Rebuilding the M54B30

[supergripen]

ramsing,
Yup,this sucks!! Its been a month already into the install and I still don't hv my car.They're gonna have to swap my CCC back to the old jap-spec and try again to see if everything will gel together.IF it works,the euro/my CCC goes back into the car,and then we'll hv to see if the iDrive screen gets fried or not.Either way,there will be risks.
IF it doesn't work,I'm gonna hv to think of an exit plan la..too early to make a decision tho.I'm frustrated as it is right now to think of anything..my old Subaru is looking damn good right now.

 

[jamaliz]

ramsing,
Yup,this sucks!! Its been a month already into the install and I still don't hv my car.They're gonna have to swap my CCC back to the old jap-spec and try again to see if everything will gel together.IF it works,the euro/my CCC goes back into the car,and then we'll hv to see if the iDrive screen gets fried or not.Either way,there will be risks.
IF it doesn't work,I'm gonna hv to think of an exit plan la..too early to make a decision tho.I'm frustrated as it is right now to think of anything..my old Subaru is looking damn good right now.

haha, the new generation electronics in the car can be a real bitch of a headache. heard from leforte the issues encounter with your car was solved after having the original CCC for the car fitted and the car
s programming recoded back to stock.

how your car with the supercharger now?

 

[Guna]

The car: BMW E60 530i with M54B30 engine running on ESS TS2 @ 10psi, stock internals, water/meth injection (50/50), okada projects plasma coils, denso ik22 iridium plugs (1-step colder than stock), remus exhaust & cold air intake

The situation: Recently lost compression on cylinder # 3 & 4. car is drivable but with rough idling & exhaust note and about 10% loss of power. was running shell helix ultra 5W-40 & v-power only fuel when the engine lost compression. suspect head gasket or exhaust / intake valve failure.

The plan: To rebuild the engine with forged internals to have the problem solved once and for all (hopefully). quote received from Top End Performance in US for forged JE pistons + rings, forged pauter conrods + bolts, cometic MLS head gasket, ARP head & main studs, race bearing set = +/-USD3k. seems to me that they are the only one who carry a full range of BMW engine rebuild parts. the mechanic: 'fatty' and the boys

sifus... need your advice to ensure the plan is successful. some of my doubts include:

1. the bore and compression ratio for my set up - stock is 84.0mm / 10.2:1, am thinking of going for 84.5mm / 9.0:1. is this level safe enough for 10psi of boost? at stock ratio i am getting occasional knocks even with colder plugs, meth injection & CAI. will a reduction of compression ratio affect the drivability at low end RPM's, b4 the SC kicks in? what if the SC is removed in future... will it still drive like a stock 530i?

2. brand / supplier - is JE pistons & pauter rods ok? have checked with CP and a bunch of dealers they dont deal with BMW parts

this is all i can think of at the moment, will have more coming soon. meanwhile, any input will be very much appreciated. thx...

Wow!!! I'm impressed....apart for a thing or two,the rest sounds like rocket science to me...err,just out of curiousity bro,what kinda HP are we talking here? 10 psi boost?!?...what does that equate to in bars ah?

 

[supergripen]

haha, the new generation electronics in the car can be a real bitch of a headache. heard from leforte the issues encounter with your car was solved after having the original CCC for the car fitted and the car
s programming recoded back to stock.

how your car with the supercharger now?

Honestly,I expected a lil'bit more in terms of punch,but then again my 'feel' may be corrupted by my Impreza STi dulu.Can't expect much from just 8psi I guess..
Don't get me wrong,the car is quick(..but far far from explosive).Its just that b'cuz of the way ESS tunes the kit,power comes in very smoothly and in a very linear fashion,compounded by the autobox,u just don't feel the accelleration.U get up to speed in a very 'drama'less fashion..

 

[t2ribena]

Honestly,I expected a lil'bit more in terms of punch,but then again my 'feel' may be corrupted by my Impreza STi dulu.Can't expect much from just 8psi I guess..
Don't get me wrong,the car is quick(..but far far from explosive).Its just that b'cuz of the way ESS tunes the kit,power comes in very smoothly and in a very linear fashion,compounded by the autobox,u just don't feel the accelleration.U get up to speed in a very 'drama'less fashion..

bro i remembered on the track day...ur car was pulling away from mine like im on standstill on the front straight...i was like wtf...i tot my car gone case liau coz i saw ur car same badge as mine...525i...later found out u got SC in ur car....

:top:

 

[supergripen]

bro i remembered on the track day...ur car was pulling away from mine like im on standstill on the front straight...i was like wtf...i tot my car gone case liau coz i saw ur car same badge as mine...525i...later found out u got SC in ur car....

:top:

t2ribena..yup,noticed ur car behind in the corners trying to pass me while I was wrestling with the car's handling..been having handling woes with a very tricky rear left plus it was my first in-lap,trying to remember and figure out the lines.Last time I drove on Sepang was more than 2 years ago(in a different car summore)..a bit lost la haha!

 

[ess530i]

Honestly,I expected a lil'bit more in terms of punch,but then again my 'feel' may be corrupted by my Impreza STi dulu.Can't expect much from just 8psi I guess..
Don't get me wrong,the car is quick(..but far far from explosive).Its just that b'cuz of the way ESS tunes the kit,power comes in very smoothly and in a very linear fashion,compounded by the autobox,u just don't feel the accelleration.U get up to speed in a very 'drama'less fashion..

i understand e.v.e.r.y s.i.n.g.l.e w.o.r.d you are sayin here

anyway heres an update... i ordered all the parts 3 weeks ago but they're not ready yet. shud be ready to ship next week. my car's been collectin dust at fatty's place for more than a month

 

[supergripen]

i understand e.v.e.r.y s.i.n.g.l.e w.o.r.d you are sayin here

anyway heres an update... i ordered all the parts 3 weeks ago but they're not ready yet. shud be ready to ship next week. my car's been collectin dust at fatty's place for more than a month

Hey Richard,
That is good to hear..hope u'll get the car up n running soon.But I think u'll be well taken care of in the absence of the bimmer wink wink! If I still have my Impreza I'd probably not care too much about the bimmer..it'll probably be entrusted/given to my wife to drive la,while I boost away in the Impreza.

Btw,I probably won't pursue any further performance increase with the e60 except probably a tranny software upgrade by ESS la.Planning to get another car for my speedfix..a Z4M,an M3 e46 or an R34 GTR.The e60 will be my family chariot with a nice round 300bhp,anymore n it'll start compromising on me.

 

[ramsing]

bro i remembered on the track day...ur car was pulling away from mine like im on standstill on the front straight...i was like wtf...i tot my car gone case liau coz i saw ur car same badge as mine...525i...later found out u got SC in ur car....

:top:

heheh....ribena, next track day u can take revenge. :wink: no more Mr. Nice Ribena

i understand e.v.e.r.y s.i.n.g.l.e w.o.r.d you are sayin here

anyway heres an update... i ordered all the parts 3 weeks ago but they're not ready yet. shud be ready to ship next week. my car's been collectin dust at fatty's place for more than a month

Hi Richard, yup u're car's been sitting there patiently for you man. i cant wait for everythign to be in should be a beast re-born

Hey Richard,
That is good to hear..hope u'll get the car up n running soon.But I think u'll be well taken care of in the absence of the bimmer wink wink! If I still have my Impreza I'd probably not care too much about the bimmer..it'll probably be entrusted/given to my wife to drive la,while I boost away in the Impreza.

Btw,I probably won't pursue any further performance increase with the e60 except probably a tranny software upgrade by ESS la.Planning to get another car for my speedfix..a Z4M,an M3 e46 or an R34 GTR.The e60 will be my family chariot with a nice round 300bhp,anymore n it'll start compromising on me.

glad everythign worked out for you in the end. so they managed to fix the ecu problem u were having earlier. did u manage to use your local CCC in the end?? i like your speedfix options the R34 seems to be the most 'playable' car among those 3. unless you're looking to get a M3 E46, and opt for the HPF turbokits. daily driving 600hp rockets, with almost factory reliability. pity they dun have a RHD donor car yet.

 

[supergripen]

Hi ramsing,
They've managed to sort things out in the end,many thanks to leforte and obermaier.Also managed to make the Euro/My CCC work.Running the car almost daily now,without any probs so far.

On another note,heard someone will be getting a 5.0 V8 monster soon..would be terrific to see that car in action at the Sepang track next time around.My speedfix will take sometime tho,need to sort out some financial issues first before I commit.Logically it will be between the R34 GTR and the e46 M3..the Z4 M is a pretty rare car here plus its also currently outside my budget as well.

Meantime my e60 will hv to do tho it still feels pretty slow and is indeed far from being a speedfix for me.Sadly also,it won't be driven on the track again I think,the previous outing was just a one off thingy where I just wanted to push the car to the limits to see/feel where the limits are.Gives me more confidence when I drive it on the road as well.Suffice to say the limits are pretty high after which I still hv DSC as a safety net..excellent cars these..

 

[supergripen]

heheh....the R34 seems to be the most 'playable' car among those 3. unless you're looking to get a M3 E46, and opt for the HPF turbokits. daily driving 600hp rockets, with almost factory reliability. pity they dun have a RHD donor car yet.

Do tell about the HPF turbokit..sounds very interesting indeedy!!

 

[ramsing]

Do tell about the HPF turbokit..sounds very interesting indeedy!!

hehehe....r u sure u want to know? they have various stages. the best is stage 2.5, as it provides daily driving response and with crazy power levels. somethign like 550hp-ish on pump gas, 600+hp on pump+meth, and i think 700+hp with race gas+meth. u'll have to check out the website for the exact figures.

stage 4 goes beyond 1000hp, but its like an on/off boost. the best part of the HPF kits is that it comes complete with everything. everything is plug n play, and bolts on right up. although for engine rebuilds, they have only a few authorised centers for installation. i think SG has one.

but their kits are currently only for LHD, since i last checked a few months back. they're waiting for a donor car, so what u're waiting for? :wink: might give u a big discount. hehe

interested??? daily driving 600hp with a very usable torque curve. hehehe

 

[supergripen]

hehehe....r u sure u want to know? they have various stages. the best is stage 2.5, as it provides daily driving response and with crazy power levels. somethign like 550hp-ish on pump gas, 600+hp on pump+meth, and i think 700+hp with race gas+meth. u'll have to check out the website for the exact figures.

stage 4 goes beyond 1000hp, but its like an on/off boost. the best part of the HPF kits is that it comes complete with everything. everything is plug n play, and bolts on right up. although for engine rebuilds, they have only a few authorised centers for installation. i think SG has one.

but their kits are currently only for LHD, since i last checked a few months back. they're waiting for a donor car, so what u're waiting for? :wink: might give u a big discount. hehe

interested??? daily driving 600hp with a very usable torque curve. hehehe

Wow!! Sounds like a belter!! Would be very interesting huh?? Cool stuff..

Well,I'm still torn between an R34 GTR and the M3 e46..we'll see.The GTR is going for approx rm210k now,450bhp just a tweak away.Have yet to drive one so I'll need to sample one before making a decision.

 

[ramsing]

Wow!! Sounds like a belter!! Would be very interesting huh?? Cool stuff..

Well,I'm still torn between an R34 GTR and the M3 e46..we'll see.

R34.....there's quite a number running on the road. HPF'd M3, none on the road talk about exclusivity and power to rip holes in most supercars....:love:

 

[B33mEr]

R34.....there's quite a number running on the road. HPF'd M3, none on the road talk about exclusivity and power to rip holes in most supercars....:love:

and not to mention ripping big holes in the pocket! lol

 

[ramsing]

and not to mention ripping big holes in the pocket! lol

supergripen pants are made of kevlar laaa...cannot tear any holes. bulletproof also:top:

 

[supergripen]

Wahahaha!! Playing horsepower will always burn deep holes in anyone's pocket,no matter how deep ur pocket is(mine's pretty shallow hehe..).
All this to my wife's dismay...sorry sayang..

 

[ess530i]

been more than a month since i placed the order (and paid) with Top End Performance and they have yet to ship the pistons... according to them, they are still waiting for the pistons from JE. wonder how they make money if they need more than 1 month to manufacture something which cost a few thousand RM. hopefully there is nothing wrong with leaving the car unmoved for so long... according to fatty my car is given some 'exercise' every few days to maintain the bearings & joints... a treatment u get from a 5-star workshop... sounds like a joke

 

[ess530i]

ok here's an update in case anyone is still interested in the topic. i received the parts from Top End performance on 15 sept (about 6-weeks upon order & payment). found out 2 piston rings were missing, notified them and they sent out the missing item the next day. later found out 2 other rings were abnormally sized, notified them and they sent out the 2 rings within 2 days. overall quite satisfied with Top End Performance's service... anyone interested in rebuilding their engine can consider contacting steve nelson who is one of the few experienced person dealing with bmw engine rebuilt parts...

ah wai took less than a week to put everything together... which is really fast but hope he got everything right and did most of it by himself (as claimed). for piston ring gap sizing, we followed the guideline provided by JE:

top ring - 0.005"
2nd ring - 0.0055"
oil ring - 0.020"

my concern was on oil ring gap... the min spec is 0.015", ah wai recommended 0.020" (within spec) but Top End mentioned that 0.025 - 0.031 is just fine. anyone got any idea about this? maybe i should have posted this earlier and find out more...

besides rebuilding the engine, i also installed an oil temp gauge n an auto-tranny cooler. wanted to do engine oil cooler but the JDM kit didn't fit. anyone who knows where i can get a BMW engine oil cooler kit? pls let me know...

got the car on monday and started the boring run-in process. 1st driving impression is that the car is smoother n has higher low end torque than b4 despite the lower compression. fuel economy is same as b4. the engine sounds a little louder than b4 not sure if its the SC or because newly rebuilt engine sounds louder? no difference or problem on cold-start but i allowed longer period for warming up as recommended. one thing i noticed in the morning is the rev limit indicator disappears faster than b4. is this an indication that the water temp is rising faster than b4?

one of my main concern now is the oil temp... the average is between 95 - 105 deg C under normal run-in driving (below 3k rpm,

 

[jo-e34]

ess530i,i guess u are trying to say that ur engine tend to growl more than last time.....and when the charger kicks in its rumbles louder than b4......?