performance camshaft

I have an '87 300e. From what I've read in this site, a performance camshaft would take away some torque in the lower rpm's. Could anyone tell me how this would translate into the everyday driving experience?Performance Products had one for $550 and Reentech has one for $1550.I've been thinking about getting one.

[300EVIL]

if i were you i would leave it alone. your 300E as well as mine already has a beefy cam in it. MB changed to a shorter lift cam in 88 to make the M103 engine run a little smoother. you would be paying too mutch for little upgrade in power. just a suggestion.
good luck!
adam

I've read before that the camshaft is the brain of the engine. That was written before there actually was a brain in the form of the engine management computer system.

But the camshaft being the brain is still somewhat true. Putting this into more mechanical terms, the camshaft is the largest contributor to the location in the RPM range of the power. For optimum efficiency the RPM range of the camshaft should be MATCHED with many other engine characteristics, such as intake runner length, intake runner volume, ignition advance curve, exhaust system characteristics and many other parameters.

MB engineering has spent much time and energy to match everything. Additionally, the only way you gain horsepower with the camshaft is by moving the torque peak to a higher RPM range. In many cases, you will actually lose torque at the higher RPM, but will gain horsepower because horsepower is calculated from torque and RPM, with the higher RPM having an exponential effect on the calculated result. In many cases the engine will not actually feel as strong when doing this, even though it may do a little better in a drag race.

The 3 liter M103 engine makes just a little more than 1 horsepower per cubic inch. In the muscle car days of Detroit there were very few engines that made 1 horsepower per cubic inch. To go beyond 1 horsepower per cubic inch most often makes an engine that is not practical for street use.

I suggest that you think long and hard before taking this step.

Have a great day,

[mbdoc]

To get the benefits of a "hotter" cam many other items should be modified as well. Compression, exhaust, & fuel system. AUTOMATIC trans cars don't like too much of a cam!

emr50,
Its a chain reaction.Sometimes ago,I had a 1986 B M W 325es.
These are the items that I had put in after the camshaft.
The following are parts from 1987 325is)
1.Intake manifold
2.Dinan chips to rev.5700rpm.
3.Ansa headers
4.Supersprint catback.
5.Big bore throttle body.
6.Relocated cone air filter
7.Differential-from 293-1 to 373-1.
The result is staggering.Just one big problem.
We cant get it to pass emission( another thing to consider).
Think about it.
Clauser,



+