M60/M62 tuning: An intake manifold upgrade

The factory has provided four different intake manifolds for M60 and M62 engines. If you have studied about airflow, its obvious to select the manifold with the best possible velocity stacks for optimizing the engine performance. Velocity stacks – also called as trumpets, horns or bellmouths – can increase maximum airflow approx 2-4 %, but the benefit may be even higher in mid-range torque due to intake resonances. The science behind trumpets is their ability to smooth out incoming air, maximizing airflow to intake runners.

Disclaimer: tuning a naturally aspirated engine is as strong as its weakest link. Cams, valves, cylinder head, headers, collector – and most definitely “the hot air intake system” may be hindering down the power and torque in your build. Thus, the benefit of changing the manifold depends on both level and quality of modifications you have made for your engine.

Different intake manifold versions

M60B30 and M62B35 – These are with smaller runners, so we will forget these,

M60B40 model year 1992 (MY1992) – The best version, large runners with full 360° trumpets,

M60B40 model year 1993 -> M62B44 non-Vanos (NV) – Large runners with partial bellmouths at the intake entry; the second-best option,

B62B44 Vanos – Version with small runners, so we will forget these too.

The Intake Battle: MY1992 vs. NV intake

Runners on the NV intake are 387mm long, meaning they are 20mm shorter to MY1992. This suggests that the NV design may perform better at high rpm. Let’s do some analysis, and break it down into numbers:

The MY1992 intake vs the NV:

+Up to 20nm gains in the 1000-2800rpm range,

+Better mid range torque in the 3750-5000rpm range,

+ Up to 8hp higher power output in the 6900-7600rpm range.

The NV intake vs the MY1992:

+Up to 9hp benefit in the 6000-6800rpm range.

The verdict:

Overall, the MY1992 intake is the best choice for a Stage 3 hot street engine operating across a broad 1000–7600 rpm range. The MY1992 intake also shines with automatic transmissions. Intake pulse charging (delivery ratio) is higher on the MY1992 intake due to longer runners, and better velocity stacks (less flow friction). The NV intake has a better delivery ratio in the 6000-6800rpm range, though.

A) If you want the broad rev range (without variable intake) all the way to the 7600 rpm limiter, the MY1992 intake is your best choice.

B) If you have a stock engine with the stock rev limiter and want more top-end grunt, the NV intake is the right one for you.

Visual identification

There are four hypothesis, why BMW quit developing 1992 version of the manifold so soon:

1. Factory may have wanted the best possible features and grunt for the press, when the new M60 V8 engine was introduced.
2. Guys at the department of finance wanted to cut some costs. We know how expensive these engines are to build. Take for example M60 timing gear with duplex chain. The level of design and robustness is closer to a tank.
3. Velocity stacks are prone to get loose. Simply put – why bother, if you can cope without them, and avoid any warranty issues.
4. E34 540i may have been too close in terms of performance to E34 M5. Please check the youtube video about the matter.

Selecting the best OEM throttle body

Please take a note about sourcing the best throttle body for your M6x build. There is different TBs as well:

M60B30: 70mm with a wedge,

M60B40: 80mm with a wedge,

M62B44NV: 80mm without the wedge,

M62B44TU: 80mm without the wedge (EDK),

N62 throttle body: 84mm without the wedge (EDK).

The first three aforementioned are cable controlled versions, and the latter are with electric throttle valve (EDK). The best cable driven 80mm throttle body is from M62B44 non-Vanos (NV) engine without the wedge. 80mm non-wedge versions will do just fine on a typical M60B44 build with no flow penalty. See the picture below to identify one:

Still here? There is more information about performance upgrades on my other articles:

https://bimmerblog.org/2025/02/14/530hp-naturally-aspirated-street-drivable-bmw-m60-engine-is-it-doable/

Why to build custom 4,4 litres BMW V8 M60B44 engine?

Building tips for high performance M60B44 engine with over 130% volumetric efficiency