How To Guide M54B30 manifold swap on M52TUB28 How To

[MisterP007]

Any recommendations for someone who's familiar with this swap/tuning?

Get it re-mapped or buy an ECU with these altearions built in. I used an off-the-shelf ECU and it has been flawless:

Remapped BMW E36 Z3 2.8i Siemens MS42 ECU. M52B28TU - Digital Tuning Solutions

Plug and Play BMW Remapped EWS Deleted ECUs

digital-tuning.co.uk

Make sure you tick the correct boxes for the various upgrades.

P.S. Keep the old ECU until you are sure all works well then send to them for a refund (£25 from memory).

 

[Daz7401]

This is who I used for mine. If you have cruise control it might work differently (mine does). I now need to move the stalk up or down to activate it before I can set the speed, moving the stalk up or down again de-activates it. Also I put a bulb in the instrument cluster and have a working cruse control light. I think the base settings are from a 3 Series E36 but that is only opinion, I don’t know for sure. I do like the way it works now and having the working light is unusual in a Z3.

 

[Daz7401]

Double Post

 

[oskar]

New or re-programmed ECU as breathing is all changed and fuelling needs re-mapped. Glad you like the guide and so much easier with the engine out.

can you do that?

 

[MisterP007]

can you do that?

Sorry Oskar, I do not understand what you are asking me about!

 

[amiguels]

Thank you for the excellent guide.

However I'd like to ask some clarification regarding the need for ECU tuning. Is it absolutely necessary in the sense that the car will simply not run well, or is it a matter of a tune being needed to get the most out of the intake manifold (and nothing else) modification?

Thanks.

 

[Devon Z]

Just an aside if anyone reading this has a 2.0 do this mod it will transform your car.

I did mine with a manifold from a 525 sport just looked for one with the full size ports as shown in the photo.

 

[MisterP007]

Thank you for the excellent guide.

However I'd like to ask some clarification regarding the need for ECU tuning. Is it absolutely necessary in the sense that the car will simply not run well, or is it a matter of a tune being needed to get the most out of the intake manifold (and nothing else) modification?

Thanks.

No idea if it is absolutely necessary to tune the ECU as I did mine all at one time. That said, I would suggest that additional performance and fuel efficiency will result, not to mention your car will not run like a bag of spanners!

The ECU tunes for the free-flow exhaust, MB30 manifold ( fuelling needs) and a few other points.

Do it all, the difference is huge.

 

[amiguels]

I understand, and that's the final goal. But currently I'll only swapping the intake, and some months from now, maybe a year, I'll be installing a less restrictive exhaust. I'd like to avoid getting two tunes, if the car can run ok until I have the exhaust installed.

 

[Lee]

I understand, and that's the final goal. But currently I'll only swapping the intake, and some months from now, maybe a year, I'll be installing a less restrictive exhaust. I'd like to avoid getting two tunes, if the car can run ok until I have the exhaust installed.

It will run fine, the ECU will make use of the extra air and adjust itself no issues.

 

[MisterP007]

It will run fine, the ECU will make use of the extra air and adjust itself no issues.

Lee is "The Man" for all things tuning.

 

[amiguels]

It will run fine, the ECU will make use of the extra air and adjust itself no issues.

Awesome, thank you for your input.

Lee is "The Man" for all things tuning.

I'll take his word for it!

 

[MuttyMax]

Changing the ECU:

So easy it beggars belief.

• Disconnect the battery and leave things alone for a while to discharge current in the system
• Unscrew the 5-screws that hold the cover in place for the ECU/Relay box. Liftoff.
• The ECU is mounted vertically and comes out easily once the connectors are pulled
• The two end connectors have side latches that can be pushed in with a screwdriver, the middle connectors have a top-mounted tab and a release lever.
• Once all disconnected pull the ECU up and out
• Slide the new one in and re-connect
• Screw down the lid
• Re-connect the battery
• Turn the ignition key to position 2 for 90 seconds and do not touch the accelerator cable (the ECU learns the throttle position during this)

Job done!

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Job done so lets see how it works out ...

 

[Wookiki]

Hello!

This was an amazing write-up. I have been doing a lot of research, as this will be my first intake manifold swap from m54b30 to a m52b25tu. I'd love to ask if you don't mind, do you have any insight as to whether if the IM swap process is the same as the one written above or would that displacement difference create complications in fitment? Mine is the 2.5L m52tu. any insight or recommendations would be so greatly appreciated.

Best regards

 

[MuttyMax]

Best ask @Lee ….

 

[Lee]

Hello!

This was an amazing write-up. I have been doing a lot of research, as this will be my first intake manifold swap from m54b30 to a m52b25tu. I'd love to ask if you don't mind, do you have any insight as to whether if the IM swap process is the same as the one written above or would that displacement difference create complications in fitment? Mine is the 2.5L m52tu. any insight or recommendations would be so greatly appreciated.

Best regards

Works well with the 2.5 also, wont be documented here as we didn't get the 2.5 Z3, that was an American variant.