a buddy of mine called it an actuator... its broken. its fairly close to the exhaust manifold log thingy lol, and he said it helps develop power in the top end? its kinda on the underside, and I can't get any damn pictures... been broken now for a few months, it needs to get fixed. ANY help would be extremely useful.

 

Series 5? Series 4? Turbo? N/A?

 

could this broken piece be an auxiliary port actuator? are they in the area I am trying to describe?

 

S5, n/a.

 

you won't get any help without a picture. I'd be shooting in the dark if I was to give you any advice. My best guess is aux port actuator, but I can't tell you what's broken on it.

 

The auxiliary port actuators are on that side of the engine, right above the exhaust manifold. There are two of them and the sleeves they rotate run through the lower intake manifold into the side housings.

Based on what you're telling us and that a friend said it helps top end power, it is mot likely an auxiliary port actuator.