Camshaft Degreeing for performance

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

So I've got all the tools to setup a camshaft degreeing kit for folks to degree their camshafts for performance. BMW sets their M44 camshafts with a locking tool that locks the back camshaft squares at top with the flywheel pinned, not an exact measurement.

It is also known that they took out some overlap in the camshaft timing to make for a smoother idle. This reduction in overlap of the camshaft timing reduces overall performance just to create a smoother idle.

In my opinion, Metric Mechanic’s and many top builders the best way to degree your camshaft is with a dial indicator and you measure valve lift off the valve seat when the piston is at TDC on the non compression stroke. This is very accurate and gets your degree 100% dead on. You have to have a special lifter installed which has been completely compressed and welded in the compressed position (supplied with kit). You do not use a degree wheel. I will supply detailed instructions and ask for members help writing the instruction before I start sending the kit out for people that are interested in gaining additional untapped HP from their motors.

Some issues I have are I only have performance lift off seat numbers for turbo motors currently so I’m asking if anyone has specs for performance valve lift off seat for stock camshafts. Even if you only know the performance spec using a degree wheel, I can use that to do a local car with the degree wheel then measure with the more accurate way using the dial indicator method.

The dial indicator method is very simple in my opinion and most DIY people should have no issue doing this project in 1-2 hours to gain some untapped power. You will most likely not even notice a change in idle quality but you will definitely notice a increase in power.

So anyone that can help with specs on Valve lift off seat during overlap or even camshaft degree for performance please get involved and help me help us all get this going.

Thanks, John S

[Jean H.318TI]

im the first one doing this right?

[cooljess76]

Now you're talkin John! This is going to be BY FAR the best bang for the buck for M44 guys looking for a little more power. When paired with good software and decent flowing exhaust, you're sure to notice a REAL improvement.


I timed my s52 cams with a dial indicator. Not sure what the factory spec was, but I'm not sold on the flywheel locking pin method either. John, I had a difficult time piecing together a dial indicator setup. I ended up buying a MHC dial indicator with a 2" stroke, a dial indicator extension, a couple 14mm spark plug non-foulers and a Motion Pro 14mm spark plug hole adapter. I basically used this to find "TRUE" TDC. I also machined my own cam locking tool which is what I used to set it to factory spec. Degree-ing your cams to a custom setting will be a little more tricky, but as John said, you can squeeze out a significant amount of HP. Just be careful not to sqeeze too hard as valves hitting pistons tend to make really expensive paper weights

[pdxmotorhead]

Just a side point, if you don't understand lobe separation, duration, and in general HOW a cam affects the engine. (Its more than raw lift and duration) Its worth the money to have a pro do it... Especially with a twin cam motor...

Dave

[spidertri]

I'm definitely interested John, thanks for doing this!

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

The whole point of this kit is to supply the tools to do this project correct with complete instructions, maybe a video so the average DIY can complete the project.

It is a simple project in my opinion. The only thing I'm currently missing is the actual lift off seat numbers for stock motor performance setup. People would be adding a slight bit of overlap in there cam timing so the engine could use the great factory headers to scavenge and pull the intake charge into the cylinder like the motor is built to do from the factory.

This is the really neat thing about twin cam motors, You can play with cam overlap by adjusting them. On a single cam motor you would need to regrind the camshaft to change overlap...

So anyone with anyone with numbers?

John S

[tommymac75]

could you send me more info on the kit- hwere to get it and how much- i will be doing my head swap once i finish rebuilding the head so i have to set the timingi can give this a shot

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

Well I currently only have cam setting information for a turbo motor which is almost zero overlap to stop the boost from blowing out the exhaust. I'm still looking for the stock numbers to degree for performance then I can do the valve off seat measurements then start sending he kit out.

I have seen it before in the internet but I've nt had any luck finding it lately.

There was a good write-up on this about 2 years ago but I can't remember the board it was on. A BMW tech did it.

John Smith

[tommymac75]

what would i need to get the info you are looking for befor i pull my head i get you the info you need i have extra valve adjuster i can weld soild and a dial indecator to measure things out

[familytruckster]

I have a spare complete M44 head and an M42 motor sitting around if they would be of any help

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

There was a article a BMW tech did on the M44 and he degreed the cams for performance and dynoed it and showed the increases from degreeing the cams for performance. He listed the degree changes on the camshafts. I need that article then I can degree a motor like that and take my valve off seat measurements and we would be all set. I have all the tools ready to go I just need to degree the cams to his spec and get my valve off seat measurements to ensure we are dialing in the camshafts right for performance camshaft timing. This camshaft timing will add some overlap and help with scavenging and will produce more power accross the rpm band. Only down side is you might have a slight shake in the idle but not anything bad, only a tiny shake...I already have this due to the massive duration of my cams and it is nothing at all

That is all...

[spidertri]

John, did you see that article online or was it in a magazine or something?

[familytruckster]

old thread here, with a little info on the BMW timing adjustment...

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21403


And I found this after searching for like 5 hours, and about 100 pages of google results...
From http://www.r3vlimited.com/tech/318is/318is.htm which I found here http://www.dtmpower.net/forum/e30-3-...ustable-2.html

Adjust the cam timing - You know how on the E30 M3 you have to buy a $300 kit with adjustable cam sprockets to tune your cam timing? Not on the 318iS! The M42 is equipped with tunable cam sprockets from the factory. So pull your Cosmoline covered valve cover off and with the proper tools you can tweak your intake and exhaust cams up to 6 degrees +/- to provide more top end horsepower or more low end torque. See, you don’t have to blow a grand on a set of Schrick cams to make your M42’s cams a little hotter. The best setup is to adjust the intake cam to 5 degrees (advanced) and leave the exhaust cam alone. I would recommend having a shop do this work.

Also found some interesting info on the cam lockdown tool and how they did the advancement before the updated tools were made. I'm wondering if all the cams are the same between years. The one ppost I found said the techs used a 1mm drill bit on the alignment tool to advance the intake cam the 6*

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

^^Very nice..I'm looking for a article specific to the M44. I can do the math for the M42 with what you have here. I would like you help with your motors so you can do the degree then do the valve of seat measurement so we can eliminate any cam diffenences. The valve off seat cam adjustment elimates different cams and only looks at when the valve timing happens.

I will get into this more.

Thanks for the PM's and sorry I'm behnd on responces, I've been sleeping and working on boats and other items to make cash-flow

John Smith

[spidertri]

Yeah, I've found a lot of threads about M42 degreeing but not many about the M44.