M50 intake manifold on M52 2.2...will it fit?

[Gundun]

Good day folks,
So I've read about retrofitting the M50 engine intake manifold on the M52 retrofit, that should allegedly sharpen up the throttle response and round up a few HP to the current M52 engines.
However I've only found very positive experiences of retrofitted 2.5 and 2.8 engines.

This mod is very popular in the States, where the 2.2 was not even sold (not entirely sure about this one though)

I am wondering if the M50 manifold also fit the 2.2 engine as if this is a swap I could easily see myself doing in my garage (you only need a plug for the CCV bore that gets sold on the Bay for 14€...)

Cheers!
s

 

[Antm72]

The M50 fits on the M52 i think its the M54 thats required if its an M52TU.
I presume the 2.2 is a TU engine the M52 was fitted to early pre facelift cars.
Mines a 2.8 99 prefacelift but has a TU engine fitted.
I did the conversion to my first 2.8 zed it was the M52 single vanos and it made a vast difference, its very mixed in reviews when going to the M54 conversion on the M52TU and benefits would be more noticable with induction exhaust and a remap added.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Be very clear about what you are trying to achieve and know the pro's and con's from the modification. The best information that you can find is dyno results (before and after) with a list of modifications made. You'll be able to see what really happens rather than relying on internet hearsay.

I suggest that you run your VIN number through a decoder and confirm the engine type in your car, as I think you'll find that the 2.2 L is a M54 engine. If this is the case, then do some research on fitting the M54B30 inlet manifold and throttle body.

If its by some strange chance its a M52TU engine, research fitting the M54B25 inlet manifold.

 

[Gundun]

@Murray Wall holy crop you're right. It's an M54 engine...and for all this time I believed it being an M52TU.
So I guess the way to go would be the M54B30 inlet manifold and TB, also because the B22 and the B30 are the only ones to have throttle by wire.
The question is if it's a mod worth doing as I have no information whatsoever about any recorded improvement...

 

[Grumps]

I've spoken with @Antm72 a few times about doing this on mine. I have an M52 so would work well. If I spot a manifold at the right money I'd grab it.

 

[Antm72]

I've spoken with @Antm72 a fewrites about doing this on mine. I have an M52TU so would work well. If I spot a manifold at the right money I'd grab it.

You have an M52 its not a TU

 

[Grumps]

You have an M52 its not a TU

Yep that's what I put lol!!!

 

[NZ00Z3]

I would also suggest that if the VANOS seals have not already been replaced, to do that first. I drove a mates 2.2 L (M54) Z3 last weekend and it needed the seals done. Had 100,000 km (80,000 miles) on the clock and was very sluggish below 3,000 rpm in any gear. My 2.0 L (M52TU) with new seals out performed it easily.

As for Fly by wire, yes the 2.2 and 3.0 are the only M54's in the Z3. BMW has a M54B25 used in other models that is also fly by wire that you can source a manifold from.

By the way, the M52TU engines are also fly by wire. They were the first generation of fly by wire where BMW left the accelerator cable there on one of the throttle spindle and introduced the overriding electric motor on the other end. The accelerator cable usually confuses people in thinking that they are not fly by wire.

 

[gookah]

By the way, the M52TU engines are also fly by wire. They were the first generation of fly by wire where BMW left the accelerator cable there on one of the throttle spindle and introduced the overriding electric motor on the other end. The accelerator cable usually confuses people in thinking that they are not fly by wire.

They are a mix of both. The cable is used by the accelerator as normal.
the motor part enables cruise control and traction control

 

[Gundun]

I would also suggest that if the VANOS seals have not already been replaced, to do that first. I drove a mates 2.2 L (M54) Z3 last weekend and it needed the seals done. Had 100,000 km (80,000 miles) on the clock and was very sluggish below 3,000 rpm in any gear. My 2.0 L (M52TU) with new seals out performed it easily..

Mine currently has 43k miles, and they don't rattle: I am not sure it's worth replacing the seals already.
The sluggishness comes up only when I try to catch up without downshifting on 5th gear on the motorway from low speeds, but I am not sure if it's me used to Turbocharged engines or the car...

 

[NZ00Z3]

Its your call. Having done mine and experienced the night and day difference, I'l probably change them. They are not expensive and easily done.