e36 323i inlet manifold change

[bss325i]

Does anyone know whats involved and what parts are required to change the inlet manifold on a 323i to take the power back up to or at least closer to the 192 bhp that earlier e36 325i's had?

Im assuming the manifold itself along with the throttle body. What sort of engine management changes are needed? Remaped ECU or replacement with the one from the earlier 2.5?

[whipsey]

i thought it was just the restrictive manifold to change

[eko]

PM randomdave as he was telling me he has done a few of these recently.
I know a guy on the 36forum does a ready to install conversion kit but DIY is possible.

[1an]

change the whole head so it sits properly on the engine

[bss325i]

change the whole head so it sits properly on the engine

What are you talking about?

[Simon13]

I think as we spoke the other day. Just the throttle body and inlet. You could get a bigger bore throttle body instead!

I think you get a remap to make full use of it but i don't know 100% if you really need to.

Ian does your head sit properly as i have often wondered this?

[B7]

Barry, you could of had my 323vert for £10k

[DanThe]

Ian does your head sit properly as i have often wondered this?

Quote of the day!!

You keep your throttle body and use two O rings, bit of re-plumbing with the breather hoses and the jobs done

No need for re-maps, and definitely no need for cylinder head changes

[1an]

change the whole head so it sits properly on the engine

What are you talking about?

from what i understand of the m50 series engines you can just change the manifolds, but from also reading on other forums changin the head along with the inlet manifold etc is the best way to do this.

[Simon13]

But thats M50's. Barry's engine is the 2.5 M52 "323" like the 2.8 M52 they both have the old M50 2.0 inlet fitted.

[DanThe]

What a load of bolloks, change the head for a manifold upgrade? What rubbish have you been reading!

[B7]

One things for certain, they need something these 323's! Mine has stayed standard cos A. it's a genuine fully historied 66k car from new and B. the wife uses it more than me so there ain't been any point.

My 523 was the same (but worse as it was as fat as f*ck and auto). I swore blind then that it would be a 2.8 next but do I ever learn!!!!

[bss325i]

Thanks for the response guys.

1an, one good bit of advice, dont give information out that isnt correct, it makes you look very stupid.

[B7]

Got it home yet?

[bss325i]

Yes just got in. Drives really well despite the mileage.

[Aziz]

I was thinking of doing this upgrade on my E46 M52 323 to gain a few extra ponies

Is it the same for the E46 to E36 change the inlet for the M52 2.8??

[e30bmlover]

Ian does your head sit properly as i have often wondered this?

lmao..... your sharp today full time!

[Aziz]

You keep your throttle body and use two O rings, bit of re-plumbing with the breather hoses and the jobs done

No need for re-maps, and definitely no need for cylinder head changes

Dan The

Do you have anymore info on this inlet manifold swap??

[Simon13]

Aziz if you have the 2.8 in an E46 it's the same engine as fitted to the E36, bmw just carried it over until the M54 lumps came about

[Andyboy]

Aziz if you have the 2.8 in an E46 it's the same engine as fitted to the E36, bmw just carried it over until the M54 lumps came about

NOOOOO!!!!!!!

All E36 328i's are the single vanos M52, E46's are all double Vanos TU - totally different engine (block/crank/head etc)

As for the manifold swap on thwe E36 - you CAN use the 323i t/b but it doesn't really sit right on the 325i manifold - and you can't use the 325i t/b either. You can get a big bore t/b kit from the E36 forum and a 325i/525i (E34) manifold is 20 quid.
A remap is very advisable - the 323i runs pretty lean. Our 328i was chipped by Ch*pped UK and it was an excellent job.

[Simon13]

my bad

[DanThe]

Yeah, didnt they call them M52tu for a while? Even though they are M54's

a 325i/525i (E34) manifold is 20 quid.

Not from the E36 forum it isnt

[Aziz]

just checked RealOEM and the inlet manifold part no's are the same for the 323 and 328 M52 engine

so looks like a NO NO for the change over.

What is the difference then between the 323 & 328 M52 E46 Engine?

Is it the Bore or the Crank??

Cheers for the info Andyboy

The E36/E46 Forums are Sooo Slow IMO

[DanThe]

Difference is the crank stroke, bores are the same.
Not much you can do with an M54 IMO, remap offers good gains but thats about it unless you crack open the piggy bank big style