m50 cam vs a m52

[mightywhitey]

Any difference in he m50 vanos cam vs the m52 vanos cam? I only ask this because both of my motors are apart and I could easily swap the two if there was a benefit to the m50 cam in the m52 motor.

Having the obd1 intake next to the obd2 clearly is an example of emissions robbery of HP. My engine builder asked if I knew of the m52 cam was changed to also increase emissions benefit and I said I would ask around.

[JGood]

Any difference in he m50 vanos cam vs the m52 vanos cam? I only ask this because both of my motors are apart and I could easily swap the two if there was a benefit to the m50 cam in the m52 motor.

Having the obd1 intake next to the obd2 clearly is an example of emissions robbery of HP. My engine builder asked if I knew of the m52 cam was changed to also increase emissions benefit and I said I would ask around.

Nope. They are both 228 degrees of duration and 9mm left, intake and exhaust. But spending the money for a set of s52 cams would be well worth it, since your motor is apart anyway. I just did s50 cams in my m50, and from what I understand the m52 responds to the cams better then an m50.

[mightywhitey]

The plan is to build the 2nd head with S52 cams for boost by next winter.

[SE30]

The only difference is bmw added some material between lobes to smooth out low RPM vibrations. Set an m50 cam next to an m52 cam next to each other and you'll see the thicker area on the m52. The grind is the same.

[JGood]

The only difference is bmw added some material between lobes to smooth out low RPM vibrations. Set an m50 cam next to an m52 cam next to each other and you'll see the thicker area on the m52. The grind is the same.

Good point. The m52 cam will not fit in m50 cam trays, but an m50 cam will fit in m52 cam trays. It's best to keep the cams in their original trays anyway though, and they are interchangeable since the head castings are the same.

[rpm620]

my E30 i just got a few weeks ago and its a M50 with S52 cams & trays.. i will say when vanos hits at 4,300ish w/e rpm it lets you know whats up.