The BMW M73 is a naturally-aspirated, SOHC, V12 petrol engine which replaced the BMW M70 and was produced from 1993 to 2002. It was used in the BMW E38 7 Series, E31 8 Series and Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph.
| BMW M73 engine | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | BMW |
| Production | 1993–2002 |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | 60° V12 |
| Displacement | 5.4 L (5,379 cc) |
| Cylinder bore | 85 mm (3.35 in) |
| Piston stroke | 79 mm (3.11 in) |
| Valvetrain | SOHC |
| Valvetrain drive system | Chain |
| Combustion | |
| Fuel type |
|
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | BMW M70 |
| Successor | BMW N73 |
Design
editCompared with its M70 predecessor, the M73 features an updated roller-rocker valve-train and an increased displacement, due to a bore increase of 1 mm (0.04 in) ending with a cylinder bore of 85mm and a stroke increase of 4 mm (0.16 in) to have a final piston stroke of 79mm.[1] While most other engines in the BMW range had switched to dual overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder, the M73 used a single overhead camshaft and with two valves per cylinder. However, BMW engineers did create a prototype four-valve per cylinder V12, called the M72, which developed 265 kW (360 PS; 355 hp) and 530 N⋅m (391 lb⋅ft) of torque. However, this 48-valve engine did not fulfill the comfort demands of the large sedan class in all respects and, as a result, did not go into production.[2]
These engines have two separate Bosch Motronic engine control units,[3] which are connected to a third single Siemens control unit, called EML.[4] The engine utilizes four knock sensors mounted on the heads, a cam position sensor mounted on the right head and two crank sensors, one for each ECU. Throttle by wire is used. Similar to its predecessor, the M70, spark distributors are still present for each cylinder bank.
The hydrogen versions of the engine feature a lean burn concept,[5] which allows quality torque control similar to a Diesel engine (i. e. no engine throttling).[6] Due to the lower LHV of a hydrogen-air mixture, and the fact that the engine was designed as a Bi-Fuel (petrol and hydrogen) engine, the power output is reduced by 38 per cent compared to the petrol only version of the engine.[5]
Models
edit| Version | Displacement | Power | Torque | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M73B54 | 5,379 cc (328.2 cu in) | 240 kW (322 hp) at 5,000 rpm |
490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft) at 3,900 rpm |
1994 |
| M73TUB54 | 1998 | |||
| M73 (Hydrogen)[7] | 150 kW (201 hp) at 5,800 rpm | 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 3000/min | 2001 |
M73B54
editApplications:
M73TUB54
editDue to more stringent emissions standards, the 1999 model year marked the addition of an electronically heated catalyst,[8] variable MAP thermostat, and water cooled alternator.
Applications:
- 1998-2001 E38 750i/750iL/L7/hL
- 1998 Cardi Curara
- 1999-2002 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph
- 2009–2010 Symbol Design Lavazza GTX
- 2013 Monte Carlo Automobile Rascasse
M72B54 prototype
editIn 1989, as part of a feasibility study, BMW's engine development department produced a four-valve version of its V12 engine. Only one engine was produced, having an up-sized variant of the M70B50 engine called the M72B54. Bore and stroke was increased to 85mm and 79mm and the total displacement of 5.4L was achieved, matching the values of the standard M73 engine. The power and torque both increased to 265 kW (355 hp) and 530 N⋅m (391 lb⋅ft) respectively.[9]
Awards
edit- 1999 International Engine of the Year - Best Above 4.0 Litre category winner[2]
References
edit- ^ "Information on M73 engines". www.bmwheaven.com. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
- ^ a b "BMW Super Bild Of The Day: 5.4 liter BMW V12". www.bmwblog.com. Retrieved 5 August 2017.[dead link]
- ^ M73 Training Reference Manual (PDF). p. 2. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
- ^ "E38 750iL Engine electrical system engine". www.realoem.com. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
- ^ a b Schüers, Andreas; Abel, Alois; Fickel, Hans-Christian; Preis, Michael; Artmann, Richard (February 2002). "Der Zwölfzylinder-Wasserstoffmotor im BMW 750hL". MTZ Motortechnische Zeitschrift. 63 (2): 100. doi:10.1007/BF03226613.
- ^ Schüers, Andreas; Abel, Alois; Fickel, Hans-Christian; Preis, Michael; Artmann, Richard (February 2002). "Der Zwölfzylinder-Wasserstoffmotor im BMW 750hL". MTZ Motortechnische Zeitschrift. 63 (2): 103. doi:10.1007/BF03226613.
- ^ Schüers, Andreas; Abel, Alois; Fickel, Hans-Christian; Preis, Michael; Artmann, Richard (February 2002). "Der Zwölfzylinder-Wasserstoffmotor im BMW 750hL". MTZ Motortechnische Zeitschrift. 63 (2): 99. doi:10.1007/BF03226613.
- ^ "BMW M70, M72 and M73 V12 Engines". www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
- ^ "BMW M72 twelve-cylinder four-valve engine". www.mwrench.com.
