K, i have access to a mint 3.5L i think its a 2004 with like 25000. I want to swap it in the spring. Over the winter I'll put in new cams and clean it up nice. heres the question....can i do it without 3.0 timing stuff, im sitting here with EMU anyway, which can control timing so why would i need to? This would allow me to use no cam spacers or anything, it would just be a drop in mod(easier said than done). Im wondering if while im at it i should take a 6spd and drop that in since my 5spd is giving me trouble and my cv joints are both shot anyway, so its all gotta be replaced. Am i making this all out to be too simple for myself or could it actually work like this?

 

Doesnt matter of the EMU can do the timing. It MODIFIES the present signal. But, w/o a place to mount the CAM pos sensor, where would the ECU get that signal from? On the 3.5s, there are 2 cam pos sensors, on the back side of the heads. A32 ECU wont make sense of that so the motor wont start.

Only way I could see that happening is if you drill the cam pos sensor into the outer timing cover. But then again, idk if it would be able to read the 3.5's signal from those sprokets. Also the fact that you have the VCTCs right on the way of the spot where the CamPS would go

 

O didnt realize 3.5's have 2 cam sensors. K, well thats out. Guess i'll be building this motor up over the next few months so i'm going to be taking the timing stuff out anyway. I've gotta find those pistons i saw somewhere, 11.5:1 pistons to compliment an s1 cam. Im aiming for atleast 260hp with a tune. Just enough to beat my buddies 325i.

 

if you're going to do an NA build up don't skimp and get just moderate pistons imho - those are pretty mild for an NA setup. I'd go like 12.5+


a stock 4th gen would beat a stock 325i so I'm assuming he's nowhere close to stock... right?

 

He'd need moar intake cam than the S1's can offer to run that kinda compression safely (or w/out pulling lots of timing) on pump gas.

 

then he should get more intake cam than the S1s, an NA build with mild stuff is pointless in my opinion when you could spend a similar amount of money on different parts and make more power.

 

Who sells 12.5:1 pistons? Im brand new to 3.5's so bear with me here. This motor will be on an engine stand in my garage all winter so whatever can be done to make it a beast is good info to share for a 3.5 newb

As for the 325i, its a lease so its stock. He's auto with that shiftmatic stuff so its kinda unfare, we did a 20mph rolling start in second gear.....by 4th gear he had an easy car length on me. Thats why now i only race cars with manual tranny, auto shows no skill, just that the driver spent more money to get something made for stupid people.