Not all cams are created equal. Early vs late M42

[benz-tech]

Some of you may have seen my cam story while hijacking other's threads but I figured a new thread would be the best way to document this. The saga started  when I sent my late 94- intake cam to Delta for a small increase in lift/duration. They called when after they did an initial check and gave me the duration spec of 200deg at .050". From what I read, I expected longer. No prob, I got it back, swapped it out and sent in my 250mi early cam. It Spec'd at 207deg and the same lift .360" or so, I forgot honestly.  I haven't read what they put it at after but I think it was 212deg at .050" and .385 lift. (Will edit when I see the sheet). Total cost $98 shipped.

So, proof from a cam grinder that the early intake  cam is indeed 'hotter' than the late one.

I can back this up with the completely different nature my old tired M42 has now. Usable (dare I say) torque from 2500 rpm. Not a TON of torque but enough to say wow, I just swapped in a set of milder cams. I noticed a little less power is there say, from 5k up, but not much less.
I still need to degree the exhaust cam to verify my suspisions but based on M44 specs it's likely the lower-duration version as well.

The fun for me will be when I start swapping them out for each other on my built engine to arrive on the best combination of the 4 possibilities.

[Darky]

Hi

Out of curiosity what was the early cam from, e30?

Cheers Rohan

[benz-tech]

Mine is, yes. I can't remember if the p/n change is for all e36 or just the later 6mm valve head. The late set I have is out of a 6mm valve head.

[ronan]

So they did grind your cams.  Glad to hear it worked out for you.  When did you get them ground?

[benz-tech]

They did. It would have gone more quickly had I provided them with a early cam to begin with.  To be fair, they were very cooperative when I asked them to send the late one back so I could swap it with the early. Initially, I asked them to check it first and thats when they told me 200 deg and said the best they'd get would be around 207. They were very willing to pull it off whatever machine they used to figure it out and send it back to me. And for $98 its a pretty good deal. Overall I'd give Delta a thumbs up.  I was definitely party to the delays.
,