3 stages intake manifold question

Sotek · 04-10-2015, 06:11 AM

I'm about to do the move for the 3 stage intake manifold.
I found a used unit, complete with the 2 actuators, in my local car parts. Selling for 110$, comes from a 2006 330i, under 100 000 km.

So 110$, plus maybe 2hrs for my local indie shop to install it, then the AA tune.

I spent a lot of time reading about this upgrade but I do have some questions/concerns.

I read about the possible DISA flap failure, where the flap could get sucked into the engine.
Similar issue for the DISA gasket where bits of it gets sucked into the engine.

I know it's probably some rare cases, but the older intakes (2006) are ageing and failures are becoming more common.

There is a company that's working on this issue but the upgraded DISA solution is still in development. Is there any concern at all on this? Can I just check the DISA flap for any loose?

I am currently CPO until 2017, so if something happens, I assume this would kill the warranty?

What about cleaning of the intake manifold? When the guy at the car part pulled the part for me, it was very dirty with nothing covering the intake holes.
How to clean this and make sure no particles are left? Can I unmount the DISAs, then soak and dry everything?

Thanks for the help!

andrey_gta · 04-10-2015, 06:47 AM

To test.
Take manifold apart, all DISA, all other sensors.
Wash it.

With fingers pressure wiggle the flap towards open position. They should be stable and give some resistance.

Take the flaps
Go to engine bay. Take the longer Disa cable and plug it into one flap. Have someone hold. Start car to idle, flap should close.

mmmnot · 04-10-2015, 07:50 AM

I don't want to sound rude or mean, but if you're worried about the issues, I would highly advise buying new.

hassmaschine · 04-10-2015, 08:53 AM

IMO, worries about failed flaps are way overblown. Since that thread was started, nobody has reported a failure. so like 1 out of a couple million have had a problem. Don't forget there's all the E60s and Z4s, X5s X3s that have the same motor with the same flaps.

Sotek · 04-10-2015, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

IMO, worries about failed flaps are way overblown. Since that thread was started, nobody has reported a failure. so like 1 out of a couple million have had a problem. Don't forget there's all the E60s and Z4s, X5s X3s that have the same motor with the same flaps.

Absolutely true - these intakes are in a lot of engines, all around the world.

Sorry I was just being... cautious.
But the idea of paying 8-10 times more for a brand new unit is just not appealing (not with our weak Canadian dollar)...
So I think I'll go with the scrap yard unit.

So any special procedure to clean the intake? Remove actuators, soak in soapy water and air dry for 1 day or 2?

hassmaschine · 04-10-2015, 10:09 AM

That should work. It's just plastic. A couple drops of wanter won't hurt the engine either.

avocet · 04-12-2015, 09:50 AM

110$ is a no brainer! I got mine for $200cdn and thought it was a steal!!!

04-10-2015, 06:11 AM	#1
Sotek Private 4 Rep 89 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 328i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	3 stages intake manifold question I'm about to do the move for the 3 stage intake manifold. I found a used unit, complete with the 2 actuators, in my local car parts. Selling for 110$, comes from a 2006 330i, under 100 000 km. So 110$, plus maybe 2hrs for my local indie shop to install it, then the AA tune. I spent a lot of time reading about this upgrade but I do have some questions/concerns. I read about the possible DISA flap failure, where the flap could get sucked into the engine. Similar issue for the DISA gasket where bits of it gets sucked into the engine. I know it's probably some rare cases, but the older intakes (2006) are ageing and failures are becoming more common. There is a company that's working on this issue but the upgraded DISA solution is still in development. Is there any concern at all on this? Can I just check the DISA flap for any loose? I am currently CPO until 2017, so if something happens, I assume this would kill the warranty? What about cleaning of the intake manifold? When the guy at the car part pulled the part for me, it was very dirty with nothing covering the intake holes. How to clean this and make sure no particles are left? Can I unmount the DISAs, then soak and dry everything? Thanks for the help!
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04-10-2015, 06:47 AM	#2
andrey_gta Brigadier General 298 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	To test. Take manifold apart, all DISA, all other sensors. Wash it. With fingers pressure wiggle the flap towards open position. They should be stable and give some resistance. Take the flaps Go to engine bay. Take the longer Disa cable and plug it into one flap. Have someone hold. Start car to idle, flap should close. __________________ 128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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04-10-2015, 07:50 AM	#3
mmmnot Custom User Title 412 Rep 1,337 Posts Drives: E92 328i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hotlanta iTrader: (2)	I don't want to sound rude or mean, but if you're worried about the issues, I would highly advise buying new. __________________ My "build" thread
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04-10-2015, 08:53 AM	#4
hassmaschine Major General 3966 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	IMO, worries about failed flaps are way overblown. Since that thread was started, nobody has reported a failure. so like 1 out of a couple million have had a problem. Don't forget there's all the E60s and Z4s, X5s X3s that have the same motor with the same flaps.
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04-10-2015, 10:09 AM	#6
hassmaschine Major General 3966 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	That should work. It's just plastic. A couple drops of wanter won't hurt the engine either.
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04-12-2015, 09:50 AM	#7
avocet Major 252 Rep 1,157 Posts Drives: 2007 328i 2011 X5d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Vancouver bc iTrader: (0)	110$ is a no brainer! I got mine for $200cdn and thought it was a steal!!!
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