Measuring piston to valve clearance with vanos on BMW M50

[@konigvonpreuen8065]

Thinking I'll need to use this info after my M54B30 head is resurfaced, so I can see if a stock thickness head gasket can still be used. Would like to benefit from the slight increase in compression.

[@fairchildSCR]

What is difference between a hydraulic lifter cam and a solid lifter cam in a bmw m52/s52/m50?

[@someguy325es]

More than I can explain in a KZbin comment. Basically it’s the speed that the cam takes up the first .010-.020” of lift.

[@rickygaragee36]

I assembled an M50b30 and I'm using the M54b30 cam on the intake and the m50b25iNV intake cam on the exhaust. What will be the best point to make the most of this configuration? At the OEM point it measured 260hp 310nm

[@someguy325es]

Try some different settings on the dyno and let us know

[@tylerdamato8514]

For the exhaust cam, what is the tightest point? Is it the same 12.5deg for the crank, and then spin the exhaust cam the same crank rotation angle/2?

[@h82crash]

Just confirming, 12 deg ATDC? Unless I'm messed up, looks like you're at 12 BTDC.

[@jamelbenkhalifa9991]

Correct, he turned counterclockwise but still same piston position, that wouldn't affect the timing

[@Doomer17018]

Great video, interesting stuff. I am planning on running a M52b28 with S50 cams and M52TUb28 pistons. The TU pistons have smaller reliefs than the pre-TU pistons, looks like Ill be measuring the clearance using this method. If there is an issue looks like retarding the intake cam is a solution. Will this cause issues with the phasing diagnostics if running a stock DME? Otherwise I could always run the shims to limit the travel

[@someguy325es]

The TU pistons actually have larger valve reliefs than the pre TU pistons. You will have plenty of piston to valve clearance for S50 cams with either the TU or non TU pistons. The setting I like to use with S50 cams on an M52 is to advance the intake cam like 2 degrees LCA and retard the exhaust cam 10-12 degrees LCA. These measurements are crankshaft degrees. It would be half that amount if measured at the camshaft.

[@thurstonsmith9191]

@@someguy325es what cam settings would you suggest m54 intake cam and m50 nv exhaust cam for m52b30 engine?

[@Gummisut]

is the intake cam rotated 180 deg. from TDC when checking ? When crank and cam is at TDC, the cyl.1 piston is in top position, and cyl.1 intake valve is almost closed. but when turning crank 360 deg, the piston is still in top, and cam rotates 180 deg. and are opening valve ? or am i misunderstanding something ? or is it not cyl 1 valve to piston clearence is measured ?

[@someguy325es]

It is at TDC at the beginning of the intake stroke so the intake cam is already opening the valve.

[@Gummisut]

@@someguy325es Yes exactly, thank you. very good video.

[@bimmerboy318i]

Really informative as I’ll be checking my S50. However, is your 12deg crank angle before TDC or after?

[@bimmerboy318i]

Nvm - 12 deg BTDC or 12 deg ATDC will put the piston at the exact same height.

[@melekk0]

hey sir i want to ask u how do you know how much clearance u need between piston and valve ?

[@someguy325es]

You should have about 1.5mm minimum on the intake valves with vanos on, and about 2mm on the exhaust. The exhaust is almost never a problem though.

[@melekk0]

@@someguy325es thanks for ur time are this value for kinda every cars or just for bmw ,? on fiat grande punto for example do i need about 1.5mm minimum on the intake valves ?

[@albertvandam530]

I am installing schrick 256/264 cams on my stock s52. Do i need to do anything timing adjustment for valve clearance or do you think I am ok.

[@someguy325es]

Those should be okay with stock blocks, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to check

[@jdoc6062]

Do you sell cam blocks? If so where can I get them?

[@someguy325es]

yes, email me at [e-mail]

[@SwedishImportsME]

When you retarding intake cam what should be done with impulse wheel ?

[@someguy325es]

Don’t need to do anything

[@someguy325es]

Don’t need to do anything

[@p61111]

can it be fixed with 0.140 mls head gasket?

[@someguy325es]

It would not have run properly or make good power if I had left the cams in their original position, so just adding a thicker head gasket would not be a good fix. I am running these cams retimed to appropriate centerlines with full vanos travel and no valve clearance issues. I have them timed to 115 degrees intake and 111 degrees exhaust.

[@MarkyDGFX]

So if I run VAC’s 280/280 cam on my s50 with 9:1 JE pistons (valve reliefs are pretty deep if I remember correctly) would I need to shim the vanos still or could I just check the PTV with play doh on the pistons and rotate the motor. With a set of your timing blocks and let her rip? Currently running your cam blocks at 6* retard on exhaust 4* advance on intake with my s50 cams and it pulls hard with the 6466

[@someguy325es]

I had a set of vac 280/264 cams in my car before these and they cleared the pistons with quite a bit of room to spare. If you do the play doh method make sure you have the vanos advanced when you do it.