BMW S38

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Template:Infobox automobile engine The BMW S38 is a straight-6 DOHC petrol engine which replaced the M88 and was produced from 1984–1995.[1][2] The S38 was originally produced for North America as an equivalent to the M88 with slightly lower power output. In 1989, power output of the S38 was increased and it became the worldwide replacement for the M88.

In 1998, the BMW M5 switched to the S62 V8 engine. There is therefore no direct successor to the S38, however the BMW S50 engine took over as BMW's high performance straight-6 engine.

Design

The S38 is based on the M88/3 engine.[3] Compared to the M88/3, the S38 has a lower compression ratio (9.8:1), simplified exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, dual-row timing chain and a shorter camshaft duration.[4] As per the M88/3, the S38 uses a DOHC valvetrain with shim-and-bucket valve actuation.[5] Air intake is via six individual throttle bodies with intake trumpets, fed by a cast aluminum intake plenum.[6]

Versions

Version Displacement Power Torque Years
S38B35 Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "convert".
at 6,500 rpm
Script error: No such module "convert".
at 4,500 rpm
1986–1989
S38B36 Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "convert".
at 6,900 rpm
Script error: No such module "convert".
at 4,750 rpm
1989–1993
S38B38 Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "convert".
at 6,900 rpm
Script error: No such module "convert".
at 4,750 rpm
1991–1995

S38B35

The initial version of the S38 has a bore of Script error: No such module "convert". and a stroke of Script error: No such module "convert"..

Applications:

S38B36

For the S38B36, the displacement was increased to Script error: No such module "convert"..[7] This was achieved by increasing the stroke by Script error: No such module "convert". to Script error: No such module "convert".,[3] by using a new forged steel crankshaft.[8] Other changes included revised camshafts, compression ratio increasing to 10:1, a variable-length inlet manifold (to improve low-rev torque),[3] equal length stainless steel exhaust headers[9] a hotwire mass airflow sensor (MAF) and Bosch Motronic engine management.

Applications:

  • 1988–1992 E34 M5 (worldwide)
  • 1989–1993 E34 M5 - Canada and US

S38B38

In late 1991, BMW further enlarged the S38 engine to Script error: No such module "convert"., by increasing the bore to Script error: No such module "convert". and the stroke to Script error: No such module "convert"..[10] Power increased to Script error: No such module "convert". at 6,900 rpm and torque increased to Script error: No such module "convert". at 4,750 rpm.[7]

The engine management was upgraded to Motronic 3.3 and the ignition system was upgraded to coil-on-plug ignition. Other changes included the compression ratio increasing to 10.5:1, a dual-mass flywheel, an exhaust manifold made of Inconel, larger intake and exhaust valves, lighter pistons, and the throttle bodies increasing by Script error: No such module "convert". to Script error: No such module "convert"..[8]

Applications:

  • 1991–1995 E34 M5 - European-specification

References

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Template:BMW automotive petrol engines: 1960s to 1980s