BMW M88

The BMW M88 is a straight-6 DOHC piston engine produced from 1978-1989. It is based on the M49 motorsport engine, which was used in the BMW 3.0CSi.

Design

BMW engineers used a 4-valve head and a single-row timing chain. Kugelfischer fuel injection was used with individual throttle valves and the distinctive six inlet pipes.

Models

M88/1

The M88/1 was the first iteration of the M88 and was fitted to the BMW M1. It produced 277 hp (207 kW) @ 6500rpm and 239 lb·ft (324 N·m) @ 5500rpm. A dry sump is used.

M88/2

For Group 5 racing, the M88 engine was turbocharged and became known as the M88/2. This race engine produced up to 900 hp (670 kW).

M88/3

The M88/1 engine was modified for use in the M635CSi and E28 M5, this engine was known as the M88/3. The Kugelfisher fuel injection was replaced with Bosch Motronic and the engine produced 286 hp (213 kW). It has a compression ratio of 10.5:1.

The M88/3 was also fitted to the South African 745i, due to packaging problems with the turbocharged M102 engine which was used in other markets.