Cat Cams, the finest value in camshafts today, offers grinds that provide winning performance for race cars and reliable performance for both street and track vehicles.
VAC is North America's exclusive dealer of Cat Cams components. We have had many years of success with their BMW products and can say with confidence that they are some of the best cams available. These are Cat's race-use profiles for the M42 4 cyl engine.
| Specs |
Recommended application |
Notes |
| 260 / 242° - lift (mm) in: 11.00 / ex: 10.00 |
Turbo / Turbo Conversion |
* Upgraded lifters, springs and seats required |
| 268 / 267° - lift (mm) in: 11.50 / ex: 10.95 |
Street / Dirt Track |
* Upgraded springs and seats, recommended |
| 279 / 274° - lift (mm) in: 11.50 / ex: 10.95 |
Street / Dirt Track |
* Upgraded springs and seats, recommended |
| 282 / 274° - lift (mm) in: 11.50 / ex: 11.00 |
Street / Dirt Track / Race |
*Must be used along with conversion to mechanical valve adjustment |
| 290 / 282° - lift (mm) in: 12.00 / ex: 11.50 |
Road Rally / Race |
*Must be used along with conversion to mechanical valve adjustment |
| 298 / 290° - lift (mm) in: 12.50 / ex: 12.00 |
Road Rally / Race |
*Must be used along with conversion to mechanical valve adjustment |
| 307 / 298° - lift (mm) in: 13.00 / ex: 12.50 |
Full Race |
*Must be used along with conversion to mechanical valve adjustment |
Important notes on Cat Cams M42 race cams:
Inventory: As M42 are not very popular next to their 6 cylinder brethren, most of these M42 cams are made to order and not stocked items.
Cat Cams NOTE:
- Cat states that these are for use with the 318is head or heads with 7 mm valvestem diameter.
We have had feedback of users using these with 6 mm (later E36 heads) but have not confirmed fitment for all applications and cannot offer advice for this procedure.
- The following details must be verified: The camshafs must turn smooth in the cylinderhead, provide free travel by machining where needed - distance between valve seal and retainer at full lift must be 0.6 mm at least - minimum valve spring travel of 1.0 mm at full lift must be provided - distance between valve and piston 1.0 mm (pref. 1.5 mm). check 5-15° before TDC on exhaust, and after TDC on intake.
VAC Tech Notes:
- All race camshaft upgrades should be accompanied by Upgraded Valve Springs for performance and engine reliability. If the engine is over-revved, or you accidentally miss-shift, the engine could be damaged. Uprated springs will help protect against this and are strictly recommended.
- As with any new camshaft, new cam followers should always be fitted
VAC e-Gift Certificate has been activated!