M3 CAM swap in 96-98 2.8

[bmwpower76]

Ive noticed that on turnermotorsports.com you can pick up a set of m3 cams for a couple of hundred of dollars I was worndering if anyone has done the cam sawp or any cam upgrade in a 2.8 s52 motor or of anyother good upgrades , not bolt on such as larger piston's..... I am in tech school right now and in the next semster i will have to do a rebuilt of a motor of my choice i am playing on getting a 96-96 328i,is 5sp and do a full rebuilt. I would like to see a power gain of something close to 30hp+ . to have a 328, in the 200whp area. I know this is a good board and im hopeing your guys can turn me the right way? thanks alot

 

[mybabyM3]

I am planning on doing that mod later this year or early next year. I have to many other things right now I am fixing thanks to the previous owners neglect. That is a very good mod and you should also get the chip that goes with them. You will see a big difference in the cars peformance with this setup. As far as getting them for a couple of hundred bucks that is a steal. The prices I have seen are a grand. Then you have to have someone install them unless you can do it your self. Looks like you will be able to take care of that part.

 

[jrt67ss350]

Don't these cams require the ultra-expensive BMW cam installation tool (thousands of dollars) to install them? I think these are the hollow cams that are easy to break if you don't use the pricey tool. If someone around here doesn't know, that might be something you want to check into before deciding to tackle this engine for your school rebuild project.

Do a small block chevy - there isn't an easier engine to rebuild. J/K. I bet everyone else in your class is probably doing a SBC or Ford. That would be cool to do a BMW engine for your class - I can't imagine that many people tackle something like a BMW engine.

 

[bmwpower76]

for sure all i hear is nascar talk, Ill have to check into the tool your talking about!

 

[manuel]

for 30hp, i would personally get: bigger exhaust, new headers, and software. if you feel froggy, get some nitrous on that thing.

 

[VANCE]

s52 engine is the 3.2 liter ///m engine

 

[JGM3E3632]

3.2 S52 European E36 Evo M3 Motor

3.2 M52 US E36 M3 Motor OBD-II

 

[VANCE]

These are the current engine codes used.

M10 4 Cylinder 1.8L or 2.0L single overhead cam, timing chain.
M20 6 Cylinder 2.0, 2.3, 2.5 or 2.7L single overhead cam, timing belt.
M21 6 Cylinder 2.4L Diesel single overhead cam, timing belt.
M30 6 Cylinder 2.8, 3.0, 3.2, or 3.4L single overhead cam, timing chain.
M40 4 Cylinder, DOHC
M41 4 Cylinder Diesel
M42 4 Cylinder 1.8L DOHC
M44 4 Cylinder 1.9L DOHC
M50 6 Cylinder 2.0, 2.3, or 2.5L DOHC
M50TU 6 Cylinder 2.0, 2.3, or 2.5L DOHC, VANOS variable intake
M51 6 Cylinder Diesel
M52 6 Cylinder 2.0, 2.3, 2.5, or 2.8L DOHC, VANOS variable intake
M52TU 6 Cylinder 2.5 and 3.0L DOHC, VANOS variable intake and exhaust
M54 6 Cylinder 2.5 and 3.0L DOHC, VANOS variable intake and exhaust
M56 6 Cylinder 2.5L DOHC, Dual VANOS, SULEV (low emissions)
M60 8 Cylinder 3.0 or 4.0L
M62 8 Cylinder 3.5 or 4.4L
M70 12 Cylinder 5.0L
M73 12 Cylinder 5.4L
M88 6 Cylinder 3.5L, 24 valve Motorsport engine (only in the BMW M1)
M88/3 same as above, but for all other vehicles
S14 4 Cylinder 2.3L DOHC Motorsport engine (only in the E30 M3)
S38 6 Cylinder 3.6 or 3.8L DOHC Motorsport engine
S50 6 Cylinder 3.0 or 3.2L DOHC, Dual VANOS Motorsport engine (Non-US M3)
S50US 6 Cylinder 3.0 or 3.2L DOHC, Single VANOS Motorsport engine (US M3)
S52 6 Cylinder 3.2L DOHC, Dual VANOS Motorsport engine
S54 6 Cylinder 3.2L DOHC, Dual VANOS Motorsport engine
S62 8 Cylinder 5.0L quad cam, quad VANOS Motorsport engine
S70 12 Cylinder 5.6L Motorsport engine

source.........................
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/JF-Tech/BMW_Designation_faq.htm

 

[bmwpower76]

sorry everyone m52

 

[JGM3E3632]

I know that everywhere else the engine is called the s52. (96-99) M3. But what is the engine code for the U.S. Is it S52 U.S. Or is it M52? Because I have heard people use both names. Someone correct me.


http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=3756

 

[VANCE]

the ///m engines have a "s" prefix

 

[JGM3E3632]

yes I know that. All I was saying was that the Euro S52 is the true S52. I now that is what my engine code is. I have just heard that some people refer to it as an M52. When I worked at the GMC BMW and Merc dealership. A BMW tech told me since it was a U.S. S52 and it was not a Euro spec motor. They called it an M52. That was all I was saying.

 

[VANCE]

who knows?
if you look at my previous post there is not a 3.2 liter listed under m52