BMW S50B30 engine

The s50b30 internal combustion engine was launched in 1992. It was at this time that the next generation of the BMW M3 appeared on the market, for which a motor with greater power and dimensions was needed. The development of a new engine, which was to solve the set tasks, was entrusted to Munich Plant. It was based on the model m50b25. The motor was installed in the car BMW M3 E36. The last representative of this line came off the conveyor belt in 2,000. The vehicle was produced in five variants: hatchback, coupe, station wagon, convertible and sedan. It was also equipped with the BMW Z3 M, a sports car that was produced throughout 1996-2002. This car was produced in only 2 variants: coupe and roadster.

The unit is characterized by the following features:

• the engine’s cylinder block is made of cast iron;
• used an injector power system;
• number of cylinders 6 with a diameter of 8.6 cm;
• there are four valves per cylinder;
• the piston stroke is 1.8 cm;
• compression level 10.8 for Europe, 10.5 for the USA;
• volume of the automobile “heart” – 2,990 cm3;
• power is 243 hp/6,000 rpm, 286 hp/7,000 rpm, 295 hp/7,100 rpm;
• Torque – 305 Nm/4,250 rpm, 320 Nm/3,600 rpm, 323 Nm/3,900 rpm;
• the fuel grade used is A95 gasoline;
• complies with the Euro 1 environmental standard;
• weight is 151 kg for Europe and 135 kg for the USA;
• fuel consumption per 100 km 11.8 liters in city driving conditions, 8.4 liters on the highway, 9.1 liters in mixed conditions;
• oil consumption per 1,000 km is about 1 liter;
• used oil grades 5w30, 5w40, 10w40, 15w40;
• service life exceeds 400,000 km.

The cylinder head in this model has been significantly redesigned compared to the m50b25. The Vanos system was used here, which is characterized by continuously variable timing on the intake shaft. In addition, new camshafts with 260/260 phase and 11.3/11.3 mm lift were installed. The valves have also been replaced: their diameter has been increased to 34 millimeters.

There is a version that the official power figures of all existing varieties of this type of units specified in the characteristics are underestimated. According to this assumption, in fact, the real figure is at the level of 321 horsepower.

Engine specifications S50B30

Advantages

The motor is designed in such a way that the car owner feels all the advantages of a sporty atmospheric engine, but at the same time has lost nothing in the convenience and comfort of daily driving.

The s50 looks much more attractive than its m50 prototype. The powertrain has excellent safety margins and performs well at high rpm. The intake valves are 52mm by 28mm, which is larger than the m50’s 50mm by 25mm intake valves. Thus, the capacity of the cylinder head of this motor is 10-15% greater than its predecessors, the m50 and m52 models.

The S50 is equipped with the Vanos system, which has a continuously variable intake shaft timing between 80 and 122g. In comparison, the m50 has two fixed positions.

The use of stiffer springs and one-piece pushrods than the prototype allowed the motor to rev around 8,000 rpm. Installing a throttle on each of the available cylinders improved throttle response. Specially shaped intake ports allowed for increased cylinder fill during high rpm operation. The good volume of the intake receiver smoothed out pulsations, resulting in equalized cylinder fill.

Disadvantages

The main breakdowns common to this type of unit include:

• overheating;
• leaking;
• the resulting air infiltration at the inlet valve;
• increased oil consumption; instability of revolutions;
• Vanos problems.

That is, the faults that occur during the operation of this engine are similar to the breakdowns typical for the entire 6-cylinder series of M50 engines. In addition to the above-mentioned faults, the car “heart” also had a problem with trolling, which was practically solved by the manufacturer.

Due to the fact that the production of the power unit was discontinued back in the early 2000s, now cars with such engines are practically not purchased for quiet driving. This is due to the significant wear and tear of the “heart” installed in such cars. If the purchase for some reason is necessary, you should pay close attention to the condition of the purchased vehicle and its “heart”.

Modifications

Two versions were produced: European and American. Due to high environmental standards, the European model was not supplied to North American countries, except for 45 cars. Therefore, a separate modification was produced for motorists from Canada and the USA.

It is also possible to distinguish the engine in the GT modification, which was produced for a rare variant of the car – E36 M3 GT. It is characterized by: different from standard camshafts, possessing phases of 264 gr, redesigned Vanos system, as well as modified intake. Thanks to this, the “heart” of the car got 295 horses at 7,100 rpm.

Chip Tuning

The s50b30 engine has a maximum output of 295 horses. The existing parameter can be raised by using Schrick camshafts with the characteristics: phase 284 and lift 11.9 mm. Additionally, valve springs and the installation of a straight-through exhaust will be required. Alternatively, you can purchase a s50b30 cylinder head, intake, Schrick camshafts with 284 phase and valve springs. This will raise the power level to 310-320 horsepower.

In the event that this is not enough, you can do the following. Remove the Vanos, purchase Schrick 316/308 camshafts, new springs, pushrods, enlarged valves, 440 cc injectors, airbox and do a porting of the cylinder head. After replacing all the necessary items, the power will rise to 350 horses.

The engine has a high compression ratio. To reduce the compression ratio, you will need 8.5 compression SR pistons, VAC steel cylinder-head gasket, Carrillo H-Beam connecting rods, and ARP studs. By installing these, the engine is prepared for supercharging. You can also buy camshafts from M3 GT with 264 phase and 11.25 mm lift, 750 cc injectors, Garrett GTX35 turbo, boost conroller, westgate. You can also make a manifold for the turbo. To make the task easier, you can simply buy ready-made turbo kits.

SWAP

Such units will be relevant for owners of cars that need to replace the “heart”. This can be not only BMW, but also cars of domestic production, which are mainly used for commercial purposes. By purchasing a swap kit, the motorist will be able to:

• to save money on fuel;
• reduce maintenance and spare parts costs;
• Increase revenue, in the case of commercial vehicles, by reducing downtime at the service station.

This engine is installed on the following models:

BMW M3 (E36)