Replaced the exhaust manifold on your facelift e53?

[wpoll]

If so, did you add the manifold heat shield from the older M57 engine?

Seems like an odd question but while looking at RealOEM at the differences between the exhaust manifold of the M57 vs the M57N, I noticed that the older M57 engine has a cast manifold (#1), fitted with a heat shield #6).



I was wondering if it is important to add this shield to a cast manifold (such as that from X8R) when replacing the manifold on an M57N facelift car and if anyone has done this? The OEM M57N exhaust manifold seems to be double skinned and is likely cooler on the outside...

I can't see this shield protecting much, except for maybe the turbo, which has exhaust gases running through it anyway (well, the turbine does...). Or perhaps the compressor outlet pipe is closer to the manifold on the older car?

You can see the heat shield in the second image (behind the number 2) on this page...

https://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/x_series_e53/x5_3.0d_m57_offrd/2_repair_instructions/11__engine_(m57)/62__exhaust_manifold/1_ra__removing_and_installing_or_replacing_exhaust_turbocharger_(m57)/page_591/

Just curious - not worried.  ::)

[marti]

I fitted the old cast one to my facelift after the SS one cracked in 7 places....long time ago now but cant recall putting the heat shield back....I will have a look tomorrow as my mate has it.....

[wpoll]

[quote="marti"]
I fitted the old cast one to my facelift after the SS one cracked in 7 places....long time ago now but cant recall putting the heat shield back....I will have a look tomorrow as my mate has it.....
[/quote]

You wouldn't have had this shield with the stainless manifold on your '04, Marti - it was only fitted to the earlier cars ('99-'03) that had cast iron manifolds.

To fit this, you would need to go out and buy one.... about 45 quid....

[wpoll]

And to add further fuel to my question, I note that the later E70 cars (with the M57N2) switched back to a cast iron exhaust manifold (from the factory) and it has heat shields also...

Really makes me wonder if we should be adding this shield if we remove the OEM stainless manifold and replace it with a cast iron one...  ???

BTW, it's BMW 11622249843

[X5Sport]

Is it to do with the fact that steel manifolds cool down faster and don’t have the potential to heat soak an area that a cast iron manifold could do?

The later cars (E70/71/72) also have plastic front wings and other parts so need more protection.

[wpoll]

Good point - could be that.

The turbo compressor outlet pipe (intercooler inlet pipe) is darn close to the front half of the manifold. The heat shield from the older M57 only covers the front half of the manifold - coincidence?  ::)

Probably not a worry in the colder climates like the UK and NZ - if I lived in northern Aussie I might be more worried.