Hi Gents,
For those who are interested in Engine Weight
For many years I have listen to people giving their opinion about how heavy the S38 is.
Does it look heavy ? Absolutely,
Does it rev heavy absolutely.
Does BMW used heavy parts absolutely.
No one was able to bring the Exact information of the numbers all these years.
All the info was brought from the silly sites or other guesstimate numbers.
Lots of wrong information is floating.
I decided to find out the truth about all NA BMW Motorsport engines measured with full accessories attached.
Before I started building my E24M6 race car I wanted to find what options do I have in therms of weight.
I like all BMW NA MS engines. 4cyl-6cyl-8cyl-10cyl,each one has its own character.
But I have been always an S38 guy. I do like to improve this engine as much as possible, I don't mind to mess around with other MS engines but for now I am happy with the S38 engine.
So lets get to the point. I did measurements with full accessories.
All the engines will be +/- few pounds but the main weight is there.
S14-B23/B25- 415pounds/188kgs
S38-B36- 587pounds/266kgs
S38-B38 -602pounds/278kgs(due to heavier dual mass flywheel vs 3.6)
M88/S38- 530pounds/240kgs
S54-B32- 522pounds/236kgs
S50-B32 -(Euro engine) 560pounds/254kgs
S62-B50 -602pounds/271kgs
S65-B40- 530pounds/240.4kgs
S85-B50- 625pounds/278kgs
Out of the box the S38-B36/B38 engine is damn Heavy !!!
When I build last year S38-B36 for a customer inside E30M3.
I wanted to drop as much weight as possible.
I was able to drop the weight of the S38-B36 to ~476pounds !!!
I am pleased from my outcome result. I was able to drop 100pounds and still retain AC compressor.
So basically the same as M88/S38-B35 is the lightest engine from the S38family.
Basically, M88/S38 inside the S38-B36 skin.
Hear is the weight savings for S38-B36-B38 engine.
I studied how BMW put an effort inside the S54-B32 to make it more modern using still cast iron block and used lighter parts.
Gents, 100pounds is not a joke removed from the E34M5 nose !!!
I helped my friend Ed with his Dytona Violet station wagon M5/touring to drop all that weight and you can feel the difference right away!
Very interesting fact I found.
The S54 bottom end is the same weight as the M30/S38.(+/- few kgs in a favor of the S54)
How is that possible ?
Due to the Undesirable 91mm stroke BMW MS reinforced the bottom of the block and added weight. Regardless, the S38 has longer parts.
S54 crank is lighter and also rods and pistons and still about the same weight.
The S54 Engine has already a plastic Intake that weights +/-9pounds.
The S38 Intake weight +/- 20pounds!
(waiting on Greg to make the light weight one.)
I can install Plastic/Carbon Fibre intake and Save 18pounds !
But I am not ready to lose the Intake flapper option on the 3.6/3.8.
(So, Greg I am waiting on the list for 3-4 qt)
Also I am going to investigate were can I use 7075 Aluminum grade bolts and nuts just hold parts Not in a critical areas.
Also the S38-B36 Wire harness is very heavy vs S54 harness.
I think 5pounds easy can be saved using a complete standalone.
Basically when I use all the best light parts and light weight hardware
I will be able to drop the engine weight at around ~460/pounds=213kgs
This will be very light weight S38 engine in reliable daily driving condition.
AC system is option for any engine so you keep it or remove it.
The other engines such as S62-S65-S85 BMW already used light weight internal parts.
Aluminum block, Light weight pulleys, no smog pump attached.
The only think can be saved is the Super Heavy Dual Mass flywheel+header cats.
Another factor I measured are Transmissions:
The S38 G280 weights 89pounds
The S38/S54/S62 6spd G420 weights 102pounds
The S65/S85 weights 135pounds!
Gents a further discussion and questions are welcomed.
Enjoy the facts.
Best Regards
Anri
For those who are interested in Engine Weight
For many years I have listen to people giving their opinion about how heavy the S38 is.
Does it look heavy ? Absolutely,
Does it rev heavy absolutely.
Does BMW used heavy parts absolutely.
No one was able to bring the Exact information of the numbers all these years.
All the info was brought from the silly sites or other guesstimate numbers.
Lots of wrong information is floating.
I decided to find out the truth about all NA BMW Motorsport engines measured with full accessories attached.
Before I started building my E24M6 race car I wanted to find what options do I have in therms of weight.
I like all BMW NA MS engines. 4cyl-6cyl-8cyl-10cyl,each one has its own character.
But I have been always an S38 guy. I do like to improve this engine as much as possible, I don't mind to mess around with other MS engines but for now I am happy with the S38 engine.
So lets get to the point. I did measurements with full accessories.
All the engines will be +/- few pounds but the main weight is there.
S14-B23/B25- 415pounds/188kgs
S38-B36- 587pounds/266kgs
S38-B38 -602pounds/278kgs(due to heavier dual mass flywheel vs 3.6)
M88/S38- 530pounds/240kgs
S54-B32- 522pounds/236kgs
S50-B32 -(Euro engine) 560pounds/254kgs
S62-B50 -602pounds/271kgs
S65-B40- 530pounds/240.4kgs
S85-B50- 625pounds/278kgs
Out of the box the S38-B36/B38 engine is damn Heavy !!!
When I build last year S38-B36 for a customer inside E30M3.
I wanted to drop as much weight as possible.
I was able to drop the weight of the S38-B36 to ~476pounds !!!
I am pleased from my outcome result. I was able to drop 100pounds and still retain AC compressor.
So basically the same as M88/S38-B35 is the lightest engine from the S38family.
Basically, M88/S38 inside the S38-B36 skin.
Hear is the weight savings for S38-B36-B38 engine.
- Deleted air pump system down to the last nut and bolt.
- Removed the S38 Bracket and installed M30 AC bracket.
- M88/S38 complete cooling system.
- Lighter, internals, crank, rods, pistons.
- Light weight flywheel.
- Light weight alternator.
- Removed Engine Hook.
- Removed some other studs, bolts (not much saving but adds to the gross weight)
- Light weight engine drive pulleys. Water, Power steering, Alternator, Crank V belt pulleys will give another ~2pounds
I studied how BMW put an effort inside the S54-B32 to make it more modern using still cast iron block and used lighter parts.
Gents, 100pounds is not a joke removed from the E34M5 nose !!!
I helped my friend Ed with his Dytona Violet station wagon M5/touring to drop all that weight and you can feel the difference right away!
Very interesting fact I found.
The S54 bottom end is the same weight as the M30/S38.(+/- few kgs in a favor of the S54)
How is that possible ?
Due to the Undesirable 91mm stroke BMW MS reinforced the bottom of the block and added weight. Regardless, the S38 has longer parts.
S54 crank is lighter and also rods and pistons and still about the same weight.
The S54 Engine has already a plastic Intake that weights +/-9pounds.
The S38 Intake weight +/- 20pounds!
(waiting on Greg to make the light weight one.)
I can install Plastic/Carbon Fibre intake and Save 18pounds !
But I am not ready to lose the Intake flapper option on the 3.6/3.8.
(So, Greg I am waiting on the list for 3-4 qt)
Also I am going to investigate were can I use 7075 Aluminum grade bolts and nuts just hold parts Not in a critical areas.
Also the S38-B36 Wire harness is very heavy vs S54 harness.
I think 5pounds easy can be saved using a complete standalone.
Basically when I use all the best light parts and light weight hardware
I will be able to drop the engine weight at around ~460/pounds=213kgs
This will be very light weight S38 engine in reliable daily driving condition.
AC system is option for any engine so you keep it or remove it.
The other engines such as S62-S65-S85 BMW already used light weight internal parts.
Aluminum block, Light weight pulleys, no smog pump attached.
The only think can be saved is the Super Heavy Dual Mass flywheel+header cats.
Another factor I measured are Transmissions:
The S38 G280 weights 89pounds
The S38/S54/S62 6spd G420 weights 102pounds
The S65/S85 weights 135pounds!
Gents a further discussion and questions are welcomed.
Enjoy the facts.
Best Regards
Anri