Visual ID for Dinan 4.6 Stroker other than Valve Covers

adameldridge · 10-05-2021, 06:50 AM

Hi Gents,

According to Dinan, I won the lottery and picked up a 2013 Comp with a 4.6 Stroker. I noticed many Dinan bits around the car which prompted a call to AL. Are there any visual ID's I can make to be 100% sure the 4.6 is still in the car? Of course there is no mention on Carfax. Hood indicates larger throttle bodies and airbox however the Carbon runner has been replaced with the OEM plastic. Car has carbon strut brace, Exhaust, Pedals and Performance wheel. Also it feels like the DCT has been flashed.

Any idea?

Thanks
Adam

Helmsman · 10-05-2021, 06:56 AM

Congrats! Pictures of the engine/bay (+car!)?

rcracin · 10-05-2021, 08:46 AM

There should be an engraving on the block. I believe driver side front corner at the top of the block where the head mates up.

911r · 10-05-2021, 11:10 AM

So your car has the black valve covers? That's the biggest tell. You can also look for markings on the block. Wonder if you have a Dinan diff too, another thing that would be difficult to verify. I suppose if all else fails, you can always dyno the car aha.

Audioslave686 · 10-05-2021, 12:55 PM

open the oil cap and check the vanos covers.
you should have the metal plates instead of plastic vanos covers.

omgzirra_exe · 10-05-2021, 12:56 PM

just send your vin number to Dinan and see if they have any records of the vehicle being built by them.

Black valve covers are a give away but anyone can paint their valve covers black (it has to be a smooth black too) and say it has a stroker, if it's a wrinkle black VC then its probably not a dinan engine.

there's not clear way of telling unless you find all the markings. or do a dyno test.

Green-Eggs · 10-05-2021, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adameldridge

Hi Gents,

According to Dinan, I won the lottery and picked up a 2013 Comp with a 4.6 Stroker. I noticed many Dinan bits around the car which prompted a call to AL. Are there any visual ID's I can make to be 100% sure the 4.6 is still in the car? Of course there is no mention on Carfax. Hood indicates larger throttle bodies and airbox however the Carbon runner has been replaced with the OEM plastic. Car has carbon strut brace, Exhaust, Pedals and Performance wheel. Also it feels like the DCT has been flashed.

Any idea?

Thanks
Adam

There is no visual way to tell the larger throttle bodies. They are the same mechanical units as stock. They will look the same on the outside, but the bores are 2mm larger on the inside.

rantarM3 · 10-05-2021, 06:02 PM

Are the injectors on the 4.6 the same as on a stock S65?

Reading through another thread (re. vanos covers) I remembered that someone said that Dinan replaced the plastic covers with the metal "washers" on their strokers. Open the oil cap and take a look at the vanos covers.

M3AN_S65 · 10-05-2021, 10:16 PM

The only noticeable difference was the smooth black valve covers. At least that was how it was for me. That or have the vehicle Dyno’d or give Dinan the serial number to verify.

alfalfa · 10-06-2021, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rantarM3

Are the injectors on the 4.6 the same as on a stock S65?

It depends. You can choose the stock ones or bigger ones. Both will work for the normal 4.6 engine.

adameldridge · 10-06-2021, 06:03 AM

Will give it a look this weekend. Appreciate all of the replies! It's in the shop for a oil change and a blackstone. Fingers crossed.

Yeah, Dinan has verified it had a 4.6 stroker in 2017..plot twist.. the valve covers are black crinkle and not black chrome.

I'll have access to a dyno soon.

Interesting side note upon hearing we were sending oil out to blackstone my father mentioned they sent oil out for analysis during helicopter services in the military. He drove UH60's UH1's Cobras back in the day. Makes complete sense.

Richbot · 10-06-2021, 09:34 AM

Rad find. Finding one of these pre-built for not much more than a nice stock one is what I would try to do if mine ever kicked the bucket

I assume the extra 50 lbft will pretty obvious on the dyno lol. Borescope in a spark plug hole ought to do the trick don't they use coated pistons with different valve reliefs? I guess it depends on when the kit was made

exVtekGuy · 10-06-2021, 01:37 PM

let's see some pics!!!

M43S7RO · 10-06-2021, 08:09 PM

I'd think you paid a fair bit more for a car with a stroker motor so I'm surprised you dont know. The prev owner would have known its worth more as well with the added dinan mods.

I'm leaning toward its not a stroker.

Idfkman · 10-06-2021, 09:42 PM

Have you driven another M3? You mentioned the DCT seems flashed so I'm assuming you have.

Is there a noticeable power/torque increase? I would think the stroker would be abundantly clear in the butt dyno.

The black valve covers is the easiest giveaway.

Ik when I contacted Dinan about my car they were unable to verify any of the Dinan work done other than the ECU tune because their database is hand kept. I have invoices from BMW with all the parts though so that was my only way of verifying things like the Dinan diff.

With such a large investment in the car one would think the PO would have some invoices?

adameldridge · 10-08-2021, 04:58 PM

I bought it through Carvanna. They're absolutely clueless.

adameldridge · 10-08-2021, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audioslave686

open the oil cap and check the vanos covers.
you should have the metal plates instead of plastic vanos covers.

Plot twist! No vanos cover below the fill! I see the vanos gears.

Bimmer Barney · 10-09-2021, 01:46 AM

Post some Pictures. Of the engine bay

jp1984 · 10-14-2021, 09:03 AM

If you bought it from Carvana why not post the engine bay pictures from there?

My hunch is going to be not a stroker until proven, hope I am wrong though, that is an awesome pick up? How are you enjoying the drivability? Some folks dont care for the stroker and think they are better suited to the track.

Gossypiboma · 10-14-2021, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adameldridge

Plot twist! No vanos cover below the fill! I see the vanos gears.

But do you see the Dinan washers?

Helmsman · 10-15-2021, 04:00 PM

Why don't we get some pics OP!

adameldridge · 04-10-2022, 01:49 PM

Ok so ID is confirmed on High Flow throttle bodies.

Here you can see no baffle under oil fill. Notice black VC..

Lots of numbers on the heads, castings. Not seeing anything calling out Dinan specifically. Dinan does have a 4.6 stoker attached to this VIN.

Actuators and rails have been marked with D and P in paint pen at some point. Im guessing they dont do this on the line in Germany.

The car only has 65K.

10-05-2021, 06:50 AM	#1
adameldridge New Member 4 Rep 9 Posts Drives: E92 M3 4.6 Dinan, E39T, E38 Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	Visual ID for Dinan 4.6 Stroker other than Valve Covers Hi Gents, According to Dinan, I won the lottery and picked up a 2013 Comp with a 4.6 Stroker. I noticed many Dinan bits around the car which prompted a call to AL. Are there any visual ID's I can make to be 100% sure the 4.6 is still in the car? Of course there is no mention on Carfax. Hood indicates larger throttle bodies and airbox however the Carbon runner has been replaced with the OEM plastic. Car has carbon strut brace, Exhaust, Pedals and Performance wheel. Also it feels like the DCT has been flashed. Any idea? Thanks Adam
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10-05-2021, 06:56 AM	#2
Helmsman Major General 4485 Rep 7,129 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Congrats! Pictures of the engine/bay (+car!)?
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10-05-2021, 08:46 AM	#3
rcracin Major 1243 Rep 1,288 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NYC iTrader: (3)	There should be an engraving on the block. I believe driver side front corner at the top of the block where the head mates up.
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10-05-2021, 11:10 AM	#4
911r Captain 897 Rep 940 Posts Drives: slowly Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: SoCal iTrader: (3)	So your car has the black valve covers? That's the biggest tell. You can also look for markings on the block. Wonder if you have a Dinan diff too, another thing that would be difficult to verify. I suppose if all else fails, you can always dyno the car aha.
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10-05-2021, 12:55 PM	#5
Audioslave686 Private First Class 165 Rep 126 Posts Drives: M3 E90/X4 F26 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (0)	open the oil cap and check the vanos covers. you should have the metal plates instead of plastic vanos covers.
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10-05-2021, 12:56 PM	#6
omgzirra_exe Lieutenant Colonel 1536 Rep 1,734 Posts Drives: 4.4L M3, IS300 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	just send your vin number to Dinan and see if they have any records of the vehicle being built by them. Black valve covers are a give away but anyone can paint their valve covers black (it has to be a smooth black too) and say it has a stroker, if it's a wrinkle black VC then its probably not a dinan engine. there's not clear way of telling unless you find all the markings. or do a dyno test. __________________ Build: ZillaSpec M3 N1 Build M3Post Track General Discussion: Discord #fakeGTS
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10-05-2021, 06:02 PM	#8
rantarM3 Captain 205 Rep 729 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (3)	Are the injectors on the 4.6 the same as on a stock S65? Reading through another thread (re. vanos covers) I remembered that someone said that Dinan replaced the plastic covers with the metal "washers" on their strokers. Open the oil cap and take a look at the vanos covers.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2021, 10:16 PM	#9
M3AN_S65 Private 64 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M3 E92 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Norcal iTrader: (0)	The only noticeable difference was the smooth black valve covers. At least that was how it was for me. That or have the vehicle Dyno’d or give Dinan the serial number to verify. __________________ IG : @m3an_V8_4.6L 2013 BMW M3 E92...MCS coilover kit...Dinan exhaust...Dinan lower control arm mono-ball kit...Dinan rear toe links...Dinan front sway bar...Dinan pulley...Apex SM-10...Lux H8 V5
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10-06-2021, 06:03 AM	#11
adameldridge New Member 4 Rep 9 Posts Drives: E92 M3 4.6 Dinan, E39T, E38 Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	Thanks fellas Will give it a look this weekend. Appreciate all of the replies! It's in the shop for a oil change and a blackstone. Fingers crossed. Yeah, Dinan has verified it had a 4.6 stroker in 2017..plot twist.. the valve covers are black crinkle and not black chrome. I'll have access to a dyno soon. Interesting side note upon hearing we were sending oil out to blackstone my father mentioned they sent oil out for analysis during helicopter services in the military. He drove UH60's UH1's Cobras back in the day. Makes complete sense.
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10-06-2021, 09:34 AM	#12
Richbot Major General 2761 Rep 5,482 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	Rad find. Finding one of these pre-built for not much more than a nice stock one is what I would try to do if mine ever kicked the bucket I assume the extra 50 lbft will pretty obvious on the dyno lol. Borescope in a spark plug hole ought to do the trick don't they use coated pistons with different valve reliefs? I guess it depends on when the kit was made __________________ Last edited by Richbot; 10-06-2021 at 09:40 AM..
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10-06-2021, 01:37 PM	#13
exVtekGuy Second Lieutenant 115 Rep 288 Posts Drives: none yet Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	let's see some pics!!!
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10-06-2021, 08:09 PM	#14
M43S7RO Major 504 Rep 1,055 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Peoria, AZ iTrader: (13)	I'd think you paid a fair bit more for a car with a stroker motor so I'm surprised you dont know. The prev owner would have known its worth more as well with the added dinan mods. I'm leaning toward its not a stroker.
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10-06-2021, 09:42 PM	#15
Idfkman Lieutenant 473 Rep 468 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	Have you driven another M3? You mentioned the DCT seems flashed so I'm assuming you have. Is there a noticeable power/torque increase? I would think the stroker would be abundantly clear in the butt dyno. The black valve covers is the easiest giveaway. Ik when I contacted Dinan about my car they were unable to verify any of the Dinan work done other than the ECU tune because their database is hand kept. I have invoices from BMW with all the parts though so that was my only way of verifying things like the Dinan diff. With such a large investment in the car one would think the PO would have some invoices? __________________ 10 E90 M3 /// Dinan Intake, X Pipe, Exhaust, Underdrive, 3.62 Diff, Coilovers, Alpine e85 Tune - sold 16 F80 M3 /// MaxPSI 4 Pin, DP, CP, SL Mid-Pipe, TMIC, KW HAS, EU5's, AB Performance Flex Tuned
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10-08-2021, 04:58 PM	#16
adameldridge New Member 4 Rep 9 Posts Drives: E92 M3 4.6 Dinan, E39T, E38 Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	The Previous Owner I bought it through Carvanna. They're absolutely clueless.
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10-09-2021, 01:46 AM	#18
Bimmer Barney Lieutenant Colonel 1251 Rep 1,503 Posts Drives: 2011.5 E90M ZCP Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: California iTrader: (4)	Post some Pictures. Of the engine bay __________________ 2011.5 E90 M3 DCT ZCP Slicktop
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10-14-2021, 09:03 AM	#19
jp1984 Lieutenant 508 Rep 550 Posts Drives: an E92 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: under the hood again iTrader: (0)	If you bought it from Carvana why not post the engine bay pictures from there? My hunch is going to be not a stroker until proven, hope I am wrong though, that is an awesome pick up? How are you enjoying the drivability? Some folks dont care for the stroker and think they are better suited to the track.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2021, 04:00 PM	#21
Helmsman Major General 4485 Rep 7,129 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Why don't we get some pics OP!
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04-10-2022, 01:49 PM	#22
adameldridge New Member 4 Rep 9 Posts Drives: E92 M3 4.6 Dinan, E39T, E38 Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	Photos! Installing supercharger/replacing actuators Ok so ID is confirmed on High Flow throttle bodies. Here you can see no baffle under oil fill. Notice black VC.. Lots of numbers on the heads, castings. Not seeing anything calling out Dinan specifically. Dinan does have a 4.6 stoker attached to this VIN. Actuators and rails have been marked with D and P in paint pen at some point. Im guessing they dont do this on the line in Germany. The car only has 65K.
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