Tuning the BMW M52(TU) ??

[Mark300zx]

Hi,

I have just picked up 99 523i and I think the tuning options on this are limited, can anyone steer me in the right direction?

[pgilc1]

I would be surprised if you could get anything meaningful out of it. With respect it might have been cheaper to buy a bigger engined model, than try to get the BHP out of yours.

[clonmult]

Although the 523i is a detuned 525i? So there should be some scope for putting bits on it from a 525i?

[8Tech]

I believe the installation of the early 325/525 inlet manifold increases performance in line with the 528i. It is virtually a straight swap and a few places do exchange manifolds to make it a direct swap.

BMW restricted the manifolds deliberately to keep a performance gap between the 523 and the 528 and to keep the smaller car within a certain tax bracket.

[Mark300zx]

Cheers guys, I am afraid I am tinkerer with any car I own!

I have heard about the manifold swap, but have also heard of issues with this swap and the twin vanos unit which I think I may have?