BMW S38B36 engine

Power unit s38b36 refers to the motors that are built into vehicles of the German concern BMW. The engine is an in-line with six cylinder bogs of piston type motor, having two overhead camshafts (DONS) at once, which were based on the power unit of the M88 version. It was produced from 1986 to 1995. Very interesting is the deciphering of this motor – as S- engine, developed by the engineers of BMW Motorsport, 3-ca means the origin for the family of M30s, but 8-ca means a reference to the origin of the engine from the famous and popular M88. The power unit was released in a set with a five-speed, and since the month of May 1994 with a six-speed manual transmission. For all the time of production, the motor was available for consumers in only 3 variations.

As for the 3.6 liter version of the engine, s38b36 liners were produced from 1988 to 1992 and had one of the best, improved torque outputs to it. The thing is that thanks to them, the exhaust gases are passed through the exhaust system as well as the integrated ceramic catalyst, and the function that forces air inside the exhaust unit is introduced to regulate the gas emissions during the start of the still cold engine. As a result, air was introduced inside the exhaust system in order to convert carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide there, and hydrogen itself into water. Therefore, the updated modification of the motor received a compression ratio of 9.2 to one. As a result, the engine was introduced in the BMW M5 E34, BMW M5 Cabriolet E34, BMW Cecotto Edition and Winkelhock Edition E34 models.

S38B36 engine specifications

Advantages

It is impossible not to mention the characteristics of s38b36 . Engines from these model years are popular as they have a number of advanced features. Importantly, the engine is equipped with a Bosch Motronic 1.2 control system, which is able to last a long time, since the internal wiring of the s38b36 withstands heavy loads. Thus, fuel consumption in the intervening cycle is 10-12 liters per 100 kilometers, on the highway – 9 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers, but in urban all 14 liters per hundred kilometers.

Engineers designed the engine under the sports engine. So, the basis of it is made up of the atmospheric M88/3, but a relative of the serial production is the M30V34, S38 motor. The advantage is that the developers installed in the engine lightweight forged crankshaft, which has a piston stroke of 86 millimeters and 12 counterweights.

As for the head, it has two-shaft and 24-valve mechanical pushrods, and the adjustment of each valve can be carried out only as needed, while the clearances for cold engine have indicators of 0.28/0.33 millimeters. Also, a plus is the huge productivity of injectors – 270 cc. It is impossible not to mention that the improved modification has struck motorists with increased diameter of inlet valves up to 38.5 millimeters and exhaust valves up to 32.5 millimeters, which were improved with inlet and exhaust channels.

Thanks to this, the vehicle’s behavior at low and medium speeds has been improved. The developers have achieved up to 340 horsepower at 6,900 rpm in 60 seconds. They also improved the vanos, which served to accelerate the vehicle quickly at the start.

Disadvantages

Motor malfunctions according to the reviews of many car owners, mainly associated with the following list of problems:

• It rarely happens that the crankshaft suddenly stops turning, and this may be due to poor quality terminal fasteners in the battery;
• the starter unit often fails;
• The ground bus on the power unit’s housing surface may be disconnected;
• unsteady cold start of the engine;
• The battery is discharged, causing the motor to fail to start.

It also happens that the already warmed-up power unit does not start. And this can happen for such reasons as contamination of the air filter, damage to the fuel injection system, the appearance of noises when turning on the starter system, malfunctions with the flywheel crown or starter gear (worn teeth), weakly tightened fastening bolts on the starter. In addition, car owners may encounter that the engine suddenly stops after startup, because weakly connected pipes in the ignition system, there were deformation processes in the injection system, there was a vibration in the time of speed dialing when driving. Sometimes, the clutch connected to the motor may malfunction.

Which oil is suitable for the engine

It is recommended to use Motul 6100 + SAE 10W-40 as engine oil. As for the factory, the engineers allowed to pour synthetics. Castrol 10W-40 will do. Also, it is a good idea to pour the original oil fluid – BMW-Bosch in the volume of 6.5 liters. It is recommended to replace once per 10,000 kilometers of mileage on average. According to the factory, the developers propose to change the oil fluid to a new one once per 7,500 kilometers of mileage. The maximum replacement rate should not be more than 15,000 kilometers of mileage. Air, fuel and oil filters are changed together with oil. Replace at the same time – at the same time

Chip Tuning

In order to increase the powertrain’s output, not only chipping is required, but also physical intervention. It will be necessary to purchase camshafts with springs and injectors, change the cold intake system and complete the motor with a collector 6-2-1 exhaust. As a result, it will go from 360 horsepower to 380 horses. This configuration is considered urban, but to get a power of 420 horsepower, you will need not only re-flashing of electronics, but also replacement of all the above parts, plus replacement of porting cylinder-head and intake 39-millimeter valves. As a result, the possibility of increasing power will not only reduce fuel consumption, but also accordingly will make the gas pedal much easier and the car will start much sharper.

Conclusions

The BMW S38 engine is a standard, reliable and quite durable engine, still popularly referred to as a simple catalytic converter. Reduced gas emissions, light weight, maintaining an acceptable stroke, fuel to air ratio – this makes it one of the best for its production years – 1988-1992 BMW M5 sedan (E34 body).

This engine is installed on the following models:

BMW M5 (E34)