S50b30 manifold on m54b30

[Muzzman]

I'm having a 3.0 engine dropped into my 325ti compact track car, it's been suggested to me that I should get a s50b30 manifold for it, I was wondering if anyone has done this and what sort of power gains I should expect. They seem to be going for ~ £500.

I'm just trying to figure out if its worth the outlay.

[pmorg4]

Surely it's going to be a lot more work than just "dropping it in". For starters, the M54 has a single electronically controlled throttle body, and the S50 has cable operated individual throttle bodies (i.e. part of the manifold). Maybe you can bypass the ITBs on the S50 manifold and connect up the original single M54 unit, but I'm not sure what kind of impact that would have on the benefits of the S50 manifold (or any other issues it may cause).

[Muzzman]

pmorg4 said:

Surely it's going to be a lot more work than just "dropping it in". For starters, the M54 has a single electronically controlled throttle body, and the S50 has cable operated individual throttle bodies (i.e. part of the manifold). Maybe you can bypass the ITBs on the S50 manifold and connect up the original single M54 unit, but I'm not sure what kind of impact that would have on the benefits of the S50 manifold (or any other issues it may cause).

Sorry I am a twit for not explaining, I meant exhaust manifold, not inlet manifold. The new engine came with the inlet manifold

[Muzzman]

Well I've bought one so we shall see.

[pmorg4]

Oops, I just assumed inlet manifold. If the exhaust manifold bolts up to the head then I see no reason why it won't work and offer a substantial improvement, being that the M54 manifolds are pretty basic. That said, you might find that the standard manifold offers sufficient flow for the other components (inlet, cams, etc), meaning that gains might be limited. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[d_a_n1979]

Hasn't this OPP done similar to his E46 track car?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Muzzman]

d_a_n1979 said:

Hasn't this OPP done similar to his E46 track car?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Thats the best thread I've read for ages. Sounds like the manifold needs an adaptor plate. Seems like torque is where the improvements are made.

Interestingly enough the guy in the thread has gone for GAZ Gold with adjustable top mounts which is exactly what I've bought to go on the car.

To be fair my mate that is building the car builds a lot of the cars that run in various BMW race series so I'm not sure why I'm second guessing him.

The car was a bored lockdown purchase. £500 BMW 325ti with a blown engine. I bought an 80,000 mile m54b30 engine some 330i calipers/carriers, Brembo disks and Mintex 1144 pads. ECU remap with EWS delete. Style 22 track wheels with Nankang NS2R's. Poweflex bushes and an oil temp gauge.

Unfortunately its an SE not a Sport so it really does look awful. As its a track car I'm not sure whether I can be arsed to buy a Sport kit.

Looking forward to having a go on track.

[d_a_n1979]

Muzzman said:

Thats the best thread I've read for ages. Sounds like the manifold needs an adaptor plate. Seems like torque is where the improvements are made.

Interestingly enough the guy in the thread has gone for GAZ Gold with adjustable top mounts which is exactly what I've bought to go on the car.

To be fair my mate that is building the car builds a lot of the cars that run in various BMW race series so I'm not sure why I'm second guessing him.

The car was a bored lockdown purchase. £500 BMW 325ti with a blown engine. I bought an 80,000 mile m54b30 engine some 330i calipers/carriers, Brembo disks and Mintex 1144 pads. ECU remap with EWS delete. Style 22 track wheels with Nankang NS2R's. Poweflex bushes and an oil temp gauge.

Unfortunately its an SE not a Sport so it really does look awful. As its a track car I'm not sure whether I can be arsed to buy a Sport kit.

Looking forward to having a go on track.

Hopefully that thread will give you the guidance you need

Re the track car; it should be all go and not show

No need for a Sport kit; it's not going to bring anything really, bar looks

[Muzzman]

One thing is the doesn't say whether he got a b30 or b32 manifold apparently the b32 doesn't fit but the b30 does