[ggggbmw]

I currently have a M235 with the N55 engine. There is a lot of talk about how the N55 is prone to oil starvation when the car is subjected to high lateral loads, such as long corners on track. I track my car, and l purposely run a narrow-ish tire just to avoid some of the lateral load, along with making sure oil level is at or just above full fill. But I still have a mortal fear of spinning the bearings some day.

The B58 apparently does not have the oil starvation issue in track use. My question is, WHY? What is so different about the B58 in a plain or M-Lite BMW that it doesn't have the same reputation for oil starvation?

[jzeiler4]

B58 is closed deck, N55 open deck. Intercoolers are different N55 is air cooled B58 is liquid cooled. N55 has cam chain in front B58 has it in the rear. There is just not much in common between the two engines except displacement.

[n55david]

Originally Posted by ggggbmw

I currently have a M235 with the N55 engine. There is a lot of talk about how the N55 is prone to oil starvation when the car is subjected to high lateral loads, such as long corners on track. I track my car, and l purposely run a narrow-ish tire just to avoid some of the lateral load, along with making sure oil level is at or just above full fill. But I still have a mortal fear of spinning the bearings some day.

The B58 apparently does not have the oil starvation issue in track use. My question is, WHY? What is so different about the B58 in a plain or M-Lite BMW that it doesn't have the same reputation for oil starvation?

They did make a few changes.. I believe better oil returns, larger deeper area around the pump pickup and it has a windage tray that the n55 doesn't have.. oh and different rod bearing setup. Whether it's enough or not, who knows but there are less failures..

Originally Posted by jzeiler4

B58 is closed deck, N55 open deck. Intercoolers are different N55 is air cooled B58 is liquid cooled. N55 has cam chain in front B58 has it in the rear. There is just not much in common between the two engines except displacement.

You didn't even try to answer the question.. just wanted to point out that the engines are different?

[ggggbmw]

Originally Posted by n55david

They did make a few changes.. I believe better oil returns, larger deeper area around the pump pickup and it has a windage tray that the n55 doesn't have.. oh and different rod bearing setup. Whether it's enough or not, who knows but there are less failures..

So there is a windage tray in the B58. I had not heard that before.

That would help a lot. That and a revised pickup are the key things the N55 in the M2 has that the M235 does not. But sadly it is stupid expensive to retrofit.

[n55david]

Originally Posted by ggggbmw

So there is a windage tray in the B58. I had not heard that before.

That would help a lot. That and a revised pickup are the key things the N55 in the M2 has that the M235 does not. But sadly it is stupid expensive to retrofit.

Yeah I'm not sure I've seen it mentioned but I seen one in a b58 tear down video

[mecheng77]

I also have the same concerns, not sure if I will track the car.

This channel has great videos, turn on English translation, here is a bit of a comparo, B58 to N55