BE Bearings - Extra Clearance bearings for BMW S65/S85

[AutoTalent]

-- Better Bearings for your BMW

Background: BMW M5 (2005-2010), BMW M3 (2008-2013) can suffer early bearing failure due to inadequate rod bearing clearance. Insufficient clearance means insufficient oil flow, excessive bearing surface heat, and premature wear. These symptoms can lead to early bearing failure and a very expensive engine rebuild. Problem can be addressed during engine rebuild, but it's expensive. Some people switched to thinner oils -- as a stopgap measure. Other stopgap measures include anti-friction teflon coated factory bearings, WPC anti-friction treated factory bearings, and custom bearings with same clearance as stock. WPC treated bearings slightly increase clearance, but are a stopgap. Newer factory bearings (2010.5 and later) are made from tin-aluminum, not lead-copper. Tin-aluminum bearings are 4-times harder on the surface than lead-copper bearings. This extra hardness shows signs of doing more damage to motors as there seems to be more bearing failures with 2010.5 and later vehicles. Tin-aluminum bearings also don't show the same signs of premature wear in Blackstone oil analysis due to lack of lead and copper. We are the guys who came up with the WPC treated bearings and we realized a better solution was needed. The Better Solution: Designed to address and fix the rod bearing clearance issue. Designed for use with factory 10W60 weight oils. Increases oil flow. Improves lubrication for "Start-Stop" vehicles over factory bearings. Designed in consultation with leading industry experts from NASCAR, Indy Car, and former BMW M-Division engine designer. Designed and manufactured by Clevite, factory BMW bearing supplier. Traditional lead-copper bearing design; less wear on crankshaft journals, traceable with Blackstone oil analysis. Each bearing is measured and size-binned. Allows for custom bearing selection when necessary.

We have lots of technical information at our web site and wiki...with more on the way.

See also:

• Main Web site: http://bebearings.com
• BE Bearings Wiki: http://wiki-diy.com
  • S65/S85 Engine specifications
  • Bearing specifications
  • Rod bolt specifications, torques, bore distoration details
  • And more...

[Beedub]

wow!!! Wish you had a solution for the s54 too!

[Sephiroth]

I feel like we should have a registry of all the people using these bearings already and capture experiences. Maybe link to each person's individual thread for stock bearing pics and other details. Some people are using ARP fasteners and/or oils that are not 10W-60 and this information should be captured too.

[aus]

So do we need to specify what size we want??
.

[BMRLVR]

Originally Posted by aus

So do we need to specify what size we want??
.

The bearings have a +/- 0.00015 thickness variance so there is not much difference either way and they are sold as one size.

If you were rebuilding your engine and took journal and rod measurements you could request a specific size. Other than taking measurements there is no way to know what size you need so you will be shipped a matched set unless you specify otherwise when ordering.

[twinpuller]

Is there a discount code to use on that site? It doesn't have the group buy price anymore.

edit: found it here http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202266

[Ingenio]

Just ordered a set for my e92 with only 61km on the clock. Blackstone came back with lead and copper both 3 times the universal average... Now that I know about it I have to do some preventative maintenance

Opted for eom bolts and will go back to 10w60 (from 0w40) post swap as per recommendation!

[IMG]

Got a set coming !

[aussiem3]

What's the difference here between the bearings marked red and black. The ones marked in black have a tapered edge and the red don't. Or is this for illustration only?

[e92zero]

Ordered a set also!

[serranot]

Same here!

[AutoTalent]

Originally Posted by aussiem3

What's the difference here between the bearings marked red and black. The ones marked in black have a tapered edge and the red don't. Or is this for illustration only?

The topmost red you circled seems to have a tapered edge. I'm looking at a tray of 30, and it looks like both sides are tapered for the entire tray. But it's so small it's really hard to see with the naked eye.

[AutoTalent]

I want to share the "Anatomy" of the BE Bearings. The construction is called Tri-Metal. That means there's a steel metal backing, topped with lead-copper alloy, topped with a babbit alloy (three metals). BE added the Clevite "TriArmor®" non-friction coating to reduce friction and wear during start ups and low oil pressure situations. BE Bearings were designed with this coating in mind, so you don't have to worry about the thickness of the coating reducing your bearing clearances. BE gives you the extra clearance and low-friction coating in all of their bearings.



Here's what that looks like in an actual BE Bearing. BE sanded this bearing down to show what each layer looks like.

[XxMerlinxX]

Finally got my set ordered the other day. Just need to nail down a shop to do the swap.

[Rajmun340]

Originally Posted by XxMerlinxX

Finally got my set ordered the other day. Just need to nail down a shop to do the swap.

..and that will cost you $1500 $2000 more. Also changing bearings and not the rod bolts, not sure it's a good thing. Doesn't previous worn bearing metal on metal stress the rod bolts out of spec ? how do you know what torque to use on those bearings as compared to oem bearings ?
No mention of this in this post means it's not that important ?

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

Also changing bearings and not the rod bolts, not sure it's a good thing. Doesn't previous worn bearing metal on metal stress the rod bolts out of spec ? how do you know what torque to use on those bearings as compared to oem bearings ?
No mention of this in this post means it's not that important ?

Originally Posted by AutoTalent

See also:

• Main Web site: http://bebearings.com
• BE Bearings Wiki: http://wiki-diy.com
  • S65/S85 Engine specifications
  • Bearing specifications
  • Rod bolt specifications, torques, bore distortion details
  • And more...

No, it just means that you need to read more carefully When you navigate to the linked site, you get this: http://wiki.rcollins.org/core/index..../S85_Rod_Bolts

[BMRLVR]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

..and that will cost you $1500 $2000 more. Also changing bearings and not the rod bolts, not sure it's a good thing. Doesn't previous worn bearing metal on metal stress the rod bolts out of spec ? how do you know what torque to use on those bearings as compared to oem bearings ?
No mention of this in this post means it's not that important ?

Rod bolts are ALWAYS changed with bearings! I don't recall of anyone reusing bolts when doing bearings.

[Rajmun340]

Originally Posted by BMRLVR

Rod bolts are ALWAYS changed with bearings! I don't recall of anyone reusing bolts when doing bearings.

I agree. The guy i quoted said he was all set with bearings to do a swap.

[Gossypiboma]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

I agree. The guy i quoted said he was all set with bearings to do a swap.

You read into his statement a little too much and took it far too literal.....

[Green-Eggs]

In case it's not obvious when changing rod bearings, you need to change the oil pan gasket too.

[BMRLVR]

Originally Posted by Green-Eggs

In case it's not obvious when changing rod bearings, you need to change the oil pan gasket too.

Don't forget, you need to change the oil too!

[Rajmun340]

Originally Posted by BigBoosting

You read into his statement a little too much and took it far too literal.....

Not at all: "Finally got my set ordered the other day. Just need to nail down a shop to do the swap."

However, yours indeed is presumptuous.