BMW M20

BMW M20 engine
Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Production	1977–1993
Combustion chamber
Configuration	Straight-six engine
Displacement	2.0 L (1991 cc; 121.5 cu in) 2.3 L (2316 cc; 141.3 cu in) 2.5 L (2494 cc; 152.2 cu in) 2.7 L (2693 cc; 164.3 cu in)
Cylinder bore	80 mm (3.1 in) (2.0, 2.3) 84 mm (3.3 in) (2.5, 2.7)
Piston stroke	66 mm (2.6 in) (2.0) 75 mm (3.0 in) (2.5) 76.8 mm (3.0 in) (2.3) 81 mm (3.2 in) (2.7)
Chronology
Predecessor	None
Successor	BMW M50

The BMW M20 is a straight-six SOHC piston engine produced from 1977-1993. It was released in 1977 in the E12 520/6 and E21 320/6 and began to be phased out following the introduction of the M50 engine in 1990.

Like the larger capacity M30 engine from which it is derived, the M20 has a SOHC and 2 valves per cylinder. While the M30 camshaft is chain driven, the M20 camshaft and auxiliary shaft are driven by a timing belt. Initially released with a carburetor, later models used Bosch fuel injection.

History

With displacements ranging from 1991 cc to 2693 cc, it was the "little brother" to the larger BMW M30. It has 91 mm (3.6 in) bore-spacing^[1] instead of the 100 mm (3.9 in) of the M30 six-cylinder and the M10 four-cylinder engines.

Powering the E21 and E30 3-Series, as well as E12, E28 and E34 5 Series cars, it was produced for nearly two decades, with the last examples powering the E30 325i touring built until April 1993.^[2]

Early versions of the M20 were sometimes referred to as the "M60",^[3][4] although the M60 code has since been used by BMW for a V8 engine produced from 1992-1996.

The M20 was the basis for the M21 diesel engine and the M70 V12 engine.^[5]

Models

M20B20

The first models to use the M20 were the E12 520/6 and the E21 320/6, which used the 1991 cc M20B20.^[16][17] This engine uses a bore of 80 mm (3.1 in) and a stroke of 66 mm (2.6 in).^[16] Fuel was supplied by a Solex 4A1 four-barrel carburetor.

The M20B20 first became fuel-injected in the 1982 520i,^[18] with Bosch K-Jetronic used. In 1984, the fuel injection was updated to L-Jetronic. In 1987, the M20B20 was again revised with the addition of Bosch Motronic engine management^[19] and a catalytic converter.

Applications:

• 1977–1981 E12 520/6
• 1979–1983 E21 320/6
• 1982–1984 E28 520
• 1982–1988 E28 520i
• 1983–1992 E30 320i
• 1988–1990 E34 520i

M20B23

The 2.3 litre M20B23 used the same head and block as the carbureted 2.0 liter but used a longer 76.8 mm (3.0 in) stroke crank. The engine was first used in E21 323i^[20] and was replaced by the M20B25 in 1985.^[19]

The E30 version used L-Jetronic.^[21] and initially produced 102 kW (137 hp), which was increased to 110 kW (150 hp) in 1984.^[22] The 102 kW version continued to be available in certain markets with strict emissions regulations, such as Switzerland, until replaced by the 325i.^[10]

The M20B23 was not sold in North America.

Applications:

• 1977–1982 E21 323i
• 1982–1985 E30 323i

M20B25

The M20B25 has a capacity of 2494 cc and produced 126 kilowatts (169 hp) (without a catalytic converter).^[22] The M20B25 head is known as "885" (since the casting number ends in 885), it has a bore of 84 mm (3.3 in), a stroke of 75 mm (3.0 in), a compression ratio of 8.5:1 and used the Bosch Motronic 1.1/1.3 engine management system.^[23]

Applications:

• 1986–1993 E30 325i, 325iS, 325iC, 325iX
• 1989–1990 E34 525i
• 1988–1991 Z1

M20B27

The 2693 cc M20B27 was designed for efficiency (thus the e for the Greek letter eta in 325e) and low-rev torque.^[24] Compared with the M20B25, the stroke is increased from 75 mm (3.0 in) to 81 mm (3.2 in).^[23]

Power output is 121 hp (90 kW) at 4,250 rpm for M20B27 engines produced up until 1987 and 127 hp (95 kW) at 4,800 rpm for the "325es" model produced in 1988.^[23] Peak torque is 170 lb·ft (230 N·m) at 3,250 rpm for M20B27 engines. In 1987, the fuel injection was upgraded from Motronic 1.0 to Motronic 1.1/1.3.^[23] In the early 1990's BMW South Africa used components from the Alpina C3 2.7 to produce a E30 specifically for Stannic Group N production car racing. The first iteration of this engine used in the E30 325iS produced 145kw and the second revision, often referred to as "Evo2" or on the VIN plate as "HP2" produced 155kw.

Applications:

• 1982–1988 E30 325e, 325es
• 1982–1988 E28 525e (called 528e in North America)
• 1989–1992 E30 325iS (Only available in South Africa)

References

1. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20120512014705/http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/engines/m50.htm. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2012.  Missing or empty |title= (help)
2. ↑ "BMW 3 Series Touring (E30) (1988 - 1993)". autoevolution. 
3. ↑ "Useful info and reources". BMW Car Club of BC. 
4. ↑ John G.Burns. "The UnixNerd's Domain - BMW M20 Six Cylinder Engines". 
5. ↑ http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/engines/m21.htm
6. 1 2 Lösch, Annamaria, ed. (1981). World Cars 1981. Pelham, NY: The Automobile Club of Italy/Herald Books. p. 107. ISBN 0-910714-13-4. 
7. 1 2 Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (March 10, 1983). "Automobil Revue '83" (in German and French). 78. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag, AG: 204. ISBN 3-444-06065-3. 
8. ↑ Automobil Revue '83, p. 205
9. 1 2 3 4 5 Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (March 5, 1987). Automobil Revue 1987 (in German and French). 82. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. pp. 184–186. ISBN 3-444-00458-3. 
10. 1 2 Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (March 1, 1984). "Automobil Revue '84" (in German and French). 79. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag, AG: 179. ISBN 3-444-06070-X. 
11. ↑ Automobil Revue '83, p. 206
12. ↑ Automobil Revue '84, p. 183
13. ↑ Automobil Revue '87, p. 105
14. ↑ Heitz, Rudolf, ed. (1985-08-01). Auto Katalog 1986 (in German). 29. Stuttgart: Vereinigte Motor-Verlage GmbH & Co. KG. p. 210. 81530/85001. 
15. ↑ James M. Flammang (1994). Standard Catalog of Imported Cars, 1946-1990. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, Inc. pp. 125–126. ISBN 0-87341-158-7. 
16. 1 2 "1977 BMW 520". 
17. ↑ http://www.specs4bmw.com/e21/3-series/sedan
18. ↑ "1982 BMW 520i 4-speed (for Europe ) specs review". www.automobile-catalog.com. 
19. 1 2 "BMW e30 - BMW e30 Club". 
20. ↑ Ilir Dibrani. "BMW Heaven Specification Database - Specifications for BMW 323i E21 (1977-1982)". www.bmwheaven.com. 
21. ↑ "1985 BMW 323i (sport gearbox) (up to September 1985 for Europe ) specs review". www.automobile-catalog.com. 
22. 1 2 Ilir Dibrani. "BMW Heaven Specification Database - Engine specifications for M20 engines". www.bmwheaven.com. 
23. 1 2 3 4 https://web.archive.org/web/20130224032538/http://e30world.com/specifications/BMW-E30-specs-table. Archived from the original on February 24, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2012.  Missing or empty |title= (help)
24. ↑ "BMW e30 1983-1991 differences between models". www.e30info.com. 

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