Z4M S54: Rod bearings replaced again ...

[Shipkiller]

..

[Blind32]

For those that want to change the Rod Bearing as maintenance, maybe we should compile a list of shops based on location that are recommended for replacing the rod bearings?

Originally Posted by Beedub

Food for thought???

September 10, 2013

When we first began looking at the S54...If a rebuild is in your future on an S54 I encourage you to investigate the costs of a standard rebuild and compare those costs to our rod bearing modification kit.
__________________

Beedub, Who/which company is this from?

[Beedub]

Lang racing

[ga41]

Yep, here's their blog post http://www.langracing.com/finding-a-...aring-failure/

[seank]

That's Andrew Lang, the s14.net racer.

The s14 and s54 aren't that far apart.

[beta]

Originally Posted by Beedub

If a rebuild is in your future on an S54 I encourage you to investigate the costs of a standard rebuild and compare those costs to our rod bearing modification kit.

A quick search didn't bring up the price for their rod bearing modification kit, anyone know?

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by ga41

Yep, here's their blog post http://www.langracing.com/finding-a-...aring-failure/

Awesome find...I can't believed these guys are in my backyard and I didn't even know about them

I might go in to check them out one day.

Here's their blog post for addressing the problem => http://www.langracing.com/addressing...ification-kit/

[inTgr8r]

Wow... Fantastic info here.
Nice work guys!

[GriffBrew]

Seems like a reasonable extra expense if replacing bearings anyway. Assuming this is really a permanent fix.

I assume the new parts aren't going to provide additional power. But, I wonder if the lighter rods will translate to a faster spinup of the engine. Perhaps this wouldn't be noticeable due to the drivetrain and other variables?

[seank]

Originally Posted by GriffBrew

Seems like a reasonable extra expense if replacing bearings anyway. Assuming this is really a permanent fix.

I assume the new parts aren't going to provide additional power. But, I wonder if the lighter rods will translate to a faster spinup of the engine. Perhaps this wouldn't be noticeable due to the drivetrain and other variables?

Not actually true.
If you can get it sufficiently oiled, you can run thinner oil which will make more power. Minimal though. I run 10-30 on my s14 where most are running 10-40/50. I have done these same mods

[beta]

Originally Posted by XMetal

Here's their blog post for addressing the problem => http://www.langracing.com/addressing...ification-kit/

Really great info, posted september 14th so it's hot off the presses!

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by seank

Not actually true.
If you can get it sufficiently oiled, you can run thinner oil which will make more power. Minimal though. I run 10-30 on my s14 where most are running 10-40/50. I have done these same mods

I'd love to figure out if boosting pressure is possible on the S54 as you mentioned before on the S14.

[seank]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

I'd love to figure out if boosting pressure is possible on the S54 as you mentioned before on the S14.

They do: http://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac-...ump-p1033.aspx

And it's cheaper than the nla euro oil pump for the s14.

And one of these while you are in there: http://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac-...kit-p1847.aspx

All the issues with the s54 are exactly the same that people have with the s14. All the engine upgrades that I have seen or heard are nearly the same.

[StickMon]

Originally Posted by seank

And one of these while you are in there:

I think that's already included.

Does anyone have a flow diagram of the lubrication system?
I'm wondering where the CPV sits.

I remember when mine started leaking I found something on the web that said something like "The Constant Pressure Valve reduces the oil pressure to the ...", and I'm kinda fuzzy on the rest.
Might have been the rear main.

[inTgr8r]

@Seank
I was thinking more along the lines of modifying the pressure valve to allow higher pressure.
I think you mentioned something about shimming the spring on the S14.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by Beedub

mine see's 81psi at redline.

around 50psi ish just cruising

20psi at HOT idle.....

This reading is taken from the spare port on the oil filter housing ( where bmw check oil pressure) using the stack pro stepper range.

Confirmed, I get the same numbers on my gauge.

[thekurgan]

For anyone following the E9xM3 tech area; it seems BMW changed the actual bearing material for later rod bearings. It seems the Babbitt layer has been removed. Maybe someone knows from looking at these photos taken by another board member. The only reason I can see is environmental as the new top layer looks like tin?


http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...4&postcount=19

[seank]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

@Seank
I was thinking more along the lines of modifying the pressure valve to allow higher pressure.
I think you mentioned something about shimming the spring on the S14.

Yes, they can be modified. That is what VAC started doing when the s14 euro pump became NLA. I don't know how to do it and I can't find the write up on s14.net about it. There search bar is worthless. That being said, for $500-$600 i would buy VAC's. They say that it will increase flow by 22% and it should also increase pressure.

These would also be good questions for Andrew Lang. If I need to replace my bearings and/or pump, this is the route that I am going.

[JonM]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

For anyone following the E9xM3 tech area; it seems BMW changed the actual bearing material for later rod bearings. It seems the Babbitt layer has been removed. Maybe someone knows from looking at these photos taken by another board member. The only reason I can see is environmental as the new top layer looks like tin?


http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...4&postcount=19

Another data point for S65 engines with regards to oil pressure... the Stack gauge in my M3 reads about 83 psi at steady highway RPMs. It can peak higher than that and even at idle it runs around 45 pounds. Altogether much higher than my S54 engines.

When I installed the gauge, I thought I had done something wrong I was so surprised. I tried other gauges and other senders, all the same result.

[SCHMOUPE]

For anyone interested in NJ area, Rogue Engineering quoted me as below:

The kit is $400 from Randy Forbes, when available.

The job is approximately 8 hours...at our standard labor rate of $115/hr.

I will be writing this reply in a few other threads about Rod bearings as Rogue is a pretty reputable shop which specializes in E46 M3.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by JonM

Another data point for S65 engines with regards to oil pressure... the Stack gauge in my M3 reads about 83 psi at steady highway RPMs. It can peak higher than that and even at idle it runs around 45 pounds. Altogether much higher than my S54 engines.

When I installed the gauge, I thought I had done something wrong I was so surprised. I tried other gauges and other senders, all the same result.

That is interesting. I've not seen numbers on the pressure. So the pressure for the S65 should be enough for proper lubrication, and the S54 may indeed need a bit higher for the rod bearings to last. I was considering moving to a lower weight oil with the S54 before I had to sell her, but with the S65, I'm not so sure.

[pal]

I am very wary of aftermarket 'improved' moving parts like oil pumps and unless I can find a few 'real' users who DD their cars and track regularly, I tend to not be the guinea pig. I would rather try and find an OE oil pump that will work on the S54 and raise oil pressure if that is helpful than have a rebuilt and 'improved' pump.

But this is a great discussion to narrow down the problem.

My strategy is to replace rod bearings again and possibly rebuild the bottom end with Pauter or Carillo rods and new OEM pistons and rings on OE crank and bearings.