Newbie reporting for duty.

Hi Killian

 

Here are some details:

 

The manifold conversion is designed to remove the restrictions that BMW deliberately built into the M52 2.8 engine. They did this to restrict the power to 193 bhp (the same bhp as the old 2.5 unit). The reason for the restriction is the German insurance market, which penalises cars which have more than 194 bhp. However, the 2.8 has a much better torque figure than the 2.5 unit. It will fit all E36 328s and all E39 528s up until 1998 model. It will also fit he 323 /523 models with similar gains in bhp.
The kit takes about 4 or 5 hours to fit. The only downside after installation is the fuel rail cover cut outs don’t quite match the manifold, though it is barely noticeable. Also a small piece of one of the fuel rail bracket needs trimming off. Everything is reversible, should you ever wish to resort back to the original.
 Power gains with a free flow filter are in the region of 20 bhp, typically giving around 215bhp. Tests have shown that this manifold will flow 275 cfm of air as opposed to the standard 185cfm! Schrick make a free flow manifold, which costs £900 without the body! The Schrick unit flows 250cfm.
The manifold itself is an extensively re worked 2nd hand M50 manifold, complete with the seals that came with it. Though you might prefer to buy new ones. It has a new chamber, screwed and  bonded into the underside, which houses the idle valve, air sensor, and oil recirculation valve in exactly the same position as the original M52 manifold. There are also two new special fittings, which accept the standard M52 stabiliser brackets and idle valve cage. Also in the kit is a big bore throttle body and if required, a big bore traction control body. These are sold on an exchange basis, where you return your old body or bodies once the kit is fitted. I will also need the plastic chamber from your old manifold that houses the idle valve etc. The manifold comes with a slightly reworked one already fitted.
This conversion has to be easily the best power per pound that you can buy for the M52 2.8 engine. The engine revs all the way to the redline without any hesitation at all. Whereas the standard engine struggles past 5,000 revs.