[lazlow442]

I have a N51 and have been seeing that you can get the stage 2 AA tune if your car has the Stage 3 Manifold. How would I tell if I have it? is there other benefits with having it?

[jc5988]

I got ESS instead of AA, it works really good. N51 has been detuned at factory, a tune will get you near 330i power. You should feel
more difference since u got heavier xi, from 2500rpm to 3200rpm you will gain about 20 extra torque, which is great for daily driving.

I think with AA stage2's mid range and top end has been further tuned, but no one has a dynojet reading yet, I cant really compare with mine...

[lazlow442]

Originally Posted by jc5988

I got ESS instead of AA, it works really good. N51 has been detuned at factory, a tune will get you near 330i power. You should feel
more difference since u got heavier xi, from 2500rpm to 3200rpm you will gain about 20 extra torque, which is great for daily driving.

I think with AA stage2's mid range and top end has been further tuned, but no one has a dynojet reading yet, I cant really compare with mine...

that's a pretty big amount, how much is the ess tune?

[jc5988]

Originally Posted by lazlow442

that's a pretty big amount, how much is the ess tune?

yea i am quite happy with ESS, freeway doing 70 to 80 u can now feel the pull, before its some what flat...

the tune pkg came with flash device for 899 though... u can probably get it cheaper if can get someone local doing ess flash without buying the device.

or you can just get AA stage 2, i think it makes slightly more top end.

[atown88]

I was wondering the same. If this is the case, tuning my N51 will become much more attractive.

[lazlow442]

Originally Posted by jc5988

yea i am quite happy with ESS, freeway doing 70 to 80 u can now feel the pull, before its some what flat...

the tune pkg came with flash device for 899 though... u can probably get it cheaper if can get someone local doing ess flash without buying the device.

or you can just get AA stage 2, i think it makes slightly more top end.

It's great to hear that you have had success with the tune! I have been wondering about that for a while.

Did you get your exhaust and intake before or after the tune? Did you notice any difference with those installed compared to stock?

[jc5988]

Originally Posted by lazlow442

It's great to hear that you have had success with the tune! I have been wondering about that for a while.

Did you get your exhaust and intake before or after the tune? Did you notice any difference with those installed compared to stock?

i got intake before the tune, it feels engine is reving faster through out the band, also makes the engine sound better.

best bang for the money is the tune, your 6th gear freeway crusing will never be the same.

exhaust probably wont increase much power without the tune and intake, but im not disagree with those ppl think its their best mod, cuz it really
sounds amazing.

[jc5988]

Originally Posted by atown88

I was wondering the same. If this is the case, tuning my N51 will become much more attractive.

you should get it tuned asap, there is really a 330i engine sleeping under your bonnet.

[lazlow442]

Originally Posted by jc5988

i got intake before the tune, it feels engine is reving faster through out the band, also makes the engine sound better.

best bang for the money is the tune, your 6th gear freeway crusing will never be the same.

exhaust probably wont increase much power without the tune and intake, but im not disagree with those ppl think its their best mod, cuz it really
sounds amazing.

I really wanna get all those mods but I can only get one right now cuz they aren't exactly the cheapest mods to put on the car haha.

I love the way the PE exhaust sounds but I think I'm gonna get the tune before anything else

[jc5988]

Originally Posted by lazlow442

I really wanna get all those mods but I can only get one right now cuz they aren't exactly the cheapest mods to put on the car haha.

I love the way the PE exhaust sounds but I think I'm gonna get the tune before anything else

just check AA's stage 2 thread, Stage 2 is only for older 325i and 330i ecu.

you can hit up ESS and ask for the tuner name AJ on N51 flash, he might get you more power if your area has higher oct gas. Mine running 91 in CA, so he was hesitating on tuning it further.

[atown88]

Originally Posted by jc5988

you should get it tuned asap, there is really a 330i engine sleeping under your bonnet.

Is there any way to look at the manifold and determine this without having to remove anything?

[jc5988]

Originally Posted by atown88

Is there any way to look at the manifold and determine this without having to remove anything?

easiest way is to check under your hood for "SULEV" sticker, if you have "ULEV" then its N52 without 3 stage manifold.

[atown88]

Originally Posted by jc5988

easiest way is to check under your hood for "SULEV" sticker, if you have "ULEV" then its N52 without 3 stage manifold.

It is indeed SULEV. So when looking at the engine bay though, should mine look like the one with the DISA actuator?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ntake+manifold

EDIT:

Here is the intake manifold for my car from RealOEM.com. To me it looks like the 3 stage..could it be?!!?

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...56&hg=11&fg=40

[jc5988]

Originally Posted by atown88

It is indeed SULEV. So when looking at the engine bay though, should mine look like the one with the DISA actuator?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ntake+manifold

EDIT:

Here is the intake manifold for my car from RealOEM.com. To me it looks like the 3 stage..could it be?!!?

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...56&hg=11&fg=40

all N51 came with 3 stages in US, but if you really wanna make sure, look for that "DISA Actuator Motor". its not too hard to see with a flash light.

RealOEM.com pic sometimes are not same as actual part.

[atown88]

Originally Posted by jc5988

all N51 came with 3 stages in US, but if you really wanna make sure, look for that "DISA Actuator Motor". its not too hard to see with a flash light.

RealOEM.com pic sometimes are not same as actual part.

Thanks!

[bin01123]

So after reading this, I believe my n51 has the stage 3 intake manifold. Has any gotten their n51 tuned to see the hp difference?

[Tom Droze]

Originally Posted by bin01123

So after reading this, I believe my n51 has the stage 3 intake manifold. Has any gotten their n51 tuned to see the hp difference?

I have a N51 with the AA tune and it added about 12 horsepower. The AA tune alone will not get you anywhere near the power level of the high output N52 in the 330i. It will add a noticeable amount of low and midrange power though and eliminate the annoying throttle lag.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Tom Droze

I have a N51 with the AA tune and it added about 12 horsepower. The AA tune alone will not get you anywhere near the power level of the high output N52 in the 330i. It will add a noticeable amount of low and midrange power though and eliminate the annoying throttle lag.

+1

Biggest opportunity there is with a tune is to restore drive ability.

I have AA Tune, AA Headers, No Muffler and make 229 HP @ 207 ft-lbs of torque at the wheels.

[chris82]

My N51 is dyno confirmed at 330i power levels after the AA tune. The torque is ridiculous, it feels like an N54/N55

[jpregione]

Does anyone know exactly what the AA tune does if you have the N51 engine? Does it "activate" the 3 stage intake? Just trying to figure out what BMW did to "detune" it in the first place and what exactly is being done to take advantage of it. I have an 09 328i with the N51 engine, just got the tune this morning from AA but haven't flashed it yet, AA headers are enroute after getting Swain Tech White Lightening ceramic coating... should be a fun weekend.

[redline2001]

1. All N51's have the stage 3 manifold
2. The AA tune will not give your N51 328 anywhere near 330 power. I dont care if you have a PE exhaust and a intake. You will need some some headers and a few more tweaks to gain the power of a 330.
3. What the tune will do is eliminate throttle lag and give you a butt dyno. If you have an Xi expect less results

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by redline2001

1. All N51's have the stage 3 manifold
2. The AA tune will not give your N51 328 anywhere near 330 power. I dont care if you have a PE exhaust and a intake. You will need some some headers and a few more tweaks to gain the power of a 330.
3. What the tune will do is eliminate throttle lag and give you a butt dyno. If you have an Xi expect less results

The results are the same regardless of drivetrain configuration, but the extra drag of the auto/AWD system means it has a lot more to mass and drag to overcome.

The AA tune is all pluses, you'll make more power everywhere, and leaves the door open for headers in the future.