S54 Engine Rebuild + Intro

[NE///M3SIS]

Hi guys,

Been lurking these forums for some time, used to be active on the old M3Forum and BMWfanatics forum.

Thought I would finally join in the fun here and post my first intro post.

Have had my e46 M3 for 10 years now and have modified it quite a lot, from NA to Supercharged, then back to a Vac Motorsports NA build. Loads of suspension mods etc and basically been tracking the car but also drive it as my daily.

Hope to share my knowledge and learn from you guys. Love the e46 platform and the S54!

Here is a little video of my engine rebuild journey for those interested.

Cheers.

[stash1]

It's unbelievable that still to this day, you can't pay someone good money to just do their frick'n job! BTW, did you post this on the old M3F, or another forum...pretty sure I saw this posted somewhere else sometime ago?

[NE///M3SIS]

It's unbelievable that still to this day, you can't pay someone good money to just do their frick'n job! BTW, did you post this on the old M3F, or another forum...pretty sure I saw this posted somewhere else sometime ago?

Hey Stash1,

Yeah, this was posted on the old M3Forum, the rebuild was done a few years back, just thought some might still want to see it. And yes, I agree with you in regards to people not being able to just do their jobs. Crazy.

[Syfon]

I watched all the youtube vids of your engine build prior to starting mine. Was very interesting seeing a build from start to finish. Definitely learnt a few things from it!

What mods did you have done? What kind of power is she making?

[Jersey_M3]

"from NA to Supercharged, then back to a Vac Motorsports NA build"

Which was your favorite? and why?
What power did you make supercharged and what power did you make NA?

[NE///M3SIS]

I watched all the youtube vids of your engine build prior to starting mine. Was very interesting seeing a build from start to finish. Definitely learnt a few things from it!

What mods did you have done? What kind of power is she making?

Hey Syfon, cheers mate. I am glad the videos could help you.

The car has CP forged pistons, overbored to 87.5mm. We used a Vac Motosports Torque plate when honing the cylinders, wish I could have filmed that part. This ensures the cylinders are perfectly round when the engine is assembled. I also have Crower Lightweight H-beam rods (the same rods used in HPF turbo cars) with ARP L19 studs and bolts. I am using Vac coated Rod bearings and ACL race main bearings. Also have Vac inconel valves with uprated springs and single groove cotters. I also have the Vac Uprated oil pump internals. The entire engine was then balanced before the parts were sent back to us.

She's making just a little more than stock HP but revs up so much faster. Am thinking of doing Cams with CSL airbox to make the most of the mods I have.

[NE///M3SIS]

"from NA to Supercharged, then back to a Vac Motorsports NA build"

Which was your favorite? and why?
What power did you make supercharged and what power did you make NA?

Supercharged was a lot of fun, but it got me into a lot of trouble too. The car was stupid fast as it made 370wkw, which is just shy of 500hp to the wheels. Ran the car with meth and higher octane fuel and an aggressive Alpha N tune. But in the end that just became impractical, expensive and thus the car became pretty hard to drive as a daily. I guess I should mention that I also have a 3.91 diff ratio, so with the supercharger installed, the first two gears essentially were unusable. The car would just light up the tyres.

The car is a European Spec e46, BL92 code, and no cats in the car.

I have been NA now for about 5 years and I must say I have been enjoying it. Sure I can't hunt down porches anymore, but the car is just more enjoyable now. As mentioned in my post above this one, about the VAC NA build with all the lightweight engine parts and having the whole assembly being balanced has just allowed the car to rev up so much faster than my stock NA setup.

PS. I am up at 5600ft, so my NA HP figures do suffer compared to being at the coast.

[bigjae46]

Love the videos. I subscribed. Nice build!

[NE///M3SIS]

Love the videos. I subscribed. Nice build!

Cheers bigjae46 Appreciate the support! Thanks.

[NE///M3SIS]

@


Jersey_M3 - Dyno graph above when supercharged. 373kw is 500hp when converted.

[BlAikenstein]

I remember watching and saving your engine build videos a few years ago. I really like your lightweight/balanced internals approach, I’m guessing the reliability should be improved and maybe the engine overall feels more refined?

I’m looking forward to seeing some of your other projects.

[Rudbari]

Supercharged was a lot of fun, but it got me into a lot of trouble too. The car was stupid fast as it made 370wkw, which is just shy of 500hp to the wheels. Ran the car with meth and higher octane fuel and an aggressive Alpha N tune. But in the end that just became impractical, expensive and thus the car became pretty hard to drive as a daily. I guess I should mention that I also have a 3.91 diff ratio, so with the supercharger installed, the first two gears essentially were unusable. The car would just light up the tyres.

The car is a European Spec e46, BL92 code, and no cats in the car.

I have been NA now for about 5 years and I must say I have been enjoying it. Sure I can't hunt down porches anymore, but the car is just more enjoyable now. As mentioned in my post above this one, about the VAC NA build with all the lightweight engine parts and having the whole assembly being balanced has just allowed the car to rev up so much faster than my stock NA setup.

PS. I am up at 5600ft, so my NA HP figures do suffer compared to being at the coast.

amazing dude
I am supercharged ess 575 kit with methanols put down 570whp with 3.62 diff.

some times I think to go back to NA but I am worried that I miss the power lol

nice post mate

[Irhase46m3]

Hi and welcome! - I love the VAC Motorsport guys, awesome stuff! I wish they would be out here in the westcoast! - Planning on trying their rod bearings kit on my S65, very interested in seeing their results!

[F1Dryvr]

Referenced your vids in my build diary. Very helpful start to finish and gave me confidence for my own DIY!

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/member-build-journals/66450-s54-engine-build-diary

[Code7rpd]

That is an awesome build and the videos were great to watch. What kind of engine stand was used to hold the motor?