2.8 Remap, is it worth it?
- Thread starter Old MrT
- Start date
I think a few have either tried it or have experience of doing so. I’ve heard of power increases into the early 200’s.
A remap would be more worth it in conjunction with some different bits.
If your 2.8i is a single vanos engine (pre Sept 99) you can fit the "M50" 325i intake manifold.
This is a favorite mod to this engine which allows better airflow. Perhaps with some uprated injectors, higher flow exhaust and air intake might net you 15bhp more with a remap.
Last edited:
my car is a March 99 build and has the TU engine which I believe is double vanos? Please correct me if I am wrong
my car is a March 99 build and has the TU engine which I believe is double vanos? Please correct me if I am wrong
Both those engines get great gains. As said above the single vanos uses the E36 325i inlet manifold and the TU engine uses the M54B30 inlet manifold + injectors. My 2.8TU made a healthy 235bhp with 315NM of torque quite a bit more than the 3.0, she did have a fair few more tweaks than just the manifold.
Single to double vanos was September 1998 on all BMW's, arriving with the new E46 first.
A good remap is worth doing. It gives the engine the fuelling and timing it really needs as anything from the late eighties onwards runs lean and slightly retarded for the catalytic converter. Double vanos (TU) engines were always more than the claimed 193 bhp, closer to 200.
The TU can be fitted with the inlet camshaft and inlet manifold from a 3.0. With a good remap they are knocking on the door of 230 bhp and similar to a standard 3.0. Certainly, 220 - 225 bhp is realistic.
A good remap is worth doing. It gives the engine the fuelling and timing it really needs as anything from the late eighties onwards runs lean and slightly retarded for the catalytic converter. Double vanos (TU) engines were always more than the claimed 193 bhp, closer to 200.
The TU can be fitted with the inlet camshaft and inlet manifold from a 3.0. With a good remap they are knocking on the door of 230 bhp and similar to a standard 3.0. Certainly, 220 - 225 bhp is realistic.
Thanks for the replies guy's, mine's a 2000 year so I assume a TU engine, certainly sounds like it's worth a go then
M54B30 Inlet Manifold - Ebay Listing
Injectors for M54B30 - Ebay
Inlet Camshaft - Only need the inlet and not the out IIRC
@Lee - Can you confirm if the above links are the correct items for squeezing a few extra ponies out?
Well there's no doubt his car is coming back to the right place for a refresh! Can't wait to see Dave's 2.2i when you guys have finished with it.
Yeah looks good that, the biggest issue you have is the throttle body the 2.8TU it's very restrictive along with the intake. I converted mine to the 3.0 throttle body due to it being far larger so you would need the engine loom they are plug n play and the only connector different is the throttle body connector. The airbox and maf is also alot larger. I didnt have the 3.0 cam but did have a nice set of exhaust manifolds, the cam would of been the last thing to change in my quest for power at the time.
FYI - With a remap, 3.0 inlet manifold, 3.0 injectors and cat cams I got my 0-60 time down to what BMW state but at 5500 feet above sea level so the gain was about 15 to 18%. I think the cat cams probably did not add much over and above the 3.0 intake cam I was running before and I should have chosen something more aggressive. Anyway the money is spent now.....
There is more on the table as the tune was done remotely and although we data logged using a wide band I am sure better could be done on a dyno.
There is more on the table as the tune was done remotely and although we data logged using a wide band I am sure better could be done on a dyno.
So what is involved in putting an m54 3.0 throttle body on a 2.8 TU?
SA Tuning says with a decat and a cold feed and a stage 2 remap it will get 247bhp and 325nm
I had my 3.0 remapped a few months ago. Not for the huge HP difference, about 10! But more for the driveability. The results are pretty good with an increase mainly in low and mid range performance. I'm lucky to also have a 2.8 twin vanos Z3 as well, the difference is very noticeable in the acceleration and power delivery. The other mods will get you more power, but for the money and convenience, I think the remap is worth it in itself.
Old MrT
Dedicated Member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2022
- Points
- 31
Thanks Eddie, I assume you've had the 2.8 remapped too and there's a noticeable difference with that one as well.
Hi, nope just the 3.0 at the moment. There was a difference before between the 2 and now a big difference. I did it after reading Mike Fishwick's Z3 write up. Buying a Z3 - General Info. Hopefully that works as a link