M52 or S52 in an E30
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It is convenient that the heads are no different between m5x and s5x. So by swapping cams you have the full thing rather than still being limited by smaller ports or other differences.
Just an FYI early (OBD1) heads have different cam trays and lifters that don't fit the late cams that have the extra balancing material between the lobes. The profiles are the same between OBD1 and OBD2 but the OBD2 cams are thicker. Just a heads up, it looks like you aren't considering an M50 anyway but just in case.
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Yep, M52 or bust. They are newer than an M50, more powerful than an M50, and basically the same price. $1000 for 40 whp is easy to deal with when you are already doing an OBD1 build and have to buy the tune and manifold anyways.
The Supersprint replica headers I bought were $87 shipped, new. Tune was $200, manifold was $75, cams were $400
Just need to pick up the M52 now
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The Supersprint replica headers I bought were $87 shipped, new. Tune was $200, manifold was $75, cams were $400
Wow, the prices on those sure went up!
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It's a 2 person job to remove/install them. One to hold the cam with a wrench so it doesn't turn and another to tighten the cap where the pressure is. Then you can put all of the other caps on before releasing it from turning, assuming you don't have the fancy cam tool. I have done it with no special tools one time and would try it again but be careful. Or maybe I am way more careful than I need to be.
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I have A fancy cam tool
The blocks for locking the squares? Or the cam installation tool?
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Oh jeez, there are more tools required ?!?

️Doing some reading
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/E36-Camshaft-Removal/E36-camshaft-removal.htm
And now I understand your 2-person method. Thanks for mentioning that. Now I am trying to understand how the procedure described in the pelican article would even work with the head installed since they are moving the cams in a different position than TDC... (reading continues)
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Just don't have the bottom end at TDC and you can spin the cams all you want. There is only a small window where they would collide. You don't need tools for any of it. Just a straightedge to set the cams square with each other, easy peasy. When it's time to do it's can walk you through it.
Sent from my 831C using Tapatalk
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Also if you take a Chanel lock apart and use the piece with the top jaw, you can use that to turn the exhaust cam sprocket like the vanos removal tool. Or how I did it my first time with no special tools just using a box wrench to loosen the intake cam sprocket nuts to turn it.
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So time the cams with the cams at TDC and the timing chains removed and the engine 45 deg off TDC. Then rotate engine back to TDC and attach chains. This is my interpretation
Exactly.
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