2006 BMW 330i n51 Intake Manifold

[akerns429]

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

I can't speak for Evolves, but AA;s flash tool is pretty easy to use. You install software they provide on a USB, plug in the tool, update it and get it ready to use, and then upload all of your files. Plug car into battery tender/charger, plug in simon tool, LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN THE ENTIRE TIME WHILE TUNING(so the car doesn't go to sleep), and then flash it while following the on screen instructions.

First read takes like 45 minutes, every flash after that has taken me 10-15 minutes. I have all 4 of my flashes on my tuner just in case i need to swap in a pinch. Reflashing also clears codes if you have no other way to clear codes.

I finally tracked down the 3 stage manifold and ordered it! Do you have any tips with removal of the old one/installation? I've been reading about it and it seems pretty straight forward, I just want to make sure there aren't any surprises! How do you like the extra power? Can you notice a difference after the tune and intake?

[andrey_gta]

The manifold surprise is the 37 mm torch on et very bottom holding this bracket that holds a wire loom

I was silly and opened the wore loom. One can use the torx instead

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

Best intake (in terms of power) has been the AFE Stage 2 SI - BUT $450 is a lot of money for an intake.

There's nothing about "This Stage 2 Sealed Intake produces 12hp and 16lbs. x ft. torque" that I believe. +5.2% HP and +8% torque because BMW engineers are a bunch of hacks? BS.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by akerns429

Is it fairly easy to use the flash tool? From my understanding, you just plug it into your ECU, download the data, then send them an e-mail so they can do the mapping, then redownload it to the flash tool and then upload it back to your car. It sounds like you can switch back and forth from the A.A software and stock software?

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

I can't speak for Evolves, but AA;s flash tool is pretty easy to use. You install software they provide on a USB, plug in the tool, update it and get it ready to use, and then upload all of your files. Plug car into battery tender/charger, plug in simon tool, LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN THE ENTIRE TIME WHILE TUNING(so the car doesn't go to sleep), and then flash it while following the on screen instructions.

First read takes like 45 minutes, every flash after that has taken me 10-15 minutes. I have all 4 of my flashes on my tuner just in case i need to swap in a pinch. Reflashing also clears codes if you have no other way to clear codes.

Pretty much the same process for Evolve, but you use your own laptop.

Originally Posted by akerns429

I finally tracked down the 3 stage manifold and ordered it! Do you have any tips with removal of the old one/installation? I've been reading about it and it seems pretty straight forward, I just want to make sure there aren't any surprises! How do you like the extra power? Can you notice a difference after the tune and intake?

Check out my thread here for a mild DIY. It's a pretty simple process:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=824894

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

There's nothing about "This Stage 2 Sealed Intake produces 12hp and 16lbs. x ft. torque" that I believe. +5.2% HP and +8% torque because BMW engineers are a bunch of hacks? BS.

AFE loves an absurd power claim.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

There's nothing about "This Stage 2 Sealed Intake produces 12hp and 16lbs. x ft. torque" that I believe. +5.2% HP and +8% torque because BMW engineers are a bunch of hacks? BS.

That's cool, but I personally dyno tested it, and it made more power than the other intakes I tested that day.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by akerns429

How do you like your euro intake? That would be my overall choice with the k&n filter. I have seen them new sold for 400 but I am having a very hard time tracking one down for a cheaper price.

Do the AFE or modify your stock box with a Dinan style intake. The Euro intake box isn't worth $400.

[akerns429]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Pretty much the same process for Evolve, but you use your own laptop.



Check out my thread here for a mild DIY. It's a pretty simple process:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=824894



AFE loves an absurd power claim.

Thank you for the link sir! That's a great write up that you created. I really appreciate everyone's input and knowledge here on this site. Everyone is very welcoming and very helpful! I am new to 128i's and I already feel like my understanding and knowledge has grown working the last couple of weeks alone, researching and asking questions about the 3 stage intake.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by akerns429

Thank you for the link sir! That's a great write up that you created. I really appreciate everyone's input and knowledge here on this site. Everyone is very welcoming and very helpful! I am new to 128i's and I already feel like my understanding and knowledge has grown working the last couple of weeks alone, researching and asking questions about the 3 stage intake.

Yup, no worries. You will really enjoy the 3 stage.

[myBimmerisGray]

Hey guys, quick question...
Do ALL the N51 engines come with the 3 stage DISA or were some built without it?

[akerns429]

Originally Posted by myBimmerisGray

Hey guys, quick question...
Do ALL the N51 engines come with the 3 stage DISA or were some built without it?

From my understanding, n51 engines 2006 and newer have the DISA manifold. That includes the 128i, 330i, 328i. I also think the X series n51's include them as well. There may be more that include them, but that's what I know off the top of my head. I ordered mine from a 2009 328i and found the DISA actuators on eBay. I know that there is a junkyard in California that has one off of a 2006 330i. I was going to purchase that one, but found one newer for half the price they were selling theirs for.

[631twentyeighteye]

My manifold came from a 2009 328i N51 sulev so i'm inclined to say that all n51's have it.

[myBimmerisGray]

Thanks, I only ask because I went on realoem and it says my car has the N51 (production 4/2010). It'd be a nice surprise if I had the DISA 3 stage without even knowing it this whole time.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by myBimmerisGray

Thanks, I only ask because I went on realoem and it says my car has the N51 (production 4/2010). It'd be a nice surprise if I had the DISA 3 stage without even knowing it this whole time.

Just pop the hood and look.

[myBimmerisGray]

Wow turns out I do! From the factory are these basically tuned down to the same as the other intake manifolds? And the tune brings out the potential extra hp in them?

[kobeballer96]

Originally Posted by myBimmerisGray

Wow turns out I do! From the factory are these basically tuned down to the same as the other intake manifolds? And the tune brings out the potential extra hp in them?

No you just have a lower compression motor.. The manifold makes up for the lost power to come even with a n52 without the the stage 3 manifold...

[631twentyeighteye]

Originally Posted by kobeballer96

No you just have a lower compression motor.. The manifold makes up for the lost power to come even with a n52 without the the stage 3 manifold...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1009682

The compression difference is mostly negligible. Kgolf's n51 3 stage manifold AA tune made just as much as every 3 stage swap/tune n52 i've seen. It's difficult to compare because of different dyno's, but at the least they were both dynojet.

[akerns429]

So I'll be starting this project tomorrow! Does anyone know the torque specs for the bolts that hold the manifold onto the head? Or where I can find these specs online?

Thanks!

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by akerns429

So I'll be starting this project tomorrow! Does anyone know the torque specs for the bolts that hold the manifold onto the head? Or where I can find these specs online?

Thanks!

Bentley Manual for the E90 would be your best bet.

[akerns429]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Bentley Manual for the E90 would be your best bet.

Holy crap. 130 dollars? I feel like I'm back in college lol. Know where I can either download it for free or cheaper?

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by akerns429

Holy crap. 130 dollars? I feel like I'm back in college lol. Know where I can either download it for free or cheaper?

http://www.amazon.com/BMW-Series-E90...bentley+manual

Not going to help you steal from the little guy.

[akerns429]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

http://www.amazon.com/BMW-Series-E90...bentley+manual

Not going to help you steal from the little guy.

Thanks for the link. That's a more reasonable price.

[akerns429]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Bentley Manual for the E90 would be your best bet.

Hey St|G! I'd like to wipe down the intake manifold before I install it. What kind of cleaning solution would you recommend? I don't want to damage the manifold, but I'd like to get it fairly clean. I was thinking just some dish soap and water? And I'm not throwing it in the dishwasher