BMW S65 valve cover options (mostly inclusive).

[BenFenner]

I wanted to copy my post from another forum to this one, but this forum does not support tables, so I'm just linking to the original:
BMW S65 valve cover options (mostly inclusive).

This also makes things easier on me, as I have countless (hundreds?) of threads like this and when I have to make an update, it's so much worse if I have to apply that update in multiple places.

If anyone has weights for any of the valve covers that I don't, I'd love to get that info.

[BenFenner]

For the record I went with the NRW-Design solution (and so many of their other solutions for the top of the S65 engine—at one point I was swimming in NRW boxes) in 2023-05-18 way back during their initial run. I finally got around to installing them this month which has me thinking about these things again and making the list you see linked above.

After a few rounds of test color samples (that I paid Prismatic Powders ~$100 for) I settled on PSS-1676 Sinbad Purple for the base coat and PPB-5680 Tinted Clear II for the top coat (used to darken the base purple as much as possible; darker than their regular tinted clear). I wanted a deep, dark purple somewhere close to Techno Violet but without any pearl or metallic, just a dark purple. I am very happy with the resulting color (teaser), and my decision to go with the NRW covers.

That said, if someone integrates the spark plug tubes I may have to upgrade.

May your oil leaks be few and far between, and your oil pick-ups ever free of debris.

[BenFenner]

Note to self:
Add the CNC Innovations option: BMW E90, E92 & E93, M3, S65, V8 BILLET VALVE COVER | CNC INNOVATIONS

Edit: I've added it now. Interestingly it is our first option that is missing the factory ignition coil wiring harness channels.

[Johnny E92]

Originally Posted by BenFenner

I wanted to copy my post from another forum to this one, but this forum does not support tables, so I'm just linking to the original:
BMW S65 valve cover options (mostly inclusive).

This also makes things easier on me, as I have countless (hundreds?) of threads like this and when I have to make an update, it's so much worse if I have to apply that update in multiple places.

If anyone has weights for any of the valve covers that I don't, I'd love to get that info.

I’m not going to go into the colour selection details and weights, thats up to you.

But what I can say is I went with NRW covers, grommet kit, billet spark plug tubes, gasket kit etc. Ordered the ‘hamburger with the lot’ from them, never looked back. Been running it all for near on 12 months now, all good, you won’t go wrong ordering and fitting all of it.

Cheers

[BenFenner]

I did the same and would do it again.

Now if we can just convince these companies to incorporate the spark plug tubes into the valve covers...

[walterty]

I don't understand the spark plug tubes issue? I just did NRW covers + plug tubes. Pre-install the tubes into the covers before installation. They fit really tight (had to apply a little o-ring lube) and stay put.

[BenFenner]

I am happy to explain.

It is not an "issue" per se, it is simply an obvious area for improvement over the factory unit (just like aluminum is over magnesium+coating). Other than cost, I see no reason not to include the spark plug tubes in the valve cover itself. It would eliminate 8 o-rings from the engine and with them, 8 different potential oil leaks. I see no downsides (again, except price to manufacture) to incorporating them.

[DrFerry]

Originally Posted by BenFenner

I wanted to copy my post from another forum to this one, but this forum does not support tables, so I'm just linking to the original:
BMW S65 valve cover options (mostly inclusive).

This also makes things easier on me, as I have countless (hundreds?) of threads like this and when I have to make an update, it's so much worse if I have to apply that update in multiple places.

If anyone has weights for any of the valve covers that I don't, I'd love to get that info.

Ben, thank you for compiling the information you have about replacement S65 Valve Cover options. I have a question about one of the selection criteria. Regarding the "Reproduction Resolution" ratings: What objective criteria were used for the rating? Or is the rating subjective? For example, a cast part such as the NRW solution, or the OEM cast magnesium part are rated higher for reproduction resolution than the CNC milled MLT solution. Can you elaborate upon why this might be so? The MLT part is made using a 5-Axis CNC machine, and coated with a hard anodized finish. MLT parts are checked using digital probes for tolerance. Whereas NRW (and BMW) uses a casting process (most likely sand casting) which typically leaves some imperfections (especially in the more complex 3D shape areas such as the gasket channels), whereas a part milled from a single billet does not. When you have time, can you elaborate upon your Reproduction Resolution criteria ratings? Thank you.
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https://mltengineering-design.com/pr...m-valve-covers
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MLT Website Product Images:
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S65 Valve Cover Options Spread Sheet Screen Shot:
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[BenFenner]

Sorry for the confusion. Happy to explain.

It really is this simple (put your hyperbole hat on):

Does the valve cover (especially the curved/ramped parts) look like it was rendered in Minecraft? Low
Does the valve cover (especially the curved/ramped parts) look like it is made of LEGO? Mid
Does the valve cover (especially the curved/ramped parts) look like it was 3D printed? High
Does the valve cover (especially the curved/ramped parts) look like it was carved by Michelangelo? Very High

I made the determinations based on the most detailed images I could find of each unit. Not sure if you'd call that objective or subjective, but I aim for it to be as objective as possible. (If companies want to give us the real data I am happy to use it, but it gets complicated with ball-end mills and such...)

It's strictly about ease of cleaning for me, as explained prior. (But to others it might signal other things?) The coating is going to be much more important IMO, but the resolution with which the units reproduce the original is also a factor in this. I very specifically chose a valve cover and coating (not matte or satin or crinkle or wrinkle) that would be easy to clean. I'm not trying to clean inevitable future oil spills off a cover that is more difficult to clean than it needs to be.

Of course it is a minor thing to consider, which is why it's so far to the right in my chart. Others are happy to ignore it of course.

It could be I need to give all of these covers a second look to see if I may need to adjust any of these resolution ratings... I will probably do this soon.



Everything else you are describing about the differences in billet and cast are exactly why I have the "material/process" column and exactly why the billet stuff "scores" better than cast in this regard, shown by coloring the billet stuff green and cast stuff orange (color blind folks might have no idea). Even though I have absolutely no qualms with a cast valve cover, I have to admit the billet solutions are better for it.
It is also why I have that column further to the left/more important to consider than the columns to the right.