BMW S54 VANOS Hub by 5150 AutoSport

The OEM BMW S54 VANOS exhaust hub is a component which commonly experiences failure as the drive pins, which connect the exhaust camshaft to the VANOS unit, wear, crack, and break off over time. This problem is two-fold, caused by excessive clearances and play in the OEM system, as well as the OEM hub material, which is ill-equipped for the stress and wear of the S54 engine.

Our upgraded VANOS hub was carefully designed by 5150's in-house aerospace engineer, Chris, ensuring that every detail of this upgrade was carefully considered. After, it was sent to military manufacturing, where we ensured it would be the highest quality, longest lasting hub available on the market. 

Oil Pump Drive Pin Design

The drive pins, which connect the exhaust camshaft to the VANOS oil pump, commonly fail as excessive OEM clearances cause the pins to experience excessive wear from play within the system.

Pictured: A damaged S54 VANOS Hub with sheared drive pins

To solve for this, the 5150 hub pins have been redesigned to utilize more material and fit more exactly within the oil pump holes, reducing play by 80%, effectively limiting parasitic pin travel to fractions of a millimeter and eliminating the 'chatter' common to the OEM VANOS system. By using more material, we effectively increase pin strength within the system, compensating for any residual play.

Hub Material

Because of its role and position within the engine, the VANOS hub is subjected to high levels of stress and wear due to continual use and exposure to engine heat, causing material fatigue.

Pictured: A damaged BMW S54 VANOS Hub with compromised material integrity from aftermarket weld-on reinforcement modification

4340 Steel

To solve for this, the 5150 hub is carefully machined from Vacuum Melt 4340 Steel as a one-piece hub, cut from a single piece of billet steel. 4340 VM is a high strength, low alloy, nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel that combines ductility, toughness, and strength. Commonly used for high-stress applications, like aircraft components, crankshafts, and gears, it is a harder, stronger material than similar hubs on the market, ensuring component life and better protecting your engine.

Heat Treatment

Once machining is complete, these hubs are subjected to heat treatment and cryogenic treatment. The advantage of 4340 Steel is its high hardenability and improved depth of hardness. In other words, 5150 Hubs are both externally hardened to extend the life of the spline, and internally hardened to ensure overall component longevity. 

The result is a better, stronger hub that exceeds OEM standards and exceeds the quality of any other hub on the market.

Specialized Spline

This is where engineering and manufacturing are critical. The helical spline on the S54 VANOS Hub plays a crucial role in transmitting rotational motion from the VANOS unit and the camshaft, adjusting the timing of the intake and exhaust valves. This is how the VANOS system optimizes engine performance and torque throughout the RPM-range. 

As the OEM hub ages and wears, the integrity of the spline is compromised, causing slippage, timing inaccuracies, or total VANOS failure. Our hub not only features the exact dimensions of the BMW hub, but the upgraded materials and heat treatment ensure the longevity of its splines and ensures a perfect lead without distortion.

OEM Fitment

To ensure compatibility and ease of installation, the 5150 exhaust hub seamlessly fits within the OEM VANOS configuration, meaning the oil pump disc does not need to be modified. While we highly recommend replacing or upgrading your VANOS oil pump, the exhaust cam hub alone is a significant upgrade to the OEM system.

Military-Grade Manufacturing

5150 hubs are custom manufactured to military quality specs at an ISO / QMS certified shop.  Proudly made in the USA, we start with the highest quality raw materials and machine to tight tolerances to ensure proper fit and longevity.

Manufacturer’s 2-Year Guarantee

At 5150 AutoSport, we stand behind the craftsmanship and quality of our products. Every BMW S54 VANOS Hub Upgrade is engineered to meet the highest performance standards, ensuring long-lasting durability and precision for your engine.

Our Guarantee:

If there is a defect in materials or workmanship, we will replace the VANOS hub at no cost to you. This 2-year guarantee reflects our commitment to delivering only the best to our customers.

BMW S54 Applications:

BMW 3 Series

2000-2006     E46     M3

BMW Z3 Series

2001-2002     Z3     M

BMW Z4 Series

2006-2008     Z4     M