ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Technical Talk > Engine, Exhaust, Drivetrain Modifications
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-28-2012, 02:04 PM   #1
PrinceMiro
Lieutenant
PrinceMiro's Avatar
United_States
39
Rep
407
Posts

Drives: z4 3.0i
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CNJ

iTrader: (3)

ZHP Cams and AA MS45 Tune

So I've tried to research this topic and have come up empty-handed. I've only found someone who said they were going to do it. No technical discussion. Figured I'd start it.

I have an 03 e85 3.0i (M54 engine). The MS45 (which I'm pretty sure is equivalent to ZHP, but I'm not certain) cam upgrade kit and the AA tune for the 330i (MS45) are tailored to the M54 engine. Although there are obviously many differences between our cars and the e46, is it possible to pull off this mod since both cars have the same engines?

MS45 Cam Upgrade Kit: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330...mance/ES17871/

AA Tune for MS45: http://store.activeautowerke.com/act...ms45-p125.aspx
Appreciate 0
      11-29-2012, 10:13 AM   #2
pokeybritches
Colonel
pokeybritches's Avatar
United_States
479
Rep
2,782
Posts

Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2006 BMW Z4M  [10.00]
2006 BMW Z4M  [8.50]
2003 BMW Z4 3.0i  [9.00]
The consensus amongst the E46 crowd is that if you're going to do cams, go all the way and get the Schrick cams. Labor is ~7 hours, and in the end you'll pay a few hundred dollars more for double the gains. Used ZHP cams can regularly be found for half of the new cost.

A tune isn't absolutely necessary, but I'd do it in order to realize the full potential of the cam upgrade. You'll want a quality tuner to do a custom dyno tune unless you find a mail order tune that takes advantage of the aftermarket cams.

There was a guy that went all-out WRT E46 bolt ons and got 237 whp (with Schrick cams); that's about the limit without really digging into the engine. I can PM you his name if you're interested.
__________________


VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
Appreciate 0
      11-29-2012, 10:48 AM   #3
PrinceMiro
Lieutenant
PrinceMiro's Avatar
United_States
39
Rep
407
Posts

Drives: z4 3.0i
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CNJ

iTrader: (3)

The tune is not just for the cams. I have a set of headers that I don't want to install until I know I have (or will soon buy) the tune. I was going for the AA MS45 tune. This is a street car. Not sure if I want to spend the extra money on the Schrick cams.

Is there a better tune/tuner in the tri-state area?

Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      11-29-2012, 11:00 AM   #4
pokeybritches
Colonel
pokeybritches's Avatar
United_States
479
Rep
2,782
Posts

Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2006 BMW Z4M  [10.00]
2006 BMW Z4M  [8.50]
2003 BMW Z4 3.0i  [9.00]
Maximum PSI works with Nick Glantzis from Technique Tuning. VAC also offers dyno tuning.

The Schrick cams aren't all-out race cams. The gains aren't just at the top of the rpm band either. If I run across a dyno comparing the Schrick and ZHP cams, I'll pass it your way.
__________________


VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
Appreciate 0
      11-29-2012, 11:13 AM   #5
pokeybritches
Colonel
pokeybritches's Avatar
United_States
479
Rep
2,782
Posts

Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2006 BMW Z4M  [10.00]
2006 BMW Z4M  [8.50]
2003 BMW Z4 3.0i  [9.00]
Here's the TMS 330 ZHP articles and dyno. They replaced the ZHP cams with Schrick. The dynos are almost identical until 5000 rpm, where the Schrick cams really start to pull away. By redline, the Schrick cams make ~12 more hp.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-pr...-330i-zhp.aspx

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/image/dyno/330_dyno.jpg
__________________


VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
Appreciate 0
      11-29-2012, 12:00 PM   #6
PrinceMiro
Lieutenant
PrinceMiro's Avatar
United_States
39
Rep
407
Posts

Drives: z4 3.0i
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CNJ

iTrader: (3)

Man!!! You're making me want them!! They're about $600 more expensive than brand new zhp cams.

By the way, MS45 = ZHP right? (Just so I can be 100% certain)
Appreciate 0
      11-29-2012, 12:10 PM   #7
3002 tii
Lieutenant General
3002 tii's Avatar
2272
Rep
12,559
Posts

Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (99)

Garage List
Miro, where in NNJ are you?
__________________
Follow for latest mods
Appreciate 0
      11-29-2012, 12:30 PM   #8
pokeybritches
Colonel
pokeybritches's Avatar
United_States
479
Rep
2,782
Posts

Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2006 BMW Z4M  [10.00]
2006 BMW Z4M  [8.50]
2003 BMW Z4 3.0i  [9.00]
They're $1175 from Tuner here, which is only $235 more than the new ZHP cams from ECS. For some reason it doesn't say that they fit the Z4, so you'll need to confirm with them.

Edit: I don't know if we use the MS45. Call AA, because I've seen software offered. If they don't have header-specific software, go with a Shark Injector. Nothing beats being able to install/uninstall it whenever you'd like, and the flash makes the throttle actuation much more intuitive. AA makes great products though, so you won't go wrong with them.
__________________


VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
Appreciate 0
      11-29-2012, 12:58 PM   #9
PrinceMiro
Lieutenant
PrinceMiro's Avatar
United_States
39
Rep
407
Posts

Drives: z4 3.0i
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CNJ

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DSC_OFF View Post
Miro, where in NNJ are you?
Nutley

Quote:
Originally Posted by pokeybritches View Post
They're $1175 from Tuner here, which is only $235 more than the new ZHP cams from ECS. For some reason it doesn't say that they fit the Z4, so you'll need to confirm with them.

Edit: I don't know if we use the MS45. Call AA, because I've seen software offered. If they don't have header-specific software, go with a Shark Injector. Nothing beats being able to install/uninstall it whenever you'd like, and the flash makes the throttle actuation much more intuitive. AA makes great products though, so you won't go wrong with them.
I found the zhp cams for $450 brand new. They ship from the west coast. So, let's say shipping is an extra $100 (overestimate). The Schricks are over $600 more than that.

I think I might go with your first suggestion and go with a dyno tune (Maximum PSI) over the AA tune. Depends on the difference in performance and price.
Appreciate 0
      01-28-2013, 06:28 PM   #10
tsnellva
New Member
0
Rep
16
Posts

Drives: 2003 Z4 3.0
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Richmond, Virginia

iTrader: (2)

CAM Upgrade

Did you ever go thru with the ZHP cam upgrade and software? I was thinking of doing the same upgrade. It would be great to get some input.
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2013, 05:26 AM   #11
PrinceMiro
Lieutenant
PrinceMiro's Avatar
United_States
39
Rep
407
Posts

Drives: z4 3.0i
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CNJ

iTrader: (3)

I purchased the cams and the AA tune for the MS43. When I spoke with someone from AA, they said the MS43 software is better than the MS45 and that it'd be a waste of money to try to get the MS45 because that would require an entirely new DME. Haven't installed them yet. I plan to install the cams, tune, and headers one president's day weekend.
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2013, 02:33 PM   #12
tsnellva
New Member
0
Rep
16
Posts

Drives: 2003 Z4 3.0
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Richmond, Virginia

iTrader: (2)

CAMS

Where did you find the best price on the CAMS? A few places on the internet listed them for about $600.00 but when I went to order them the price was more line $1,000.00.
Appreciate 0
      02-17-2013, 11:29 AM   #13
pyo
Lieutenant
United_States
531
Rep
531
Posts

Drives: 2022 X3MC
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Fairfax, VA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Subscribed. A buddy of mine is selling cams out of his zhp (he got the schrick) and will give me for a good price but I'm hesitant if the gains are worth the money. Does it matter if cams are used?
__________________
'00 328i // Sold
'04 Z4 3.0i // Sold
'22 X3MC LCI
Appreciate 0
      02-18-2013, 08:19 AM   #14
PrinceMiro
Lieutenant
PrinceMiro's Avatar
United_States
39
Rep
407
Posts

Drives: z4 3.0i
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CNJ

iTrader: (3)

It definitely matters if the cams are used. The cam lobes may be worn down on a used pair.
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2013, 12:47 AM   #15
pyo
Lieutenant
United_States
531
Rep
531
Posts

Drives: 2022 X3MC
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Fairfax, VA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrinceMiro View Post
It definitely matters if the cams are used. The cam lobes may be worn down on a used pair.
Thanks! That definitely makes my decision to not buy used cams.

Do would like to know if gains are worth it. Plan on doing engine mods later down the line.
__________________
'00 328i // Sold
'04 Z4 3.0i // Sold
'22 X3MC LCI
Appreciate 0
      07-16-2013, 04:15 PM   #16
PrinceMiro
Lieutenant
PrinceMiro's Avatar
United_States
39
Rep
407
Posts

Drives: z4 3.0i
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CNJ

iTrader: (3)

I've officially started the work. Did all the prep work last weekend. I'll be installing the ebay headers and zhp cams this weekend. Hopefully everything goes smoothly.
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2013, 01:55 PM   #17
PrinceMiro
Lieutenant
PrinceMiro's Avatar
United_States
39
Rep
407
Posts

Drives: z4 3.0i
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CNJ

iTrader: (3)

Update: I successfully installed the exhaust cam, but couldn't install the intake cam using the same method. When I tried another method, I forgot to hold the camshaft in the desired position. So, it snapped back into its resting position and pulled up one of the journal bearing caps, which pulled the stud out of the head and stripped the threads in the head. When I tried to repair the threads using a time-sert, I broke the driver in the hole.

The ebay headers from trader-nas lined up to the engine just fine, but were about 2 inches too short to meet with the midpipe and the flanges were off by about 90 degrees.

So, the car is presently at MaximumPsi in Linden, NJ. They'll be doing all of the remaining work on the car. They're a very reputable shop so I'm optimistic. I'll keep you posted.
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2013, 05:25 PM   #18
pokeybritches
Colonel
pokeybritches's Avatar
United_States
479
Rep
2,782
Posts

Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2006 BMW Z4M  [10.00]
2006 BMW Z4M  [8.50]
2003 BMW Z4 3.0i  [9.00]
Thanks for the update. Cars can frustrate the hell out of me at times. Hope everything works out with Max PSI.
__________________


VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
Appreciate 0
      07-16-2016, 02:44 PM   #19
3GFX
Captain
3GFX's Avatar
Canada
723
Rep
912
Posts

Drives: 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Ontario

iTrader: (0)

Subbing to come back for info.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:18 PM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST