Have a line on some 95 m3 cams - United Bimmer Community

**Spieluhr** · 06-01-2005, 02:08 AM

I have found some M3 cams in the area for probably around $200-250. Is this a good price? THey are from a 1995 M3, which means they are the 3.0 liter, OBD I cams. I have a 1996 OBD II 328is. will the difference in OBD's from different cams cause a problem? what other mods will I have to do?

**E36Bimmer** · 06-01-2005, 08:39 AM

that is a good price. Not sure if the OBD I/ II difference will work or not. I have been researching this alot lately and have come to the conclusion that is isnt worth it tho. What the cams will do will decrease your low end numbers, but obviously increase your high end numbers. Essentially you'll end up wanting more. So I am saving my money and doing it right with an entire swap

**komodo** · 06-01-2005, 09:39 AM

The difference in OBD1/2 isn't an issue at all. Cams work the same for both, that's how people can have stock cams on obd2, and convert to obd1 without changing them.

I personally am about to buy cams myself, though for a lot more money than that. It is true you lose some top end, but I personally feel it's worth it since I don't need the 140+ speeds. In answer to your question on what else you'll need to do: software. Without software, cams will cause a very rough idle and will hurt your performance numbers. A representitive from Eurosport told me a few days ago "it'll run with standard software, just not nearly as well". http://understeer.com/onlinestore-engine.shtml <-- from that link you can buy updated software for m3 cams on a 328. It costs $645.

If you decide not to get those, shoot me a PM and I might buy them, haha.

**catalyst** · 06-01-2005, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E36Bimmer

I have been researching this alot lately and have come to the conclusion that is isnt worth it tho. What the cams will do will decrease your low end numbers, but obviously increase your high end numbers. Essentially you'll end up wanting more. So I am saving my money and doing it right with an entire swap

I agree. Not because of decreasing low end numbers, but imo its just not worth the money.

Ive researced all of the options, and the cheapest route to go is buying an s50/s52 and rebuilding it, this can be done for under 2500-3000. Stroking the motor up is the only substitute for an M engine that i am considering, using an m3 crank shaft, balancing it and 'knife edging' it, to get a very fast revving motor. Along with cams this option is very enticing, as a 2.9L m50 will be more powerful than a stock OBDII M3.

While im sure i could build a stroker with some time and patience, it would be much simpler dropping an S motor in my chassis. Also the cost of building it could potentially skyrocket if i go overboard, with uprated valve springs etc.

Of course all these things command an additional 2-3 grand for those who wont be doing them themselves, and have to pay for the install.

**Spieluhr** · 06-01-2005, 04:05 PM

thanks for the insight guys, does anyone have any specific numbers for the gains? I really want to do this, cause i dont have the time or money for a swap. How much do you estimate for an installation of the cams? Also, how necessary do you find the software to be?

**E36Bimmer** · 06-01-2005, 04:33 PM

I found a shop that would install them for $500. They said to get the cam towers with the cams. I guess the towers are what holds the cams in? They will work with upgraded software. You could try it with what you have and upgrade the software later. With the chip, gains are estimated at 25HP with a loss of 5lbs of torque

**B_w.** · 06-01-2005, 10:01 PM

i am not sure whether or not s50 cams will work. s52 work great. i would not chance it because the software is for s52 cams. call eurosport and find out if their software will work with s50 cams.

it cost me a little under $500 cdn to have my cams installed. you also need to get the m50 intake manifold to make the cams work. without it you will see very little gains if any.

the cam kit will give slightly better than stock m3 peformance for much less than an engine swap. the motor will cost a couple thousand, the rebuild a couple more thousand. IMO the cams are worth it. if you think you are going to want more power than you will get from the cams consider rebuilding the 2.8 and turbocharging it. this will yeild much better gains than a m swap. the 2.8l has much more poteintial than most people realize.

turbo 2.8

click on dyno 543

**Spieluhr** · 06-01-2005, 11:26 PM

tight, any other info anyone can give me on this?

I would not do the install untill i would have the money and parts to do it right. I would still need M50 manifold and software. Anything else I should upgrade to get the power I need?

**komodo** · 06-02-2005, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spieluhr

tight, any other info anyone can give me on this?

I would not do the install untill i would have the money and parts to do it right. I would still need M50 manifold and software. Anything else I should upgrade to get the power I need?

The force.

No really, cams, cai, software, and m50 manifold and m3's will bown down to your 328. (i hope at least, hehe)

**komodo** · 06-02-2005, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B_w.

i am not sure whether or not s50 cams will work. s52 work great. i would not chance it because the software is for s52 cams. call eurosport and find out if their software will work with s50 cams.

it cost me a little under $500 cdn to have my cams installed. you also need to get the m50 intake manifold to make the cams work. without it you will see very little gains if any.

the cam kit will give slightly better than stock m3 peformance for much less than an engine swap. the motor will cost a couple thousand, the rebuild a couple more thousand. IMO the cams are worth it. if you think you are going to want more power than you will get from the cams consider rebuilding the 2.8 and turbocharging it. this will yeild much better gains than a m swap. the 2.8l has much more poteintial than most people realize.

turbo 2.8

click on dyno 543

WHOA.

From around 1:53 in that movie when he pushes it, that's INSANE. He goes from 60 to 120 in 3.5 seconds.

I want that car. Got a list of it's mods? Dude, post this video up in the Multimedia Forum. haha

**ChrisWorrell** · 06-02-2005, 12:56 AM

absolutely incredible video, damn. that was POWERFUL

**Spieluhr** · 06-03-2005, 12:17 AM

The guy I originally talked to already sold his cams, but I now have two more people that both have S50 cams for sale in the area. One set has 106K miles, the other has 140k miles. Is this too much mileage for the swap?

**catalyst** · 06-03-2005, 02:16 PM

No. Whats the mileage on your car? JW. Mileage on cams isnt ussually a problem, the only thing that really stops these motors from going is loss of compression.

**Rooz** · 06-03-2005, 02:24 PM

Humm, am quite sure that OBD-II cars have a camshaft positioning sensor, so I dunno if the knew cam would affect it or not, I strongly suggest calling a BMW dealer and asking...

**Spieluhr** · 06-03-2005, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c4talyst

No. Whats the mileage on your car? JW. Mileage on cams isnt ussually a problem, the only thing that really stops these motors from going is loss of compression.

my car has 69K miles