Sticky
04-21-2010, 12:42 AM
This is an article I wrote comparing the two powerplants. People have responded really well to it and I just forgot to share it with you guys here: http://www.bimmerboost.com/showthread.php?1165-S54-vs.-S65-Overview-history-comparison-and-power-potential
Here is an excerpt:
The S54 and S65 are two of the best motors BMW has ever produced. There is a reason why the BMW Motorsport name is associated with both of of these powerplants. They are the best 6 cylinder and 8 cylinder motors in BMW M production car history in my estimation. The S54 is the last true 6 cylinder to follow the M philosophy and the S65 is the last true 8 cylinder to do the same. We will never see motors like them again from BMW. They are the pure, undiluted, true interpretation of the ideals M once placed above politics. Sadly, economic and political pressure forced BMW M to abandon these types of motors which once were the pride and joy of BMW. Real joy, not the BS marketing campaign.
Ultimately, we as enthusiasts love these motors. For myself, I was drawn to BMW because of their motors in particular. Not to mention the incredible chassis and transmissions they are mated to, but these motors were the heart and soul of the M experience. This leads inevitably to us as enthusiasts sitting around and arguing for years on end as to which is better. Some of these enthusiasts have even suggested that BMW should have not abandoned the I6 for the M3 and the V8 was a mistake. Basically, it boils down to, which is better?
History and Accolades
The S54 is considered the final and most powerful evolution of the M50 I6 engine line. The block was made out of iron which allowed for extremely close cylinder spacing of four milimeters in order to keep it compact. Iron does not distort easily and with the high revs and stress this motor would be subjected to with thin cylinder walls, Iron was necessary instead of aluminum. It would debut in the USA in the E46 M3 in 2001. This same year, it won the "best new engine" category in the International Engine of the Year competition as well as "Engine of the Year" 2001. It would end up dominating the 3-4 liter category for 6 straight years and the M3's entire production run, a feat no other motor greater than 1 liter has achieved.
Why a V8?
If the S54 was such a spectacular 6 cylinder motor, why the change to a V8? Couldn't they just keep tweaking the 6 cylinder? Well no, they couldn't. The 6 began to be a liability in racing. Porsche was steadily pulling away from the M3's in the ALMS series with their GT3's and rubbing it in BMW's face. There was no room to increase the bore and the stroke was already incredibly long. As a matter of fact, the S54 has a stroke exceeding the bore (bore 87 mm x stroke 91 mm) which is very odd to see in a high revving motor. Traditionally, stroke is shorter than bore in a high revving motor to keep piston speeds at levels where the motor won't fly apart. The S54 ditches convention to reach its 3.2 liter displacement and also has great torque due to the long stroke design. It also makes for a motor pushed to the limit and one that is a testament to
BMW's engineering.
BMW Fights Back Against Porsche
http://www.bimmerboost.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=691&d=1270533689
Continued (http://www.bimmerboost.com/showthread.php?1165-S54-vs.-S65-Overview-history-comparison-and-power-potential)
Here is an excerpt:
The S54 and S65 are two of the best motors BMW has ever produced. There is a reason why the BMW Motorsport name is associated with both of of these powerplants. They are the best 6 cylinder and 8 cylinder motors in BMW M production car history in my estimation. The S54 is the last true 6 cylinder to follow the M philosophy and the S65 is the last true 8 cylinder to do the same. We will never see motors like them again from BMW. They are the pure, undiluted, true interpretation of the ideals M once placed above politics. Sadly, economic and political pressure forced BMW M to abandon these types of motors which once were the pride and joy of BMW. Real joy, not the BS marketing campaign.
Ultimately, we as enthusiasts love these motors. For myself, I was drawn to BMW because of their motors in particular. Not to mention the incredible chassis and transmissions they are mated to, but these motors were the heart and soul of the M experience. This leads inevitably to us as enthusiasts sitting around and arguing for years on end as to which is better. Some of these enthusiasts have even suggested that BMW should have not abandoned the I6 for the M3 and the V8 was a mistake. Basically, it boils down to, which is better?
History and Accolades
The S54 is considered the final and most powerful evolution of the M50 I6 engine line. The block was made out of iron which allowed for extremely close cylinder spacing of four milimeters in order to keep it compact. Iron does not distort easily and with the high revs and stress this motor would be subjected to with thin cylinder walls, Iron was necessary instead of aluminum. It would debut in the USA in the E46 M3 in 2001. This same year, it won the "best new engine" category in the International Engine of the Year competition as well as "Engine of the Year" 2001. It would end up dominating the 3-4 liter category for 6 straight years and the M3's entire production run, a feat no other motor greater than 1 liter has achieved.
Why a V8?
If the S54 was such a spectacular 6 cylinder motor, why the change to a V8? Couldn't they just keep tweaking the 6 cylinder? Well no, they couldn't. The 6 began to be a liability in racing. Porsche was steadily pulling away from the M3's in the ALMS series with their GT3's and rubbing it in BMW's face. There was no room to increase the bore and the stroke was already incredibly long. As a matter of fact, the S54 has a stroke exceeding the bore (bore 87 mm x stroke 91 mm) which is very odd to see in a high revving motor. Traditionally, stroke is shorter than bore in a high revving motor to keep piston speeds at levels where the motor won't fly apart. The S54 ditches convention to reach its 3.2 liter displacement and also has great torque due to the long stroke design. It also makes for a motor pushed to the limit and one that is a testament to
BMW's engineering.
BMW Fights Back Against Porsche
http://www.bimmerboost.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=691&d=1270533689
Continued (http://www.bimmerboost.com/showthread.php?1165-S54-vs.-S65-Overview-history-comparison-and-power-potential)