Production date codes on Schrick cams - pre or post rocker requirement

[Sharocks]

When it comes to installing aftermarket camshafts in a high strung old AF German engine, don't cheap out.

[CrisSilberGrau]

I don’t believe that is correct. Reading prior treads, there are several reputable members here that purchased Schrick cams before they changed production and used their used stock rocker arms without issues.

I am still trying to confirm which cams were used without the need for DLC rocker arms.

You're not wrong, however that time is gone. Why gamble on used camshafts, or old new stock when the downside is so huge. I'm one of the same people like you that consulted threads and bought 280/272s on the notion that they dont "usually" require rocker arms due to being less aggressive than 288s. But when you look at stock camshafts they are way more aggressive. I got the polished ones in the thread you referenced, other than using break in oil, which is not necessary, I was super meticulous about break in and never broke 4k rpm and part throttle for almost 1500kms. Went to dyno them and boom right after the session, and maybe even a little before, there was top side valve train noise (usual ticking). I was lucky as I'm super attentive and caught it early, about .5-1mm wear on maybe 3 lobes.

I then got stuck, oem cams cant be put in cause my oem rocker arms are shaved/stepped. So I spent another 5k CAD rupples to find a CatCam full set with rocker arms and oil bridge, but I had to drill my own rocker arm shafts (instead of spending 5.5k first all in I spent 12k + on fuking cams). Now, the engine runs smoother than ever and the least amount of valve train noise even before camshaft install. I gotta say the CatCam followers are beautiful billet pieces, they definitely contribute to the reduced noise. ALSO: I still had issues with brand new cams, the exhaust cam VVT socket that inserts in the hollow front area, well the cam was not properly hollowed out. It would not easily slide in, and as a result the vanos splined shaft could not either. Found that out after another full install. The hole was conical, to the point where CatCams didnt believe me and I had to get industrial grade measuring tools to video and show them.

Cams on an engine that was so high strung back in 2000 should not be taken lightly, learn from every hard ass as here that has done it before you. They're worth the trouble IMO, theyre amazing past 4k, and cammed S54 is greatness BUT - Do it once do it right, trust me bro.

[BMWfanz]

I'm rebuilding engine now and searched for exhaust rocker arms axle (shaft). So there is one interesting fact that CatCams axles and oil bridge works only with Cat designed rockers, cause they have an additional spray noozle, if you install shafts and bridge on oem rockers or schricks- this combo will not work.

[bmw m3 s50]

When it comes to installing aftermarket camshafts in a high strung old AF German engine, don't cheap out.

I 100% agree with you and its actually not about cheaping out, it's that Schrick has no solution in sight for the DLC rocker arms. It's has been well over a year since they went NLA and their availability date keeps getting pushed back. At the beginning of the year, the DLC rocker arms release was FALL 2024 and now it's SPRING 2025.

[bmw m3 s50]

You're not wrong, however that time is gone. Why gamble on used camshafts, or old new stock when the downside is so huge. I'm one of the same people like you that consulted threads and bought 280/272s on the notion that they dont "usually" require rocker arms due to being less aggressive than 288s. But when you look at stock camshafts they are way more aggressive. I got the polished ones in the thread you referenced, other than using break in oil, which is not necessary, I was super meticulous about break in and never broke 4k rpm and part throttle for almost 1500kms. Went to dyno them and boom right after the session, and maybe even a little before, there was top side valve train noise (usual ticking). I was lucky as I'm super attentive and caught it early, about .5-1mm wear on maybe 3 lobes.

I then got stuck, oem cams cant be put in cause my oem rocker arms are shaved/stepped. So I spent another 5k CAD rupples to find a CatCam full set with rocker arms and oil bridge, but I had to drill my own rocker arm shafts (instead of spending 5.5k first all in I spent 12k + on fuking cams). Now, the engine runs smoother than ever and the least amount of valve train noise even before camshaft install. I gotta say the CatCam followers are beautiful billet pieces, they definitely contribute to the reduced noise. ALSO: I still had issues with brand new cams, the exhaust cam VVT socket that inserts in the hollow front area, well the cam was not properly hollowed out. It would not easily slide in, and as a result the vanos splined shaft could not either. Found that out after another full install. The hole was conical, to the point where CatCams didnt believe me and I had to get industrial grade measuring tools to video and show them.

Cams on an engine that was so high strung back in 2000 should not be taken lightly, learn from every hard ass as here that has done it before you. They're worth the trouble IMO, theyre amazing past 4k, and cammed S54 is greatness BUT - Do it once do it right, trust me bro.

I understand and your story is what is making me worried about using the cams without the rocker arms. It seems like a massive gamble.

The other alternative, is running the CAT Cams and the CAT DLC rocker arms like you did, since they seem like they are available. I am just weary on CAT Cams. I just do not get a good impression of them. I would have preferred to go with the tried and true Schrick Cams but more and more I am seeing that this might not be a possibility.

[Slideways]

I understand and your story is what is making me worried about using the cams without the rocker arms. It seems like a massive gamble.

The other alternative, is running the CAT Cams and the CAT DLC rocker arms like you did, since they seem like they are available. I am just weary on CAT Cams. I just do not get a good impression of them. I would have preferred to go with the tried and true Schrick Cams but more and more I am seeing that this might not be a possibility.

How many miles are on the engine you are installing them on? On an engine with 125k+ miles, I'd install a set of used 272/280 Schricks and take the chance. On an engine with less miles, Cat Cams with DLC rockers.

[CrisSilberGrau]

I understand and your story is what is making me worried about using the cams without the rocker arms. It seems like a massive gamble.

The other alternative, is running the CAT Cams and the CAT DLC rocker arms like you did, since they seem like they are available. I am just weary on CAT Cams. I just do not get a good impression of them. I would have preferred to go with the tried and true Schrick Cams but more and more I am seeing that this might not be a possibility.

Someone was selling billet cams if you wanna spend more. Otherwise no downside in going with either just a full set of cams and rockers.

If you're doing cams I'm thinking you're keeping the car for a while, you literally made your own choice with that IMO. Don't rush wait for the right buying opportunity.

[bmw m3 s50]

How many miles are on the engine you are installing them on? On an engine with 125k+ miles, I'd install a set of used 272/280 Schricks and take the chance. On an engine with less miles, Cat Cams with DLC rockers.

Engine that they are going in has 44k miles on it.

[bmw m3 s50]

Someone was selling billet cams if you wanna spend more. Otherwise no downside in going with either just a full set of cams and rockers.

If you're doing cams I'm thinking you're keeping the car for a while, you literally made your own choice with that IMO. Don't rush wait for the right buying opportunity.

I saw those billet CAT cams for sale, I dunno, as I said the CAT cams just never sat well with me. I read many threads with issues or failure not just on the s54 platform but on other engines as well.

Yeah, I have absolutely no intention of ever selling this car. I have owned the car for over 18 years and plan to keep it for life.

[CrisSilberGrau]

I saw those billet CAT cams for sale, I dunno, as I said the CAT cams just never sat well with me. I read many threads with issues or failure not just on the s54 platform but on other engines as well.

Yeah, I have absolutely no intention of ever selling this car. I have owned the car for over 18 years and plan to keep it for life.

From a tolerance perspective the Schrick cams were spot on. No issues during install. The new CatCams I got were from a batch after the now famous GB that happened on here where there were many failures even on some with new followers from CatCams. And still they had a tolerance that was out of spec and had to be corrected. CatCams were nice enough to cover shipping and costs and return it back to me (not ideal at all but yah). What I will say about the CatCam option is that their followers are imo superior to the stock ones that Schrick has just with the coating. I messed up in not weighing them vs the stock ones I took off, but not sure it would have mattered as the oem ones would have material taken off.

I'm glad to hear you'll keep it for life. Then, like I mentioned, you know what you have to do and its just a financial strain at this point and nothing more.