For sale: An easy way to increase power for your Z3 2.8

y cymro · #1 22nd August 2015, 11:06

Now that we've pushed the tuning potential of the BMW 2.8 to the limit using red paint and flower pots, it's probably worth looking elsewhere for gains.

Maximum power potential of the 2.8 was deliberately limited by BMW by fitting the inlet manifold from the 2 litre version. On this, the inlet tracts are much smaller in diameter and many people have found gains of 20bhp when fitting a manifold from the 2.5 litre motors, which have larger inlet tracts. In BMW terms, the M52 28 and M52 20 (2.8 and 2.0 litre motors) have the smaller manifolds, whilst the M50 25 - the earlier 2.5 litre motor - has the larger tracts.

Here's a power plot of a typical gain:

I bought a 2.5 manifold before buying my Z3 and then bought a facelift car with the M52TU motor meaning the manifold won't fit my car.- it only fits pre-facelift models- I bought it at a good price and I'm offering it for sale here at the same price I paid before putting on eBay at a higher price if it doesn't sell.
I'll add pics in a moment, but it's yours for £120 plus carriage at cost. You're welcome to collect from Port Talbot.
It's a straight forward swap except for some new vacuum pipes and fittings being needed - details in the next post.
The power potential of a remap is even greater with this fitted. The manifold, remap, CAI and exhaust is expected to gain 40bhp or more.

y cymro · #2 22nd August 2015, 11:16

Larger inlet tracts of the 2.5 can be seen on the lower manifold

And on the right

Here's a detailed 'how to' write up
http://www.rmeuropean.com/bmw-m50-manifold.aspx

y cymro · #3 22nd August 2015, 12:35

Boxed and ready to go

WorldClassAccident · #4 23rd August 2015, 10:11

Let me check my engine when it stops raining. If it fits mine then I will have it.

Quick question. How can I tell if it will fit my engine? It is a 1999 registered car but various build stickers suggest a 1997 original build.

Is there an engine serial number or similar somewhere?

PayPal okay for payment?

smash · #5 23rd August 2015, 10:38

If yours is twin vanos it won't fit

WorldClassAccident · #6 23rd August 2015, 10:48

How do I tell?

Is there anything obvious to look at?

If you look on my video blog thread you can see what my engine looks like

y cymro · #7 23rd August 2015, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident

How do I tell?

Is there anything obvious to look at?

If you look on my video blog thread you can see what my engine looks like

The manifold fits single vanos motors which look like this, notice the single hump at the front of the cam cover, as only the inlet cam has vanos -

On the above, notice also that the inflect manifold tracts are smaller than the gaps between them. It's the other way around on the manifold I have - the tracts are larger, and therefore wider than the gaps between them.

On the other hand, it won't fit twin vanos motors in face lift cars which look like this. Note that both cams have vanos, and the cam cover is extended over both cams.

WorldClassAccident · #8 23rd August 2015, 12:40

That's my engine which looks to me like the one in your top photo. I think that means the inlet tracts should fit, right?

If you can confirm this I will pm you to sort payment and shipping

y cymro · #9 23rd August 2015, 12:55

Hi Nick
Yup, that's a single vanos motor so the manifold will fit.

The blue arrow points to the single vanos unit over the inlet cam, and the red arrow highlights inlet tracts that are smaller than the spaces between them

Cheers, Steve

Nubodi Automotive · #10 24th August 2015, 17:23

Hi Chaps
As there's only one of these for sale and many people who want one of the manifolds, this may help.
I use a great breaker who ONLY breaks BMW Z3's. His name is Pucko and hes a good guy. He posts out very quick. 07772282018.

y cymro · #11 24th August 2015, 18:00

Thanks for your interest and PMs. Item is sold and currently winging its way to its new owner.

y cymro · #12 24th August 2015, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nubodi Automotive

Hi Chaps
As there's only one of these for sale and many people who want one of the manifolds, this may help.
I use a great breaker who ONLY breaks BMW Z3's. His name is Pucko and hes a good guy. He posts out very quick. 07772282018.

You're right to mention that these are rare. They're not fitted to any UK Z3s as standard so if your contact only breaks this model he won't have one.
The manifold is only fitted to 1990s E34 525i and E36 325i fitted with the 2.5 litre M50 motor. Hence their value is increasing and prices are on the up.

P.S. I like the high quality builds you're doing on various Tributes

WorldClassAccident · #13 24th August 2015, 18:18

Waves and feels smug while waiting for a delivery :-)

y cymro · #14 24th August 2015, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident

Waves and feels smug while waiting for a delivery :-)

I'm looking forward to your next video road test. Your car should become too fast for the limited length of test track, so driving, videoing and also avoiding the wall will be more or a challenge.
Should make for an exciting video

Perhaps we should open a book haha