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Thread: What is a DISA valve?

  1. #1
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    What is a DISA valve?

    I've tried searching, but can't find what a DISA valve is. Is anyone able to tell me what it is?

    Also is it present on an E36?

    From what I can gather, it was introduced in the M52 engine for the E46, but can't find anything conclusive.
    The love of BMW is an aggressive, invasive, and pervasive disease for which there is, and always will be, no cure.


  2. #2
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    DISA only comes on 4 pots, it's the equivalent of vanos on 6I's but works in a different way. It's purpose is to raise the low and midrange torque "and" raise the top end power output. Yes it's on the e36 too. It's a valve that opens or closes intake ports depending on the load.

    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ferrerid=56200
    Last edited by baghram; 04-28-2007 at 07:18 AM.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by baghram View Post
    DISA only comes on 4 pots, it's the equivalent of vanos on 6I's but works in a different way. It's purpose is to raise the low and midrange torque "and" raise the top end power output. Yes it's on the e36 too. It's a valve that opens or closes intake ports depending on the load.

    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ferrerid=56200
    Vanos changes valve timing.
    Disa changes length of intake

    Maybe the goal is similar. But they do very different things.
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  4. #4
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    Yes the DISA valve controls the variable length intake manifold on the M42/M44 motors. Located inside the intake manifold, it gives better torque at low revs by closing keeping the intake runner long but after about 4500rpm, it opens up by and makes the intake runners shorter for more horsepower.

    It's a neat piece of gadgetry but they start to rattle after a while. That's when it's time to rip off the stock manifold and go DASC.

  5. #5
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    Resurecting thread:

    so what if i wanted to bore my throttle body? when i took it apart, there were two butterfly valves (one larger one smaller = DISA) my guess is torque suffers, but top end might breath a helluva lot better?

  6. #6
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    Nope the Disa sits on the top of the lower intake manifold. It has nothing to do with the TB. As for boring the TB it is unlikely that you will lose bottom end torque due to the TB being so short in length. The benefits would outweigh any cons. It does seem a lot of effort for what will be a small gain, would need to manufacture a new butterfly. Is it not easier to replace the TB with another similuar unit, has anyone looked at this? Replacment rather that rebore??

  7. #7
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    huh? i thought the DISA actuator was below the TB well i just want something to do over the winter. yeah, the only problem i foresee is fabbing a new butterfly valve

  8. #8
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    haha! i'm so glad someone else is thinking like me! if you get started before me, BigEmpty, lemme know whatcha did, and i'll do the same?




  9. #9
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    ya let me know to, i could use a nice little project to do

  10. #10
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    If you are determined to bore the TB please try and aquire a spare TB for the work, a good machinist can still write of your TB quite easily. Butterfly will probably be a specialist job thats if you can find someone to do the boring work.
    Have a look at the topics regarding ITBs on M42 they dont give much gain other than throttle response. A single bored TB wont come close to that....and you still might need to have a custom tune?
    All said and done... I have my TB sitting in the garage, waiting disassembly so that I can polish it . I might make some enquirys locally if I have the time and $$.
    Props to you if you pull it off.
    Good luck

  11. #11
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    yeah hell no to trying to bore my existing one. but that is the easy part ofcourse. i'm going to use a good friends facility, as i don't have the proper tools. i'll let you guys know if i actually get around to doing it. got a month until classes start again

  12. #12
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    This isn't restricted to 4 cylinder engines. My I6 has a DISA valve. I am holding the repair receipt for its replacement. It did indeed start to rattle and sounded like someone was feeding sand through my intake from 1500-2500rpm. My engine is the M54B30.

  13. #13
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    Exclamation e36 compact disa?

    hi,
    I was wondering if anybody knew if you can install a disa unit on to a 316i e36 compact (1997), AND IF SO WHERE CAN I GET ONE FROM?!

    Ultimatley, I love the car but am just disappointed with its speed, so if anyone has any extra tips on increasing the performance of the car, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

    Thanks.

  14. #14
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    I have a 2004 525i and am wondering where I can buy a Disa valve (besides BMW) and if it's hard to change. Ive been a mechanic for 26 years just not a Beemer tech.

  15. #15
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    DISA is not a generic style of valve that you can find at Home Depot, and I doubt its worth your time to install on a 2.5L. Either way, I beleive your 2.5L has a newer version of VANOS which is superior to DISA.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Big Empty View Post
    DISA is not a generic style of valve that you can find at Home Depot, and I doubt its worth your time to install on a 2.5L. Either way, I beleive your 2.5L has a newer version of VANOS which is superior to DISA.
    Thanks. The dealer called it a Disa. The engine is an M54 and body style E60. Will it require me to remove the Intake?

  17. #17
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    Don't remove your intake, don't install DISA. You have double VANOS which is about a thousand times superior in terms of cost/effectiveness.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Big Empty View Post
    Don't remove your intake, don't install DISA. You have double VANOS which is about a thousand times superior in terms of cost/effectiveness.
    So how do I fix it or is the dealer feeding me a line?

  19. #19
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    Fix the double VANOS? If they are asking to fix your DISA, fill a brown paper bag full of human shit and light it on fire underneath a new X6 in their lot. DISA comes only on 4 cylinder engines.

    To be honest, I don't have much experience with VANOS but i don't think it would be faulty after 5 years of use. Go to the e60 subforum and ask!
    Last edited by Big Empty; 05-27-2009 at 09:58 PM.

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Big Empty View Post
    Fix the double VANOS? If they are asking to fix your DISA, fill a brown paper bag full of human shit and light it on fire underneath a new X6 in their lot. DISA comes only on 4 cylinder engines.

    To be honest, I don't have much experience with VANOS but i don't think it would be faulty after 5 years of use. Go to the e60 subforum and ask!
    Yes...they said my disa is faulty and wanted to charge me $400 to change it. Thanks for the help.

  21. #21
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    Good luck buddy!

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Big Empty View Post
    Fix the double VANOS? If they are asking to fix your DISA, fill a brown paper bag full of human shit and light it on fire underneath a new X6 in their lot. DISA comes only on 4 cylinder engines.

    To be honest, I don't have much experience with VANOS but i don't think it would be faulty after 5 years of use. Go to the e60 subforum and ask!
    DISA comes on 6 cylinders as well. M54 engines has DISA. And VANOS is not a replacement for DISA. They are 2 entirely different things. The purpose of DISA is to allow smaller and longer intake and hence faster airflow. Its like benefits of both M50 and M52 manifold in 1.

  23. #23
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    Ok good to know. I thought they did not incorporate the two; valve timing and variable intake length.

    Thread cliffs:

    DISA: varies intake length
    VANOS: varies timing

    Both can exist on engines not found on the e36 platform. Later models incorporate both technology; while the e36 has DISA and VANOS on 4 and 6 cylinder engines respectively.

  24. #24
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    The DISA valve on my son's '95 318i is controlled by a "vacuum box" (that's how it is listed on Real OEM). The vacuum box was faulty and the valve was in "high rpm" mode all the time.

    I fixed it and frankly, from the seat of my pants, I could not feel any difference in the car's performance . . . but I drive a 328 manual every day so his 318 is as slow as turds to me anyway. He claims it has more power now, so maybe it did help some.

    If your car does not have a DISA valve you can't easily add one. If you could add one, it would not suddenly make your car as fast as a 325 or 328. My guess is the only way to significantly improve the 318's output would be by adding forced induction, meaning a supercharger or a turbocharger.

  25. #25
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    does the S52B32 M3 6-cylinder engine, production 02/1998 also have DISA Dual Resonance Intake System?
    A bit confusing info.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

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