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      12-03-2015, 06:29 PM   #45
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Organic has the best feel. I'd only move to a different material if you absolutely had to.
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      12-05-2015, 11:17 AM   #46
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Definitely sticking with the organic pad, I think the flywheel was where I lacked knowledge. The one from UUC is 16.9 for the total system standard and I think they may have one heavier dual mass. Still working out the details but I will keep everyone posted when the purchase goes down.
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      12-11-2015, 10:46 AM   #47
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Sweet.. Any updates?
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      12-11-2015, 05:27 PM   #48
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They have started on the car but they are still working with UUC to get a discounted price (promised on their website). They told me that tomorrow they should have a better completion timeline for the car as they had to lay everything out from the old shop.

I'll keep y'all posted!
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      12-13-2015, 08:34 AM   #49
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No worries Shane, good luck with the build man! gonna be Epic
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      12-13-2015, 09:23 AM   #50
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Subbed to see an M coupe come back from the dead.
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      12-18-2015, 04:25 PM   #51
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Headers got coated today, I don't have an update overall but they are working on it. The completion time should be sometime soon after Christmas. I was hoping for before, but it doesn't seem they will have gotten to everything then. Shop has been a little behind to my understanding.

I should be able to nab some more photos when I get back down to Austin on Tuesday. I'll probably put another update together then.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanne View Post
No worries Shane, good luck with the build man! gonna be Epic
Thanks Vanne, I'm really hoping for it to just wow me all over again. I guess for this much cash anyone should haha. Honestly I'll just be happy to have her back.
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      01-08-2016, 07:53 PM   #52
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It's finally happening. The build kicked off today and the new block is up on an engine stand. They'll start piecing everything back together over the next two weeks. Some Jet-Coated euro headers, an Epic Tune, and a new UUC Clutch+Light Weight Flywheel to come.

I've attached the teaser I got today from the shop.
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      01-08-2016, 09:40 PM   #53
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So clean & shiny!!!!!
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      01-09-2016, 03:40 AM   #54
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ohhhhh that block is delicious !! iron never looked so good. Not much meat between the cylinders on the s54 is their ???
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      01-09-2016, 11:33 AM   #55
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beedub View Post
Not much meat between the cylinders on the s54 is their ???
Less overall length is good. Even less is even better. Light is good. Even lighter is even better.
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      01-09-2016, 12:36 PM   #56
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You know it's interesting that you mention that because on the old block, where the over pressurized cylinder cracked wasn't even in between cylinders, it was on the other sides. I have to agree weight savings is good and it probably doesn't need a whole lot considering the make up of these blocks.
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      01-09-2016, 01:44 PM   #57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beedub
ohhhhh that block is delicious !! iron never looked so good. Not much meat between the cylinders on the s54 is their ???
Many of the guys that build the highest horsepower cars prefer the M50/M52 iron block. The S52 and S54 don't have as much material, and the S54 can crack around the 700-800 whp mark if not sleeved (shops don't advertise this). A local shop owner has a 900 whp Z3 running the 2.8 (bored to 2.9 liter) built engine. I looked at trying to swap the M54 head onto the iron block for a high horsepower turbo, but the project was more ambitious (read: expensive) than I wanted to take on.
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      01-10-2016, 10:16 AM   #58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pokeybritches View Post
Many of the guys that build the highest horsepower cars prefer the M50/M52 iron block. The S52 and S54 don't have as much material, and the S54 can crack around the 700-800 whp mark if not sleeved (shops don't advertise this). A local shop owner has a 900 whp Z3 running the 2.8 (bored to 2.9 liter) built engine. I looked at trying to swap the M54 head onto the iron block for a high horsepower turbo, but the project was more ambitious (read: expensive) than I wanted to take on.
You don't think that have more to do with availability and cost and not reliability? A M50 block is dirt cheap compared to a S54 block, both are cast iron after all. Several 1000+ hp S54's are runing in Sweden, but the M50's are more common but cost almost nothing. M50's are most bang for the buck no doubt.
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      01-10-2016, 10:41 AM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Westersund
Quote:
Originally Posted by pokeybritches View Post
Many of the guys that build the highest horsepower cars prefer the M50/M52 iron block. The S52 and S54 don't have as much material, and the S54 can crack around the 700-800 whp mark if not sleeved (shops don't advertise this). A local shop owner has a 900 whp Z3 running the 2.8 (bored to 2.9 liter) built engine. I looked at trying to swap the M54 head onto the iron block for a high horsepower turbo, but the project was more ambitious (read: expensive) than I wanted to take on.
You don't think that have more to do with availability and cost and not reliability? A M50 block is dirt cheap compared to a S54 block, both are cast iron after all. Several 1000+ hp S54's are runing in Sweden, but the M50's are more common but cost almost nothing. M50's are most bang for the buck no doubt.
Not on a 1000 hp car. The cost of the block is nothing compared to the rest of the build.

There are other factors, like tuning, and the S54 sacrifices low end for a higher redline and better flow up top.
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      01-10-2016, 11:03 AM   #60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pokeybritches View Post
Not on a 1000 hp car. The cost of the block is nothing compared to the rest of the build.

There are other factors, like tuning, and the S54 sacrifices low end for a higher redline and better flow up top.
The cost of the pistons and rods are similar in both builds, but the availability of M50 blocks are so vast the cost is basically meaningless. If you want a S54 block on the other hand you more than likely will have to buy a complete engine or a block from BMW, neither are cheap.

Depends, if you're comparing a 700 hp M50 to a 1000 hp S54? If that's the case the M50 will probably have better response. Overall the S54 is a better engine, in all regards except thinner cylinder walls. But if it's a sound block from the get go that won't be a problem.
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      01-10-2016, 10:44 PM   #61
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Shane, that update is bloody marvellous mate. cant wait to see how you get on from here. How did you find Randy to deal with from Epic? Bloody top bloke in my book. Is he doing the tune, or are you doing it via remote USB? The block looks clean enough to eat from man! A W E S O M E!!!
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      01-11-2016, 02:57 AM   #62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Westersund
The cost of the pistons and rods are similar in both builds, but the availability of M50 blocks are so vast the cost is basically meaningless. If you want a S54 block on the other hand you more than likely will have to buy a complete engine or a block from BMW, neither are cheap.

Depends, if you're comparing a 700 hp M50 to a 1000 hp S54? If that's the case the M50 will probably have better response. Overall the S54 is a better engine, in all regards except thinner cylinder walls. But if it's a sound block from the get go that won't be a problem.
1000 hp to 1000 hp. The S54 block can't reliably handle those power levels without additional prep work. Sure there are running examples that have done it once on a dyno, but any engine that is raced will have had additional work done. Block availability may have something to do with it, but I think it's about the overall package and cost to get there, including tuning and complexity. The M50 block can take a lot more abuse than the stock S54 block. The S54 was a superior engine when it left the factory, but that doesn't mean it's the most ideal for extreme power levels when budget is factored in.

I'm not suggesting a move to the M50 block in an E46 M3 or Z4M... only that the M50 block has found a following, and in many cases has proven to be a more cost effective option than the S54... particularly if the car didn't come standard with an S54 and a whole engine/harness transplant are needed.
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      01-11-2016, 11:10 AM   #63
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pokeybritches View Post
1000 hp to 1000 hp. The S54 block can't reliably handle those power levels without additional prep work. Sure there are running examples that have done it once on a dyno, but any engine that is raced will have had additional work done. Block availability may have something to do with it, but I think it's about the overall package and cost to get there, including tuning and complexity. The M50 block can take a lot more abuse than the stock S54 block. The S54 was a superior engine when it left the factory, but that doesn't mean it's the most ideal for extreme power levels when budget is factored in.

I'm not suggesting a move to the M50 block in an E46 M3 or Z4M... only that the M50 block has found a following, and in many cases has proven to be a more cost effective option than the S54... particularly if the car didn't come standard with an S54 and a whole engine/harness transplant are needed.
There's several 1000+ hp S54s runing in Sweden and Norway, but lets agree to disagree.
In Sweden the M54B30 is becoming more popular to turbo, aluminium block with cast iron sleeves. You do have to use helicoils and ARP bolts in the block though.

Back to Arsonism's thread.
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      01-11-2016, 10:57 PM   #64
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanne View Post
Shane, that update is bloody marvelous mate. cant wait to see how you get on from here. How did you find Randy to deal with from Epic? Bloody top bloke in my book. Is he doing the tune, or are you doing it via remote USB? The block looks clean enough to eat from man! A W E S O M E!!!
I had a couple of discussions with Randy and although I've gone MIA on him. Hopefully he hasn't forgotten! I haven't figured if I'm going to have the shop run him the files or if I'm going to do it myself. I should speak with him soon again. So far he has been a wealth of information regarding tunes and I'm excited to see what he can do with the car. It will be a remote tune for sure.

Hopefully I can get the old block cleaned up and use it as a coffee table... then I'll quite literally be eating off of it


Quote:
Originally Posted by Westersund View Post
Back to Arsonism's thread.
All is welcome! I enjoyed learning about that as well... made me wonder if I went with the wrong rebuild project!
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      01-12-2016, 10:24 AM   #65
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All is welcome! I enjoyed learning about that as well... made me wonder if I went with the wrong rebuild project!
If you think a S54 engine rebuild is expensive you wouldn't like the cost of building a S54 turbo engine that would be reliable. It would easily cost 20 grand, but probably closer to 30.
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      01-12-2016, 11:57 AM   #66
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^WHS. I'm budgeting $15k for my M54 build, which is just pistons, rods, bearings, gaskets, head studs, head work, pulleys, intercooler, piping, and a retune (and it's already been dyno tuned once, so the base files are there). A real S54 build would take $$$.

Edit: To be clear, the S54 block is plenty strong for a stock or mildly boosted car. The disagreement arises on whether it is suitable for the 1000 horsepower builds without additional work like sleeves.
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