Interesting cam info

[JGood]

The general consensus I got from previous discussions is that s50 cams go into vanos m50's, and s52 cams go in m52's. You can also use s52 cams in m50's, only if you use the s52/m52 cam trays.

I spent some time on realoem.com


The part numbers for cam trays are as follows:

m50 325i e36 and m50 525i e34 up to 9/94:
Bearing Ledge Intake - 11121744141
Bearing Ledge Exhaust - 11121744144


M52 328i, 95+ e36 M3 (s50 and s52), and 9/94 and up m50 525i:
Bearing Ledge Exhaust - 11121436224
Bearing Ledge Intake - 11121740428


Furthermore, here is a list of cars that use the s50/m52/s52 cam trays (basically anything with an m52/s52/m54):

E34:
E34 525i Sedan
E34 525i Touring

E36:
E36 323i Coupe
E36 323i Convertible
E36 328i Sedan
E36 328i Coupe
E36 328i Convertible
E36 M3 Coupe
E36 M3 Convertible
E36 M3 Sedan

E39:
E39 528i Sedan
E39 525i Touring
E39 525i Sedan
E39 528i Touring
E39 530i Sedan

E46:
E46 320i Sedan
E46 323Ci Coupe
E46 323Ci Convertible
E46 323i Touring
E46 323i Sedan
E46 325Ci Coupe
E46 325Ci Convertible
E46 325i Touring
E46 325i Sedan
E46 325xi Touring
E46 325xi Sedan
E46 328Ci Coupe
E46 328i Sedan
E46 330Ci Convertible
E46 330Ci Coupe
E46 330i Sedan
E46 330xi Sedan

E53:
E53 X5 3.0i SAV

E60:
E60 525i Sedan
E60 530i Sedan

E83:
E83 X3 2.5i SAV
E83 X3 3.0i SAV

E85:
E85 Z4 2.5i Roadster
E85 Z4 3.0i Roadster

Z3:
Z3 Z3 2.8 Roadster
Z3 Z3 M Roadster
Z3 Z3 M Coupe
Z3 Z3 2.5 Roadster
Z3 Z3 2.5i Roadster
Z3 Z3 2.8 Coupe
Z3 Z3 3.0i Coupe
Z3 Z3 3.0i Roadster



The 9/94+ 525i m50 cam try is what intrigues me the most. Mine is a 3/94, so it doesn't apply, but I'm still interested. The cam part numbers for those engines are also different then any other US car, but are used in many euro m50/m52 cars.


But more to the point - I don't see how the s50 trays and s52 trays are the same, but you need to swap in s52 trays when using s52 cams, but don't have to swap in s50 trays when using s50 cams.

[JGood]

Well, found the answer:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=989868&postcount=11

S50 cam trays are the new square-core style that accept s52 cams, but the stock s50 cams are the old round-core m50 style, which fit in m50 trays.


Well, this thread at least serves the purpose of discovering that 9/94 and up m50's from e34 525i's will accept s52 cams, as they have the later style trays.

[SamE30e]

So are you saying that a NVM50 in a 525i could use the S50 exhaust cam without swapping trays?

[JGood]

So are you saying that a NVM50 in a 525i could use the S50 exhaust cam without swapping trays?

No. I don't think I mentioned anything about any non-vanos motors...


What I was saying is that it appears you can use any m50/m52/s50/s52 cam in a 9/94 and up m50 IF it's from an e34, not an e36.

[Uber E30]

FYI s50 and s52 cams are exactly the same except for the shape of the core (square vs round) and are interchangeable. S50 cams arent JUST for m50's. Basicly anything that uses a head with a 400 casting can take any s50/s52/m52 cams with only the m50tu needing the trays changed out.



Also... no e34's used m52 so your list is off.

[JGood]

Also... no e34's used m52 so your list is off.

I never said it used an m52. The 9/94+ e34 uses an m50 with the later style cam trays, that's the point of the thread. That list is from realoem.

[Uber E30]

Ah very interesting, i guess they made the switch when they made the s50.

[JGood]

I'm curious of the cam specs of that late model 525i. It's the same cam that a lot of the euro m50's and m52's used according to the ETK. I'm sure it's nothing wild (maybe even same specs as other US m50's), but who knows? Anyone have any info?

[SamE30e]

No. I don't think I mentioned anything about any non-vanos motors...


What I was saying is that it appears you can use any m50/m52/s50/s52 cam in a 9/94 and up m50 IF it's from an e34, not an e36.

I forgot they put Vanos M50's in the 525i my bad!

[416stroker]

Non vanos Cam tray numbers from real oem are the same ?91 525 a

Bearing Ledge Intake 11121744141
Bearing Ledge Exhaust 11121744144

even the head numbers are the same?
11121748069 N/V

11121748069 V


I dont get why the s50 cams wont work?

Is there a visual difference? Did bmw just keep the same P/N for the hell of it?

[lennon]

non vanos cam sprockets and all that up front are different

edit- that is to say, i think the cam from a vanos motor has a different front end that will not mate with the non-vanos cam gear, and vice versa.

[416stroker]

OK thats what I was wondering. I never compaired them I read they dont fit. I just never asked why. Just the way the cam sproket ataches is differnt I would love to compair pictures. Im going to do a little bit of searching.

[lennon]

yes check out realoem or something to compare the two. youll see what im talking about.

[416stroker]

vanos =Triangular intake


Non vanos= square intake, just like the exhaust side.