I was told by my BMW mechanic that not all 2.8 engines Inline 6 are not the same as some are all aluminum others are only built with aluminum heads, the bottoms are cast iron and there is a weight difference that will be detrimental. How can I be sure that what I'm buying is the correct engine. I find lots of 2.8's for sale online but nothing states its all aluminum or not. How can I determine if I'm buying the correct engine. Thanks in advance....Tedd
New to BMW, I'm getting ready to swap a used engine (2.8) in my Z3 1997
- Thread starter Tedd Thompson
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There is an engine section on this page that lists what you should have by year. Maybe this will help.
en.wikipedia.org
BMW Z3 - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
US market single Vanos (pre 9/98) engines are iron block. That's the Z3, E36 328i and E39 528i. Twin vanos ones from 9/98 are alloy block. They do not interchange without a lot of work so just replace yours like for like.
Euro single Vanos M52's were alloy block but they used Nikasil bore coatings. This was too risky with US fuels so they were built with the M50 iron block from the E34 525i and E36 325i.
Euro single Vanos M52's were alloy block but they used Nikasil bore coatings. This was too risky with US fuels so they were built with the M50 iron block from the E34 525i and E36 325i.
AirOps
Dedicated Member
Correction to the statement made above in the US the alloy blocks with Nikasil bore coatings were only in a mix of 97 & 98 cars, a running change was made in 98 to iron blocks due to the effect of high sulfer content of US fuels on the Nikasil coatings.
BMW M52 explained
What is the BMW M52? The BMW M52 is a straight-6 DOHC petrol engine which was produced from 1994 to 2000.
everything.explained.today
Thanks for your replys. I'll have my mechanic stick a magnet on the bottom casting and see what I have and go from there.....Tedd
In 1998 the Z3 2.8 went to the double Vanos M52TU with an alloy block. The E46 engine basically and production started around 7/98 going into Z3's Aug/Sept. Before that was generally a mix of E36 iron block engines and alloy blocks with steel liners from early 1998. I wouldn't be surprised to find a Nikasil 2.8 in a Z3 though.
A mate of mine runs a BMW breakers in Florida and has has 1996/7 528i's with the iron block.
No magnet required, it's rather obvious if it's alloy or not.
A mate of mine runs a BMW breakers in Florida and has has 1996/7 528i's with the iron block.
No magnet required, it's rather obvious if it's alloy or not.
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