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Thread: S54 valve adjustment interval for track use?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
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    S54 valve adjustment interval for track use?

    Car is 99% track use and rev limit has been raised to 8K. The near continuous use at high RPMs has got to be harder on the valvetrain, so anyone reduce their interval with track use?
    2001 Steel Gray MCoupe - 147,000 miles and owned since new. MCS 2WNR suspension, Hotchkiss swaybar, poly bushings all around, cat delete headers with custom tune, 3.73 LSD, and Clownshoe Motorsports rear subframe reinforcement.

    2014 Porsche Cayman S / 2022 BMW X3M Competition / 2020 Ram Rebel

  2. #2
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    Jan 2002
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    I have no expert opinion to base it on, but I plan to recheck mine at about 10K. I’ve done it for two other S54 track cars with a couple of seasons of driving on them, and they were both very close. I think I only changed two shims each.
    '95 M3 S54 Track Toy
    '19 X5 40i M-Sport
    '16 Cayman GT4
    ‘23 GR Corolla

  3. #3
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    Free America AZ
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    I check/adjust my valves every time I change the oil, which is every 1,000 track miles. Rev limit of 8.2K, track only. Overkill maybe, but it gives an opportunity to snoop around inside there as well.
    Dave
    '18 RAM 2500 Laramie Cummins
    '15 Pure White VW Touareg TDI
    ///'95 Avus M3 S54B32 Race car -- 2022 ProAutoSports PS1 Champion
    ///'72 Chamonix 2002 (Restoration project)

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by MPWRCPE View Post
    I check/adjust my valves every time I change the oil, which is every 1,000 track miles. Rev limit of 8.2K, track only. Overkill maybe, but it gives an opportunity to snoop around inside there as well.
    Followup question then, are you seeing anything at 1000 miles that needs shimming?

    I'd like to figure out based on others experience what a decent interval would be.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bobkid View Post
    Followup question then, are you seeing anything at 1000 miles that needs shimming?

    I'd like to figure out based on others experience what a decent interval would be.
    Maybe 1 or 2. I keep records of ALL of my valve adjustments/inspections as well (good idea). After my first proper valve adjustment I have not made many shim changes.

    As i mentioned it's really just piece of mind for me to check the top end every 1K miles. S54's are awfully expensive as wear items and it gets worked hard on track especially with proper gearing.

    Then again I do full inspections on the car before each weekend, so I'm a bit over cautious maybe.
    Dave
    '18 RAM 2500 Laramie Cummins
    '15 Pure White VW Touareg TDI
    ///'95 Avus M3 S54B32 Race car -- 2022 ProAutoSports PS1 Champion
    ///'72 Chamonix 2002 (Restoration project)

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    e36 M3 x 2
    It was recommended to me to do annual valve adjustments for a track only car. I just checked mine after 1.5 years of track use, no street miles. All valves were within spec.

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by lcrain View Post
    It was recommended to me to do annual valve adjustments for a track only car. I just checked mine after 1.5 years of track use, no street miles. All valves were within spec.
    Appreciate the feedback. Starting to build a nice picture here.

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