[klick]

Hey guys,

I would like to get some opinions on the pro/cons and preferences on what engine bolt on I should get.

I have heard glowing things about the 3 Stage DISA manifold, however I have concerns about the reliability of the DISA valves. I love the N52 in my car precisely because of its reliability and almost bulletproof performance. I do not want to compromise this with some DISA valves breaking down the road and destroying my engine.

How would you guys compare this to headers?

Would they be comparable in performance gains?

I can only choose one for now due to my budget.

Will appreciate any input!

[avocet]

I consider the disa reliability a non issue. There just isn't the failures to justify any worry.

However, I would say headers! Because there is so much visceral improvement.

Three stage might be more power, but I think the header will give more enjoyment.

My2cents.

[631twentyeighteye]

Headers will NEED a tune, where as the 3 stage manifold doesn't NEED a tune, but it will need the tune in order to optimize disa and gain the full power.

I also agree that DISA failures are far and few inbetween consider how many motors they put these on. Still waiting for GAS to make the kit that replaces the wear points and makes it a complete non-issue.

Either way you'll be happy. I love headers purely because they exhaust note change is amazing. The 3stage is nice for dailying due to the increased low end/midrange.

[Mike.]

practicality: the 3 stage
fun: headers

[cpie168]

How about just getting an AA tune without any bolt-on's? Worth it?

[631twentyeighteye]

I ran just the AA tune before i got my manifold and while i noticed a bit more pep, i don't think the price justifies it by itself. That being said it's worth it if you plan on continuing to mod later on like i did.

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

Headers will NEED a tune, where as the 3 stage manifold doesn't NEED a tune, but it will need the tune in order to optimize disa and gain the full power.

I also agree that DISA failures are far and few inbetween consider how many motors they put these on. Still waiting for GAS to make the kit that replaces the wear points and makes it a complete non-issue.

Either way you'll be happy. I love headers purely because they exhaust note change is amazing. The 3stage is nice for dailying due to the increased low end/midrange.

Will all due respect, I disagree - to an extent. Headers do not always mean tune. They do for a set that delete cats and cause CEL, and you want to 'tune' it to pass emissions. THe manifold, IMHO does NEED a tune, otherwise you're literally running the same manifold as you did stock to the cars computer.

On the latter, I agree 100%. Headers add some nice aggressive noises and some pretty decent low end power (I dyno proven mine at just over 20WHP gains [AFE headers, FIY]).

All in all, OP, I would say just wait, get both together then get a one time tune to make them all work and play well with eachother. I wish I had done that, instead of going one at a time and working with 2-3 different tunes at a time.

Goodluck

Edit: 631twentyeighteye - Did you get a used or new manifold? I got the new version just as a safety net from pre mature failure. I've only read of one or two cases of these valves failing and they were both on VERY high mileage cars.

[hassmaschine]

3 stage is going to make a bigger difference overall than headers IMO. the change in low end torque will be drastic, plus an increase in power. headers will mostly increase power.

also, both really need a tune. if your car didn't come with a 3 stage, or it will really be a 2 stage manifold as BMW programed those cars to not open the 2nd flap if one is hooked up.

headers will need a tune because VANOS needs adjusted for them. cam timing & header design are closely related to each other.

and yeah, disa failures are overblown. there's a lot of N52s with the 3 stage manifold around - don't forget the E60 had them too!

[chris82]

I'd do headers, more enjoyment out of a mod like that. They look awesome, they sound awesome, they give a power gain, they improve the throttle response

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by mmmnot

Will all due respect, I disagree - to an extent. Headers do not always mean tune. They do for a set that delete cats and cause CEL, and you want to 'tune' it to pass emissions.

Tunes also run different A/F and hotter EGT. Not only for clearing CELs

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Tunes also run different A/F and hotter EGT. Not only for clearing CELs

Interesting. TIL.

[mlifxs]

3 stage. With headers, the tree-huggers in the family will pounce on me.

[jc5988]

Originally Posted by klick

Hey guys,

I would like to get some opinions on the pro/cons and preferences on what engine bolt on I should get.

I have heard glowing things about the 3 Stage DISA manifold, however I have concerns about the reliability of the DISA valves. I love the N52 in my car precisely because of its reliability and almost bulletproof performance. I do not want to compromise this with some DISA valves breaking down the road and destroying my engine.

How would you guys compare this to headers?

Would they be comparable in performance gains?

I can only choose one for now due to my budget.

Will appreciate any input!

you can go with AFE header plus mid, shouldn't need ecu tuning(came with sports cat), will net you about 15-20whp. about same with 3 stage plus tune.


also just wanna make sure you have N52 instead of N51, if in case you got N51, just go with tune, it has 3 stage build in already.

[klick]

Originally Posted by jc5988

you can go with AFE header plus mid, shouldn't need ecu tuning(came with sports cat), will net you about 15-20whp. about same with 3 stage plus tune.


also just wanna make sure you have N52 instead of N51, if in case you got N51, just go with tune, it has 3 stage build in already.

Yea, I for sure have the N52 in my car since it is originally from Arizona. Checked it on RealOEM.

Interesting gains from the headers. Did you need a tune or was that just after bolting on and the ECU adjusted?

[klick]

Originally Posted by mmmnot

Will all due respect, I disagree - to an extent. Headers do not always mean tune. They do for a set that delete cats and cause CEL, and you want to 'tune' it to pass emissions. THe manifold, IMHO does NEED a tune, otherwise you're literally running the same manifold as you did stock to the cars computer.

On the latter, I agree 100%. Headers add some nice aggressive noises and some pretty decent low end power (I dyno proven mine at just over 20WHP gains [AFE headers, FIY]).

All in all, OP, I would say just wait, get both together then get a one time tune to make them all work and play well with eachother. I wish I had done that, instead of going one at a time and working with 2-3 different tunes at a time.

Goodluck

Edit: 631twentyeighteye - Did you get a used or new manifold? I got the new version just as a safety net from pre mature failure. I've only read of one or two cases of these valves failing and they were both on VERY high mileage cars.

Can you link me your dyno? Did you get a tune after your put the headers on?

[631twentyeighteye]

222RWHP on a mustang dyno. Had an injen intake that i think was taking away some power, have since gone to eurobox and yet to dyno again but it feels better.

Have ran a tune with no bolt ons, with 3stage, and with headers and 3 stage. stock was 198/180@rear wheels, 3 stage and tune was 213/189 @rear wheels, and headers made 225/201@ rear wheels. All of those were on the same dynojet dyno. Also the headers tune should've had better numbers, but the secondary o2 sensors were mixed up causing it to run poorly.

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by klick

Can you link me your dyno? Did you get a tune after your put the headers on?

Mods on N52 engine at dyno time include: Dinan catback, AFE catted headers and Dinan Ram intake.

Post dyno, Ive installed the 330 manifold and proper AA tune. Pending new results.

More details available in this thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1106525