Single Row Chain

[e30guydownunder]

+1 are m635csi a single row chain ?

only the euro ones are, the US market M6 timing case and rocker cover are 6mm longer in order to fit a dual row timing chain. The desing process behind that is unknown to me.

Wow the n42 chain is quite a bit lighter, but how long is it? What about pitch?

[nuvolarossa]

Wow the n42 chain is quite a bit lighter, but how long is it? What about pitch?

the only way to know is: "Who want to be the guinea pig?"
 
no way to know those info without buy parts...:confused:

[m44power]

i prefer to machine m42 original sprockets than use some m43 ones also im gone be the guinea pig :p im working in a BMW service the first one N4x chain i can get from a broken motor im gone compare with my old m42 chain... stay tuned

[nuvolarossa]

you will not need to wait until a n42 broke!
I've found a lot of chain specification will post the data later in the day! there are some candidates, but there isn't a chain with ALL the exact sizes but single rows... there are some that are exact pitch, pin diameter... but near to our chain's length, not exact, and they are not only from BMW

[e30guydownunder]

if they are the same pitch and are longer they can be made to our length

[nuvolarossa]

so here is what I found... after a bit of time and effort I found that there is ONE manufacture that do chains for BMW. Its name is IWIS. I searched and I found its website and its catalogue
 
- first read these references to understand chain names and chain attributes.
http://www.iwis.com/index.php?id=674
 
Then you search the catalogue what model is your stock chain and you search in the reference other models with same specs, but single row and same length or longer than your stock:
 
- CATALOGUE WITH OEM PART NUMBERS, MODEL OF CHAIN AND LENGHT
http://www.iwis.com/index.php?id=669
 
I searched and I found some candidates, I'll leave it to you to do the same analysis.
 
Have fun cross searching! They use some old part numbers.
 
now who will do this mod for first?

[e30guydownunder]

I'm willing to do it in the track car engine if someone donates good condition sprockets! Mine are stuffed and will need replacememnt before i go racing

[JP 91iS]

so here is what I found... after a bit of time and effort I found that there is ONE manufacture that do chains for BMW. Its name is IWIS. I searched and I found its website and its catalogue
 
- first read these references to understand chain names and chain attributes.
http://www.iwis.com/index.php?id=674
 
Then you search the catalogue what model is your stock chain and you search in the reference other models with same specs, but single row and same length or longer than your stock:
 
- CATALOGUE WITH OEM PART NUMBERS, MODEL OF CHAIN AND LENGHT
http://www.iwis.com/index.php?id=669
 
I searched and I found some candidates, I'll leave it to you to do the same analysis.
 
Have fun cross searching! They use some old part numbers.
 
now who will do this mod for first?

Maybe I'm retarded, but I'm having a hard time understanding when one of those chains would work.  What needs to bee the same for a single row chain to work with the M42?  Also once you find a chain that would work, what kind of machine work needs to be done on the sprockets?  What about the chain guides and tensioner?

I checked MM website, they don't show that they sell the single row chain.  I emailed them to ask if they did, but I never got a response.  Sucks that they sell just about everything else except the single row chain mod.

[pinkyvsbrain]

I also wrote them an @mail and it takes some time but I'm sure they will reply your mail.
Have you see that in there engine booklet they say that you have to add $200 to your engine at MM for the single row timing chain?

[JP 91iS]

Have you see that in there engine booklet they say that you have to add $200 to your engine at MM for the single row timing chain?

Yeah, I saw that, which is why I asked them if they sell this individually.

[txleadfoot]

Funny, here in the states, "stuffed" is what happens when you eat too much at lunchtime or try to fit large tires into small wheelwells...

if you think about it...the fact that BMW have gone to the effort of developing a single row chain for the N4x series engine (we'll assume its safe) should be saying something.

And given it is a newer design, if it does fit? it will also be most likely somewhat stronger than even our double row timing chains.

Don't forget that BMW was quite happy running the single row on the m30's and they even ran a single row chain on the euro version of the m88/3 in      m635CSi's

[e30guydownunder]

Funny, here in the states, "stuffed" is what happens when you eat too much at lunchtime or try to fit large tires into small wheelwells...

I like how you quoted the wrong reply i said stuffed in a different post i think....stuffed, screwed, f***ed all the same

[JP 91iS]

whats the word on these single row chains? nuvolarossa says he found some possible candidates, anybody else try searching that list in his link?

[GrindCulture]

Watching this keenly now, I think my timing setup is in dire need of a refresh, so I may as well do this if it's worthwhile!

[marko]

hello.. new member here (with an M44).
I just ordered the single timing chain conversion from MM.
its $250 - but I did send them my old chain + cam sprockets + crank sprocket as cores - so I'm hoping to get a discount.
Its a family business - mother answers the phones & email, while the father & son are in the shop - so there is a delay in getting answers... Calling them is the best (ask for Teddy).

other item purchased:
MM's M44 Cyl head (stock cams)
M42 Turbo piston & rod set (in order to maintain the 10:1 compression ratio @ 2.0L)
360 degree main bearing oiling system (sent them my main caps for retrofit)

soon to be ordered as well:
MM's lightweight flywheel + M3 clutch

let you know how it turns out