S54 swap into e36 EP12: Camshaft, and VANOS install with Timing

Hand rotation of the entire assembly included at the end

*** DISCLAIMER****
I have decided to take the advice of my good dealer shop foreman. I will do the motor install. I will remove the VANOS. Then I will have it towed. They will install the VANOS. WHY because I started from scratch, chains off. This may be overly cautious but I have observed certain "gearbox" interactions throughout the course of getting to this point. I would prefer then to have it in a known state. MOST instructions wherever they are found start with a motor that WAS in time. Then there is the cam timing tool etc. etc. Plus I cannot actuate, the tool is $190 or so. Between that and cam tool this is alot for one time use. The BMW TIS calls for actuation steps. I WANT full POWAH ///M

I think I got it right... but still

The motor has since been started, look for that video, it is linked here early as well

**** DISCLAIMER*****


There are many important portions of the timing to get right in the process. Be prepared to take alot of time to get it all aligned.

The cams both go in with lobes "up" and cylinder 2 hole "up". For the lobes it's not "up" but some resting spot naturally found with the other hole in consideration. For the intake (this was simpler for the exhaust) more complex as the number 6 intake spring/valves are in contention with the piston potentially.

For each I used the 1/4 (quarter) turn process to fasten all the caps. The intake is tricky I had to move it counter clockwise some during cap install to ensure it would not contact the piston or bend a valve.

A review or comparison of the Beisan Anti rattle kit is included. I did not have to adjust my kit pieces per their methods of instruction. Way back at EP2 I rebuild the VANOS with a Beisan kit.


S54 rebuild
S54 swap
S54 VANOS anti rattle kit
S54 VANOS rebuild
S54 camshaft install
S54 VANOS install
S54 valve spring
S54 finger follower
S54 timing
S54 VANOS filter
S54 valve shim


Fuji XT-20 XF18-55