BMW M52TU / M54 Cut Ring Head Gasket by Athena-SCE

This Athena Cut Ring Head Gasket is a replacement for BMW part numbers #11127501304 and #11127501305, specifically designed for use with the M52TU and M54 Aluminum Block engine types. 

Factory OEM & MLS head gaskets are only engineered to handle a limited amount of cylinder pressures before they start to leak, causing a range of issues, including engine overheating, loss of power, misfires, and in severe cases, catastrophic engine failure.

Athena-SCE Cut Ring Head Gaskets are uniquely designed to handle increased cylinder pressure caused by power modifications, making them the recommended choice for applications making 16+ psi.

Design:

Athena-SCE's gasket body is composed of Motor gasket, a reinforced material developed by Athena's R&D department. This consists of a steel core covered with two layers of asbestos-free aramid fibre and offers excellent thermal and mechanical resistance without compromising its ability to adapt to mating surfaces.

To ensure maximum sealing under all conditions, a silicone bead is also applied to critical sealing areas, such as oil and coolant passages. 

The AISI 304 stainless steel cooper rings bite into the aluminum head, providing maximum sealing around the cylinder bore and optimizing engine performance, even on engines with nitrous and/or turbo applications that exceed 2 bar boost.

Please be aware that the gasket should be 0.5mm to 1mm larger than the piston. For example, if the piston measures 84mm, then the gasket should be the next size up, either 84.5mm or 85mm.

Installation instructions:

1. Make sure that the engine block and cylinder head surfaces are clean, flat, and free from any debris, oil, or coolant.

2. Install the Cut Ring gasket on the engine block and ensure that it is properly aligned. Avoid twisting or bending the gasket during installation.

3. Place the cylinder head on top of the gasket and install the head bolts or studs in their correct positions.

4. Follow the manufacturer's recommended torque specifications and tighten the bolts or studs in the proper sequence to ensure even clamping force across the gasket.

5. After the initial tightening, re-torque the head bolts or studs after the engine has been started and then allowed to cool to room temperature. This will ensure that the gasket is properly seated and compressed.

6. It is recommended to not use any additional sealant on the gasket; it is already coated with a silicone bead sealant. Using additional sealant can hinder the performance of the gasket.

Notes on Preparation and Installation:

Before installation, it is crucial to have the mating surfaces of both the cylinder head and the block professionally cleaned and resurfaced to ensure they are completely flat/straight.

It is the responsibility of the engine builder to measure each cooper ring height and verify uniformity across all rings. 

After initial assembly, it is necessary to allow the engine to complete a full heat cycle, then re-torque your head studs to spec. This means allowing the engine to warm up to its normal operating temperature, remain at operating temperature for several minutes to ensure each component is uniformly heated, then turned off and cooled completely to ambient temperature.

BMW M52TU Applications:

BMW 3 Series

1998-2000     E46     320i / 320Ci
1998-2000     E46     323i / 323Ci
1998-2000     E46     328i / 328Ci

BMW 5 Series

1998-2000     E39     523i
1998-2000     E39     528i

BMW Z3 Series

1998-2000     Z3     2.0i / 2.8i

BMW M54 Applications:

BMW 3 Series

2000-2006     E46     320i / 320Ci
2000-2006     E46     325i / 325xi / 325Ci
2000-2006     E46     330i / 330xi / 330Ci

BMW 5 Series

2000-2003     E39     520i [Europe]
2000-2003     E39     525i 
2000-2003     E39     530i

2003-2005     E60/E61     525i
2003-2005     E60/E61     530i

BMW 7 Series

2001     E38     730i / 730Li [Europe]

BMW Z3 Series

2000-2002     Z3     2.2i / 2.5i / 3.0i

BMW Z4 Series

2002-2005     Z4     2.5i / 3.0i

BMW X3 Series

2003-2006     E83     X3 2.5i / 3.0i

BMW X5 Series

2000-2006     E53     X5 3.0i