2.8 exhaust manifold

[Kev Bennett]

Can anybody advice me as today I have been told that if I change my exhaust manifold on my 2.8 for one from a e36 2.5 it will increase my bhp by around 20bhp as mine has restrictions on it ,can anyone confirm this and is it this easy to do ??

 

[GazHyde]

@z3cade has done the manifold swap on his old 2.8, although not sure which one he swapped for what though. I'm sure he'll pop along in a bit now I've tagged him!

 

[Aceman]

It is the inlet manifold not the exhaust manifold that can be changed. Also do you have the single or twin vanos M52TU engine as the later will require the later M54 manifold off the 3.0 engine instead.

Once done though coupled with a decent remap you can expect upto 230bhp but just be mindful of the work involved as I think I have seen Liam mention he wouldn't do it again.

 

[Kev Bennett]

Thanks for that Aceman,I am not going to rush into this yet,may be a bit of a winter project,how do I find out if I have the single or twin vanos and you have made me think is it worth it as she is only a weekend/ summer car and I quick enough for what I want
Kev

 

[t-tony]

You need your engine type Kev, ie M52 etc. Then someone will have the info I'm sure.

 

[Aceman]

What's the build date on the drivers front suspension turret.?

 

[Aceman]

M52 single vanos as fitted to pre Oct 98 zeds, notice the circular bulge at the front of the rocker cover.

M52TU twin vanos engine as fitted to post Oct 98 zeds, notice smoother aspect to front of rocker cover.

 

[Kev Bennett]

Thanks Aceman for your help mine is a DEC 1998 twin vanos,so I have learnt something new today !!

 

[Aceman]

M50 manifold won't fit then so it will be the M54 one you will need plus a plumbing kit to connect it all together and then you have the decision of whether to fit a bigger throttle body too in which case I think you need adapter plates. All starts getting expensive when you can just swap it for a 3.0 which probably won't be much more expensive so does make you think is it worth it.

 

[Kev Bennett]

Sounds like it is getting a bit complicated really Aceman,like I said I am quite happy with the performance of the 2.8 not sure I can be bothered with all that you have said,so is swapping the exhaust manifold not worth bothering with also,as I thought this would be a fairly simple and cheap improvement.Any way thanks for the advice it is very helpful
Kev

 

[Aceman]

As far as I know there is no advantage swapping exhaust msnifold thing they are all pretty much the same.