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For sale: An easy way to increase power for your Z3 2.8

25 Aug 2015, 9:34am
I am not going for ultimate power, my 600bhp Mercedes is fine on that front, just want to improve the slightly underwhelming current set up.

I spent a long time looking at super / turbo chargers. Turbos work better with auto boxes from what I remember and are available too. Eventually decided the cost / benefit wasn't great enough.
25 Aug 2015, 11:01am
600bhp sounds fun. The Z3 would be hairy/dangerous with half that.
25 Aug 2015, 11:39am
I lie, it is only 596bhp at the wheel according to the Dyno machine. Great fun but the traction control can't be turned off so the Z300S is more fun for throwing around corners. The Merc is more for high speed, long distance stuff. That is why I need both :-)
25 Aug 2015, 12:45pm
An excellent choice of two very sensible cars :wink:
25 Aug 2015, 1:06pm
On a private road...
25 Aug 2015, 3:55pm
Couple of M50 inlets on ebay at the mo. plus the adaptor plug to fit to M52 lump (German seller) - looking at £200 plus the little plug
25 Aug 2015, 4:15pm
It's arrived!!!!

The frustrating thing now is that I don't think I have time to fit it before my operation :-(
25 Aug 2015, 5:15pm
WorldClassAccident wrote:
It's arrived!!!!


That was quick. Can I have my sandal back please :icon_redface:
25 Aug 2015, 6:23pm
I thought that was part of the kit! ��

I am busy reading all of the different but broadly similar guides to fitting it.

I reckon it is a job I can do balancing on one leg so it might happen during my 'bed rest ' following the op
25 Aug 2015, 7:24pm
smash wrote:
If yours is twin vanos it won't fit


Mine is, so it won't. Are there any similar options please?
26 Aug 2015, 12:42am
IanA wrote:
Mine is, so it won't. Are there any similar options please?


BMW e46 330i. You'll need the DISA as well and together they're selling for a much higher price than the M52 version. I've been looking for a reasonably priced one for a while without luck.
2 Sep 2015, 1:17pm
Original inlet manifold now off. vblog on the other thread when I stop swearing and possible get the other one on
2 Sep 2015, 9:22pm
IanA wrote:
There's an E46 inlet/DISA sitting on eBay at £155 currently.


Unlike the universal success reported after fitting the M50 manifold like WCA has, I can find only conflicting evidence of the benefits of fitting the M54 330i manifold to the M52TU (ie facelift 2.8 Z3) motor. One reports a rolling road proven benefit of just 4bhp whilst another reckons 12bhp. These gains are at the top end of the Rev range and are offset by losses at lower revs so unless i can find more concrete proof I'm not convinced it's worth the effort and cost.
On the M50 upgrade, the inlet runners have a much larger area compared with the standard manifold, whereas the 330i looks very similar to the 2.8, though you can see that the ports are a little larger.
2 Sep 2015, 10:11pm
y cymro wrote:
... One reports a rolling road proven benefit of just 4bhp whilst another reckons 12bhp.


Just adding Activ8 to the oil will probably be just as noticeable.


...so unless i can find more concrete poof ...


and I definitely don't need one of those so don't think I'll bother.

Seriously... thanks for the info.
Cheers
Ian
3 Sep 2015, 8:40pm
IanA wrote:
and I definitely don't need one of those so don't think I'll bother.

Seriously... thanks for the info.
Cheers
Ian


Oops! I'd better amend that!