Schrick cams on E34 540i

[Jake]

Hi guys. Just thought I'd throw this one out there and see if anybody is running Schrick cams on their E34 540i (or M60 740i for that matter). I have a friend who is putting together a group buy on all Schrick products and figured I'd at least entertain the thought.

Thanks for your advice,
Jake Larsen

[DueyT]

Note yet, Jake...but let me know how your friend likes them! Those and a nice free flowing exhaust to capitalize on the increased breathing would be the dream projects...

Cheers
Duey

[Jake]

Those and a nice free flowing exhaust to capitalize on the increased breathing

Oh tell me about it...

The stock headers have got to be one of the most restrictive systems I've seen. I think it's cylinders #4 and #8, the exhaust hits a brick wall (more or less) as it enters the header; I'm talking about a 90 deg bend. Then there's that pinch half way down the same set. Yuck!

The only thing sorta cool about the stock headers is that they're dual chamber (air pocket between an inner and outer wall). That's neat and all but they really sacrificed flow.

I think it would be a ball trying to build up some custom headers. What a glorious pain that must be. Sounds like a blast!

If I had a bit more time I'd even give it a whack but I need to have this back on the road by the end of June for a little track time and there's no way I could tackle a feat so complicated in such a short amount of time, considering I have a full time job.

Cheers,
Jake Larsen

[Tiger]

Not only that... stock header are unequalled length. Good header gives each cylinder same length of flow so the cylinders are all balanced... that's why it got those neat curvy bends and all that glitters... cool looking.

The bad thing about headers is that they are not thermally protected like stock... keeping exhaust hot before it hit the cat... and not heat up the engine compartment.

On the other note... I am not sure if I would want to put Schrick cams on 4.0 engine... The main purpose of Shrick is more power... but only on the high end of RPM. So just driving normally, you would not benefit... can you imagine driving at 5000 RPM at 25 MPH just to feel that power? If you are dedicated to track, then I would see benefit there.

With our already weak low end (without EAT), adding Schrick would seems to make it worse. The end result would probably be similar to the old Porsche 930 Turbo... where's the power???!!!.... What?! Jeez!!!... WHOA!!!!!! What a beast!

Hehehehe

[l8apex]

Has anyone tried to put SuperSprint headers on their e-34 540i or 530i V-8?
I know that SuperSprint has a beautiful set available for the e-39 540i, and I have to wonder whether they will fit in the e-34. Seems like they should. Maybe they are tight and just require a little bit of clearance?

[Jake]

Vee hav vays of making it verk...

It all depends on the user. To be honest, I'd probably go for an unequal header. There's a reason for this design, and one that isn't all that obvious. Packaging has a lot to do with it as well as production costs, but there are advantages.

An unequal header has this neat ability to spread the torque curve; the effect is intentional. While one half peaks early the others peak later, the end result is a perceived flat torque curve.

So if one was to get in there and fabricate a set of headers, but due to packaging (available space) you had to live with unequal headers, it wouldn't be all that bad in reality.

On the issue of heat radiation, there are other ways around that of course.

Schrick's road cam set really is intended for the road (I know, Capt Obvious... ). Low-end torque loss is supposed to be minimal but with a nice gain up top of course. I've never driven these in a 540i but I'm not really all that concerned about being disappointed.

Cheers,
Jake Larsen

Not only that... stock header are unequalled length. Good header gives each cylinder same length of flow so the cylinders are all balanced... that's why it got those neat curvy bends and all that glitters... cool looking.

The bad thing about headers is that they are not thermally protected like stock... keeping exhaust hot before it hit the cat... and not heat up the engine compartment.

On the other note... I am not sure if I would want to put Schrick cams on 4.0 engine... The main purpose of Shrick is more power... but only on the high end of RPM. So just driving normally, you would not benefit... can you imagine driving at 5000 RPM at 25 MPH just to feel that power? If you are dedicated to track, then I would see benefit there.

With our already weak low end (without EAT), adding Schrick would seems to make it worse. The end result would probably be similar to the old Porsche 930 Turbo... where's the power???!!!.... What?! Jeez!!!... WHOA!!!!!! What a beast!

Hehehehe

[MBXB]

Who makes headers for E34 540s? I haven't found any on a Google search.
Can't you get them ceramic coated to keep the temps down?

[632 Regal]

those should raise the power band start to about 5500rpms in the 530.

[DueyT]

Does anyone know what the lift profile, durations and centerlines are on the stock and the Schrick cams? That would tell you a lot.

About the headers...hey, I didn't know they were double-walled -- that means they must be a fair bit more restrictive than I though they were! They still do look nice, though...and if I recall correctly last time I was underneath the beast, they're more of a Tri-Y design, which is optimised for torque production.

Maybe Supersprint with a custom ceramic coating is the way to go?

Cheers,
Duey

[Bill R.]

theres only 3.5 mm between the inner and outer walls... What it does help is that the surface temp of the exhaust manifold and the down pipes is reduced by approximately 750F and the insulating quality of it means the o2 sensor and the cat are both functioning much faster and more accurately. Sorry, thats .0395 thousands..

Also do the Schrick cams have the crankshaft type counterweights that the stock cams has to help correct the imbalance of the cams?

Does anyone know what the lift profile, durations and centerlines are on the stock and the Schrick cams? That would tell you a lot.

About the headers...hey, I didn't know they were double-walled -- that means they must be a fair bit more restrictive than I though they were! They still do look nice, though...and if I recall correctly last time I was underneath the beast, they're more of a Tri-Y design, which is optimised for torque production.

Maybe Supersprint with a custom ceramic coating is the way to go?

Cheers,
Duey