BMW crank and cam position sensors' types

I just need some info about the type of crank and cam position sensors of these BMW engines (Variable reluctor or Hall effect) and if it's workable with standalone ECUs:

M50 Non VANOS

M50TU

M52

M60

M62 Non VANOS

Thanks in advance :)

I haven't worked with a lot of BMW engines however the ones I have done seem to use a fairly generic 60-2 trigger on the crank with a reluctor pickup and a hall sensor pickup on the cam.

Particularly if you want to run a non VANOS engine, you shouldn't have any trouble configuring any mainstream standalone ECUs to run these engines.

Hi.

These are USA models. Hopefully no difference.

M50 NV

60-2 Magnetic crank, Hall sync

M50 TU

60-2 magnetic crank, hall sync

(crank offset is different than previous generation)

M52 (single vanos)

60-2 hall crank, frequency inductive sync

The frequency sync sensor is provided a fixed frequency from the ECU, and as the sync trigger passes it, it changes the signal somehow (amplitude?), and this is how the factory determins stroke position.

I swap this out with a M50 hall sensor which fits right in and works perfectly.

M52tu (double vanos)

60-2 hall crank, hall sensors for both intake and exhaust cam

M60 NV

60-2 magnetic crank, magnetic sync

M62 (with VANOS version)

60-2 magnetic crank, hall sync

Thanks a lot, i appreciate it.

Could you please tell me what are the trigger offsets of these engines?

Hi.

I suppose it would all depend which ECU you were using. But in terms of gap vs TDC #1 (+/- 360 if out of phase) I can do my best. These numbers should work with most ECU... but obviously I'd still check. They may be a few degrees out.

* = not sure

M50 NV

275*

M50 TU

30

M52 (single vanos)

30*

M52tu (double vanos)

30

M60 NV

275*

M62 (with VANOS version)

275*

You can see there is an obvious trend.

Thanks.

I would always recommend simply finding the correct offset for your engine once you have it to a point where you can start it and run it. It's easy to do with a timing light and is really an essential part of the initial configuration anyway prior to tuning.