M52TU/M54 DISA Intake Manifold onto Single VANOS 24V

[Andrew325is]

I don't know if this has been covered before, but it got me thinking.

Has anyone installed an M52TU or M54 intake manifold onto a single VANOS engine? I think it would give a boost on both the top and bottom compared to an M52 manifold. Could be a nice alternative to the now spendy M50 manifold.

I think the DISA can be controlled using the exhaust flap valve output on MS41. It’s suppose to open after peak torque, so maybe set it to like 4,200 on M52 and 4,000 rpm on S52 (stock setting is 3,750 rpm, but the peak on M52TU & M54 is at 3,500 rpm).

I know the M52 throttle body doesn’t fit the M52TU manifold (I test fitted it), and it looks like the M50 throttle body may not fit either. However, it looks like the M52TU throttle body could be used. It has 2 TPS sensors integrated in it and it looks like the first one operates the same as the M50/M52 TPS sensor (0.5 volts closed and 4.5 volts open). A wiring adapter could be made to adapt it. An adapter plate would be needed to install the M52TU throttle body onto an M54 manifold.

The main modification that would need to be done is drilling holes on the manifold from the ram tubes into the turbulence tubes for the ICV since the single VANOS head doesn’t have the turbulence ports. The ends could then be plugged like people do with the turbulence ports on M52TU/M54 heads.

[jbontke]

I have thought about this as well. I was not sure how well the ports line up between the intake and head. And I wonder if the intake would make brake booster to intake clearance worse or better. On the throttle body, a 3D printed adapter would be easy to design. I was hoping someone had some dyno numbers to see if its worth it. I am more curious about the torque curve below 5K rpm. I have an M50 manifold and debated ditching it for the stock S52, mainly due to torque reasons.

[Northern]

I don't know if it's been done, but you could probably use muffler flap or evap purge valve table. Not sure about all required to physically fit/keep icv function/match ports.

I think the best way to go about it (other than just swapping the entire engine) is to run MS43 with all M54 stuff. Gain e-throttle and remove ICV.
Maybe convert to dual VANOS at the same time (or have the option for a future project) (Edit, just saw your post in the other thread so I see why you would be opposed to MS42/MS43)

ba114 's build thread has an M50 on MS43/Dual VANOS/M54 oil pump toward the end, but no DISA.

Not sure if the N52 330i manifold even fits, but that could be another option if it can be controlled. 3-stage DISA vs 2-stage, so I guess "more better"?

[Andrew325is]

The ports don’t line up very well (D shape vs oval shape), so an adapter plate would be ideal, but the only ones I’ve seen are for doing the reverse (M50 manifold on M52TU/M54). Of course it probably doesn’t affect the low end very much and might actually help torque by introducing some turbulence. People run the M50 manifold on an M54 without an adapter and it’s fine.

I’m also interested in seeing a dyno. I’ll run one if I do this. I think the DISA intake is more responsible for the low-end torque boost than the exhaust vanos, so the dyno graph might pretty closely match a stock dual vanos engine. I think the exhaust vanos is mostly for emissions, but does help flatten out the torque curve.

I’m most interested in this because I have an S52 in a heavier vehicle and I think the DISA intake could help give it some extra low-down grunt while also boosting the top-end. Whether to choose the M52TU manifold or the M54b30 manifold depends on your power goals. I’ve seen a dyno of an M54b30 manifold on a M52TU and it lost power everywhere except near redline where there was a small boost. A tune should help of course.

So for a moderate improvement and to maximise the low-end the M52TU manifold is ideal. To boost the top-end without hurting the bottom-end as much as an M50 manifold then the M54b30 manifold is ideal.

I’ve also wondered about the 3-stage N52 manifold. I think it should work with an M5x to N54 manifold adapter that are available, but I don’t know how both DISAs can be controlled with MS41 (delete evap purge valve and use that and the exhaust flap valve output?). I think it flows better than an M50 manifold, but I don’t know how the bottom compares or if you’d be able to take advantage of the extra flow on an NA engine.

[hoveringuy]

I've put an M50 intake onto an M54. Ports are slightly different, but doable.

[Northern]

Since the intake (either option) is plastic, I would also at least look at re-shaping/reinforcing the ports with JB weld or something as necessary in order to not use an adapter.

Not that I'm particularly experienced with this - I just think that:
Since an adapter would change the runner length, it could impact the results.
Adapters are typically pricey and maybe not worth the cost for an unknown end result.
May aggravate booster clearance issues.

[Andrew325is]

Yeah, I don’t think an adapter is necessary. Not unless you were going to install the N52 intake manifold, but I read the DISA valves on that one can be even more problematic than the M52TU/M54 DISA valve.

[Andrew325is]

I found another thread about this from 2018. I commented last year, but I forgot about it lol. Still don’t know if anyone went through with it. :)

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/24v-engine-swaps/m50-52-s50-52/376187-m54-intake-manifold-on-m52-with-working-disa