What Does The M3 Cams Do For You - BMW Forum

jshearer · 03-05-2005, 07:18 PM

I have been looking into doing some things to my car with my tax return. I had decided what I would do in total in the long run and it did not involve anything in depth. I was about to order my computer chip when i saw that they sell the separate chip for those people that have m3 cams in their cars.

What do the m3 cams do for you exactly and how much of a performance boost can you expect?

Does anyone know how expensive they can be and how expensive in it to get them installed? I obviously don't know enouhg about the engine to take anything apart.

bigred318 · 03-05-2005, 07:19 PM

i have heard around 30+hp or so with proper turning.. anyone got a more precise number? also cams are SPENDY

David

jshearer · 03-05-2005, 07:24 PM

I have read the info i could find on the forums, but have not found a concrete number. Also I have a 1994 325is, so OBDI. I would do the software too, but would like to know if it is required or if I can get it later?

e36_m3_Turbo · 03-05-2005, 07:27 PM

ya u have to do software with the cams or it wont run right. about 20-30hp

bigred318 · 03-05-2005, 07:30 PM

or what you can do is buy the conforti chip from tms (the 250$ one) run that in your car for a while have some fun with that while you save for the m3 cams once you have enough money for the cams overnight your chip back to TMS they will reprogram it for 100$ (so it comes out to be 350$ which is how much the chip for m3 cams is anyways) this way you atleast have some more power (the chip is GREAT) for a while, while you save for the m3 cams which arent cheap!

Thats my advice

But if you have the money for both get it now

David

jshearer · 03-05-2005, 07:54 PM

I did'nt really think about that. I am going to by the conforti chip from them but had to get my ECU info first(i actually was on the last page of checkout then was like crap i forgot that i need that). I guess it is the same price, although they reprogram for free for 6 months so couldn;t they reprogram it to work for the cams in 6 months for free?

Also is it 20-30 hp with chip and all? The chip claims 22 peak by itself.

catalyst. · 03-05-2005, 07:57 PM

Cams are alot of money.. but they are probably one of the biggest bang for buck mods you will ever do.

If you can do them yourself you can save alot of money, and if you bring them to a shop to do it make sure they know how to take cams out of the m50 motor or else theyll probably end up breaking your stock cams while removing them.

I say go with bigreds idea, i plan on doing this when i get enough cash... im going with rims before i get cams though.. i want to learn how to use the power i have now before i start adding more ponies.

Youll gain around 25-30 horses, but the difference with the chip and the cams is (other than the fact that the chip simply doesnt add as much power) the torque/hp curve, the cams will most likely change the curve alot and make the power alot more usable in everyday driving.

Jrhaile just did this to his car.. and i think he also used an m3 vanos unit, so see what he has to say when he posts.. (his motor is a 2.8L but the principle should be the same, only using s52 cams instead of the s50 cams us 2.5L guys need.

jshearer · 03-05-2005, 08:51 PM

I broke down and ordered the chip. I already ordered new 17" high performance directional tires and am ordering new 17" wheels within the week. I have just been saving a bit and am doing it all at once. I am also looking at the clear lights and possibly a rear deck lip spoiler like the 5 series(I don't want anything real flashy and like the lines of the car as it is). CAI in the summer and I should be done except for the possibility of m3 cams later.

Oh yeah I bought the conforti chip which they are offering free shipping on it right now too, so no tax and free shipping(I love the internet). Should have it all going in a couple of weeks.

Rooz · 03-05-2005, 09:55 PM

when you do cams, I would imagine you would need to replace some other things for them to be trully efficient...

capslinky · 03-05-2005, 10:54 PM

Jshearer- funny it seems we are in the same boat, i have recently done quite a bit of research on the m3 cams, and i have had my chip from active autowerke (who btw use conforti's software) for just under a year. The chip itself is a good upgrade, but all it did was make more power at a lower RPM. The 22HP is BS. Its just more 'peppier' now. I am currently knee deep in oil this weekend, as my cousin (mechanic) and i have been ripping apart my 94' 325i engine bay. Anyways, getting back to your question about the cams and install. The install / swap of the m3 cams for your cars cams is actually very simple -- i think about 14 brackets total. Getting to the cams is the hard part as the intake manifold (headers), cam timing chains, vanos unit etc... are in your way. I only know this now because i had to replace my head gasket

ghead which was a real pain in the ass, i took a bunch of pictures of my cams and how they looked in my engine so pm me if you wanna take a look at how involved the install would be. BTW i just ordered my CAIS and front / rear strut tower braces from cosmoracing.com came out to be 350 w/ shipping. Not bad.. Anywho GL with your cams.
Anthony P

Rooz · 03-05-2005, 11:00 PM

jshearer, keep me informed on how this goes, am quite interested in this...

jrhaile · 03-05-2005, 11:11 PM

I did the cams last weekend... there was a huge topic on this. I don't have a concrete number, but I'd say no less then 40HP with cams and chip installed. night and day difference from 4k rpms and above.

jshearer · 03-05-2005, 11:57 PM

Alright all,

I have been looking into alot of things for a while and even more lately. Per bigred's advice I decided to go ahead and order the chip, and wait on the cams. I am going to try and get some more money together for the cams and install(there is no way I could do it myself). It could be in a month or it could be a year away I don't really know. In the mean time I have so many other things that I have already purchased and are on the way that I have to do all of these things first. It seems though that the M3 cams are a good addition for the money(when i have it).

tomctx · 03-06-2005, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jshearer@Mar 6 2005, 01:57 AM
Alright all,

I have been looking into alot of things for a while and even more lately. Per bigred's advice I decided to go ahead and order the chip, and wait on the cams. I am going to try and get some more money together for the cams and install(there is no way I could do it myself). It could be in a month or it could be a year away I don't really know. In the mean time I have so many other things that I have already purchased and are on the way that I have to do all of these things first. It seems though that the M3 cams are a good addition for the money(when i have it).

[snapback]304736[/snapback]

I've heard prices from $400 (used) to $1200 (new). Some come with a chip, come don't. Turner Motorsport will reprogram the chip for the first 6 months for free, $100 after that. I installed mine this week. A real no-brainer. Don't know about the 22 hp, but it is smoother and seems to rev freer, especially after 3500 rpms. I've heard it takes special tools to change cams. JRhaile (sp?) could tell you more about that.