Trying to Guage Interest in Cams and Chip

[GDB]

I was doing some searches on google and came across a group buy a while back for the cams and chip for the M44. Some company did a group buy and the parts ended up being ~$1000 and was supposed to be good for about 180bhp. I was wondering if anyone on here would be seriously interested in this. I know that I would. Anyways, if you are interested then I will start talking to vendors and see if anyone wants to hook us up.

-Matt

[RAiMA]

Sounds pretty good :)

Good luck with it and let us know how you go :)

[gooten1]

Plus 180 hp? or just adding 20 on to what we have?

[Tyler]

Plus 180 hp? or just adding 20 on to what we have?

We only have 140hp so it would add about 40 more hp. The ti's aren't 160

[Jeff Spooner]

to install new camshafts requires a special fixture to align them. It is not cheap.

[GDB]

to install new camshafts requires a special fixture to align them. It is not cheap.

what is it about the cams that requires this special tool? how are they any different from every other ohc engine? Also, where can I get this tool? Thanks.

[ClubSport]

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Camshaft-Removal/E36-camshaft-removal.htm

[GDB]

hmmm. Well I guess the option to just take it to a shop and have them do it is still an option (although i don't really like the idea of other people working on my car).

So is anyone else actually interested in this or not? I have contacted a few vendors (by no means all of them) but if no one else is interested in this then I will not waste my time on it.

[Jeff Spooner]

the tool referd to is just to set the cams in the head. There is also a tool that locks the cams on TDC and a pin that locks the flywheel in place. It cost around $350. I would not attemp the swap without it. The same tool fits the 6cyl and 4cyl heads.

[bimmerboi318]

Yeah I've seen the special tools, and probably wouldnt want to try without them. Although on disposable cars like Neons, visegrips work for holding cams in place.

[Jeff Spooner]

never tried that one. But thats why I try to work on only the best cars made BMW's.

[bimmerboi318]

Yeah my ti is alot nicer to work on than any dodge made. But you have to admit...with chrysler building cars...there's and endless supply of work for techs :)

[TiPerformance]

I would be interested, let me know what you can find out, BTW what years are you looking into for cams the M44 or the M42 or both because the cams are different for each application. Also most of us will need a mild cam for street use.



Ok check here for the tool $25.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2496972163&category=43991

I was working on getting a set ground and everything kinda fell through, the head I got with the cams was wrong, and the place I contaced never called me back.

Here is what I have found, Hopefully this might help a little.

The following carry cams for the M44

http://www.bmpdesign.com

http://www.bimmerperformance.com

http://www.kentcams.com


The following might be able to do custom regrinds tailored to the specs that the previous 3 manafactures give, possibly alot cheaper, however we would have to send in our stock cams. But if we were to get a GP on here and several other sites, we could probably cut cost alot.

http://www.coltcams.com/supplies.htm

http://www.oregoncamshaft.com/regrinding.html


http://www.deltacam.com/

http://www.jandm-machine.com


effingham Regrinding Inc, 217-342-4186, Effingham, IL.

Might take some phone calls and some work, but it would be worth it in the end I think.

[TiPerformance]

Also if we could get pullies for the M44 that would be Great as well. Just enough of us need to show interest.

[GDB]

I was not aware of kent cams, I'll have to contact them. And I have been asking about the M44, but I probably should see if they could include the M42.

If this goes through then there is a place near my parents house that does custom pullies. I could go and talk to them, I have heard alot of good things about them. On a side note, are our crank pullies harmonically balanced?

[Jeff Spooner]

the tool looks like it should work, but make sure you get the pin for the crank. Kent cams listed the cam as only a 10-15 hp increase. that is a lot of work and money for a small gain.

[TiPerformance]

See the problem with HP is that it can be measured in so many different ways. BHP, FHP, GHP,IHP, net HP, Chasis Dyno HP and even Taxable HP.

BHP measures the usable HP to the engine crank shaft, or "at the flywheel"
Chassis Dyno HP is the amount of HP delivered to the drive wheels, or "Wheel HP"

If Kent cams is measuring the HP increase to the wheels then I would say that 10-15 HP is a pretty decent gain. I was quoted $400 from Kent a while back to send my stock cams in and have them reground.

So if that is the case any cam grinder should be able to do that, and in many cases you might be able to get it done cheaper.

I am not sure if our pulley is harmonically balanced, but wouldn't they be on a V-6 also and they have pullies for them, I honestly think we are a market that is just looked over.

If we really want to get Cams and pulleys, we need to have a decent sized group probably 15-20 and show some interest with one company. I know on BMW-Forums and bimmerforums that there are several people with M44 in 318I and Is that might be interested.

[needle332rur]

no way 180bhp NA enless head work and higher comp. cam and a chip won't do that.

[TiPerformance]

I can honeslty see 180 "flywheel HP" with racing cams and tuning, but that isn't going to be beneficial to most that drive their cat daily, however I bet with mild street cams, look for a increase of about 25-30 HP to the flywheel.

[schussey]

i'm pretty sure shrick (sp?) does cams for the M44 as well....

[GDB]

Well I've contacted all the vendors I know of, now I've just gotta bug 'em until they give me some info.

[GDB]

Well I just heard back from Kent Cams. The would do it from ~280 US dollars per person with a 5 person buy in. Only problem is they are stock regrinds and would require everyone to send their cams across the pond to have the work done. If anyone is interested in this then I will let them know, but I personally am not interested.

[TiPerformance]

Like I said on bimmer forums, if I can get a spare set of cams I will be in on the deal.

[GDB]

Here's the link to the GB page. These are the best prices I've found since no one has conntacted me about the Schrick cams. These will also be tailor made to your application so the DASC and Turbo guys can get in on this too.

http://bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3115757#post3115757