There is an outfit called 'partshouse' that recently started advertising performance parts for european cars. I think its www.partshouse ... anyhow they sent me this on cams

"Sport Camshaft Package 41HP Gain
Set of sport camshafts, valve springs, valve keepers and complete gaskets.
Price: $2,440.00, Exchange"


My question is how would cams net 41hp? Would this type of mod take away low end torque? How much would these cost to have professionally installed? Has anyone done this?

I can see 41 HP from cams, but I'd think driveability would be seriously affected. Y'know, lumpy idle, some roughness...

Another thing to consider is what cams might do to your tailpipe emissions. And further, given that all US 500Es were CA cars, would the "Check Engine" light be a constant companion?

I'm very interested in more power I assure you, but I just wonder at what price...any and all info on this is welcome.

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Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

To do this would be expensive on the labor end. You would have to replace all of the valve springs? Wonder why? Anyway, the 500E does have variable valve timing on the intake, so they might be able to get away with a good idle.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1992 500E (very soon I hope
1981 280GE SWB
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Even if you could get away with a reasonable idle, emissions might not make it but that still might be "tuneable" for your yearly or bi-yearly smog inspection. Benzmac, any ideas/input on that one?

My biggest worry would be hurting low to midrange rpm performance. If they could show a dyno graph for the hot-cams vs stock it would be more meaningful. Still, if memory serves, Renntech has a cam and valvework package that is good for extra power. I forget its specs offhand and the info doesn't seem to be on their website any longer. Seem to remember Brabus having a similar package so it would seem there is some room for improvement there. Wonder if Tirerack can get anything from Carlsson for the 500E's? Luke???

They talk about gaining 41HP, what are the torque gains (if any)? How is the torque curve affected? What are the typical gains (in ET 0-60 and/or 1/4 mile) Does it come with new software to let the motor take advantage of the cams? What other mods, if any, are needed? Definitly need more info/specifics on this one. Benzmac, what would be a rough labor (in either beers or dollars) estimate for what this kind of upgrade would run? j/k

One would think that with the hot cams, the upsized airbox might make a positive difference (at least moreso than on the stock motor). Mesh the cams, airbox, and software to make it all work together and you could be getting some serious gains. *drool* Of course, more power means you will need more rubber on the road.

Ah, the possibilites....Lee

Eric,

The way it nets 41 HP is by pushing the torque peak to a higher rpm. Horsepower is a calculated measurement. If you have the same amount of torque, but at a higher RPM, it results in a higher horsepower figure from the calculation. Of course in most cases when you move the torque peak to a higher RPM, the low RPM power suffers effecting driveability. However, as Benzmac pointed out this engine has variable intake timing, so it would compensate for this to some unknown extent.

From a practical standpoint, this is a lot of money and time to spend on a car that already has been optimized by some of the best automotive engineers in the world. To have a great engine, all the variables must complement each other, cam timing, intake runner size and length, ignition curve, etc. when you change one of these variables, you change the combination. Unless the MB engineers made a mistake on the combination, you're going to move away from the optimum combination when you increase duration.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles