ITBs on a Z3 2.8?

[benedict]

Hi all,

Been browsing online for a while as well as these forums for any clues or answers, however I can't seem to find any information whatsoever on the matter.
I was trying to find out if there were any ITB kits for the 2.8 Z3 as like I said I cant seem to find anything about it other than one website which mentions it fits the Z3.

Could anyone shine some light on why it seems like no one has gone for an ITB set up/if there's a reason why it would be a bad idea?

The only ITB kit which mentions it could fit the Z3 2.8

Thanks
Ben

 

[Zephyr]

There is a well respected company in Germany called dBilas that has done this and they have a plug and play kit available. Dont know it it fits under a Z3 hood but asking them is easy.
This kit is very famous in Greece and I have seen and driven more than four 2.8 and 2.5 examples with it, from street to racing setups.
The one that took my breath away was a 2.8 with an aggressive cam, injectors and a full exhaust system (manifold to rear) that had an intoxicating sound and performance.
it was a coupe E36 with an 3.46 LSD and literally the owner had to pry me from the drivers seat to get me out.

 

[Duncodin]

Must be a pain to balance them.

 

[Delk]

I had seen some kits in the past but the cost was eye watering for the power gains.

 

[Rudyrov]

Must be a pain to balance them.

If you have ever tuned a modern multicylinder motorcycle's carbs or throttle bodies (Honda 750-954-etc, Suzuki GSXR, Kawasaki Z's) then you have some idea.

 

[Duncodin]

If you have ever tuned a modern multicylinder motorcycle's carbs or throttle bodies (Honda 750-954-etc, Suzuki GSXR, Kawasaki Z's) then you have some idea.

Yes. I do have an idea. Had cars with quad choke weber carbs. I had a box with 4 vacuum gauges to connect to each barrel for setting them up. A job I enjoyed doing so probably did more than necessary

In the case of carbs there was a performance gains. More throttle sucked in more fuel. But does the same theory work with injection? Or is just a lot of eye candy.

Although I bet they sound great

 

[Rudyrov]

Yes. I do have an idea. Had cars with quad choke weber carbs. I had a box with 4 vacuum gauges to connect to each barrel for setting them up. A job I enjoyed doing so probably did more than necessary

In the case of carbs there was a performance gains. More throttle sucked in more fuel. But does the same theory work with injection? Or is just a lot of eye candy.

Although I bet they sound great

No idea about performance gains, I do very little to my 2.8 for performance gain. I do bet they would look awesome and sound great. My impression is that BMWs are difficult to improve with aftermarket goodies, not like some other cars perhaps but for me that's OK since I am not interested in going outside the OEM levels.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Check out the RHD ITB kits for BMW's https://racehead.com.au/product-category/throttle-body-kits/

You do realise that the Z3 came with 2 different 2.8 engines?
- M52B28, signal VANOS, cable throttle
- M52TUB28, dual VANOS, cable throttle. Basically an M54 with a cable throttle.

 

[Andybpowell]

I made a set of ITB's for my Nissan 350Z from BMW throttle bodies, it looked and sounded awesome and was a complete pain in the arse and always needing balancing but it was good fun to do

if I was to do it again I'd use bike throttle bodies as the are much better made than the car alternatives in fact I did

and it was better than the OBX or the JENVEY but still a pain in the arse as a daily driver so unless you're just playing my advice would be don't

 

[benedict]

Hi all,

Thanks for all your replies and help, thought I knew a little about ITBs but the fact I'm now researching about what balancing means when it comes to ITBs makes me feel like a complete newbie again!

Just heard back from the company which I linked in the OP up top and they've told me its compatiable with both the M52 and the M52/TU as well as provided me a picture of the kit in a Z3.

Now, time for me to research balancing as well as try to identify what engine I have as realoem and mdecoder are telling me 2 seperate things

 

[Delk]

There are also kits to fit the S54 throttle bodies on an M5x engine.

 

[Sajk]

Hmm. They list m52tu as being drive by wire when it's not. I also wonder if the stock tune and injectors can handle the extra air if there is any. Big bucks also but probably would be a fun project. Ps September 1998 build plus came with TU I think

 

[Delk]

Personally I think it's far more work and money the reasonable for the gains.

Injectors will be fine. Not sure how or if it would use the existing maf sensor, may need to convert to a map system.bYou would also loose the Disa valve.

You would need to find a tuner to work with. The TU engine uses an MS42 ecu. Nobody around me would touch it. When I went forced induction it was either go with the MS43 from the M54 platform with modifications
or stand alone.

 

[Sajk]

I have cat cams and an active autowerke custom tune on my 2.8 TU We were almost at 90% duty cycle on stock injectors so went with m5430 injectors but I think stock would have been OK unless I drove to the coast instead of 5500 feet. It probably would have been OK even then. So AA from the states have no issue with the TU