dhinez
03-23-2009, 03:17 AM
I finally got done doing open heart surgery on my motor. Installed s52 cams into my car. It was a two day process for me because this was my first cam installation ever. I'm very mechanically inclined so I was up for the challenge. Car runs a lot better and is a lot quicker. I'm very pleased with the results. Next step brain surgery:devillook. Before I get my DME reflashed with cam specific software, I'm going to add 24 lb injectors and 3.5 MAF sensor. That is later down the road, though:(. Mods are in my signature for those wondering what I have installed already. I hope to dyno soon.:evil2
Here is what I learned. My tips for those wondering about s52 cams and installation.:D
Specs on different cams (copied and pasted from another post):
S50 cam specs
Duration / Lift
252 / 10.
240 / 9.7
S52 cam specs
Duration / Lift
250-252 / 10.2-10.28 Intake
244 / 9.67- 10.2 Exhaust
m52 cam specs
Duration / Lift
228 / 9 Intake
228 / 9 Exhaust
Schrick cam specs (m52 328)
Duration / Lift
252 / 10.2 Intake Part # : 261 E1 521 V0
244 / 9.5 Exhaust Part # : 261 A1 441 00
When I was trying to find top dead center (TDC) to install the TDC pin, I couldn't find it. I found out that if you have an aftermarket flywheel the pin is 90%-95% useless. I had to do without and basically do the install without it. This was a waste of time because to access the TDC hole you basically had to remove the intake manifold. I could have saved an hour and half of labor by avoiding this. If you have the oem flywheel you can use the TDC pin.
I did my cam install without the BMW specialty tools, cam locking tool and timing chain tensioner tool. It is very possible you can set the timing correctly without these. Make sure you have a ruler or a straight edge to make sure the cams are parallel to each other. This very important or your timing will be off.
This is the first time in my backyard mechanic history that I every installed cams into a BMW, matter fact any car. When I finally had my car put back to get together and tried to start the car, I realized my timing was off. All the car would do is turn over and do a lot of popping out of the exhaust. The car never started. I was ready to call it a quits. Before that I did a search on bf.com and found a thread that stated how the cams were suppose to sit into the car. Basically on the square side of the cams, there is a side that has two dots (holes). Make sure these are facing up. Not right, left, or down. If installed in any other position other than up, the car's timing will be off. I installed my facing right, so this put my car 90 degrees off timing:nono. So basically I had to remove the vanos system, sprockets, and chain to rotate the cams into the correct position.
281820
Make sure you when removing the cams you move the crank from TDC to 45 degrees clockwise. This will ensure that you don't accidently hit a valve against the piston head when removing and installing your cams.
Pelican Parts stated that you needed two people to remove the cams. This isn't technically true. You can remove the cams yourself but you must be able to hold the cams steady when removing cylinder one's bearing cap. Having a friend around can free up both hands plus ensures you don't damage you cams upon removal or installation.
After installing your cams, you can adjust the position of them using a wrench on the hex sided part of the cam. This makes it easy to align them. here is a picture of where you can use the wrench.
280863
Make sure you torque everything to it specific requirement. Over torquing can break bolts. :(
Having a magnet is handy when a bolt falls into the head by mistake. PLEASE KEEP MAGNET AWAY FROM CAM SENSOR.:nono
Use pelicanparts.com and the bentley manual for reference when installing/removing cams and timing the vanos/cams. Please read both very thoroughly. It's good to have some knowledge before starting something that you never done before.
If you have a problem while installing your cams please search bf.com before posting. I found my answer to my timing issue by searching. If may be a long reading process, but everyone can use some new knowledge.:)
Before starting the cam job, make sure have the correct tools and a decent area to work. Working on anything other than pavement can be a hassel especially if you drop an oily tool onto the ground.
Tools and accessories that will come in handy:
Torque wrench
Torx set
Adjustable wrench
Coolant
Wear old clothes.:rolleyes
After getting my timing corrected and everything back together, I started the car up. It chopped like a big block v8 with extreme cams. I thought wtf. I thought my timing was off again. Please give you dme some time to adjust. The car is receiving more air and there will be more exhaust exiting. I let my car run for an hour and it runs like a champ now.
Things to do while changing your cams:
Change valve cover gasket
Change head gasket
flush radiator
change water pump and thermostat
Change Vanos unit and/or accessories
Change timing chain tensioners
I can't think of anything else right now. My brain is fried from all this thinking:devillook. If you have anything that I missed please post. This will hopefully answer a lot of questions.:alright
Here some links that may help you:
Intake_Manifold_Removal (http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/101-Projects-12-Intake-Manifold/101-Projects-12-Intake-Manifold.htm)
Cam_Removal_and_Installation (http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Camshaft-Removal/E36-camshaft-removal.htm)
Cam_Timing_and_Vanos_Installation (http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Camshaft-Timing/E36-Camshaft-Timing.htm)
Here is what I learned. My tips for those wondering about s52 cams and installation.:D
Specs on different cams (copied and pasted from another post):
S50 cam specs
Duration / Lift
252 / 10.
240 / 9.7
S52 cam specs
Duration / Lift
250-252 / 10.2-10.28 Intake
244 / 9.67- 10.2 Exhaust
m52 cam specs
Duration / Lift
228 / 9 Intake
228 / 9 Exhaust
Schrick cam specs (m52 328)
Duration / Lift
252 / 10.2 Intake Part # : 261 E1 521 V0
244 / 9.5 Exhaust Part # : 261 A1 441 00
When I was trying to find top dead center (TDC) to install the TDC pin, I couldn't find it. I found out that if you have an aftermarket flywheel the pin is 90%-95% useless. I had to do without and basically do the install without it. This was a waste of time because to access the TDC hole you basically had to remove the intake manifold. I could have saved an hour and half of labor by avoiding this. If you have the oem flywheel you can use the TDC pin.
I did my cam install without the BMW specialty tools, cam locking tool and timing chain tensioner tool. It is very possible you can set the timing correctly without these. Make sure you have a ruler or a straight edge to make sure the cams are parallel to each other. This very important or your timing will be off.
This is the first time in my backyard mechanic history that I every installed cams into a BMW, matter fact any car. When I finally had my car put back to get together and tried to start the car, I realized my timing was off. All the car would do is turn over and do a lot of popping out of the exhaust. The car never started. I was ready to call it a quits. Before that I did a search on bf.com and found a thread that stated how the cams were suppose to sit into the car. Basically on the square side of the cams, there is a side that has two dots (holes). Make sure these are facing up. Not right, left, or down. If installed in any other position other than up, the car's timing will be off. I installed my facing right, so this put my car 90 degrees off timing:nono. So basically I had to remove the vanos system, sprockets, and chain to rotate the cams into the correct position.
281820
Make sure you when removing the cams you move the crank from TDC to 45 degrees clockwise. This will ensure that you don't accidently hit a valve against the piston head when removing and installing your cams.
Pelican Parts stated that you needed two people to remove the cams. This isn't technically true. You can remove the cams yourself but you must be able to hold the cams steady when removing cylinder one's bearing cap. Having a friend around can free up both hands plus ensures you don't damage you cams upon removal or installation.
After installing your cams, you can adjust the position of them using a wrench on the hex sided part of the cam. This makes it easy to align them. here is a picture of where you can use the wrench.
280863
Make sure you torque everything to it specific requirement. Over torquing can break bolts. :(
Having a magnet is handy when a bolt falls into the head by mistake. PLEASE KEEP MAGNET AWAY FROM CAM SENSOR.:nono
Use pelicanparts.com and the bentley manual for reference when installing/removing cams and timing the vanos/cams. Please read both very thoroughly. It's good to have some knowledge before starting something that you never done before.
If you have a problem while installing your cams please search bf.com before posting. I found my answer to my timing issue by searching. If may be a long reading process, but everyone can use some new knowledge.:)
Before starting the cam job, make sure have the correct tools and a decent area to work. Working on anything other than pavement can be a hassel especially if you drop an oily tool onto the ground.
Tools and accessories that will come in handy:
Torque wrench
Torx set
Adjustable wrench
Coolant
Wear old clothes.:rolleyes
After getting my timing corrected and everything back together, I started the car up. It chopped like a big block v8 with extreme cams. I thought wtf. I thought my timing was off again. Please give you dme some time to adjust. The car is receiving more air and there will be more exhaust exiting. I let my car run for an hour and it runs like a champ now.
Things to do while changing your cams:
Change valve cover gasket
Change head gasket
flush radiator
change water pump and thermostat
Change Vanos unit and/or accessories
Change timing chain tensioners
I can't think of anything else right now. My brain is fried from all this thinking:devillook. If you have anything that I missed please post. This will hopefully answer a lot of questions.:alright
Here some links that may help you:
Intake_Manifold_Removal (http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/101-Projects-12-Intake-Manifold/101-Projects-12-Intake-Manifold.htm)
Cam_Removal_and_Installation (http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Camshaft-Removal/E36-camshaft-removal.htm)
Cam_Timing_and_Vanos_Installation (http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Camshaft-Timing/E36-Camshaft-Timing.htm)