[stilesg57]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

Yeah exactly. The benefits are smoother power delivery, more max HP, and no more finicky DISA valves. To optimize this set up you really need a diff swap to 3.73 or 3.91 (to make up the torque loss), a redline bump to say 7500 or 7700, and a manual transmission so you can run the motor to the new redline before it shifts.

With this set up I’m able to keep pace with modded E46M3’s and I highly recommend it.

Great video Really shows how the N52 is so underrated only because the N54 was around contemporaneously; it makes for a damn fast car when tuned up right. Unless you think E46 M3s are slow...

Given that I've already got a 3.73 diff swap, I think if I had to do it over again I'd save the $750 in new DISAs (plus remove an expensive point of failure) and $100 in add'l manifold cost and just go N54 manifold route instead of 3SIM. Maybe I'll feel differently when it's all installed and I'm enjoying the extra torque on the commute and around town, but right now I'm a little frustrated at the hit my net worth has taken over this upgrade while introducing (expensive) failure points.

[e90yyc]

stilesg57 Did you buy them from FCP? If so, rest easy my friend: you won’t have to pay for them again.

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

Yeah exactly. The benefits are smoother power delivery, more max HP, and no more finicky DISA valves. To optimize this set up you really need a diff swap to 3.73 or 3.91 (to make up the torque loss), a redline bump to say 7500 or 7700, and a manual transmission so you can run the motor to the new redline before it shifts.

With this set up I’m able to keep pace with modded E46M3’s and I highly recommend it.

Nice!

Did you have Bob bump your redline that high? I’m going with a StageFP tune but I’m unsure if my off-the-shelf purchase will give me the option to ask for it to be raised further. I think their default is 7200…

Regarding the 3.91 diff: At first I was annoyed at how brutally short first feels, and how I’m doing 3100 RPM at moderate freeway speeds. But I gotta say I’m warming up to it.

For anyone who’s interested I have a spare 3.91 diff sitting around that I’d sell for cheap. I suspect the shipping cost would be a wee bit high tho, haha.

I’m gonna go back and look at N54 manifold dyno graphs. Given the relatively small cost of the retrofit, maybe if I get really bored one day I’ll try doing one up just to see what it’s like.

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Nice!

Did you have Bob bump your redline that high? I’m going with a StageFP tune but I’m unsure if my off-the-shelf purchase will give me the option to ask for it to be raised further. I think their default is 7200…

Regarding the 3.91 diff: At first I was annoyed at how brutally short first feels, and how I’m doing 3100 RPM at moderate freeway speeds. But I gotta say I’m warming up to it.

For anyone who’s interested I have a spare 3.91 diff sitting around that I’d sell for cheap. I suspect the shipping cost would be a wee bit high tho, haha.

I’m gonna go back and look at N54 manifold dyno graphs. Given the relatively small cost of the retrofit, maybe if I get really bored one day I’ll try doing one up just to see what it’s like.

Yes Bob did the redline bump to 7500. It’s still a pretty conservative redline I know other guys are going 7700 and a few 8000, but I wanted to be conservative. I watched Steve Dinan on a podcast once where he expressed concern about pistons speeds and piston ring oiling being an issue above a certain piston speed, and when I did the calculations that speed was around 7800rpms for the N52 so I wanted to stay what seems a safe margin below that.

So far no one I know who has done a N54 manifold swap has gone back to a 3 stage. So maybe that will convince you lol

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

Yes Bob did the redline bump to 7500. It’s still a pretty conservative redline I know other guys are going 7700 and a few 8000, but I wanted to be conservative. I watched Steve Dinan on a podcast once where he expressed concern about pistons speeds and piston ring oiling being an issue above a certain piston speed, and when I did the calculations that speed was around 7800rpms for the N52 so I wanted to stay what seems a safe margin below that.

So far no one I know who has done a N54 manifold swap has gone back to a 3 stage. So maybe that will convince you lol

Thanks!

Was that bump part of a custom tune or did you just have to ask? I’d try 7500, but like you wouldn’t want to push it much past that.

The timing sucks because I just recently replaced my DISAs with brand new genuine units to the tune of $waytoofuckingmuch. Sunk cost I know, but if I do ever try the N54 manifold it’ll have to be at a later date.

As much as I love DIY projects, the N54 mani isn’t quite as bolt-up as I thought. I’m just making excuses at this point though haha.

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Thanks!

Was that bump part of a custom tune or did you just have to ask? I’d try 7500, but like you wouldn’t want to push it much past that.

The timing sucks because I just recently replaced my DISAs with brand new genuine units to the tune of $waytoofuckingmuch. Sunk cost I know, but if I do ever try the N54 manifold it’ll have to be at a later date.

As much as I love DIY projects, the N54 mani isn’t quite as bolt-up as I thought. I’m just making excuses at this point though haha.

Yes, it was part of a custom tune.

[MOD.Works]

What is the code or type for the connector that is on the throttle?



I don't want to cut car wires. I would have made an adapter. I would think this could be in other use as well, as there are 10 pins and the N52/N54 throttle only uses six.

I mean this.