[CobraMarty]

Does any one have a link to pictures of how the 3 stage works? Showing it's different flow patterns vs. the single stage. which valve is open at low, mid, high rpm.

[mike-y]

here ya go:

[CobraMarty]

That's it, thanks. So the single stage stock N52 intake is like which of the above low, mid or high?

Do you have a 3 stage intake for sale?

[MaximusJ]

Single stage manifold remains open like the one stated low rpm.

[joegeeZe]

Reviving the thread...

At bimmerforums.com, I emailed the guy who posted this thread...

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1546113

He emailed me back with an official list of options for my car (I have an 07 328i) and the results said I have a "N52K" motor. Is the N52K the same as the N52KP in the chart on page 7 fourth post down?

If so, does this mean I have the 3 stage manifold somehow?

[325xi-06]

is there any other way of getting the aa-tune or any other brand that works, without taking the ECU out and ship it over sea? i am from Faroe Islands "middle of Atlantic ocean" and have already changed the manifold... but still don't fell any more power.. it must the the tune that i need :/

[OPTIMAXED1]

I see that 2 adjuster units are bought as part of the conversion. They are separate from the intake.
What do these units do ?

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by OPTIMAXED1

I see that 2 adjuster units are bought as part of the conversion. They are separate from the intake.
What do these units do ?

The adjuster units open at different RPM levels. They are designed to better flow air for low, mid and high range air flow at the designated RPM levels. Hence the name "Three stage intake".

[onephattai]

I'm still under warranty and hate to wait for another 20K miles. Will the dealer notice the 330 manifold if I have it installed?

[jc5988]

Originally Posted by onephattai

I'm still under warranty and hate to wait for another 20K miles. Will the dealer notice the 330 manifold if I have it installed?

probably not if they are just doing routine maintenance, if you have engine related problem, they might blame it on your manifold and tune.

pick your dealer and SA carefully.

[onephattai]

Originally Posted by jc5988

probably not if they are just doing routine maintenance, if you have engine related problem, they might blame it on your manifold and tune.

pick your dealer and SA carefully.

I already got the AA tune. I located a used 3 stage manifold for $175. It's from a 2006 330i. Does it matter which year/month on the 330i? Beside from this, I heard DS Motorsport in Germany can tune and increase about 70 hp on the N52 engine. So if you do the 3-stage manifold swap and have DS tune your car. You're looking at 100 hp gain? lol somebody is gonna slap me for saying this!!!

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by onephattai

I already got the AA tune. I located a used 3 stage manifold for $175. It's from a 2006 330i. Does it matter which year/month on the 330i? Beside from this, I heard DS Motorsport in Germany can tune and increase about 70 hp on the N52 engine. So if you do the 3-stage manifold swap and have DS tune your car. You're looking at 100 hp gain? lol somebody is gonna slap me for saying this!!!

Yes it does matter which year and month along with model. In 2006 the coupe and convertible were still using the m54 motor. You will need to find a sedan with a build date later than 10/05 for it to possibly be using the n52 motor and manifold you need.

Lots of people were talking about DS Motorsports over the last few months, but no one has yet to provide with proof of what he is able to tune on a US spec car. There was one person who stated he would provide dyno graphs once he got back to the states, but he never came through with it. Stated he had an issue with gas ratings in his area.

From what I remember the DS tune was exhaust and tune. I dont see how it would be possible to get 100hp out of our cars with exhaust, manifold and ecu tune.

[BudVlad]

DS Motorsport doesn’t involve exhaust modification, it’s software remapping.
For 2.5l 325i upgrade to 240 hp. For 3.0l 325i upgrade to 270 hp. It costs €1,800.00 including dyno.

Manhart Racing involves new generation of control unit MSD 81.
325i 3.0l N53 engine (direct injection) power upgrade to 282 hp. It costs €2,799.00
With in-house exhaust system power upgrade is to 302 hp. It costs €4,999.00

Installing 3 stage manifold alone didn’t give me any extra hp. My torque peaked at 2,000 RPM and staid flat at 185 lb/ft to 5,000 RPM.
With DS Motorsport tune my torque climbed from 2,000 RPM to 222 lb/ft at 5,000 RPM.

[jfisher160]

I got the 3-stage manifold from a 5-series and put it on a 328i, it ended up not being correct and I had to do some modifications to make the hose fit. So yes it's important that you get the correct manifold. There is hoses and different parts that you might need to make It work. For me in the long run it was a lot cheaper. I spent around $600 for the manifold an parts and install. So it depends if you want to deal with an issue if you run into it and have a good shop that can help you get it done.

[DESI4life10]

There are 2 styles of 3 -stage manifold.

The biggest change is the number of return ports it has for the crankcase breather hose.

The older ones only 1 port for this and the later version has 2 ports. You will want to confirm how many ports your manifold currently has before ordering.

For teh most part, you will want to look for one with 2 return ports to attach the hose.

[onephattai]

Originally Posted by DESI4life10

There are 2 styles of 3 -stage manifold.

The biggest change is the number of return ports it has for the crankcase breather hose.

The older ones only 1 port for this and the later version has 2 ports. You will want to confirm how many ports your manifold currently has before ordering.

For teh most part, you will want to look for one with 2 return ports to attach the hose.

How does the "return ports" look like?

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by onephattai

How does the "return ports" look like?

They have a breather hose going to them, the hoses plug into the manifold at two points.

The older 5 series cars, only have one hose connection, instead of two. A 325i can use this manifold just fine, as long as you re-use the 5 series oil separator (softball looking thing under the manifold) and 5 series breather hose.

The 328 has the oil separator built into the valvecover, and has a single hose that splits into 2 under the manifold, and then plugs into it at 2 spots, like the 325i/330i. So modification to the hose is necessary (or you would need to use a different hose) to get the 5 series manifold to work on the 328i.

[DESI4life10]

Originally Posted by mike-y

They have a breather hose going to them, the hoses plug into the manifold at two points.

The older 5 series cars, only have one hose connection, instead of two. A 325i can use this manifold just fine, as long as you re-use the 5 series oil separator (softball looking thing under the manifold) and 5 series breather hose.

The 328 has the oil separator built into the valvecover, and has a single hose that splits into 2 under the manifold, and then plugs into it at 2 spots, like the 325i/330i. So modification to the hose is necessary (or you would need to use a different hose) to get the 5 series manifold to work on the 328i.

Thanks Mike for replying back

The modification on the hose is necessary on manifold built before10/06 I believe for the 5 series. That modification is for 5 series manifolds with 1 return port.

Question Mike,

Modification isn't required on manifolds that have the 2 ports from a 5 series right? Looks like the same setup.

[SflBimmer8484]

Pm me if you guys have any questions regarding 3 stage manifold tuning.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by DESI4life10

Thanks Mike for replying back

Modification isn't required on manifolds that have the 2 ports from a 5 series right? Looks like the same setup.

I haven't seen the pic, but I wouldn't think any mods would be necessary on a 2 port manifold. Post a pic so I can see, but I think you'll be just fine.

[onephattai]

Anyone has an actual picture of these ports on the manifold? Sorry I'm not familiar with the 3 stage manifold or other manifolds in general.

[DESI4life10]

Originally Posted by mike-y

I haven't seen the pic, but I wouldn't think any mods would be necessary on a 2 port manifold. Post a pic so I can see, but I think you'll be just fine.

I am positive I am good.

But for those confused here is what we are talking about.

Follow the hose to where it splits into 2 and then connects to manifold. That is what you need to look for (2 ports). The intake with a single port will just be a single hose running in the middle of the 2 ports you see below.