[Bmwmaf]

Trying to find some good info for upgrading the motor, i know that i need a better intake manifold, can't find it on sale tho. Pre lci manual e90 325i 3.0 160, any ideas who did something or pages where to buy some stuff

[E92_William]

Does your manifold have DISAs already? If it does you might only need tuning. The N53B30 3 stage manifold is indeed way harder to find for a good price than an N52 one. I would hunt around yards and ebay to see if you can source one.

The other option is to get an N52 manifold and adjust the mounting points to get it to match to the head. I believe the N53 has the same mounting points as the N54 so the same way guys have modified an N54 manifold to line up with N52 head ports you could maybe do the reverse of that to make an N52 manifold work on your N53.

This is the single best upgrade for that engine specially if you have one that's making what 215hp? in a 25i trim level.

[BudVlad]

3 stage manifold is variable length intake. I will not give you more HP. I tried all options and best result I got is 297 PS and 307 Nm with N54 intake manifold, Supersprint exhaust and tune.

[Bmwmaf]

Originally Posted by E92_William

Does your manifold have DISAs already? If it does you might only need tuning. The N53B30 3 stage manifold is indeed way harder to find for a good price than an N52 one. I would hunt around yards and ebay to see if you can source one.

The other option is to get an N52 manifold and adjust the mounting points to get it to match to the head. I believe the N53 has the same mounting points as the N54 so the same way guys have modified an N54 manifold to line up with N52 head ports you could maybe do the reverse of that to make an N52 manifold work on your N53.

This is the single best upgrade for that engine specially if you have one that's making what 215hp? in a 25i trim level.

I have 218hp right now as a stock, im not sure if it's 3 stage with DISA, how can I check it?

[ptpending]

Originally Posted by E92_William

Does your manifold have DISAs already? If it does you might only need tuning. The N53B30 3 stage manifold is indeed way harder to find for a good price than an N52 one. I would hunt around yards and ebay to see if you can source one.

The other option is to get an N52 manifold and adjust the mounting points to get it to match to the head. I believe the N53 has the same mounting points as the N54 so the same way guys have modified an N54 manifold to line up with N52 head ports you could maybe do the reverse of that to make an N52 manifold work on your N53.

This is the single best upgrade for that engine specially if you have one that's making what 215hp? in a 25i trim level.

what is problem with rarity N53 manifold ? almost all west european bmw 3.0 petrol cars made in 2007-2011 had N53 so there should be plenty of the manifolds on european ebay and similar site

[steifan]

Originally Posted by Bmwmaf

I have 218hp right now as a stock, im not sure if it's 3 stage with DISA, how can I check it?

I'm pretty sure the 218hp N53 does not have the 3-stage manifold.

Just look in realoem if the manifold of your car has two DISA valves.

Here is a link to a PRE-LCI N53 325i (Euro): https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_4086

The DISAs have no parts in the list = they aren't fitted.

Here is a random 330i LCI with the 272hp N53:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_4086

[Phil325i]

Originally Posted by steifan

I'm pretty sure the 218hp N53 does not have the 3-stage manifold.

You're spot on Steifan. The 325i has no 3-stage, whereas the 330i does.

[el_pablo]

Very interesting, I have a N53 218hp and have a 3 stage manifold in hands, where do you recommend to do the tune/conversion to 330i software in Europe?

[Karmcalm]

Originally Posted by BudVlad

3 stage manifold is variable length intake. I will not give you more HP. I tried all options and best result I got is 297 PS and 307 Nm with N54 intake manifold, Supersprint exhaust and tune.

Please tell me in more detail on the modifications of the engine, I am interested in how the intake and was there originally an oil thermostat, if not, how hard to put it?

[BudVlad]

Originally Posted by Karmcalm

Please tell me in more detail on the modifications of the engine, I am interested in how the intake and was there originally an oil thermostat, if not, how hard to put it?

The N54 intake manifold will fit. The modification you have to do is to PCV, gas tank ventilation and EGR. Removing EGR and using catch tank for PCV is the best thing for direct injection intake valves.

[southpaw0306]

N54 manifold is the way to go. Once my disa valve went I went with this manifold and never looked back