BMW M52 2.8 questions

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

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17 Oct 2002
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Hi all,

Perhaps one for the 3 Series boys on here?

I have been told that there are two different types of the 2.8 litre M52 engine fitted to various BMW's including 328i in both E36 and E46 form and 528i in E39 form and 728i in E38 form.

The original 193bhp 2.8 litre M52, and the revised 98-> 193bhp 2.8 litre M52TU series engine.

There are two crucial differences, allegedly.

1) The TU series engine has dual VANOS
b) The TU series engine CANNOT be modified for additional power by replacing the restricted standard manifold with one from an E34 or E36 525i/325i.

My question is - is this really the case?

If the M52 engine really was modified in 1998 to add dual VANOS (irrespective of the Nikasil issue), then why did not it not add any power? Is there any performance difference between a standard M52 528i and the later M52TU 528i? Every 528i Sport is a TU series engine as they were only produced between 1999 and 2000...

Ta.
 
I cannot comment on which is what. but as for the vanos thing. Dual vanos just means its adjusting the intake and exhauast cam. Vanos on its own only does the intake cam. I probable imagine that there may be a difference to power through the midrange but none top end. I cant say for sure but thats what i would think it would do.
 
[TW]Fox said:
What is the benefit of having VANOS over not having it if performance remains the same? Better fuel economy?
Click to expand...

found this

Variable dual-VANOS camshaft control ensures an optimum cylinder charge cycle in the interest of extremely fast valve timing. On the road this means even more performance, an improved torque curve, optimum responsiveness, lower fuel consumption, and emissions reduced to a minimum

So i think there may be a increase in power through the middle of the powerband. just not at peak.
 
Just because the peak power didn't change doesn't mean its not effected the power though, might have improved low down power.

Pure speculation, obviously, I don't know anything about VANOS, just pointing it out...
 
Was about to say, VANOS is a costly addition to an engine for 'merely' fuel consumption benefits. And it does come with its problems, namely replacement costs if it keels over.
 
The inlet system was provided with two technical refinements in 1998. One was a flap valve in the inlet plenum chamber that cut off the inlet passages of the front three cylinders from the rear three. The differentiated intake system, known as DISA, optimized the engine's running under full load. The other refinement was a dedicated system of tubes of very small diameters through which the inlet air was drawn during idling or when running at low loads. The increased turbulence that this achieved improved the combustion process and thus reduced exhaust emissions.

In order to be able to offer a single cylinder block to all markets throughout the world, the aluminum block was given dry cast-iron liners.

I found that from one of my regular BMW engine ref site :)


Oh, and this

VANOS significantly enhances emission management, increases output and torque, and offers better idling quality and fuel economy. The latest version of VANOS is double-VANOS, used in the new M3.

VANOS was first introduced in 1992 on the BMW M50 engine used in the 5 Series.
 
BMW M52 engine
Manufacturer: BMW
Production: 1994–2001
Predecessor: BMW M50
Successor: BMW M54

A Technical Update or M52TU version in 1999 added Double VANOS and other modifications.

The M52 was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 1995 through 1998.

Models Engine Displacement Power Torque Redline Year
M52B20 2.0 L (1991 cc/121 in³) 110 kW (148 hp) @ 5900 190 N·m (140 ft·lbf) @ 4200 6500 1994
M52TUB20 110 kW (148 hp) @ 5900 190 N·m (140 ft·lbf) @ 3500 6500 1998
M52B22 2.2 L
M52B24 2.4 L
M52B25 2.5 L (2494 cc/152 in³) 125 kW (168 hp) @ 5500 245 N·m (181 ft·lbf) @ 3950 6500 1995
M52TUB25 125 kW (168 hp) @ 5500 245 N·m (181 ft·lbf) @ 3500 6500 1998
M52B28 2.8 L (2793 cc/170 in³) 142 kW (190 hp) @ 5300 280 N·m (207 ft·lbf) @ 3950 6500 1995
141 kW (189 hp) @ 5300 275 N·m (203 ft·lbf) @ 3950 6500 1997
M52TUB28 142 kW (190 hp) @ 5500 280 N·m (207 ft·lbf) @ 3500 6500 1998

M52B20
A 2.0 L (1991 cc/121 in³) version was introduced in 1994. Bore is 80 mm and stroke is 66 mm.

Applications:

1994-1999 E36 320i
1995-1999 E39 520i
M52TUB20
Applications:

E36 Z3 2.0i
1997-2002 E46 320i/320Ci
1998-2003 E39 520i
M52B22
2.2 L

Applications:

2000-2001 E46 3-Series (M52T)
M52B24
2.4 L. For Thai market only.

Applications:

1995-1999 E36 3-Series
2000-2002 E39 5-Series (M52TU)
M52B25
A 2.5 L (2494 cc) version introduced in 1995. It produces 125 kW (170 hp). Bore is 84 mm and stroke is 75 mm. The M52B25 won the 2-2.5 L category of the International Engine of the Year awards for 2003 and 2004.

Applications:

1995-2000 E36 323i/323ti
1995-1999 E39 523i
M53TUB25
Applications:

1997-2001 E46 323i/323Ci/323ti (M52T)
1998-2001 E39 523i (M52TU)
1998-2001 E36 Z3 (M52TU)
M52B28
A 2.8 L (2793 cc) version also debuted in 1994. It has square 84 mm bore and stroke and produces 193 hp (142 kW).

Applications:

1995-2000 E36 328i
1995-1999 E39 528i
1995-1999 E38 728i/728iL
1997-1999 E36 Z3 2.8
M52TUB28
Applications:

1997-2001 E46 328i/328Ci (M52T)
1997-2001 E36 Z3 2.8 (M52TU)
1998-2001 E39 528i (M52TU)
1998-2001 E38 728i (M52TU)

:)
 
I think the Technical Updates are the same physical size (I do not mean CC) but have a larger oil sump along side the minor changes you've listed Fox.

I have no idea why the Sump is of a different size?!?
 
I believe that german law has a big tax hit for cars over 200ps, which is why they are strangled down to 190ish BHP but still retaining the high torque. I know that every E36 328 engine can be unstrangled with the BBTB and manifold conversion and its also possible on some of the E39's - thats where my knowledge stops though.
 
Fox, it might be worth getting hold of Alpina152 (think thats his name) on e36coupe.com. he does the manifold / bbtb swaps for most people on the forum, im sure he will have a wealth of information to give you :]
 
I have heard that the lack of ability to put the manifold on the 528 is more about space under the bonnet as the manifold is slightly higher than normal, but I dont know how true this is.

As has been said contact alpina527 on e36coupe forums as he's the man that does them and would know for sure either way :)
 
You've got all the details in here now Fox, but just to clarify about VANOS and dual VANOS its purely a mid range torque development and has some (although minor) input on power output of the two units. Think they only kick in at 2k - 5k rpm from memory anyway to aid low and mid range torque.

HTH
 
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