M54B30 Specs and Measurments

PEI330Ci · 12-31-2009, 11:21 PM

I figured I should start a thread to house the mountain of details I've learned about the M54B30 engine. If anyone has any verified specs that they would like to share, please comment and I'll work towards adding them below. The list will grow shortly....

Combustion Chamber Volume (Head) = 34cc

Intake valve size = 33mm
Intake valve weight = 45 grams

Exhaust valve size = 30.5mm
Exhaust valve weight = 47 grams

Piston size = 84mm
Piston weight (w/rings) = 313 grams
Piston pin weight = 108 grams
Rod + bearing weight = 602 grams

My Arrow rod/ CP piston combo weighed 926 grams....

Cylinder Head Flow:

PEI330Ci · 01-03-2010, 09:13 AM

Ever wanted to know what the combustion chamber volume is?

Me too:

Adding water:

I ran into a problem trying to get the last bit of water to fit in. The problem? Surface tension. The solution? A bit of Royal Purple "Purple Ice" coolant treatment which has the same effect as a detergent:

Total volume is 34cc.

Rob43 · 01-03-2010, 01:58 PM

Very cool !

And good to know.

Rob

Iceman00 · 01-03-2010, 02:07 PM

Are those stock heads? I can't see a lot of material being removed if headwork was done.

mrshelley · 01-03-2010, 02:27 PM

Just so you know, those head bolts go in the other way.

PEI330Ci · 01-03-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman00

Are those stock heads? I can't see a lot of material being removed if headwork was done.

Yes, it's an OEM head.

Where are you thinking material would be removed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrshelley

Just so you know, those head bolts go in the other way.

I know....I figured it out after a leak-down test....

Iceman00 · 01-03-2010, 04:36 PM

Maybe I'm thinking incorrectly, but there is no "quench" area to mill down. I think I may be off with my thinking.

PEI330Ci · 01-03-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman00

Maybe I'm thinking incorrectly, but there is no "quench" area to mill down. I think I may be off with my thinking.

That is not something that is normally modified with the head. Normally, if you want to change the quench, you do it in piston design.

PEI330Ci · 03-10-2010, 09:37 AM

Which piston has more compression?

#1:

#2:

McSpeed · 03-10-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pei330ci

which piston has more compression?

#1?

aggieE46 · 03-10-2010, 10:50 AM

I'm going with 2.

Michel · 03-10-2010, 11:09 AM

#2,

#1 looks too beat to have high compression numbers I would think

PEI330Ci · 03-10-2010, 11:11 AM

OEM Piston:

3.7mm down from the deck @ TDC

Ready for CC'ing:

Adding water:

17.4cc total volume

PEI330Ci · 03-10-2010, 11:21 AM

CP Piston:

3.7mm down from the deck @ TDC

Ready for CC'ing:

Adding water:

22.5cc total volume

McSpeed · 03-10-2010, 01:05 PM

#1

B33MER · 03-10-2010, 01:25 PM

Very interesting ...

PEI330Ci · 03-22-2010, 05:54 PM

I've measured this stuff a number of times, and I'm still coming up with the same numbers. So here's what's been bothering me:

Cylinder bore = 3.307"
Stroke = 3.528"
Combustion chamber volume = 34cc
Piston/cylinder volume below deck = 17.4cc
Head gasket thickness = 0.030"
Head gasket bore = 3.346"

Plug all those numbers into a compression ratio calculator and you get 9.911:1.

BMW advertises 10.2:1 for the M54B30

The only thing I can guess is that BMW is not including the volume inside the spark plug, and the area above the first piston ring along the cylinder wall. The actual "pour volume" using fluid equals 55.723 inside the combustion chamber with the piston at TDC. Dropping that by just 2cc brings the compression ratio to 10.24:1, which might be the case if you didn't include the spark plug volume ect....

I'm sticking with real world numbers, so the M54B30 in my books is a 9.9:1 engine.

The CP pistons I have pictured above netted a compression ratio of 9.26:1 with a "pour volume" of 60.823cc.

Using a well known engine calculation software package, I was able to build a "model" of my engine to represent the actual power it made on the dyno. (252hp/229tq)

I then changed the compression ratio from 9.26 to 11.4:1 and netted a calculated 265hp/241tq @ 6400 RPM which was closer to what I was expecting when I built the engine.

PEI330Ci · 03-22-2010, 06:18 PM

Adding the custom Schrick cams/valvetrain to the 11.4:1 engine would have theoretically moved the peak power RPM to 7500 RPM netting 317hp/245tq. Clearly a different intake manifold would be needed than the OEM M54B30 piece to achieve these numbers. It's fun to work with the numbers though....

///Orient3 · 03-22-2010, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PEI330Ci

I've measured this stuff a number of times, and I'm still coming up with the same numbers. So here's what's been bothering me:

Cylinder bore = 3.307"
Stroke = 3.528"
Combustion chamber volume = 34cc
Piston/cylinder volume below deck = 17.4cc
Head gasket thickness = 0.030"
Head gasket bore = 3.346"

Plug all those numbers into a compression ratio calculator and you get 9.911:1.

BMW advertises 10.2:1 for the M54B30

The only thing I can guess is that BMW is not including the volume inside the spark plug, and the area above the first piston ring along the cylinder wall. The actual "pour volume" using fluid equals 55.723 inside the combustion chamber with the piston at TDC. Dropping that by just 2cc brings the compression ratio to 10.24:1, which might be the case if you didn't include the spark plug volume ect....

I'm sticking with real world numbers, so the M54B30 in my books is a 9.9:1 engine.

The CP pistons I have pictured above netted a compression ratio of 9.26:1 with a "pour volume" of 60.823cc.

Using a well known engine calculation software package, I was able to build a "model" of my engine to represent the actual power it made on the dyno. (252hp/229tq)

I then changed the compression ratio from 9.26 to 11.4:1 and netted a calculated 265hp/241tq @ 6400 RPM which was closer to what I was expecting when I built the engine.

Adam,

I was getting something close to those numbers, with a 33cc combustion chamber volume. I may have some insight to add tomorrow when I go to the machine shop. I have some printed calculation sheets with some of the numbers that CP uses, such as compressed gasket thickness (I believe .025). Also, aren't your CPs 84.5mm? My cylinder bore was 3.328. I'm guessing you were referring to the measurements for the stock pistons?

PEI330Ci · 03-23-2010, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Orient3

Adam,

I was getting something close to those numbers, with a 33cc combustion chamber volume. I may have some insight to add tomorrow when I go to the machine shop. I have some printed calculation sheets with some of the numbers that CP uses, such as compressed gasket thickness (I believe .025). Also, aren't your CPs 84.5mm? My cylinder bore was 3.328. I'm guessing you were referring to the measurements for the stock pistons?

For the OEM calcs, I used 84mm bore.

I measured used gaskets that had already been compressed, and found them to be 0.030" thick. I have a new gasket at the shop I could measure for reference as well. (I'm amazed how much "new" stuff I still have)

Were you measuring the head with the spark plug installed?

01-03-2010, 02:27 PM	#5
mrshelley Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 914 My Ride: 2004 330i View My Garage	Just so you know, those head bolts go in the other way. __________________

03-10-2010, 10:50 AM	#11
aggieE46 Keep it clean Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Royse City Posts: 8,011 My Ride: Evo, 330Ci, Xterra View My Garage	I'm going with 2. __________________ ^No longer looks like this Buy my:: 3.46 Differential Coolant hard line European Head Unit

03-10-2010, 11:11 AM	#13
PEI330Ci 58mm of Bliss Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: PEI,Canada Posts: 3,582 My Ride: 330i, 330Ci View My Garage	OEM Piston: 3.7mm down from the deck @ TDC Ready for CC'ing: Adding water: 17.4cc total volume Last edited by PEI330Ci; 03-10-2010 at 11:24 AM.

03-10-2010, 11:21 AM	#14
PEI330Ci 58mm of Bliss Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: PEI,Canada Posts: 3,582 My Ride: 330i, 330Ci View My Garage	CP Piston: 3.7mm down from the deck @ TDC Ready for CC'ing: Adding water: 22.5cc total volume Last edited by PEI330Ci; 03-10-2010 at 11:24 AM.

03-10-2010, 01:05 PM	#15
McSpeed Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,068 My Ride: 2005 ZHP TT Stg 1 View My Garage	#1 __________________ Technique Tuning Stage 1 Turbo w/ Greddy Profec B Spec II \| 3.07 Quaife ATI Super Damper \| Vaio Oil Pump \| VAC Pan Baffle \| SRE Organic Clutch Turner Reinforcements \| SPC Camber Arms \| Powerflex FCABs & SFBs Turbo Driveability Video Horsepower vs. Torque - updated

12-31-2009, 11:21 PM	#1
PEI330Ci 58mm of Bliss Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: PEI,Canada Posts: 3,582 My Ride: 330i, 330Ci View My Garage	M54B30 Specs and Measurments I figured I should start a thread to house the mountain of details I've learned about the M54B30 engine. If anyone has any verified specs that they would like to share, please comment and I'll work towards adding them below. The list will grow shortly.... Combustion Chamber Volume (Head) = 34cc Intake valve size = 33mm Intake valve weight = 45 grams Exhaust valve size = 30.5mm Exhaust valve weight = 47 grams Piston size = 84mm Piston weight (w/rings) = 313 grams Piston pin weight = 108 grams Rod + bearing weight = 602 grams My Arrow rod/ CP piston combo weighed 926 grams.... Cylinder Head Flow: Last edited by PEI330Ci; 01-16-2010 at 03:39 AM.

01-03-2010, 09:13 AM	#2
PEI330Ci 58mm of Bliss Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: PEI,Canada Posts: 3,582 My Ride: 330i, 330Ci View My Garage	Ever wanted to know what the combustion chamber volume is? Me too: Adding water: I ran into a problem trying to get the last bit of water to fit in. The problem? Surface tension. The solution? A bit of Royal Purple "Purple Ice" coolant treatment which has the same effect as a detergent: Total volume is 34cc.

01-03-2010, 01:58 PM	#3
Rob43 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Richmond VA Posts: 2,115 My Ride: 2003 BMW 331Ci, 5spd View My Garage	Very cool ! And good to know. Rob

01-03-2010, 02:07 PM	#4
Iceman00 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: FLA Posts: 2,739 My Ride: ghey View My Garage	Are those stock heads? I can't see a lot of material being removed if headwork was done.

01-03-2010, 04:36 PM	#7
Iceman00 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: FLA Posts: 2,739 My Ride: ghey View My Garage	Maybe I'm thinking incorrectly, but there is no "quench" area to mill down. I think I may be off with my thinking.

03-10-2010, 09:37 AM	#9
PEI330Ci 58mm of Bliss Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: PEI,Canada Posts: 3,582 My Ride: 330i, 330Ci View My Garage	Which piston has more compression? #1: #2:

03-10-2010, 11:09 AM	#12
Michel Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 168 My Ride: 330ci View My Garage	#2, #1 looks too beat to have high compression numbers I would think

03-10-2010, 01:25 PM	#16
B33MER Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SJ, Malaysia Posts: 1,101 My Ride: 330i SMG M-Sport View My Garage	Very interesting ... __________________ 330i SMG M-Sport Paket II Euro Spec Mods: CF Roundels all around, Black grillz, 7000k Angel eyes,6300k HID fog lights, Hamman Lip reps, ACS roof spoiler reps, Alutech front and rear struts, BMC CDA with DIY heatshield, Pro RS braided brake line, ///M Billet Oil Cap, OEM ///M mats, ///M aluminium pedals,

03-22-2010, 05:54 PM	#17
PEI330Ci 58mm of Bliss Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: PEI,Canada Posts: 3,582 My Ride: 330i, 330Ci View My Garage	I've measured this stuff a number of times, and I'm still coming up with the same numbers. So here's what's been bothering me: Cylinder bore = 3.307" Stroke = 3.528" Combustion chamber volume = 34cc Piston/cylinder volume below deck = 17.4cc Head gasket thickness = 0.030" Head gasket bore = 3.346" Plug all those numbers into a compression ratio calculator and you get 9.911:1. BMW advertises 10.2:1 for the M54B30 The only thing I can guess is that BMW is not including the volume inside the spark plug, and the area above the first piston ring along the cylinder wall. The actual "pour volume" using fluid equals 55.723 inside the combustion chamber with the piston at TDC. Dropping that by just 2cc brings the compression ratio to 10.24:1, which might be the case if you didn't include the spark plug volume ect.... I'm sticking with real world numbers, so the M54B30 in my books is a 9.9:1 engine. The CP pistons I have pictured above netted a compression ratio of 9.26:1 with a "pour volume" of 60.823cc. Using a well known engine calculation software package, I was able to build a "model" of my engine to represent the actual power it made on the dyno. (252hp/229tq) I then changed the compression ratio from 9.26 to 11.4:1 and netted a calculated 265hp/241tq @ 6400 RPM which was closer to what I was expecting when I built the engine. Last edited by PEI330Ci; 03-22-2010 at 06:09 PM.

03-22-2010, 06:18 PM	#18
PEI330Ci 58mm of Bliss Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: PEI,Canada Posts: 3,582 My Ride: 330i, 330Ci View My Garage	Adding the custom Schrick cams/valvetrain to the 11.4:1 engine would have theoretically moved the peak power RPM to 7500 RPM netting 317hp/245tq. Clearly a different intake manifold would be needed than the OEM M54B30 piece to achieve these numbers. It's fun to work with the numbers though....

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