Different intake cams?

MDORPHN

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Jan 28, 2018
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Purchased a motor with a built bottom end and shop is swapping in/out parts from my existing motor. We've found that the intake cams on the two N54s are significantly different.

Is anyone aware whether BMW had a running change in N54 intake cams?

Any reason to believe I can't swap cams?

Neil
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MDORPHN

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One is hydro formed the other is cast. The lift and duration should be the same if they are factory cams

Two questions: 1) do you imagine that they shared the same cam ledge, and 2) was anyone aware that the N54 came with these two camshaft versions?

Neil
 
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doublespaces

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Seems like this is a familiar subject, althought I thought this was an N54/N55 difference although I can't recall much. Aside from compatibility, which one is better?
 

Bnks334

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BMW switched to hydroformed cams around the time the N55 came out. I've seen the BMW academy docs make reference to the change over and that it would also have implications for the N54's still in production. N52 seems to have gotten them too? The hollow cams can be flexed pretty easily. I'm in for the opinions in regard to which is "better." A better question might be, has anyone taken note of N5x cam failures outside of the seals them-self causing oiling issue? I've never seen a broken cam or a cam with a lobe separated from the tube. Take into consideration that the hollow hydroformed N55 intake cam is used on the S55 and people have made 1000whp+ and 7500rpm with that head. If I were to swap the hollow cam out for anything it would be an aftermarket billet piece not a heavy stock cast piece.
 
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Bmwfixerguy1

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Yea there isnt a which one is better kinda thing, if I remember correctly the hydro formed came out in the n52 and it's really just a manufacturing kinda upgrade not performance in any way.
It's a cool process to watch done 😁
 

doublespaces

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Yea there isnt a which one is better kinda thing, if I remember correctly the hydro formed came out in the n52 and it's really just a manufacturing kinda upgrade not performance in any way.
It's a cool process to watch done 😁

I'd be surprised to know the N54 and N52 share a cam profile? I suppose we have all that VANOS magic so maybe they account for the NA vs Turbo that way?
 

Coupes66

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Below are photos of the intake and exhaust camshafts out of my original motor (Sept 2006 build). The first 4 photos are of the intake camshaft which looks like yours and the last 3 photos are of the exhaust camshaft which appears to be cast.
 

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MDORPHN

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Jan 28, 2018
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I'd be surprised to know the N54 and N52 share a cam profile? I suppose we have all that VANOS magic so maybe they account for the NA vs Turbo that way?

I didn't read the post to state that the cams in the two motors had the same specs, but instead that they shared the same method of manufacture.

Neil
 

Bmwfixerguy1

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I'd be surprised to know the N54 and N52 share a cam profile? I suppose we have all that VANOS magic so maybe they account for the NA vs Turbo that way?
No no no... Lol I wasn't saying they use the same cams just the hydroforming process.. sorry for the confusion.
 
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doublespaces

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Apparently I'm told my car (10/08 build) has the solid/cast cams:
IMG_20200217_213940_611.jpg


And this is what the hollow/hydroformed ones looked like:
Screenshot_20200217-212620.png


I've read the cast ones were only used in early production N54s but apparently it seams @Bnks334 might be closer to the truth?