[e90pilot]

Originally Posted by ScotcH

Hey all, good project. I just got a 328xiT 6MT and I'm looking at some options... this looks promising! Coming from an e46 M3 has me wanting a bit more power, and I sure wish that NA would get the 335i Touring, but no such luck.

Anyway, from my brief look over this thread, it seems that even after the mani swap and 330i performance tune, the power level is not quite up to stock 330i levels, is this correct?

Obviously there are other differences. Do we know what these are? Exhaust? How about fuel pressure? Head? Is the block/head really identical on all N52 engines? Keep up the good work all ... I might join you in experimenting at some point, but I need to learn a bit about the e9x stills (I come from a racing background, but only built e36 and e46 race cars).

I've done some pretty extensive research. All the part numbers are the same. Block, head, cams, exhaust manifold. The only difference I found was the manifold and exhaust from secondary cat back. It had a different resonator and muffler. Even the ECU has the same part number.

As far as power goes, I'm not up to 330 levels. Still about 10whp short. My last dyno was on a dynojet and put out about 218 hp (don't have the file so I can't post it). A stock 330 will put 225-235hp on a dynojet. On the dyno dynamics a z4 3.0si puts out 214 whp stock and 224 tuned.

I have a revised tune installed and I'll put it on the dyno soon. I'll put 100 octane in it as this is how I dynoed it the first time on the dynojet. I don't think we're gonna see too much peak HP improvement, but there should be a large increase in low end torque.

[Mike.Beale]

e90 Pilot, are still using OETuning/Gintani? How happy are you with the tune(s) in terms of drivability and throttle response? I would like to put a three stage intake on my 128i once the warranty is over. Looks like the manifold swap is easy, but I'm still trying to figure out who to go with for the tune.

I would a tune that is pretty much plug and play. I don't want to have to spend a lot of time experimenting with different tunes. I'm not necessary looking for a tune that will extract every last HP from the car, but I want good drivability. Do you think OE/Gintani would be able to supply what I'm looking for?

Thanks,

Mike

[-c-]

thanks E90 pilot for your help a few months ago the project went as smooth as silk.


here were the pics and such i did on the Z4, way more power just with the manifold, it could be we run different exhaust and such from the 3 series not sure but no flat spots and it sounds wayyyyy better as well.

the pics and such can be found here,

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455180

[user12134]

Is this mod possible on the N53 325i/525i? (the new LCI engines)?
Has someone tried it?

[BudVlad]

Originally Posted by user12134

Is this mod possible on the N53 325i/525i? (the new LCI engines)?
Has someone tried it?

Yes.
The result: 248.9 whp (183.1 kW), 207.1 FtLb (280.8 Nm)

[dtc100]

I might do this in the future for my 328i, what is the cost, including parts, installation by a shop and dyno tunes?

[MaximusJ]

900$ in parts and around $500 for the tune.

For the installation, I would say a couple hundreds for sure.

[Digitalinkartist]

if there is a formula for parts and software that delivers reliable/consistent gains then this is the best bang-for-buck modification available for the n52/53.

@BUDVLAD, What software tune are you running?

Why does it seem that this modification delivers inconsistent results across the spectrum of tunes/models?

[Me_Hi]

Can someone tell which vehicules out of the BMW line up have the 3 stage manifold stock so we know if the opportunity arises ( salvage cars ) ? Please and thank you

[BudVlad]

Originally Posted by Digitalinkartist

@BUDVLAD, What software tune are you running?

It’s software developed by DS Motorsport (Germany). My car was individually tuned on dyno.

[Digitalinkartist]

Originally Posted by Me_Hi

Can someone tell which vehicules out of the BMW line up have the 3 stage manifold stock so we know if the opportunity arises ( salvage cars ) ? Please and thank you

I will give it a go as best as I can recall. Some info may need to be corrected by members with more experience in the matter

3 stage manifold is equipped on:
2006 e90 330 sedan
2006-2009 x3 3.0si
2006-2008 530i-xi (<--- may be available on earlier/later years)
2006-2008 z4 3.0si coupe

Hope this helps

[e90pilot]

Also 328s with n51 engine have the 3 stage manifold. X5 3.0si also has the N52 although they switched to N54 now.

[e90pilot]

Originally Posted by Digitalinkartist

if there is a formula for parts and software that delivers reliable/consistent gains then this is the best bang-for-buck modification available for the n52/53.

@BUDVLAD, What software tune are you running?

Why does it seem that this modification delivers inconsistent results across the spectrum of tunes/models?

Budvlad is running an N53. I'm running an N52 325. The two engines are very different. I have valvetronic and port injection and Budvlad has no valvetronic but direct injection. I don't have a dyno of my latest tune yet. There's a hole in my exhaust that needs to be fixed first. Also different dynos will show different results. Dinan's website has a pretty good explanation of why it's so difficult to reproduce on-road conditions on a dyno.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Hi all,

just in relation to my N52 325i

1. I am assuming as the manifold is from BMW it has the primary cats built in?
2. How does this manifold swap differ to say installing headers?
3. And how does just changing the manifold give power equal or similar to a 330i when the 330i has a bigger 3L engine?
4. Is there a tune available off the shelf or is a custom one required.

Will perhaps give this a shot once I have a better understanding of what's going on

[BlackBimmer1991]

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

Hi all,

just in relation to my N52 325i

1. I am assuming as the manifold is from BMW it has the primary cats built in?
2. How does this manifold swap differ to say installing headers?
3. And how does just changing the manifold give power equal or similar to a 330i when the 330i has a bigger 3L engine?
4. Is there a tune available off the shelf or is a custom one required.

Will perhaps give this a shot once I have a better understanding of what's going on

1. The manifold is from bmw
2. Your thinking of an exhaust manifold. This is an intake manifold
3. all N52 engines have a 3.0L engine
4. Craven has a tune and a couple other venders do too

[e90pilot]

He's from Australia. Their 325i is 2.5L (N52 B25).

[BlackBimmer1991]

Originally Posted by e90pilot

He's from Australia. Their 325i is 2.5L (N52 B25).

I stand corrected

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Thanks for the reply blackbimmer,

ah yes I was thinking exhaust manifold, so theoretically this coupled with headers would provide more power?

And as I am running a 2.5L engine, will I still see the same gains you US guys with your 3L N52s are seeing?

[BlackBimmer1991]

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

Thanks for the reply blackbimmer,

ah yes I was thinking exhaust manifold, so theoretically this coupled with headers would provide more power?

And as I am running a 2.5L engine, will I still see the same gains you US guys with your 3L N52s are seeing?

1. yes. Craven has a dyno on just headers on his N52
2. No idea

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Originally Posted by BlackBimmer1991

1. yes. Craven has a dyno on just headers on his N52

Yeh I've seen the gain he made from using headers, I am assuming headers + manifold swap will see additional gains.

Ok I guess this manifold swap really only relates to people who got the 3L N52 engine which is people in the US and some other cars like the 125i in Australia.

Has the manifold swap been performed before on a 2.5L N52??? Gains?

[e90pilot]

You might already have the 3-stage manifold. Look under your hood and you'll see the DISA valve on the right side of the manifold if you're facing the car.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

I'll check and report back soon!