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Thread: M54b30 intake cam centerline

  1. #1
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    M54b30 intake cam centerline

    Does anyone know if the centerline of the m54b30 intake cam is the same as non vanos intakecam?

    Or in other words, will the result be correct with the standard timing blocks in an m50?

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    I measured an M54b30 intake cam as having a 122.5 degree centerline. I don't remember exactly what the centerline of the non vanos cam is. I want to say its around 110.


    86 325es, 2.8L m50, S476sxe, ProEFI 128 ecu, e85, solid rear axle, TH400 trans, 28x10.5w slicks, zip ties, popsicle sticks, tape
    best time 9.06 @ 151.8 mph, best 60 foot 1.30

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    So it have to be degreed then?

    - - - Updated - - -

    But the m54 uses the same cam lock tool. So it cant be that far off.

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    Alot of people have run them with the blocks and not degreeing them. People say it works well.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by s50b30 View Post
    But the m54 uses the same cam lock tool. So it cant be that far off.
    An M54 also has continously variable vanos so the ECU can put it whatever centerline it wants.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Actually I think the non vanos intake cam stock is 102-106 or something like that. I can't find my numbers from when I measured it.


    86 325es, 2.8L m50, S476sxe, ProEFI 128 ecu, e85, solid rear axle, TH400 trans, 28x10.5w slicks, zip ties, popsicle sticks, tape
    best time 9.06 @ 151.8 mph, best 60 foot 1.30

  5. #5
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    <110 degree CL sounds pretty aggressive for a stock cam. That right?

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    Catcams generally has the stock cam information available on their website.
    -Nick
    91 E30 M42 on VEMS

    Turbo Camshaft Thread

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    Quote Originally Posted by Def View Post
    <110 degree CL sounds pretty aggressive for a stock cam. That right?
    its not aggressive for a baby stock cam, have no idea its correct though wouldnt be far off

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    Quote Originally Posted by digger View Post
    its not aggressive for a baby stock cam, have no idea its correct though wouldnt be far off
    Even a 240 degree duration cam would have significant intake valve opening before TDC. Now, if that's the most advanced position of the intake cam in the VANOS window, then it makes sense. Usually variable cam CL's are quoted based on the nominal operating position of the cam adjsuter in my experience, so being able to advance it significantly from there would basically have you losing half your intake stroke.

  9. #9
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    So how do you guys set up the cams?
    I got a tips of setting both cams to open the valves 1mm at tdc.
    Does that sound right?
    Anyone got pictures of something of how they set up the indicator dial?
    Arent the cam lobes wider then the lifters?
    Its been a while since the engine was opened.

  10. #10
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    having the cams open 1mm at tdc would be about a 102 degree lobe center angle with a 240 degree lobe. You can reach the lifter with a dial indicator if you attach a piece of welding rod to the indicator.



    This is what I measured an M54b30 intake cam at

    noM54b30 intake camshaft
    installed straight up
    LCA = 122.5 deg
    lift = .381"
    duration @ .005" lift = 237 degrees
    duration @ .050" lift = 201 degrees

    lift vs crankshaft angle
    .005" = 5.5 atdc
    .020" = 14
    .050" = 22
    .100" = 33
    .150" = 41.5
    .200" = 54
    .250" = 63.5
    .300" = 76.5
    .350" = 94
    .378" = 112.5
    .378" = 132.5
    .350" = 150.5
    .300" = 167.5
    .250" = 181
    .200" = 192.5
    .150" = 202
    .100" = 211.5
    .050" = 223
    .020" = 232
    .005" = 242.5


    86 325es, 2.8L m50, S476sxe, ProEFI 128 ecu, e85, solid rear axle, TH400 trans, 28x10.5w slicks, zip ties, popsicle sticks, tape
    best time 9.06 @ 151.8 mph, best 60 foot 1.30

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    Quote Originally Posted by Def View Post
    Even a 240 degree duration cam would have significant intake valve opening before TDC. Now, if that's the most advanced position of the intake cam in the VANOS window, then it makes sense. Usually variable cam CL's are quoted based on the nominal operating position of the cam adjsuter in my experience, so being able to advance it significantly from there would basically have you losing half your intake stroke.
    what i meant was that if you were using it in NV engine 110 would not be an aggressive LSA. on the vanos engines the default retarded position would be alot wider than 110 something 120-130 is typical so you can advance to somewhere close to 70*

    is the OP looking to use m54 cam in M50NV engine is what i am guessing?

  12. #12
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    M50b25 non vano intake cam centerline = 102 degrees (240 duration)
    m50b25 vanos =108 (228 duration)
    US S52 = 120. (252 duration)
    M54b30 = 122.5 (240 duration)

    I've checked these all myself
    Last edited by someguy2800; 12-17-2016 at 12:53 AM.


    86 325es, 2.8L m50, S476sxe, ProEFI 128 ecu, e85, solid rear axle, TH400 trans, 28x10.5w slicks, zip ties, popsicle sticks, tape
    best time 9.06 @ 151.8 mph, best 60 foot 1.30

  13. #13
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    Gents,

    I've been holding off...as I usually get dragged in to M54 discussions.

    The VANOS provides the following lobe range:

    Intake: 86 to 126 degrees ATDC

    Exhaust: -112 to -87 degrees

    When the engine is started, the cams remain in the "default position", which is the intake @ 126 degrees and the exhaust at -112 degrees.

    The "default position", is where the cams are locked into the timing tool at the back of the engine, or with the cams with the front lobes in the same position as shown above by Perry, and a ruler flat against the square edge of both cams at the back.

    After the engine gets a synch on the cams, they move to another position which varies based on temps and airflow.

    The MS43 does check that position of the cams in the "default position" when the engine is started. If the VANOS has not been setup correctly, it will pick up that the cams are off and trigger a code. People have installed the VANOS without using the positioning tools, but I'm not one of them....
    Last edited by PEI330Ci; 12-17-2016 at 11:25 AM.

  14. #14
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    Ok. So I got a hold on a dial indicator now.
    What should I set the cams to at tdc?
    The exhaustcam was set at 1.3mm lift at tdc before. And that seemed good.
    But what should I set the intake cam to?

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    Anybody know how much lift on tdc the oem spec is?

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    See post #10. You can figure out whatever centerline you want from those numbers


    86 325es, 2.8L m50, S476sxe, ProEFI 128 ecu, e85, solid rear axle, TH400 trans, 28x10.5w slicks, zip ties, popsicle sticks, tape
    best time 9.06 @ 151.8 mph, best 60 foot 1.30

  17. #17
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    Sorry, I cant make much of that.

    Cat cams state the lift at tdc is 0.35mm
    And 0.75mm with 240 cams.
    http://www.catcams.co.uk/acatalog/BM...gle_Vanos.html

    Does that sound right?

  18. #18
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    I'm going to back up again, what angle do you want to put it in at? If you put it in at the stock m54 angle it will be closed at TDC. The only right way to do this is with a degree wheel and finding the true lobe center but if you can tell me what you want to do I might be able to help you get half ass close using the marks on the crank damper


    86 325es, 2.8L m50, S476sxe, ProEFI 128 ecu, e85, solid rear axle, TH400 trans, 28x10.5w slicks, zip ties, popsicle sticks, tape
    best time 9.06 @ 151.8 mph, best 60 foot 1.30

  19. #19
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    Not trying to do anything fancy.
    I got told to mount the intake cam as stock, (and exhaust to 1.3mm lift at tdc)but since the timing blocks dont match with the m54 cams. Im a little lost. If the cat cams info is to rely on, I should just mount it up and measure lift to 0.75mm at tdc?

  20. #20
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    If you put the intake cam in at .75 mm lift it will be at a 105 degree center angle. I would set it to about .25 mm lift which would be about a 114 degree center angle. That worked well for me.


    86 325es, 2.8L m50, S476sxe, ProEFI 128 ecu, e85, solid rear axle, TH400 trans, 28x10.5w slicks, zip ties, popsicle sticks, tape
    best time 9.06 @ 151.8 mph, best 60 foot 1.30

  21. #21
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    Sounds good.
    Is 1.3mm good on exhaust side? (nv intake cam)

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    Do you have a dynopaper of the result? What turbo do you use?

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    never been on a dyno


    86 325es, 2.8L m50, S476sxe, ProEFI 128 ecu, e85, solid rear axle, TH400 trans, 28x10.5w slicks, zip ties, popsicle sticks, tape
    best time 9.06 @ 151.8 mph, best 60 foot 1.30

  24. #24
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    Ok. When do you have full boost? And what turbo? And displacement?

    Btw can empty lifters make a false Reading?
    My engine havent been started up yet.

  25. #25
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    I'm not running those cams anymore. I had an s366 on a 2.8l non vanos and it made like 25 lbs by 4800 or so. If your measuring the top of the lifters it won't make any difference if they have oil in them


    86 325es, 2.8L m50, S476sxe, ProEFI 128 ecu, e85, solid rear axle, TH400 trans, 28x10.5w slicks, zip ties, popsicle sticks, tape
    best time 9.06 @ 151.8 mph, best 60 foot 1.30

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