have?

[m3f_KnudsonsM3_69623f4ac6]

the vanos cover is painted





the s52s have the black plastic

[m3f_fitchesbas_a4754265ce]

your sig is huge too.

[m3f_mmenefee_522b06418e]

An S50 is visually identical to an (vanos) M50. They both have green 17.5# injectors too..



Very true, he just seemed sure it was from an M3. But, yea, OP, if you don't know what car it came from, check it good. Might be an M50.

[m3f_CraigMak]

Kind of strange the VIN tag was removed though.. how many miles does this thing claim to have?



This engine has about 100,000 miles i was told. Not sure why he would scrape off the vin tag. The guy owns a dealership and has a lot of random BMW parts that he has salvaged from auction cars he bought to part out.

[m3f_BleedsBlue_d8ef7395de]

This engine has about 100,000 miles i was told. Not sure why he would scrape off the vin tag. The guy owns a dealership and has a lot of random BMW parts that he has salvaged from auction cars he bought to part out.



I don't know how well you know this guy, but VINs are rarely 'scraped off' for good reasons :shifty:.



Be careful, the thing could have 200,000 miles on it

[m3f_epj3_d2e882815a]

Uhh, it has a flywheel for a torque converter. No auto M3's in 95.

[m3f_mmenefee_522b06418e]

An S50 is visually identical to an (vanos) M50. They both have green 17.5# injectors too..



One thing that makes me wary is the 0/84 cast... M50's had an 84mm stroke but I don't remember if they marked it there on the block like that.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/mobilsolutions/numbers.jpg



Kind of strange the VIN tag was removed though.. how many miles does this thing claim to have?



Good catch Vitolo. I didn't look much past the first post. The 0/ isn't stroke, that symbol is normally used to indicate diameter on engineering drawings. 84mm is the bore on an M50B25. B28 was square with 84mm for bore and stroke. S50 is 86mm, and 85.8 stroke. That's an M50.