Gauging Interest: AFI Z4M Turbo Kit

[BIMMERGUY91]

Hey guys I have some exciting news. My buddies at AFI (Arizona Forced Induction) have agreed that if there is enough interest they will build a turbo kit for the Z4M. This kit will be in the $5,000 range. This is just what we have been needing as an alternative to the supercharger kit or the HPF turbo kit thats an ungodly $10k. These guys do excellent work and have some really beautiful fabrication. Now I have some questions. What horsepower goals would you guys like and what kind of tuning system should we use. What do the guys with the superchargers and the HPF M3 guys use. I know our ECU is a little more complicated than the HPF M3. Alright guys show your interest this is a great opportunity for our community. If you have any questions feel free to contact me or you can contact Aaron directly at 205-299-7213.

Heres a link to their website go check it out. http://www.afiturbo.com/

[mfanatic325]

oooh, interesting. In for a cheaper-alternative turbo application. Will wait for a guinea pig to go first

Needless to say, 400rwhp (and hopefully 300+rwtq) is the bare minimum goal for stage 1 on pump gas, without any other modifications.
ECU? Maybe try ProEFI like HPF is planning on using.

[Beedub]

a turbo kit for 5000 bucks??

i will only believe that when i see it...........

[BIMMERGUY91]

5000 is normal for a turbo kit. Youre just used to the overpriced BMW performance parts we get. HPF is WAY overpriced. Go look around at turbo kits for any other car and around 5000 is about what they cost

[BIMMERGUY91]

I was thinking somewhere around atleast 400 to 450 rwhp for stage 1. 500 or so for stage 2.

[BIMMERGUY91]

ProEFI would work but thats pretty pricey. The goal is to have a normal price range turbo kit to compete with the supercharger kit and give people and alternative to HPF. What do the supercharged guys run isnt it just a retuned factory ecu

[BIMMERGUY91]

Also they are looking for a car to develop the kit with. If anyone would let them use their car for development they will give you your kit for cost plus it will be installed.

[Beedub]

we run alpha n..... i actually don't agree on the hpf being over priced, you pay for what you get...... they are using top quality, top draw parts, with proper tunes and proper ecu's, you will soon see this run 10k easily, that's if they get past the issues that make it so expensive to run FI on a z4m....

turbo kit for an s54 for 5k??? its simply wont happen... trust me.

good luck tho........

[esqu1re]

Originally Posted by Beedub

we run alpha n..... i actually don't agree on the hpf being over priced, you pay for what you get...... they are using top quality, top draw parts, with proper tunes and proper ecu's, you will soon see this run 10k easily, that's if they get past the issues that make it so expensive to run FI on a z4m....

turbo kit for an s54 for 5k??? its simply wont happen... trust me.

good luck tho........

Unfortunately, I suspect you're right. Quality axle-back exhausts are going for $2,200+ alone for our car. BMW premium markup.

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by esqu1re

Unfortunately, I suspect you're right. Quality axle-back exhausts are going for $2,200+ alone for our car. BMW premium markup.

forget the bmw markup.... just a properly engineered kit, to fit within the space constraints, ecu tuning, intercooler fitment, pipe routing, its all an issue on the z4m, not to mention turbo placement and turbo selection, this car needs a proper sized turbo in order to make the right power, be efficient and have some leg room for more tuning.... that alone is 1500 bucks minimum......

if someone could ahve made a z4m turbo kit for 5k, they be rich and we'd all be running them AGES ago ;-)

10-15k for a turbo kit is more like it.

[Twisted Six]

I'd like to mention.....since there is now two Z4M turbo builders on here alone....perhaps AFI would like to monopolize the S.I. market in one fell swoop ?

No reason the S.I. couldn't see 397hp on low boost. 485hp on mid boost etc.

After reviewing their site it appears their stainless exhaust manifolds range in the 800-1200.00 $ range. Their Intakes about the same each. Bar & plate Inter-coolers can be had for sub $300.00 online that will fit nicely. Associated aluminum IC tubing generic kits for about the same.

If one chooses Tial waste-gates and Blow-off valves...that is an additional $500-800.00 combined.

Associated flanges in SS quickly add up along with welding/fab time.

That is $3,800.00 just in components prior to labor ,clamps,silicone elbows,custom brackets and hardware/bolts...not to mention one's choice in fuel/boost management.

I guess a piggyback Mega-Squirt for fuel/boost management could be worked out. That would keep ECU costs below $600.00.

We're at $4,400.00 without labor or turbo selection...........

[ZooyorQ]

I hate to say it but $5k isn't realistic.. if someone said $10k.. I'd say yup, thats possible.. a good thread to follow would be the thread from Maximum PSI from the East Coast. They have a thread on E46 Fanatic in the FI section discussing their DME tuned turbo E46 M3. Keep in mind while the engine in the Z4M and E46 M3 are the same the DME isn't.. and there are thousands more E46 M3's on the road then Z4M's.. so your market share is really small. So modifying an ECU to run a turbo without a piggy back would be very expensive and very few people can do it. The main guy being Nick G who I believe is in Florida.

Seriously though, you get what you pay for..

Now that all aside I don't believe afi is selling a "Turbo Kit" what they're selling is a Manifold and possible some other components.. but they're not selling a tune..

The difference between a manifold on a Honda or Ferrari isn't much.. its all in the Tune/ECU/DME and integration.. thats where things get expensive.

[BIMMERGUY91]

okay so you are at 4400 without a turbo. So add a turbo for a grand and thats 5400. Of course it doesnt include labor if you need someone to do the work for you its gonna cost you. We are trying to figure out a tuning solution that will not cost 2000. If you guys want the turbo kit to cost 10k im sure they would be more than happy to charge you 10k. Maybe the reason BMW parts are so expensive is because people want them to be expensive. You dont need to spend 2200 for a quality axleback. I can build an axleback that sounds good performs good and has quality welds with some nice looking tips for around $350. But I understand you must have a "name brand" axleback that you can brag you paid $2000 for. Anyway if you dont want a reasonably priced turbo kit then just butt out. If you are interested in developing the performance market for our cars at a reasonable price then please input your thoughts.

[Twisted Six]

Originally Posted by Dark Schnitzer

I'd like to mention.....since there is now two Z4M turbo builders on here alone....perhaps AFI would like to monopolize the S.I. market in one fell swoop ?

No reason the S.I. couldn't see 397hp on low boost. 485hp on mid boost etc.

After reviewing their site it appears their stainless exhaust manifolds range in the 800-1200.00 $ range. Their Intakes about the same each. Bar & plate Inter-coolers can be had for sub $300.00 online that will fit nicely. Associated aluminum IC tubing generic kits for about the same.

If one chooses Tial waste-gates and Blow-off valves...that is an additional $500-800.00 combined.

Associated flanges in SS quickly add up along with welding/fab time.

That is $3,800.00 just in components prior to labor ,clamps,silicone elbows,custom brackets and hardware/bolts...not to mention one's choice in fuel/boost management.

I guess a piggyback Mega-Squirt for fuel/boost management could be worked out. That would keep ECU costs below $600.00.

We're at $4,400.00 without labor or turbo selection...........

Originally Posted by BIMMERGUY91

okay so you are at 4400 without a turbo. So add a turbo for a grand and thats 5400. Of course it doesnt include labor if you need someone to do the work for you its gonna cost you. We are trying to figure out a tuning solution that will not cost 2000. If you guys want the turbo kit to cost 10k im sure they would be more than happy to charge you 10k. Maybe the reason BMW parts are so expensive is because people want them to be expensive. You dont need to spend 2200 for a quality axleback. I can build an axleback that sounds good performs good and has quality welds with some nice looking tips for around $350. But I understand you must have a "name brand" axleback that you can brag you paid $2000 for. Anyway if you dont want a reasonably priced turbo kit then just butt out. If you are interested in developing the performance market for our cars at a reasonable price then please input your thoughts.

I think that is what I just did, wasn't it ?

[BIMMERGUY91]

Definitely wasnt talking to you dark schnitzer.

[BIMMERGUY91]

Just to clarify this kit will include manifold, precision turbo, fmic, fmic piping, turbosmart bov, turbosmart ewg, downpipe and intake. Fueling and tuning will be up to you. I am working with them to figure out a reasonably priced solution for tuning and fueling. I suspect with the stage 1 the factory fuel system will be sufficient but for stage 2 and up some fuel upgrades will be necessary (fuel pump and injectors)

[mfanatic325]

Originally Posted by BIMMERGUY91

ProEFI would work but thats pretty pricey. The goal is to have a normal price range turbo kit to compete with the supercharger kit and give people and alternative to HPF. What do the supercharged guys run isnt it just a retuned factory ecu

I think I can get the tuning portion done on my own if there's a quality kit/package as far as all of the other hardware goes. I'm probably only realistically looking at a stage 1 turbo application, nothing more...for now...

[Twisted Six]

Originally Posted by BIMMERGUY91

Definitely wasnt talking to you dark schnitzer.

Ok......I'll step off......those pesky S.I. guys,sheesh !

[BIMMERGUY91]

Dark Schnitzer if you have some inputs please give them! We need as much input as we can get.

[BIMMERGUY91]

Heres a message to the members of zpost from Aaron at AFI

Okay fellas, Lets clarify this Budget turbo kit.

This is just to gauge interest in the Z4M turbo market as a CHEAPER alternative without losing quality of parts. We just enjoy dipping into different markets as we just created a Single Turbo kit for the new mustang. Okay the around $5000.00 is JUST for the group buy and will most likely sit around $7900.00 after that. The components would include our Street intercooler setup, a choice of Precision's PTE 5857 6262, 6266 with the option of upgrading to BB for an additional $600.00, will use Turbosmart Race port Blow off valve, and Turbosmarts Hypergate, custom aluminum intercooler piping, custom tubular Turbo manifold, all clamps, couplers nuts and bolts needed to complete the kit. This kit will not include fuel pump, injectors or tune. As you can see these are quality parts for all of you skeptical folks, there is just no ridiculous "BMW" markup.

The manifold has a warranty as long as the manifold is not coated such as jet hot, & all ceramic coatings ect. Here is a kit of the 2011 mustang we just recently did for the same deal..If charging around $5,000 is making it skeptical I would love the profit margin from being $7,000. We just need 4 more people to get this ball rolling.




http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/SportCompact1320/6632196251_beca2a26eb_b.jpg[/IMG
i17.photobucket.com

[VinnieAces]

i am 100% interested as im looking to go turbo this year!

[mfanatic325]

In for someone else to try this first. And if successful, I shall follow