The modified BMW M S58 Motor engine of the Red Bull Driftbrothers.

CHECK ENGINE.

Eli Hountondji checks his 1,000 hp BMW S58 engine.

CHECK ENGINE.Eli Hountondji checks his 1,000 hp BMW S58 engine.

31. Oct 2023

For the last two years, the Red Bull Driftbrothers Joe and Eli Hountondji have been using the BMW M4 Competition Coupé in their daily drift business. With a spectacular design, exhaust system on the roof and full-throated sound, the brothers skid their stuff at race days and shows. The boisterous propulsion for their specially optimized M4 models comes from the BMW M S58 turbo engine – the series power unit from the BMW M3 and M4. How much series is still in the straight six-cylinder engine, tuned to deliver more than 1,000 hp? And can it deal with the constant stress on the drift track?

“Yes, it can,” says Eli Hountondji, who has performed at more than 30 events with the S58. To deliver the ultimate proof, the aerospace engineer packs up the engine and takes it back to its place of birth: Let's go to the disassembly in Garching with the BMW M experts.

“Two years ago, we built two S58 engines with more than 1,000 hp, not knowing what will happen. Today it’s time to look at the status quo.”
Eli Hountondji, Red Bull Driftbrothers

BMW S58: THE NEXT 2JZ? A DEEP DIVE INTO THE ENGINE’S PERFORMANCE.

Red Bull Driftbrothers Eli and Joe Hountondji took their tuned S58 engines to BMW M to disassemble them and take a look inside - after driving them for two years. A detailed analysis also compares the S58 to the famous 2JZ, a very well-known engine in the tuning world.

Eli Hountondji and the experts from BMW M take a close look at the modified S58 engine.

The disassembled BMW M S58 engine from the Red Bull Drift Brothers.

Eli Hountondij takes a close look at the disassembled BMW M S58 engine.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

How the tuned powerplant differs from the standard engine.

In their BMW M4, apart from larger exhaust turbochargers, Eli and Joe use a special fuel injection system with new software, a much larger cooling package with an additional radiator in the back of the car, along with a tailor-made exhaust system. The exhaust- and intake ports of the cylinder head were flow-optimized in order to deal with the enormous output of the engine. Special mention: crankshaft, conrods and pistons weren’t altered or replaced over the entire period.

	S58 Series	S58 by Red Bull Driftbrothers
Cylinders	6	6
Bore	84 mm	84 mm
Stroke	90 mm	90 mm
Displacement	2,993 cm³	2,993 cm³
Compression	9.3:1	9.1:1
Injection system	Petrol direct injection	Petrol direct and intake manifold injection
Charging	M TwinPower Turbo	Xona Rotor Single Turbo, enhanced with anti-lag system
Cooling system	Standard	2 x radiators
Oil supply	Wet-sump	Wet-sump
Engine control	Standard	Programmable MoTeC M142 ECU & TDP.ie and 229sport custom software
Max. output	up to 550 hp	1,039 PS
Max. torque	up to 650 Nm	1,285 Nm
Exhaust system	Standard	Custom
Exhaust emission standard	Euro 6d	—

The modified BMW M S58 engine of the Red Bull Driftbrothers in detail.

Dark deposits are normal in this case and are evidence of the high fuel quantity – the toll of over 1,200 Nm of torque.

THE RESULT IS UNAMBIGUOUS.

Good condition and minimal wear despite extreme power.

After the engine dismantling, a clear picture emerged: Despite constant stress and extreme output, the engine is in excellent condition. No signs of wear on the series components like pistons, combustion chambers, conrods, main bearings and crankshaft. The high-pressure injectors are intact and seal 100%. The cylinder head gasket is in very good condition. The piston head and the in- and outlet areas of the cylinder head bear the marks of a great deal of fuel being injected – the dark residues cannot be overlooked – but that has no influence on the running behaviour and reliability of the motor. The engine experts from BMW M are happy – and Eli too. Bring on the next 30 drift events!

Dark deposits are normal in this case and are evidence of the high fuel quantity – the toll of over 1,200 Nm of torque.

Eli Hountondji von den Red Bull Driftbrothers und sein BMW M4

“We thrashed this tuned engine over two years. But it just laughed and took it!”
Eli Hountondji, Red Bull Driftbrothers

BMW M S58.

The legacy of an iconic engine family.

Already at the launch in 2019, the BMW M S58 engine showed what it was made of: The forged crankshaft, closed-deck crankcase, 3D printed cylinder head and 350-bar injection are just some of the features which indicate the engine’s performance potential. In its highest level of configuration, the straight-six cylinder supplies 405 kW (550 hp) as standard – in the BMW M4 CSL. Over and above that, it does its duty in all the other BMW M3 and M4 models, as well as in the BMW M2, BMW X3 M and X4 M.

THE M4

Experience more

THE M4

Experience more

BMW M4 Competition Coupé: Fuel consumption in l/100 km (combined): 9.8 (WLTP); CO2 emissions in g/km (combined): 224-223 (WLTP)

#Engines

MORE HIGHLIGHTS:

The models illustrated include optional equipment.

Due to regular software updates, screen designs in the communication may differ from the actual screen design in your car.

Official data on power consumption and electric range were determined in accordance with the mandatory measurement procedure and comply with Regulation (EU) 715/2007 valid at the time of type approval. In case of a range, figures in the NEDC take into account differences in the selected wheel and tire size; figures in the WLTP take into account any optional equipment. WLTP values are used for assessing taxes and other vehicle-related charges that are (also) based on CO2 emissions, as well as for the purposes of vehicle-specific subsidies, if applicable. Where applicable, the NEDC values listed were calculated based on the new WLTP measurement procedure and then converted back to the NEDC measurement procedure for comparability reasons. For newly type-tested vehicles since 01.01.2021, the official data no longer exist according to NEDC, but only according to WLTP. For more information on the WLTP and NEDC measurement procedures, see https://www.bmw.com/wltp.

For further information about the official fuel consumption and the specific CO2 emission of new passenger cars can be taken out of the „handbook of fuel consumption, the CO2 emission and power consumption of new passenger cars“, which is available at all selling points and at https://www.dat.de/co2/.

All vehicles, equipment, combination possibilities and varieties shown here are examples and can differ in your country. In no way do they constitute a binding offer by the BMW M GmbH. Visit your local BMW website or see your authorised BMW M Retailer for accurate details on the offers in your country.

CHECK ENGINE.

Eli Hountondji checks his 1,000 hp BMW S58 engine.

BMW S58: THE NEXT 2JZ? A DEEP DIVE INTO THE ENGINE’S PERFORMANCE.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

How the tuned powerplant differs from the standard engine.

THE RESULT IS UNAMBIGUOUS.

Good condition and minimal wear despite extreme power.

BMW M S58.

The legacy of an iconic engine family.

THE M4

THE M4

MORE HIGHLIGHTS:

The BMW 850 CSi E31.

BMW XM Label Red Safety Car.

FIA WEC: Team and driver announcement.

Francesco Bagnaia wins BMW M Award 2023.

Pure racetrack DNA.

Raffaele Marciello becomes a BMW M works driver.

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CHECK ENGINE.

Eli Hountondji checks his 1,000 hp BMW S58 engine.

BMW S58: THE NEXT 2JZ? A DEEP DIVE INTO THE ENGINE’S PERFORMANCE.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

How the tuned powerplant differs from the standard engine.

THE RESULT IS UNAMBIGUOUS.

Good condition and minimal wear despite extreme power.

BMW M S58.

The legacy of an iconic engine family.

THE M4

THE M4

MORE HIGHLIGHTS:

The BMW 850 CSi E31.

BMW XM Label Red Safety Car.

FIA WEC: Team and driver announcement.

Francesco Bagnaia wins BMW M Award 2023.

Pure racetrack DNA.

Raffaele Marciello becomes a BMW M works driver.

Website currently not fully available