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E30 M3 Intake Gaskets - Part #318 vs. #319
So what is the difference?

E30 M3 owners planning to replace their intake gaskets should be aware that there are two different part numbers floating around (according to Steve D' there used to be a third part number years ago but this is NLA).

It appears that the original part number has been superseded by the EVO Sport part number.  The EVO spacer has ports which are a little larger to accommodate the larger throttle bodies that the EVO Sport came equipped with.  The problem is that when one attempts to use these larger port intake gaskets on the standard throttle bodies, the fit is not perfect.

The figure below is a screen capture from the Mobile Tradition Parts CD and shows the two different part numbers listed:

Part numbers shown on Parts CD

From this information it appears that the 319 part number superseded the 318 part number starting 12/91. The 319 is the larger Sport EVO part, the 318 is the standard part.

The following photograph is a "hybrid" which shows the two different ports next to each other so that the difference in size is apparent.

Hybrid photo - 318 on left and 319 on right

This photo and the next were provided by Jim Banks (a fellow E30 M3 owner who just completed an intake gasket job on his E30 M3).  Jim's old 318 standard gasket is on the left and his new 319 EVO Sport gasket is on the right.  Note how much larger the port on the right is.

The photo is looking from the cylinder head towards the throttle bodies.  So during operation the intake flow would be coming OUT of the picture towards the viewer.  Thus the change in port size is from smaller to larger.  There is no lip or obstruction to the flow.  The intake path just suddenly increases in diameter as the charge moves from the throttle body to the gasket.  This will likely produce some turbulence, but the turbulence is "right" where the fuel injector sprays fuel into the intake flow, so maybe the turbulence helps mixing - who knows...

Hybrid photo - 318 on left and 319 on right

This photograph is looking from the opposite direction (from the intake plenum towards the cylinder head).  As before, the photo is a "hybrid", the 318 port is on the left and the 319 port is on the right.  Note once again the difference in the port size.  Also note the notches for the fuel injectors (at the top of the intake gasket port).  This shows how the fuel is injected right at the step increase in intake port diameter.  An important point is that although the 319 intake gasket does not match very well at the throttle body side, it matches quite well at the cylinder head.  The port through the intake gasket necks down so that by the time it reaches the cylinder head the two port sizes are the same size and shape.  The mismatch is primarily at the "step-down" from the throttle bodies to the intake gasket. 

One thing I can say is that when I did my intake gaskets on my 1988 M3 I also installed the 319's to replace the 318's (I actually had one of each installed on my car when I bought it!).  I noticed NO difference in performance when switching to the 319's.  My personal opinion is that it is ok to install the Sport EVO 319's on a standard 2.3 liter engine although I have no facts to back up this claim.  It would take some dyno testing to really lay this one to rest...



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