cam upgrade for m50b25

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e30-EVN
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Post Tue Jan 18, 2011 8:43 pm

Been reading up on cam upgrades but finding a lot of conflicting info on it.
From what I've read s50 cams go into the m50b25 and s52 go into m52b28.
Now logicly that does make sense but I'm hoping some1 like dan or lee can clarify what's what for me and any1 else looking in on this.

Most of the info I've read on yank sites and I know there are some differences with uk and us spec cars....
My engine is an m50b25 with vanos, so what cam would be right for this engine and what are "realistic" gains and costs ect?
A 2 door e30 with 8 cylinders, what could be better winkeye :D
E30BeemerLad
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Post Tue Jan 18, 2011 8:53 pm

Doubt S50 cams fit or everyone would be at it. The US S52 is basically a hot M52/M50, which is why the cams fit.

Schrick cams would do the shizzle. Bob_S had a pair in an otherwise stock M50 and it did near 230 ponies on the rollers. I bought them, sold them to Dezzy, think he's sold them since after going vanos M52 head.
e30-EVN
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Post Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:08 pm

That's what I thought lee but here's some info I pulled off my search earlier......

"You can just slap a s50 cam in and go if you want. Replacing the valve springs would be a good thing to do also. You don't have to mess with new valve or rocker arms as said be for. You do not have to put in a chip for the car to run and be faster. But it dose take a chip to make this set up sing. I have read in more then one place that people are dumb founded by how much more power they got from the chip with this set up."

And....

"did some reading and everything i read says s50 cams go with upgraded valvesprings in teh m50, unless you are non-vanos. you can get m3 springs with them and be good to go. a tune will help a good bit, but you will max out at around 30hp gain. it will run rough for the first few minutes, but the stock ecu will figure it out and adjust to it on its own. slight power loss down low, but massive increase up high. (s52 to m52 does not need springs)

injectors are the same, but the 328 injectors are better if you are looking for an upgrade.

So what are these guys chatting? Lol
A 2 door e30 with 8 cylinders, what could be better winkeye :D
penton08
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Post Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:20 pm

Iirc the s50b30us is the yank 3.0 donk, the cams out of this MIGHT be suitable. but the cams from the full blown s50b30 "euro" wont work in a m50. You really need dan to confirm this tho!!
Duke137
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Post Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:48 pm

What's the matter Ant not fast enough mate :D
How do you pronounce 'either'? I say 'either', but some say 'either'. Either is correct.
DanThe
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Post Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:35 pm

If you have a vanos engine you want S52 cams, as penton stated the yanks had an 'S50-US' engine but it was a mildly enhanced M50, unlike our european S50 which the cams from are no good.
Expect to pay £300+ with gains from 20hp depending on other mods
e30-EVN
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Post Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:06 am

I'm a little confused,, is that s52 us or s52 m3 cams? Sorry

@ferg- mate she's a lively old girl now, I mean don't get me wrong, the m50 is brilliant in the e30 but you can never have enough power lol.

I'm thinking with a set of cams, a chip, m20 fly and a nice exhaust I would be happy to make 220-240bhp. I think I'd settle for that haha :twisted:
A 2 door e30 with 8 cylinders, what could be better winkeye :D
rancido64
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Post Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:25 am

e30-dk... stop posting threads like this that make me want to spend more money on my engine when it arrives! :P
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e30-EVN
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Post Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:14 am

Lol sorry man :D,
Gotta be done though mate, the constant search for POWERRRR haha :D
A 2 door e30 with 8 cylinders, what could be better winkeye :D
DanThe
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Post Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:46 pm

S52 is the US M3 engine, based on an M52
S50-US is the US M3 engine based on an M50

Neither are anything like the S50 8)
e30-EVN
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Post Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:55 pm

Right okay, where could I find the right cams? Any good links? 8)
A 2 door e30 with 8 cylinders, what could be better winkeye :D
rancido64
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Post Wed Jan 19, 2011 12:57 pm

e30-dk wrote:Lol sorry man :D,
Gotta be done though mate, the constant search for POWERRRR haha :D
I know winkeye doesn't mean i have to like it though lol
e30-dk wrote:Right okay, where could I find the right cams? Any good links? 8)


Same question :D
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Post Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:00 pm

e30-dk wrote:Right okay, where could I find the right cams? Any good links? 8)
Dezzy knows of a source I believe
DanThe
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Post Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:00 pm

e30-dk wrote:Right okay, where could I find the right cams? Any good links? 8)
American forums, eBay.com, they sometimes come up for sale here, expect to pay £300 +
Duke137
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Post Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:26 pm

Out of interest what are you running in your chromie Dan?
How do you pronounce 'either'? I say 'either', but some say 'either'. Either is correct.
DanThe
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Post Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:16 pm

Standard cams for the engine :)

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Duke137
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Post Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:03 am

Suppose you would with that one lol
How do you pronounce 'either'? I say 'either', but some say 'either'. Either is correct.