M54B30 to M52TU Manifold Swap - Update

[Wilko58]

I know there are some threads on this already but nothing in detail and I've got some questions particularly for @gookah and @Antm72

I've just had my manifold swapped and although I could tell the difference driving it I really don't like the installation:

I've had to ditch my Dinan Strut Brace because the DISA is now in the way

The manifold (E46 330i) distribution rail had an extra connector (vacuum?) at the rear so we had to swap over the distribution rail from my 2.8 manifold - anyone know where that was supposed to go?

The manifold adapter I bought on eBay from Bimmertune and it was not what I expected - I had to get an engineering company to make the countersinks deeper so that the screw heads sat flush, I had to file a bit of the manifold opening away as there was a lip and according to the mechanic the throttle body was difficult to fit.

I had brand new BMW throttle body & MAF bends fitted and they are squashed up against the strut tower.

A part that attaches below the throttle body won't fit the bracket it's meant to be attached to because of the throttle body being further away from the manifold.

So, for those who have fine this mod, are my issues correct or have I done something wrong? Pictures below.

 

[gookah]

Hi Wilko

my DISA also touched the strut brace, but as the brace I have is hollow, I just squished it a bit so it's clear now.

Not sure about the extra connector you mention but I have blanking plugs on mine? Not sure of what this means either
"so we had to do over the real from my 2.8 manifold"

I had no issues with my throttle body adapter plate as the countersinking was enough for the bolts to be below the surface, no lip and easy fitment of TB on mine?

The hoses do touch the strut tower but are not squashed on mine.

The gap in the bracket is a result of the conversion and is normal. just need a longer bolt and some large nuts as spacers..

There will always be these differences as this was never designed to fit this engine, however, the gains are great, and the ability to get around the differences is fairly easy.

 

[Wilko58]

@gookah

Cheers Pete,

I've amended the text, it was supposed to say "swap over the distribution rail from my 2.8 manifold" - the extra outlet/inlet was at end of the distribution rail not on the manifold itself. The mechanic didn't know where it would have connected to so deleted it by swapping the rails over.

I can get around the issues apart from the excessive amount that the throttle body bends are squashed - I might have to ok at someone else's conversion to compare and decide what to do next.

Did you get this remapped? If you did where did you get it done?

Cheers

Tracey

 

[gookah]

Hi Wilko,
Not had it remapped as yet, but still happy with the results, maybe spring next year.
Plenty more things to spend £350 on at the moment...

Have you lined up the throttle body inlet hose correctly, as I can't understand why yours would be squashed. It only comes out as far as the width of the adaptor plate if I am correct, and mine, although touching, is not out of shape?

 

[Wilko58]

Unfortunately I had to have it done at a garage and come to think of it the mechanic did say he had to modify something to get the throttle body to fit and he had difficulty connecting the throttle cable - I'll ask him on Monday.

 

[gookah]

also the movement of the throttle body outwards can cause slack in the throttle cable that then needs to be adjusted, or you wont get full open throttle...
get him to check that too.

 

[Wilko58]

Hi Pete,
Well I took the car out for a blast today, been stood since driving it back from the garage last Thursday, and I'm having an issue in that as when I accelerate then release the throttle/push the clutch in to change gear the revs are going up by about 500rpm and then dropping (slowly) rather than just dropping.
I haven't got the clutch delay fitted so it isn't that and the throttle cable doesn't seem to be tight and isn't far out of it's previous alignment anyway but I'm thinking that's really all it could be - do you agree?
Cheers,
Tracey
PS: Any chance you could take a couple of photos of your installation for me please? Whereabouts in Shropshire are you, thinking I could pop down one day if that's okay with you to compare them. Cheers

 

[gookah]

sound like throttle cable or attachment to me,
I can take some photo's at the weekend ..... just a bit busy at the mo.
Yes come down to Telford, and we can see whats what?

 

[Wilko58]

Cheers, don't worry, I didn't expect you to go out and get them right away

I'm working at the weekend (in fact the next four weekends) and the car is in for some paint correction next week; are you available early evenings or even daytime? (and I was I Kidderminster last weekend damn! )

 

[g8jka]

I'll bring mine round at the same time for a mini meet if I'm about and you can see how @gookah bodged mine as well

 

[Wilko58]

@gookah

Hi Pete,

Did you manage to get any photos of your engine bay at the weekend? And are you up for a meet sometime next week anytime day/evening except weekends as that's my working week.

Be great to see you too @g8jka

Cheers,

Tracey

 

[Wilko58]

Update - For those who have done this swap did you use the 3.0 MAF and Throttle Body bends or the 2.8 version? And are there any other pipes i.e. vacuum that are different?

I gave the garage a complete set of pipes and I got three unused ones back which he said weren't fitted to my car but Realoem says otherwise and I'd like it confirmed please.

Cheers

 

[gookah]

Hi Wilko.

Sorry I have not replied before now.
I did take some photos but they are the top of the manifold and I am not sure what value they would be if you are thinking it is CCV/ hose related.

All the hoses were required on mine and G8JKA's.
I however bought a full set of new ones as below.

Every one of the below was fitted:

They are ALL required

Regarding the MAF and MAF hoses, all the old ones were reused and they are the same on both variants.
There are also a number of blanking plugs on the bulkhead side of the manifold that have to be fitted.

The idle control valve is identical and was reused however the DISA valve is different and must also be changed.

The only things I changed were
Manifold
Disa
Throttle body adaptor plate.

All other items are used on both versions, though I did use the opportunity to renew rather than reuse.

You could bring it down this weekend if possible, and I can check underneath it with a camera and read the codes, however I think it may need the manifold removing to check properly what they have fitted or not fitted, that is a 4-5 hour job though.

 

[Wilko58]

Cheers mate.

I bought exactly the same CCV kit but got the of the pipes back!

Realoem showed different numbers for the MAF bends but I had new 2.8 ones fitted. It also showed a slightly different Vacuum Control Jet Pump pipe but I think they fitted the new 2.8 one I supplied.

I'm at a loss as to why they didn't fit the hoses (they didn't fit a new crankshaft sensor I supplied either).

The manifold I supplied also had a vacuum port on the distribution pipe (the one that plugs into the top of the manifold) but that was fixed by just swapping the distribution pipe from my car.

Unfortunately I can't make this weekend (babysitting tomorrow and ZRoadster meet on Sunday) but thanks for the offer. I'll ask the guys at the meet on Sunday to have a look but I think you've answered my questions anyway, many thanks!