What's A Better Mod?

[mech9T8]

I have a '96 328 and I was wondering what is the better modification; underdrive pullies or an OBD1 manifold.
Is the manifold a direct bolt on?
Will I need a software upgrade?
Any help would be much appreciated.

[thekid]

I would do the pullies, unless you want to do the whole OBD1 conversion. I do not think that the manifold will do much for you unless you go ahead and convert everything else.

[mech9T8]

I don't want to do the full OBD1 conversion. Too much money. It's either the pullies or just the M50 manifold.
I heard the gains on the manifold alone are pretty good though.

[jrhaile]

manifold upgrade is a better mod for more horses at higher RPMs and many people have said up to 20hp but I don't think it's that much.

Pullies are good for more power through 2-4k rpms. Differences in power from most dynos with the pullies is 4-8hp.

I know I'm the one you want a manifold from and I'm not trying to pressure you into a manifold by any means.

Pullies will be easier to install but a manifold is pretty much direct bolt on. A good mechanic will be able to make it work with a m52 throttlebody like mine did. otherwise, it'd be easier to get a m50 throttle body which I have or get one for 10-30 bucks on ebay.

[dutchbmw]

Go for the manifold...... Looks better too!

[M3Daemon]

Manifold! --> let the engine breath!!

Daemon

[-pimpin328is-]

Originally posted by jrhaile@Jan 10 2005, 11:08 AM

I know I'm the one you want a manifold from

[snapback]268109[/snapback]

so do you sell manifolds or just selling the one you had??? how much?

[jrhaile]

go to the classifieds.. I have two of them for sale on ebay right now... my mechanic has like 10 of them

[jrhaile]

http://www.bmw-forums.com/forum/inde...howtopic=29907

[B_w.]

i thought a conversion kit was needed to put the m50 intake manifold on the m52 engine. if a conversion kit is not needed why would companies make them?
Eurosport cam kits and intake manifold conversion kits

[jrhaile]

bah not needed. Ask mechanic who knows anything. I didn't need any kit. My mechanic said the only thing needed sometimes is a different throttlebody.

[Furious]

m50 manifold conversion is the much better mod, its worth way more weight in hp than pullies, do your research on it and youll agree.

[mech9T8]

OK, so I did some research and the M50 manifold will provide more hp but only at the upper limit. And the low end torque does suffer. There is a DIY site I found, doesn't sound too complicated but there is quite a bit of work that needs to be done including purchasing some extra parts (nothing too expensive from what I gather). Check out the link:

Link

The adapter kit is not necessary but would make life alot easier.
But I figure the way I drive my car I rarely hit 6000rpm. I think I'm leaning towards the pullies. Not as much of a power gain but it's more evenly distributed along the curve.

[komodo]

Manifold has better gains.

I'm doing pulley install tomorrow, and manifold probably this weekend.

[thekid]

Originally posted by mech9T8@Jan 10 2005, 10:00 PM
OK, so I did some research and the M50 manifold will provide more hp but only at the upper limit. And the low end torque does suffer. There is a DIY site I found, doesn't sound too complicated but there is quite a bit of work that needs to be done including purchasing some extra parts (nothing too expensive from what I gather). Check out the link:

Link

The adapter kit is not necessary but would make life alot easier.
But I figure the way I drive my car I rarely hit 6000rpm. I think I'm leaning towards the pullies. Not as much of a power gain but it's more evenly distributed along the curve.

[snapback]268626[/snapback]

my thinking...but I would take what furious says to heart... why not do both in the near future? Sounds like the pulleys would make up for the lowend loss.