Performance Intake Manifold

Hi guys, I have a 2001 M62 6speed and I know that earlier year M62's had better intake manifolds and some 740s. Can anyone tell me witch year was the best and what exactly do I need to buy. Is the intake manifold cover the only one or is there a Throttle body involved. Thanks for your reply

Originally Posted by bmw540i

Hi guys, I have a 2001 M62 6speed and I know that earlier year M62's had better intake manifolds and some 740s. Can anyone tell me witch year was the best and what exactly do I need to buy. Is the intake manifold cover the only one or is there a Throttle body involved. Thanks for your reply

You could also buy a throttle body, but it's not necessary with an intake manifold. The intake manifold can be from any 4.0 or 4.4 liter V8 from '92 up to '99. You'll have to plug a few vacuum holes (for older cruise control, I think) when you install it depending on the year, but it bolts right up.

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

You could also buy a throttle body, but it's not necessary with an intake manifold. The intake manifold can be from any 4.0 or 4.4 liter V8 from '92 up to '99. You'll have to plug a few vacuum holes (for older cruise control, I think) when you install it depending on the year, but it bolts right up.

thought it was only up to 98's since 99's had Vanos and the runners became more restrictive.

I have considered changing the manifold on my 2000 540 to a pre vanos type but I wonder what the drawbacks might be. Why would BMW restrict the air flow with vanos? Perhaps the higher air flow causes driveability problems?

Has anyone tried this?

Steve D

Originally Posted by Steve D

I have considered changing the manifold on my 2000 540 to a pre vanos type but I wonder what the drawbacks might be. Why would BMW restrict the air flow with vanos? Perhaps the higher air flow causes driveability problems?

Has anyone tried this?

Steve D

I've had a '95(I think) 740 intake manifold on my car for about two years now. Why did BMW do it? 0-60 times and low end tourqe suffered after VANOS was added. Restrict a lil airflow and they're right where the consumer wants. Buuut, as with most automotive compromises, you give one place, you take another. High end power suffers with restricted airflow both in and out- especially in the nether regions of sustained airflow. Also known as high speed runs.

Originally Posted by chivas

thought it was only up to 98's since 99's had Vanos and the runners became more restrictive.

I am always confused. Didn't '99s have single VANOS? I cant remember if they narrowed them then or in 2000 with double VANOS?

Here is my understanding:

For the 540's. 97& 98 have no VANOS. Single VANOS started in '99 (and I think continued through '03)

All M5's have double VANOS.

For I-6, 97& 98 have single VANOS. Double VANOS started in '99 (and I think continued through '03).

"Single" varies intake camshaft timing. "Double" varies both intake and exhaust.

What is the intake manifold made out of... Can I polish it for better performance. Thanks guys

I´t time to sort things out regarding the Vanos issue
No E39 V8 car except for the M5 has dual Vanos.
Cars built from 96 up to 08.98 has no Vanos at all.
Cars built after 09.98 up to the end of production all have single Vanos.

I know that there is a BMW broschure that says otherwise but that is a missprint.

Originally Posted by tsaros

I´t time to sort things out regarding the Vanos issue
No E39 V8 car except for the M5 has dual Vanos.
Cars built from 96 up to 08.98 has no Vanos at all.
Cars built after 09.98 up to the end of production all have single Vanos.

I know that there is a BMW broschure that says otherwise but that is a missprint.

Ohhh yeah.. I think Beewang may have set us straight on that once before. Thanks for the reminder!

The intake manifold is plastic.

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

Ohhh yeah.. I think Beewang may have set us straight on that once before. Thanks for the reminder!

The intake manifold is plastic.

Now thats the first bow i have ever gotten, to bad i dident deserve it

Regarding the intake manifold, is it from a M60 engine or a non vanos M62?

Originally Posted by tsaros

Now thats the first bow i have ever gotten, to bad i dident deserve it

Regarding the intake manifold, is it from a M60 engine or a non vanos M62?

Mine is from a '95 either 540 or 740. I forget which. And you deserved the bow.

Any DIY´s somewhere or do you have pictures of what to plug and not to plug?
I´m a mechanical carrot so any help would be appriciated very much

Originally Posted by tsaros

Any DIY´s somewhere or do you have pictures of what to plug and not to plug?
I´m a mechanical carrot so any help would be appriciated very much

I didnt take any pics, but install is very straightforward. Just remove A and replace with B. You might have one small opening that doesnt fit with any fitting on the VANOS car (and you've run out) and that'll be the one to plug. We didnt find it till the car wouldn't idle for anything. Started snooping and voila!