Turbocharging - Pros, Cons, and Costs

[DeutschRennfahrer]

I'm certain this has been discussed in depth before, but I couldn't find the thread so please forgive me. I would love to turbocharge my Z4, but I want to hear about the experiences you have had with your own.

What are the pros and cons? How much should I expect to spend? What performance gains can I expect?

Feel free to dump your knowledge on me.

[Calichase]

I do not know your model, whether it be ///M, or 3.0 or 2.5, but I will speak of the s54 cars.

Simply put, it's never been done successfully (with stock Ecu). Our Ecu is known for being a pain to successful get power from. And if you search through old turbo build threads everything goes well until tuning is done. The only option is a standalone, and even then, I think some of the custom shops had difficulty.

If you want to turbo a z4m, I advise you to buy an e46 m3. But if you are insistent, check out maximum psi or if you can find an old used hpf kit, go to lab22. Perhaps they could assist you with a standalone, im heisted I would expect you would lose some drivability and functions over the stock vehicle.
Edit- just saw you have a 3.0si, my advise doesn't apply to you therefore and cannot be of much assistance.

Goodluck

[WickedNy]

3.0si has a magnesium block, plenty of discussions on it and from what I remember the engine isn't suitable for F.I

[Westersund]

Originally Posted by WickedNy

3.0si has a magnesium block, plenty of discussions on it and from what I remember the engine isn't suitable for F.I

Everything is relative and it depends how far OP is willing to go. You can always drill the block and put in steel liners (is that the right word?) when you're changing pistions/rods. That way the magnesium block should be able to handle the boost.

[chickdr]

OP actually has a 3.0i model. He could do the mods to make it an si which would give him 40hp with no side effects....

[DeutschRennfahrer]

Originally Posted by chickdr

OP actually has a 3.0i model. He could do the mods to make it an si which would give him 40hp with no side effects....

What is involved in this? 40hp would be a considerable performance gain.

In regards to the ECU, what makes it difficult to tune? I assumed I could take it to a performance shop and have it done pretty easily.

[NickyC]

If you want to go fast, get another car.

[Steeler]

The 3.0i M54 has very good potential for power using FI
The limiting factor as far as Turbocharging is indeed the ECU. It has been tried several times unsuccessfully.
Supercharging on the other hand is very doable and there are at least 2 supercharged M54's on this forum with close to 300hp at the wheels
Search "Pokeybritches" for one such car.

[Westersund]

Here's a Swedish E46 330IX with the same type of engine as OP. Not that it's really relevant but it's still awesome.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by DeutschRennfahrer

What is involved in this? 40hp would be a considerable performance gain.

In regards to the ECU, what makes it difficult to tune? I assumed I could take it to a performance shop and have it done pretty easily.

Do a search- it has been documented on this or another Z4 forum. I don't have a 3.0i so didn't need the info.

[t0pless]

I've read a few different topics. I've seen pics of this kit on a FL car a little while back, but I can't seem to find it. I do know the car was sold years back. I think I remember them saying they used a stand alone to get this to work.

http://www.techniquetuning.com/bmw-e...st2-turbo.html

[m3griff]

Originally Posted by dbarton62

The 3.0i M54 has very good potential for power using FI
The limiting factor as far as Turbocharging is indeed the ECU. It has been tried several times unsuccessfully.
Supercharging on the other hand is very doable and there are at least 2 supercharged M54's on this forum with close to 300hp at the wheels
Search "Pokeybritches" for one such car.

OP does not have an M54, he has 06 3.0i which, like the Si is the N52. Mg/Al block and cast crank mean it cannot be easily FI'd. He can take his 3.0i to Si state with intake changes and ECU upgrade. Not cheap, though.

[Westersund]

Originally Posted by m3griff

OP does not have an M54, he has 06 3.0i which, like the Si is the N52. Mg/Al block and cast crank mean it cannot be easily FI'd. He can take his 3.0i to Si state with intake changes and ECU upgrade. Not cheap, though.

He can always get a forged crank from a M54. I have a feeling the list is going to be long getting that engine to handle the boost.

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by m3griff

OP does not have an M54, he has 06 3.0i which, like the Si is the N52. Mg/Al block and cast crank mean it cannot be easily FI'd. He can take his 3.0i to Si state with intake changes and ECU upgrade. Not cheap, though.

My mistake, I see 3.0i and automatically think M54.

Still stands that the ECU is the limiting factor on our cars

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by m3griff

OP does not have an M54, he has 06 3.0i which, like the Si is the N52. Mg/Al block and cast crank mean it cannot be easily FI'd. He can take his 3.0i to Si state with intake changes and ECU upgrade. Not cheap, though.

It actually is pretty cheap from what I remember. There are many intakes from other cars with the N52 si version which will work to convert an i to si. Under $1K for sure.

[sbottum622]

Originally Posted by chickdr

It actually is pretty cheap from what I remember. There are many intakes from other cars with the N52 si version which will work to convert an i to si. Under $1K for sure.

Can you expand a little?

[Steeler]

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=392330

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455180

[chickdr]

Like I said well under 1K if you find the manifold for under $300 which should be quite doable. Not bad for 40hp...

[DeutschRennfahrer]

How come the tune is so pricey? Is it all labor costs, or do I also have to buy a new ECU chip?

[asirvr4]

Throw a 2JZ-GTE in there.

[Lightning87]

ESS was doing a supercharger for the N52 saw something pass on Facebook that they have installed one recently...

[StigJ]

http://europeanautosource.com/ess-su...m-bmw-n52.html
http://europeanautosource.com/blog/j...ercharged.html