BMW E46 M3 Rod Bearings - Fixing the S54's Achilles Heal

[@MrTeamriab]

On an S54 and using BE bearings and ARP bolts using the stretch gauge process, is it necessary to also measure the clearances with plastigauge?

[@chrisbradley3224]

Do you have concerns using the ARP rod bolts without machining the rods? The clamp load is going to be different with ARP bolts vs OEM, so the bore will distort differently. Has BE tested with ARP hardware? I know they recommended OEM bolts on S65/S85 until they came out with BE-ARP bolts.

[@PrecisionSportIndustries]

No we don’t have this concern. We have completed this job on 100s of engines with BE and ARP.

[@chrisbradley3224]

@@PrecisionSportIndustries Thanks!

[@gio_ziraqa]

Hello, my mechanic did replace my S54 rod bearings using ACL but he said changing rod bolts was not required even tho rod bolts were factory later model ones (2005 S54 engine) after that service was done i still researched and ended up buying ARP bolts which i want to be used, my question is, what is torque sequence for these ARP bolts and do i need stretch gage or torque wrench with angels?

[@PrecisionSportIndustries]

Torque spec with the ARP only. Make sure you know which ones to buy, there are 2 sizes based on production year.

[@gianniarduini3644]

Later models use m10 bolts which are not reusable so yes swap tg out . M11 bolts can be reused

[@AndyPat239]

how do you replace the upper rod bearing shells?

[@natez0690]

10W-60 oil ?!? What is the rod bearing clearance specification? What temp does the oil normally operate? It’s an N/A straight 6 on pump gas. What the heck does it need 10W-60 for except to intentionally wear the rod bearings every time you start it up! Can someone please post the BMW service manual specification for rod bearing clearance in these motors?