BMW S38

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.

BMW S38 engine
Overview
Production1984–1995
Layout
ConfigurationStraight-6
Block materialCast iron
Head materialAluminium
ValvetrainDOHC
Combustion
Fuel typePetrol
Chronology
PredecessorBMW M88
SuccessorNone

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
VersionDisplacementPowerTorqueYears
S38B353,453 cc (210.7 cu in)190 kW (255 hp)
at 6,500 rpm		330 N⋅m (243 lb⋅ft)
at 4,500 rpm		1986–1989
S38B363,535 cc (215.7 cu in)232 kW (311 hp)
at 6,900 rpm		360 N⋅m (266 lb⋅ft)
at 4,750 rpm		1989–1993
S38B383,795 cc (231.6 cu in)250 kW (335 hp)
at 6,900 rpm		400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft)
at 4,750 rpm		1991–1995

S38B35

The initial version of the S38 has a bore of 93.4 mm (3.7 in) and a stroke of 84 mm (3.3 in).

Applications:

S38B36

For the S38B36, the displacement was increased to 3,535 cc (216 cu in).[7] This was achieved by increasing the stroke by 2 mm (0.079 in) to 86 mm (3.39 in),[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 3,795 cc (231.6 cu in), by increasing the bore to 94.6 mm (3.72 in) and the stroke to 90 mm (3.54 in).[10] Power increased to 250 kW (335 hp) at 6,900 rpm and torque increased to 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) 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 include the compression ratio increasing to 10.5:1, a dual-mass flywheel, an exhaust manifold made from Inconel, larger intake and exhaust valves, lighter pistons, and the throttle bodies increasing by 4 mm (0.16 in) to 50 mm (2.0 in).[8]

Applications:

  • 1991-1995 E34 M5 - European-specification

References
  1. "BMW S38B35 car engine". bmw-grouparchiv.de. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  2. "BMW S38B38 automotive engine". bmw-grouparchiv.de. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  3. "BMW S38 engine". www.usautoparts.net. Archived from the original on 18 November 2012.
  4. "FAQ E28 M5". www.bmwmregistry.com. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  5. "BMW S38 Valve adjustment tool". www.bigcoupe.com. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  6. "BMW M88 and S38 M-Tech 24 Valve Six Cylinder Engines". www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  7. "Information on Motorsport engines". www.bmwheaven.com. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  8. "FAQ E34 M5". www.bmwmregistry.com. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  9. "Exhaust manifold - M5 3.6 E34 Sedan USA S38". www.bmwfans.info. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  10. Zal, Pawel. "1994 BMW M5". Automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
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