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BMW M70B50 specs: 5.0L (304 ci) 12-cylinder, 84 x 75 mm (3.3071 x 2.9528 in) bore and stroke, 8.8:1 compression. Rated 296 hp, 1988–1994.
The BMW M70B50 is oversquare — the 3.3071" bore exceeds the 2.9528" stroke by 12.0% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 2.9528" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 8,150 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. Each of the 12 cylinders displaces 25.3 ci (415 cc).
8.8:1 is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
7 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 296 hp across 1988–1994.
| Displacement | 304 ci / 5 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.3071" |
| Stroke | 2.9528" |
| Cylinders | 12 |
| Compression ratio | 8.8:1 * |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.12 |
* Compression ratio from a single source; not yet cross-verified.
| Fuel type | gas |
|---|---|
| Advertised HP | 296 hp |
| Years | 1988–1994 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.120 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 2,953 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 25.3 ci |
| Static compression | 8.8:1 — low by modern standards, generally happy on regular pump fuel |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 296 hp | M70B50 |
| 1989 | 296 hp | M70B50 |
| 1990 | 296 hp | M70B50 |
| 1991 | 296 hp | M70B50 |
| 1992 | 296 hp | M70B50 |
| 1993 | 296 hp | M70B50 |
| 1994 | 296 hp | M70B50 |
1 factory vehicle, 1988–1994. Each year opens that model's engine table.