Budget BMW 2.5L M54B25 Rebuild - Part 1 - Bottom End

I begin the rebuild of the 2.5L M54B25 from my friend's 2005 E46 325ci!
He bought a replacement engine to try and swap in because the original with 230k miles was burning lots of oil and was down on power. However, the replacement with 120k wasn't in good shape and the cylinders were warped. The original engine looked to be in better shape, so we decided to rebuild this one on a budget to get another few years of life out of the engine.
It's pretty clear why the engine was burning oil based on the state of the bottom end, but it's fixable.

[@whoschallenger]

I really love these videos, keep them coming, the mistakes you made on the b30 that u are pointing out are saving my ass

[@Breckjay08]

Man you are so much help for my M54B25 race rebuild!!!

[@anthonysamaha3760]

Really good video man, you can tell a lot of effort went into to making it, super informative and engaging to watch. Keep it up!

[@8Rames]

this is the way to rebuild an engine ......the best way

[@sundaysgarage]

such a good vid, helps a lot because i am literally pulling my m54b30 tomorrow to rebuild it!

[@rainvillecreative5410]

Thanks, good luck!

[@tom.2600]

Yoo man great video but do you know where I can find the speciations for example the piston ringgap or diameter from the cillinder

[@0dbm]

Excellent work

[@alexj.9268]

12:40 you say you could spin a bearing if the bolts are not fully torqued down...would explain how that could happen please?

[@rainvillecreative5410]

If you don't tighten the caps down, the bearings are not being squeezed into place. So if you spin the motor over by hand, they could slip and rotate.

[@HV71851]

Great video! I have the same year and model car with almost 200 thousand miles, and I have to do this as well. Considering getting a used engine, but I’m concerned that it probably won’t be any better.
Can you tell me where did you get all the parts for rebuilding the engine? Thanks!

[@rainvillecreative5410]

That's what happened here, the used engine wound up being in worse shape. The parts came from ECS Tuning, Bimmerworld, and Rock Auto, mostly.

[@HV71851]

@ thank you, I appreciate it.

[@oscargabrielsson9058]

Hello! Great video!
I cant find where to buy a flex hone for 84mm , where did you buy yours?

[@rainvillecreative5410]

enginehones.com

[@oscargabrielsson9058]

Thanks! Which grit and size did you use?😊

[@rainvillecreative5410]

@@oscargabrielsson9058 320 grit- but you should do your own research to make sure 320 is good

[@OfficialKyoto]

What liquid did u use to clean the block with?

[@GoerdingscapePK]

Hi, I’m in the process of overhauling my M54B30, I was just wondering if you used the yellow/standard main bearings?
The color coding on my crank is not really visible anymore.
Also did you reuse the main bearing bolts?
- From a follower from Denmark :-)

[@rainvillecreative5410]

The color coding isn't that useful because vendors usually only carry one size. I just buy the set they have and then check the clearance and crush. And yes, main bolts are reusable for a normal rebuild.

[@GoerdingscapePK]

That’s what I gathered! Thanks for answering, sometimes it’s just nice to get some confirmation before going in really deep.
I spoke with my local BMW parts salesman, and the bearings shells can be bought individually actually.

[@lml6.653]

Did you check the ring gaps?

[@rainvillecreative5410]

Yeah 3:25

[@bigash_n54]

What do you use to clean the parts ?

[@rainvillecreative5410]

Simple green and hot water

[@cookingwithmeyself]

Goat