M52 manifold swap

Slam

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I am also interested in what modification they actually did, and if that could also be done to the 3.0 manifold too. Aside from the throttle body and remap
When I swap them I will update this post with my findings
 

g8jka

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TU engine in mine, fitted the 3.0 manifold and also had a remap. For those that say it adds 20-30hp I don't believe especially with the TU engine. I think the M52 engine fitted with the M50 manifold has bigger gains than the TU engine, but doing it on the TU engine is certainly worth doing. I noticed a difference from 4K revs all through the to the redline and no real loss of power in the lower range.

I don't know what mine was producing before fitting the manifold, but was 200hp after which only shows a gain of 7hp over standard (it could have been down on power, certainly was on torque). Then after a remap it is at 220hp, but the power now comes in sooner and it pulls right the way through to the redline as soon as you plant the throttle and the flat spots have been ironed out. Compared to the M50 conversion the M54 is much simpler and cheaper, but I don't think it shows as bigger gain. My brother had an E36 with the M50 manifold which hadn't been remapped and that went like a rocket. Whichever 2.8 engine its worth doing.
 

Slam

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TU engine in mine, fitted the 3.0 manifold and also had a remap. For those that say it adds 20-30hp I don't believe especially with the TU engine. I think the M52 engine fitted with the M50 manifold has bigger gains than the TU engine, but doing it on the TU engine is certainly worth doing. I noticed a difference from 4K revs all through the to the redline and no real loss of power in the lower range.

I don't know what mine was producing before fitting the manifold, but was 200hp after which only shows a gain of 7hp over standard (it could have been down on power, certainly was on torque). Then after a remap it is at 220hp, but the power now comes in sooner and it pulls right the way through to the redline as soon as you plant the throttle and the flat spots have been ironed out. Compared to the M50 conversion the M54 is much simpler and cheaper, but I don't think it shows as bigger gain. My brother had an E36 with the M50 manifold which hadn't been remapped and that went like a rocket. Whichever 2.8 engine its worth doing.
That's interesting who carried out the remap for you ?
 

Dennis in Colorado

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I'm am interested in this. Following. With the current information is see in here; I would (?) get a benefit from a swap (not sure to which manifold) as I have a; Engine M52/TU Displacement 2.50 (taken from the build sheet). Just trying to understand; I would also need to do a remap.
 

Slam

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I'm am interested in this. Following. With the current information is see in here; I would (?) get a benefit from a swap (not sure to which manifold) as I have a; Engine M52/TU Displacement 2.50 (taken from the build sheet). Just trying to understand; I would also need to do a remap.
If it's a TU I would imagine you would need a m54b30 manifold that's assuming your 2.5 model has a restricted inlet manifold. Can you google the 2.5 manifold and see the shape of the pipes, they need to be D shaped.
 

Dennis in Colorado

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if you have the 2.5 litre, then as in my info, you have a middle size DISA and full D Shaped ports.

The only suitable upgrade is the M54B30 from the 3.0 There will not be as much gain as the people with a 2.0 or a 2.8 though.

again, removing the DISA and checking its part number will identify the manifold.

A remap will help any variant.
Thanks, that is what I thought from reading your other post. I will check the DISA later tonight, when I get home.
 

g8jka

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That's interesting who carried out the remap for you ?
CG Remaps in Shropshire. It was a live remap which is designed exactly for the car and not just a generic one. Car was a lot smoother and more responsive afterwards, I think it needed it to get the full potential of the manifold conversion. I wish I had it tested prior to the manifold conversion to see the exact gains. Now I'm used to it, it doesn't feel as fast and I want more power!
 

Slam

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CG Remaps in Shropshire. It was a live remap which is designed exactly for the car and not just a generic one. Car was a lot smoother and more responsive afterwards, I think it needed it to get the full potential of the manifold conversion. I wish I had it tested prior to the manifold conversion to see the exact gains. Now I'm used to it, it doesn't feel as fast and I want more power!
Thanks for info , I have a place called sanspeeds a couple of miles from me will probably give them a visit. More power from a 2.8 starts getting very costly I think you have gone as far as you can without having very deep pockets.
 

g8jka

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Exactly, the manifold conversion and remap cost me around £325 which is cheap for almost an extra 30hp over stock. Further upgrades would be expensive and not worth it for what I use the car for, being a daily it's not often I hammer it but it's nice to have a little power there when I want to put a grin on my face.
 

Slam

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Exactly, the manifold conversion and remap cost me around £325 which is cheap for almost an extra 30hp over stock. Further upgrades would be expensive and not worth it for what I use the car for, being a daily it's not often I hammer it but it's nice to have a little power there when I want to put a grin on my face.
You are right it's cheap extra horses. To be honest my car is more than quick enough for my needs, it feels gutsy a big engine in a little car.
 

g8jka

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If the 3.0's weren't so expensive I'd have bought one of them, but with the 2.8 being so much more affordable with a few hundred quid thrown at one you almost have the same power output. And probably a several grand left in the bank still. It's a great engine and you don't hear many bad things said about it.
 

Slam

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Had a closer look and fiddle with the 3.0 manifold today and from what I can see looks like the restrictions are in the first 2 inches. The D shape on thr 3.0 manifold reduces into the pipes which are not D shape. You can feel a ridge which if continued around would form the oval of a 2.8 manifold. I got a Dremel in there and smoothed off some of the ridges. Still not removed my 2.8 manifold but I reckon I know what to expect now and can see no reason why the 2.8 manifold cannot be derestricted quite easily
 
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t-tony

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Jjim

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I have a M52B28 (not TU) engine with a 2.5 manifold. Looking at throttle bodies and DISA valves for power gains. Bit confused as to if I should get a throttle body from a bigger engine or have it rebored? Also would a bigger DISA fit on the 2.5 manifold?
 
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