Is it true 323i cams are 260 deg and slot straight in?

[StevenC3828]

Hello! Not sure if this is the right place in the 'zone but is it true that e21 / early e30 323i cams are 260 deg and slot straight into the 885 head?
Thanks in advance...

[StuBeeDoo]

No, they are not 260deg. They are 252 or 253 - I can't remember which now.

[AlpineAde]

I thought the 323i had a 264 degree cam.

See:

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52085

[e301988325i]

Hello! Not sure if this is the right place in the 'zone but is it true that e21 / early e30 323i cams are 260 deg and slot straight into the 885 head?
Thanks in advance...

If you can find a good one it is a small upgrade to the stock 325i cam. Worth doing if you have one lying around, not worth spending lots of money though.

[toby]

I read somewhere that the E21 323i had a higher lift camshaft but I can't remember where. Finding a decent one of those would seem unlikely and even ordering a pattern replacement from ECP wouldn't be relevant as all their M20 camshafts have the same part number the last time I looked.

Trying to avoid the expense of a vernier pulley Steven?

[StevenC3828]

Thanks for the replies guys -

Motormec have quoted £92.27 for a 323i camshaft made by Febi Bilstein. After assaulting the Febi website, Febi say a 323i e30 1985 cam is 252 degrees! And the 1989 e30 325i one is 260 degrees - I thought the 325i one was 255 degrees??? confused.com

Hi Toby, My (engine) problems are a chattering top end and a slapping bottom end Richard at BBB is sorting out the bottom end with a 2.7 eta block and now I'm researching what do with the cams and followers as my head seems fine...

[e301988325i]

If my memory is working correctly, facelift 325 = 254, e30 323 = 260.

Are the part numbers different? it's possible that it's all an urban myth and the durations are differentiated by differing valve clearances. ie 325's are 0.25mm and 323's maybe less giving longer duration.

[AlpineAde]

325i = 256 degrees

323i = 264 degrees

See link.

[toby]

US spec engines can be different though so it's worth bearing that in mind.

Traditionally all M20 engines have the valve clearances set the same.

[StuBeeDoo]

Febi say a 323i e30 1985 cam is 252 degrees! And the 1989 e30 325i one is 260 degrees

It wasn't Febi I got my information from, it was TIS. Febi agrees though.
I'm sick of posting this information and people arguing the toss. I can't get into my copy of TIS because it's been corrupted. Can someone here get the correct information and maybe cut & paste it so we can settle it once and for all?

[toby]

Stick it in the wiki Stu. You can just reference it then.

Either way - 250, 260 it isn't going to be that much of a difference in the real world.

Catcam or something similar around 273/273, vernier pulley and suitable chip would be spikier. I've driven a car with this installed and it's just right for a little more free flowing revs.

[StuBeeDoo]

I'm sick of posting this information and people arguing the toss. I can't get into my copy of TIS because it's been corrupted. Can someone here get the correct information and maybe cut & paste it so we can settle it once and for all?

Right!! I'm attempting to get hold of another copy of TIS. Hopefully, I can put this argument/debate to bed once and for all.

[Jhonno]

It's not all about duration either, lift is another factor..

There is a graph somewhere, which shows the lift and duration of the standard M20 cams, and iirc the 325i one was the best

[StuBeeDoo]

It's not all about duration either, lift is another factor..

Exactly. I don't know the precise details, but I would guess that the Motronic engines had more duration to compensate for the lower compression. ....And as you say, lift has to come into it somewhere.

There is a graph somewhere, which shows the lift and duration of the standard M20 cams, and iirc the 325i one was the best

Now that would make interesting reading.

[N00b]

Is there anything resembling a cheap option for a performance cam for the M20 (B25 in my case)?
Some of the prices I've seen while idly googling have almost made what's left of my hair fall out.