Can someone explain to me the 3stage IM

ChrisJadesFireF82 · 04-14-2014, 11:06 AM

Im trying to understand if this mod is worth it and if i can even do it for my car...i have a 2008 328xi e92 6MT...how much is this mod and is the performance worth it? got the itch to do something to my car before shes to old lol

DickBlisken · 04-14-2014, 11:16 AM

Check out this sticky: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37444 it has all the information you need.

Just installed the Three-Stage IM on my E92 328i. Definitely worth it, especially if you compliment it with a tune. Picked up mine used from a 128i for $475.

Delta0311 · 04-14-2014, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisCharcoalE92

Im trying to understand if this mod is worth it and if i can even do it for my car...i have a 2008 328xi e92 6MT...how much is this mod and is the performance worth it? got the itch to do something to my car before shes to old lol

Yes it is worth it. I had it on my old 328. Just make sure you get a tune once you get it otherwise it won't make much of a difference.

BostonPoke · 04-14-2014, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisCharcoalE92

Im trying to understand if this mod is worth it and if i can even do it for my car...i have a 2008 328xi e92 6MT...how much is this mod and is the performance worth it? got the itch to do something to my car before shes to old lol

Check your car specs, if your engine is SULEV then you already have a 3 stage IM.

Delta0311 · 04-14-2014, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BostonPoke

Check your car specs, if your engine is SULEV then you already have a 3 stage IM.

He's in NY so he most likely won't most of the SULEVs where out in the West Coast.

SDemetris · 04-14-2014, 01:29 PM

Get your VIN # then look online to see you have an N52 or N51. If you have the N51 you already have the 3 stage intake manifold. Otherwise you can do the mod. I did it myself and it was one of the first relatively major mods I did to my car. That being said it took me longer than it should have, but it wasn't impossible. I got my new manifold used for $350 i believe and i think it was worth it. especially now that i got a tune after a year without one its fun to feel power increase more sharply at different rpm and the sound of the engine change when the different flaps open. and too old? look on r3v and look at some of the stupid ghetto s**t those people are doing to 30 year old cars.. the car will never be too old for a new intake manifold which is now a pretty much proven modification

Love The Drive · 04-14-2014, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta0311

He's in NY so he most likely won't most of the SULEVs where out in the West Coast.

Isn't NY strict on emissions too? I thought there were SULEVs there also.

GarlicBread · 04-14-2014, 11:29 PM

I have the sulev too got it in Massachusetts. Pretty sure it's not that hard to find

Delta0311 · 04-15-2014, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Love The Drive

Isn't NY strict on emissions too? I thought there were SULEVs there also.

No ny is not as nuts as California

SDemetris · 04-15-2014, 09:44 AM

Sulev cars are everywhere. I'm in PA and my mom's 328 is an N51

Ferg · 04-17-2014, 05:03 PM

Any recommendations on where to pick up a used 3-stage manifold?

SDemetris · 04-17-2014, 07:55 PM

i called a salvage yard near my house and while they didnt have the part, they got it in within like 5 days

jc_bmw · 04-17-2014, 09:23 PM

Got mine from Florida through car-part.com

ska///235i · 04-18-2014, 10:04 PM

the 3 stage IM is made with a stronger/heavier material (compare to my 06 325)
the sounds a little deeper than stock

04-14-2014, 11:06 AM	#1
ChrisJadesFireF82 Second Lieutenant 21 Rep 240 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW F82 M4 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (1)	Can someone explain to me the 3stage IM Im trying to understand if this mod is worth it and if i can even do it for my car...i have a 2008 328xi e92 6MT...how much is this mod and is the performance worth it? got the itch to do something to my car before shes to old lol Last edited by ChrisJadesFireF82; 04-14-2014 at 11:12 AM..
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04-14-2014, 11:16 AM	#2
DickBlisken First Lieutenant 34 Rep 313 Posts Drives: Like a hooligan Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Earth iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 E92 328i [0.00]	Check out this sticky: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37444 it has all the information you need. Just installed the Three-Stage IM on my E92 328i. Definitely worth it, especially if you compliment it with a tune. Picked up mine used from a 128i for $475. __________________ 2016 F30 340i M Sport \| 2009 E92 328i 6MT
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04-14-2014, 01:29 PM	#6
SDemetris FSAE Dude 61 Rep 759 Posts Drives: E90 328xi Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	Get your VIN # then look online to see you have an N52 or N51. If you have the N51 you already have the 3 stage intake manifold. Otherwise you can do the mod. I did it myself and it was one of the first relatively major mods I did to my car. That being said it took me longer than it should have, but it wasn't impossible. I got my new manifold used for $350 i believe and i think it was worth it. especially now that i got a tune after a year without one its fun to feel power increase more sharply at different rpm and the sound of the engine change when the different flaps open. and too old? look on r3v and look at some of the stupid ghetto s**t those people are doing to 30 year old cars.. the car will never be too old for a new intake manifold which is now a pretty much proven modification __________________ 2007 TiAg 328xi: AA Tune, AFE intake, Full exhaust, 335xi Brakes, H&R RSB, UUC FSB, H&R Sports, Billy Sports...BBS SR 17x8 1985 Gazelle Beige 325e: Poly everything, e24 3.25 LSD, 225 lb weight reduction, Corbeau FX1, Shifter machined by me, roll bar, harness, all the other goodies. My "Racecar"...15x7 BBS RA
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04-14-2014, 11:29 PM	#8
GarlicBread Brigadier General 165 Rep 560 Posts Drives: 17' M4 ZCP Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: New England iTrader: (1)	I have the sulev too got it in Massachusetts. Pretty sure it's not that hard to find
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04-15-2014, 09:44 AM	#10
SDemetris FSAE Dude 61 Rep 759 Posts Drives: E90 328xi Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	Sulev cars are everywhere. I'm in PA and my mom's 328 is an N51
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04-17-2014, 05:03 PM	#11
Ferg Master of my own domain!! 153 Rep 1,049 Posts Drives: F82 M4/F15 X5 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Huntsville, AL iTrader: (0)	Any recommendations on where to pick up a used 3-stage manifold?
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04-17-2014, 07:55 PM	#12
SDemetris FSAE Dude 61 Rep 759 Posts Drives: E90 328xi Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	i called a salvage yard near my house and while they didnt have the part, they got it in within like 5 days __________________ 2007 TiAg 328xi: AA Tune, AFE intake, Full exhaust, 335xi Brakes, H&R RSB, UUC FSB, H&R Sports, Billy Sports...BBS SR 17x8 1985 Gazelle Beige 325e: Poly everything, e24 3.25 LSD, 225 lb weight reduction, Corbeau FX1, Shifter machined by me, roll bar, harness, all the other goodies. My "Racecar"...15x7 BBS RA
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04-17-2014, 09:23 PM	#13
jc_bmw First Lieutenant 59 Rep 383 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i E90 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Markham, Ontario iTrader: (3)	Got mine from Florida through car-part.com
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04-18-2014, 10:04 PM	#14
ska///235i ***** noob 1369 Rep 10,479 Posts Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 325xi [0.00]	the 3 stage IM is made with a stronger/heavier material (compare to my 06 325) the sounds a little deeper than stock
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