DISA Intake Manifold with Evolve Software Install/Review

[631twentyeighteye]

get a code to come up, im betting that its a bad coil pack. my cyl 3 coil back was bad after intake manifold swap and no tune. new plugs an coil packs and it fixed it right up

scan he code. its likely misfire on cyl __. swap the coil pack from whichever one(s) it lists with one from a cylinder that doesnt have a misfire code. Only swap one coil pack at once or it will be confusing.

[big_c]

Just wanted to say thanks to STIG for the DIY post. I'm doing the swap this week and the guide is helpful, albeit it an E85 with AA tune.

BTW> I have an extra DISA manifold with adjusters for sale, really cheap as the upper DISA probably needs a replacement. PM me if interested

[631twentyeighteye]

Delete, I read wrong LOL

[Hicbuda]

My recently recieved 3 stage manifold also has one oil return hook-up and my original has two hoses. Is there a common solution to this? And if its "plugging" it, wouldnt the plug need to be at the top of the extra hose (trimming the excess length off) so it doesnt act as a catch can? I am looking at the oem stuff but dont see compatibility.

[Solo_M_Tech]

I know my 128i had two, and one was a sensor. Might be an issue for you..... Pm the Stig and see if he has any input

[Hicbuda]

Nah it has one outlet (with small plug attached). There are others who got disa manifolds with one instedpad of two outlets. Since my return hose snapped on me, i am looking for a oem hose that has a single connection without the second one that splits off. So far i have seen a few that fit other BMWs. There is one for a e46 csl but i can't tell if is long enough or if the connections are compatible. If i don't find anything tonight I will go to the dealership. i just hate to buy a new piece then have to turn around and plug the second connection(somehow) not knowing what might happen.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by big_c

Just wanted to say thanks to STIG for the DIY post. I'm doing the swap this week and the guide is helpful, albeit it an E85 with AA tune.

Not a problem. E85 shouldn't be that different as they are both N52N engines.

[mmmusty]

pulled the codes, i have 4 cylinders misfiring, with two others as pending misfires... so basically all cylinders are misfiring it seems. i left the valve cover or engine cover off overnight, and i even tried blow drying the coil/ plugs holes to get any moisture out or gas out.

any suggestions or ideas on where to go next before i have to take the whole thing apart again?

[TheSt|G]

Moving your PM to the general thread in case it helps others in the future:

Are you saying that your manifold only had 1 oil return line on it?

[mmmusty]

at Stig, thats a great idea.

The 3 stage intake manifold i bought had the oil separator unit (i think thats what its called) attached to the intake manifold with only ONE of the "squeeze and break your fingers, yet brittle as a tortilla chip" hoses.

from the firewall portion of my car, and the stock intake manifold, there is a similar hose, but it splits off into TWO, both went into my stock intake manifold. at first we didnt know what to do, finding some other DIYs and info, it seemed that there was one of two options; either try to replace that "Y" hose from my car or plug the one end of the Y hose that wouldnt be used on the 3 stage intake... thats what many other replies and posts had said to do.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by mmmusty

at Stig, thats a great idea.

The 3 stage intake manifold i bought had the oil separator unit (i think thats what its called) attached to the intake manifold with only ONE of the "squeeze and break your fingers, yet brittle as a tortilla chip" hoses.

from the firewall portion of my car, and the stock intake manifold, there is a similar hose, but it splits off into TWO, both went into my stock intake manifold. at first we didnt know what to do, finding some other DIYs and info, it seemed that there was one of two options; either try to replace that "Y" hose from my car or plug the one end of the Y hose that wouldnt be used on the 3 stage intake... thats what many other replies and posts had said to do.

You just use the "Y" hose your car already has. On the left is the non DISA N52N manifold, on the right is the DISA N52 manifold. After you remove the oil return unit that is now located in our valve cover, you plug in the "Y" pipe. It might require some hand finesse under the manifold, but that's going purely off foggy memories from ~2 years ago at this point. Either way, it can't be that hard as I did it in roughly an hour or so IIRC.

[big_c]

Just finished it up. Really easy job. I had a single PCV port manifold, so I had to plug the second port on my hose with silicone tape and a hose clamp.

The junction box was a bit troubling, I was trying to mess with unlatching it unstead of just removing the two screws from the beginning.

I took my time and was pretty careful with vacuuming debris up and out of the ports, cleaning, routing, etc. Took a few hours.

[Hicbuda]

I cut the second hose up high at the used jb weld and a trimmed faucet screen. Sealed air tight.

[big_c]

Installed the ECU (AA Tune) and put about 5 miles on it. Runs fantastic, butter smooth and big increase in power. Assuming that it will keep adapting the longer I drive.

This mod is incredible power per dollar if you can find a deal on the manifold. Highly recommended.

[mmmusty]

hey stig and everyone else, thanks for the help.... i actually think my mistake was in swapping the position of the O2 sensors!

no more check engine light, car seemed smoother and more powerful ... even without a tune as of yet. i also cut out that "extra filter" in our the air box so i cant say for sure if its that or subjective ... either way, next step is to take it to auto talent in LA and do the AA tune. anyone have any info or done business with them, they are the least expensive method of doing an AA tune, authorized by AA at $395

[Hicbuda]

I too want to thank The St|g for the both DISA and Header write-ups and all the input from everyone! I had both sides of my engine bay torn apart and was using both threads to help get it right the first time out. The only outlier was the single oil return instead of two, but that was a simple fix. I regretted selling my 330i ZHP till now. Other than the suspension (which is next) I love the 128i more.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by mmmusty

hey stig and everyone else, thanks for the help.... i actually think my mistake was in swapping the position of the O2 sensors!

no more check engine light, car seemed smoother and more powerful ... even without a tune as of yet. i also cut out that "extra filter" in our the air box so i cant say for sure if its that or subjective ... either way, next step is to take it to auto talent in LA and do the AA tune. anyone have any info or done business with them, they are the least expensive method of doing an AA tune, authorized by AA at $395

Originally Posted by Hicbuda

I too want to thank The St|g for the both DISA and Header write-ups and all the input from everyone! I had both sides of my engine bay torn apart and was using both threads to help get it right the first time out. The only outlier was the single oil return instead of two, but that was a simple fix. I regretted selling my 330i ZHP till now. Other than the suspension (which is next) I love the 128i more.

No problem gents. It's really nice to unlock all the performance that was withheld from the factory. Definitely address the rear subframe bushings and run flats next, they are the worst part of the stock suspension.

330i ZHP is a wonderful car, I can certainly understand why you miss it. I have one currently in the fleet and there is something endearing about it that is tough to put your finger on. Can't imagine selling it.

[Hicbuda]

I went with OZ Alleggrita rims and ditched the run flats as my first mod. The 330i was dialed in with the M suspension and had that extra serving of Alcantara that is going to cost me to replicate in my 128i.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Hicbuda

I went with OZ Alleggrita rims and ditched the run flats as my first mod. The 330i was dialed in with the M suspension and had that extra serving of Alcantara that is going to cost me to replicate in my 128i.

Rear subframe bushings are your top priority then.

[kestorr]

hi stig. just wondering whether you ran a dyno before (stock) and after the DISA+Evolve upgrade?

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by kestorr

hi stig. just wondering whether you ran a dyno before (stock) and after the DISA+Evolve upgrade?

No, just after.

235whp and 221wtq on a hot summer day when it pulled timing. Wanted to get it back in for another pull this past winter, but it wasn't in the cards.

[kestorr]

Thanks Stig. I reckon whp = Wheel Horse Power and wtq = Wheel Torque? If yes, your dyno figures seems much more than Evolve's published 209.3HP (Wheel Horse Power).

I reckon the extra 30 horses came from your header/exhausts upgrades?