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E36 Alpina

Just reading through this post and I was just wondering what ratios have been changed, and how you adjusted the vanos timing. Im aware how the system works, just curious as to how its timing can be adjusted

Also, is it a double vanos system on that car, or just single on the inlet?

Nice alpina!
I'm gonna get raped by a load of beemers

m3 ragtop, smg,frightens the ffffffin life out of me. i think its the adrenalin keepin me alive. 64 and 4mnthsold

Hi Stuey, from memory they altered the overlapping and something to do with altering the degree of rotation on the cam. Its double vanos, altering inlet and exhaut manifold, don't quote me on that but if you need actual details i can ask the chap that did it, getting to technical for me

Stuey i think this is what i was trying to explain

Double VANOS
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Double-VANOS (double-variable camshaft control) significantly improves torque since valve timing on both the intake and outlet camshafts are adjusted to the power required from the engine as a function of gas pedal position and engine speed.

On most BMW engines that use a single VANOS, the timing of the intake cam is only changed at two distinct rpm points, while on the double-VANOS system, the timing of the intake and exhaust cams are continuously variable throughout the majority of the rpm range.

With double-VANOS, the opening period of the intake valves are extended by 12 degrees with an increase in valve lift by 0.9 mm.
Double-VANOS requires very high oil pressure in order to adjust the camshafts very quickly and accurately, ensuring better torque at low engine speeds and better power at high speeds. With the amount of un-burnt residual gases being reduced, engine idle is improved. Special engine management control maps for the warm-up phase help the catalytic converter reach operating temperature sooner.

Double-VANOS improves low rpm power, flattens the torque curve, and widens the powerband for a given set of camshafts. The double-VANOS engine has a 450 rpm lower torque peak and a 200 rpm higher horsepower peak than single-VANOS, and the torque curve is improved between 1500 - 3800 rpm.
At the same time, the torque does not fall off as fast past the horsepower peak.
The advantage of double-VANOS is that the system controls the flow of hot exhaust gases into the intake manifold individually for all operating conditions. This is referred to as "internal" exhaust gas re-circulation, allowing very fine dosage of the amount of exhaust gas recycled.

While the engine is warming up, VANOS improves the fuel/air mixture and helps to quickly warm up the catalytic converter to its normal operating temperature. When the engine is idling, the system keeps idle speeds smooth and consistent thanks to the reduction of exhaust gas re-circulation to a minimum. Under part load, exhaust gas re-circulation is increased to a much higher level, allowing the engine to run on a wider opening angle of the throttle butterfly in the interest of greater fuel economy. Under full load, the system switches back to a low re-circulation volume providing the cylinders with as much oxygen as possible.

sorry 65 in september. (old)boy racer.

Cheers Nelzy - I know how it works, and what it does, I was just confused as to how its timing can be altered?

Did you mean its physically been moved to adjust the timing, or it just kicks in sooner? Its on a helical mecanical gear set, which is controlled by oil pressure to adjust it depending on speed / revs etc so Im pretty sure the VANOS point of advance / retardation can be adjusted, but to adjust the mecanical cam timing - I think the only way that can be done is by moving it a tooth out on the chain, which makes them run like poo lol

A couple of friends race E36 M3s - one non Evo (Single VANOS) and one E36 M3 EVO (Double Vanos), Ive also had an E36 M3 Evo, and I got really "in to" how it worked; compaired to the Honda VTEC system, when they had their engines rebuilt, hence why I was interested as to how the timing was adjusted

What ratios have to altered? Is that on the VANOS - can you change the helical gear set inside the Cam Sprockets?

Never to old to enjoy your motor mate :), m3 sounds lethal

Thanks Stuey, not too sure mate, i know altering the teeth does throw the timing out, and that the idle goes really lumpy, you sound like you know far more than me mate i'm unfortunatley not that technical which is iwhy i pay the mechanic a wedge to do it lol, I'll give him a shout and ask exactly what he did i'm sure it was a combination of physical minor adjustments and software flash, but you'd probably tell me more mate, will let you know asap

Dont worry matey - was just curious, thats all

ste, it only hurts the 1st time

Nelzy you can drive it an show me what it can really do.Ste have u got a crash hat u can lend me? 6. 7/8?

E36 or E46?

Driven both, and really like them. Looked at an E46 M3 before the Z but shat myself about the increased servicing costs with it being M.



To the best of my knowledge, right out of the box the E36 328i is faster than the E46 328 - probably due to power to weight etc.

All this talk of BMW is making me want another one, read up on the Lexus, but with a 0-60 of 7.3 and a top speed of 140 it's out the window, comfortable ride and quiet but @ 20Mpg from 225bhp I'd expect better performance. Oh & it's an auto which I don't really like.