[MaximusJ]

Hi there,

My car's ECU is currently on its way to AA in Miami FL for a flash. So I provided AA my list of mods.

But right now, i'm struggling as to wether or not I should include the 3 stages intake manifold in the list of mods.

My main question is: Will the engine still runs smoothly until I decide to install the manifold or should I order the parts right now? I'm not sure I want to resend for a reflash once I get it done, so if anybody could chime in, that would be appreciated.

I also sent the question to AA; to see what they think about it.

Thanks guys.

[Jon@Bimmersport Automotive]

We have done this swap and have an AA tune on the car - PERFECT combo.

I would call them and let them know...if your ever in Toronto we can do these for you in house, on behalf of AA.

[MaximusJ]

Thanks for the answer, but you didnt read the post completely I guess.

I just placed the order for the intake manifold parts; I might have some delays between the installation of the tuned ECU in the car and the actual swap of the intake and I want to know if the car's gonna run properly (Not performance wise, but...).

My guess is that the car's gonna throw multiple codes (Like DISA motor errors and maybe even cylinder issues) and its not gonna run smoothly at all; but I wanted to confirm.

[Jon@Bimmersport Automotive]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

Thanks for the answer, but you didnt read the post completely I guess.

I just placed the order for the intake manifold parts; I might have some delays between the installation of the tuned ECU in the car and the actual swap of the intake and I want to know if the car's gonna run properly (Not performance wise, but...).

My guess is that the car's gonna throw multiple codes (Like DISA motor errors and maybe even cylinder issues) and its not gonna run smoothly at all; but I wanted to confirm.

I did just check your PM.

[e90pilot]

I installed my manifold after I had a tune. It wasn't the AA tune, but was a 3-stage optimized tune. The car runs fine but will have a few minor hiccups at full throttle. It is not dangerous to run as their tune adds fuel.

[MaximusJ]

Thanks Guys, this has removed 20 pounds pressure off my back LOL.

Anyway I wont push the car until everything is in place; its just that I might need it a couple days to go to work.


No Error codes at all Marcelo?

[e90pilot]

Not one error code yet. After you get the tune installed you should give it a couple of pulls to redline to get the adaptations going (after you warm up the car of course).

[Jon@Bimmersport Automotive]

If error codes pop up, they should not put your car into a "limp" mode. They can be cleared upon appearance and come back soon or just clear them after your install.

Try to install the manifold as quick as your parts arrive though.

As the above poster said, the ECU will need adaptation time after installation of both items.

[MaximusJ]

Normally, I would had the reflex of NOT redlining until the manifold is installed? Because the ECU is gonna be in the car first. Since it will be more likely jerky and shuttering at times, I am not gonna give her.

But AA tells to run the tune 50-75 miles before it actually gets at his full potential; so i've figured that I would do the following, in the order.

- Get my box from AA; install the ECU
- Using the car very gently to go to work (less then 10 miles) for a day or two
- Get my box from Tischer
- Take the following day off to swap the manifold in the morning (with a nice cold beer!)
- Hit the road in the afternoon with a full tank of the best premium gasoline in town and give her all I got. (In a safe and 100% legal environnement and actions; for sure)

That way, i'll be sure to limit the effect of the absence of disa actuators before they actually gets there. With a low RPM driving using AA, only the first stage of the new manifold is supposed to open; so maybe it'll trick the ECU; maybe not. Time will tell.

But thanks for being reassuring ;p

[mike-y]

I'd give yourself 2 days to swap the manifold if you've never done it before. You might be able to do it in a day if everything goes perfectly, but it can be quite a pain in the a$$.

[MaximusJ]

note taken

[e90pilot]

You might have noticed my most about the PCV hosed. This is an excellent way to break it. A tech a a BMW dealership broke mine and he hardly touched it. It's a $25 part so if you break it just get a new one and don't try to fix it.

[CQVD330]

I guess you felt more comfortable to ship out your ecu to Florida rather then going locally on JeanTalon st where there is a tuner shop that has the station to flash?
I was not ready mentally to take the ecu out for a 4-5 working days but when i found out about this shop listed on AA`s website, the mod bug is sratching......mind you my odometer is reading 79200km.......800 to go before end of warranty ;-) . Give us your review once you are done :-)

[MaximusJ]

I've been wanting that reflash for 6 months now. Last winter, it was Bimmershop that was listed as a reseller on AA site. So i've contacted them about the AA tune and the 3 stage intake manifold swap. He answered me back a MONTH later telling me that he doesnt have the equipment for the flash and suggesting me the powerbox and the aFe intake instead? I gave up on that shop at that very second for obvious reasons.

I checked the AA site again in april and they changed their reseller. I then contacted Avo @ Toyz Auto Art, the new reseller in Montreal for AA. Has been sending repeated emails and left messages; only had one answer by email two weeks after my first contact and the main point is that they dont know what kind of price they can give me and they dont know when they'll have time for me.

I've told my story to AA and they took care of me the way I should have been taken care of in the first place.

All in all, I saved time and money sending my ECU vs. going to the reseller in Montreal; and on the top of it, I refuse to give any business to any shops that dont respect its customer; wether they own a Prius or a Veyron. Maybe they were too busy on other projects to take care of me but they didnt even bother telling me.

So yeah; you've never served as good as when you do it yourself; and that's what I did. Took me some time to plan that, but I did it. This is my daily driver, but I share my girlfriend's car for the time being. I'm on day 3 without a car and I wont get the ECU back until next thursday. So its a 7 working days down time. This is the only downer in this whole story.

If you send the ECU, you gotta pay shipping; and if you go see them, you have to first get a hold of them; then pay the taxes. So its pretty much the same. If you can afford living without a car for a week, I would say go for it.

But i'm gonna post review afterwards for sure; but keep in mind that i'm not only flashing my ECU; so that's gonna be an overall review since I do both at pretty much the same time.

[MaximusJ]

Marcelo: Yes I saw it and you can be pretty sure i'll take the white gloves out while handling it. Does it leak when you break it?

[CobraMarty]

What are the actual part numbers and prices you got from Tischer's?
Is that everything you need for the swap?

[MaximusJ]

11617559523 Intake Manifold
11617559530 Vent Hose
11617579114 Adjustor Unit
11617560538 Adjustor Unit 2
11617547242 Gasket set
11617535849 x5 Screw 50x20
11617535850 x2 Screw 50x35
11617535851 x1 Screw 50x66


Thats all you need; and a flash; for sure.

[MaximusJ]

And here are the prices on Tischer.

Order Status Details Order Date: 7/21/11 11:7 AM
Description Qty Price Core Price Total Price

OEM Catalog
ADJUSTER UNIT 1 $179.54 $0.00 $179.54
Status: On Order

OEM Catalog
INTAKE MANIFOLD 1 $477.00 $0.00 $477.00
Status: In Stock

OEM Catalog
ADJUSTER UNIT 1 $179.54 $0.00 $179.54
Status: In Stock

OEM Catalog
VENT HOSE 1 $71.43 $0.00 $71.43
Status: In Stock

OEM Catalog
SET OF PROFILE GASKE 1 $16.52 $0.00 $16.52
Status: In Stock



The screws are on back order everywhere in the US; I got the ones that were left in Toronto and Vancouver via my local dealer.

[CobraMarty]

$1000 with shipping and a $500 tune. Ouch. Can't wait for your install and results.

[MaximusJ]

Supposed to get +/- 30 ponies; but my expectations are 15-20. I hate having expectations because it leads to disapointments ;p

In a month or so I should be getting a closed intake, break it in and head for a dyno. I got a aFe right now and i'm pretty sure it sucks way too much hot air. And that's gonna be worse with this mod.

[MaximusJ]

Update:
1- ECU landed @ Active this morning! If i'm lucky, they're gonna work on it today and send it so it can travel over the weekend. Crossing fingers. Once they're done, they're 2nd day UPS'ing it to me.

2- Tischer received the missing actuator and shipped the box. Should be landing here around thursday.

3- Found the "north american wide" back order screws. My dealer is getting all the missing screws from other dealers in the country and I am so lucky, there was only the EXACT number of each screw I need in the whole country. There was one extra 849 screw so I took it; just in case. I also asked them to put me a PCV line on the order in case mine is due too; and i'll just return it if I dont need it.

So somewhere next week, most likely wednesday or thursday, all the components will be here and there's gonna be some serious improvements on this. If you see a 1.8L AT Civic, think of me and laugh ahah. That's what I got until then.

Have a nice weekend and talk to you next week

[Raine]

gl with your tune and swap! can't wait to hear the results