Upgraded camshaft for 84 BMW E28 533i

[LookoutDC]

Hi Folks,

I have a 84 BMW e28 533i, whose heads are being redone. The machine shop told me that I needed a new camshaft. 
I'll be honest, the engineering regarding the camshaft is lost on me and hoping someone here can point me in the right direction.

The 533i is my weekend car, not a daily so I'm looking to see if there is an upgraded camshaft for the 533i that would give me power and perhaps make the car sound more aggressive. 

Thank you!

 

[stuartinmn]

No personal experience, but Ireland Engineering lists a performance cam for the M30 engine as well as reground original cams.  https://www.iemotorsport.com/products/e ... e24-parts/  They may be intended for a 535, so a 533 application may be different.  VAC Motorsports has some cams too.  https://store.vacmotorsports.com/cat-ca ... p4054.aspx  Bimmerworld may be another source.  https://www.bimmerworld.com/Engine/Camshafts/

[LookoutDC]

Thank you for suggestion. I did see the Ireland engineering camshaft however I am not sure if its for the 533i or for later model e28's.

I have read that the 533i camshaft is "better" than the rest of the stock camshaft's that came in the e28's. Not sure how accurate that is but I do love the feel and drive of my 533i, its peppy so want to maintain that same feel or upgrade it. 

I will look a VAC and Bimmerworld. Again, thank you. 

[tig]

Just beware that if you go too aggressive you’ll negatively impact drivability- especially at idle. Aggressive cams “Lope” and the more aggressive the cam the lop-ier the lope. 

I have a mildly (Paul Burke n21) cam in my m39b35 and it’s just a bit lop-eh. I dig it. But if it were any more aggressive it’d drive me nuts given it’s a DD. 

[Mike W.]

Such a simple question. Not. 533s up to 1-84 used a different cam that is reportedly "hotter". That's the push on rotor cam, late 533s and 535s used a bolt on rotor cam The nose of the cam is different and takes a different rotor adapter. But it also used a different rotor adapter, different cap and rotor and different spark plug cables. There's also an ultra rare adapter where you use later cap, rotor and cables with an early cam. That would be worth selling if you have it and don't need it.

The late M30 cam, for M30B35 is regarded as a very desirable cam and still available. I'd probably go with that one myself, but aftermarket cams aren't bad either.

All of the later parts can be used on your 533, and it might be a good excuse to upgrade to new parts, but you're probably looking at another $300 or more for those parts.

If you have a 1-84 or later car, you can ignore all of this except for the B35 suggestion.

[turbodan]

A mild cam would be worthwhile. The problem is in the computer. The further you go from the original cam, the less suitable the factory tune will be. If you go for a schrick 288 or something like that the stock mapping will be holding you back.