S50 cam trays bearing ledge compatibility?

[bimmerboy318]

According to realoem, the cam tray/bearing ledge part numbers for my 95 S50 is the same for several other cars. Is this indeed the case when looking for them on the used market? I intend to upgrade the cams and will purchase new INA lifters. Just want to make sure the cam trays are indeed the same.

It appears that S50, M52, S52, M54 in any corresponding chassis will work. Note: M50 US cam trays are not listed as working. Only the M50 EURO. Not sure what the difference might be though.

[Greenday694]

I'm not sure about the M54, or the 52tu engines. They are dual Vanos.
The 50 and 52 single Vanos engines I believe are the same.
I think the problem you might have with used cam trays, is the wear marks in the lifter pockets. The s50 and s52 cams have a slightly higher lift. So the wear marks from the lifters will be a little bit longer as compared to the M50 and m-52 trays.
The shorter wear marks in the M50 and m-52, could leave a very slight Ridge or bump, that the lifter could catch on with the higher lift cams.
Even if that all works out fine, the s50 and s52 head has a slightly better valve spring, to accommodate the slightly higher lift and duration.
This is only from what I've read on the subject. I could be wrong?

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

[pbonsalb]

M52 and S52 trays will fit any cam. M50 and S50 cams will not fit M52 or S52 cams. I have been informed that minor clearancing will fix that. I believe the clearancing is near the front but have never done it and don’t know the exact details.

Plenty have swapped S50 and S52 cams into M50 and M52 trays and not worried about wear marks on the lifters. But if you are a worrier, INA lifters were cheap the last time I checked.

I am not sure what valve springs are best. I ran S52 springs with Schrick cams and a centrifugal supercharger at up to 16 psi and with stock S52 cams and a turbo at up to 23 psi. Some people with very high boost use M50 dual springs. I now run stiffer duals from Supertech as part of a +1mm incomes/stainless valve and ported head package.