My Turbo Charged E30

Hi Guys,

We have just finished installing a Stage1 turbo kit in my
'87 E30 325is
I am hoping to test fly, I mean test drive :) it in a few days time. I am sure there will be more tweaking, mods and bugs we will still have to work out. I HAVE to do brakes and suspension upgrades as well.
With stage 2 we should get around 300 HP to the wheels. 300 HH is about what most guys achive who have done it. We made our own turbo adaptors and down pipes so we will see if it does better.

Upon completion I will have a more detailed write up on my website along with videos and more pics.


Raph
My E30 Turbo Pics


Raph

Have you tested your setup yet. Looks like you're pressurizing your AFM. That's not the norm.

I have done 3 test runs on my car and it runs really well under 9psi boost. Above 9psi we have having a bit of detonation issues. I am currently working on retarding the timing by writing and installing a chip to do so. I have two 450cc boost injectors being fired separately by their own controller so it's not running lean.
It seems to have no issues with the AFM pressurized.

As soon as thats done I will do a few dyno runs and will post results.

Maybe a silly question, but have you tested to be sure your not lean? How much boost are you hoping to be able to run?

Am I missing something or what?

Your dyno printout show 139hp at the wheels (160 at the crank). A stock 325is makes 167 hp NA. Please explain...
<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/TurboBimmer/rollbar2.jpg" height=100 width=150>

I believe his dyno results are from before he turbocharged his car so he could compare the results.

139whp is very common for NA m20 engines, it is around 165-170hp depending on drivetrain loss... Also remember these cars are getting old, and the engines are losing power anyway.

matt

You're wright matt325is. I read too fast his description.
Those numbers are BEFORE the turbo install.

It makes more sense like that. :-)


<img src="http://members.roadfly.org/TurboBimmer/rollbar2.jpg" height=100 width=150>

I am going to attempt a junkyard turbo project and was hoping to gather as many specs and full set up/engine mod recipes as I can.
Any help and advice is appreciated.
I am planning on starting out with the 524TD manifold, but I would appreciate as much info and advice on the following that I can get:

plumbing size and routing
intercooler size
turbine sized
fuel delivery and management
dyno tuning

Thanks.
J.

so your going to build a car around a manifold ? first we need to know if its the 524 six cylinder or the 524 four cylinder,,,:) :)

Where did you get the hack of the software from the ECU? Or did you do it yourself?

The one thing holding me back is the ability to message the info on the chip. The amount software in the pre '91 BMW ECM's is very small compared to the GM and Ford ECM's of that time.

Thanks,

Joe

You need to think about this project the whole way though. How much do you understand forced induction. You not may understand all the variables involved in turbo charging a 20 year old engine. How much HP are you trying to get? How much do you want to spend? I recomend you buy a good book on turboshargers like 'Maximum Boost', it will help you figure out what inlet size, compressor size, intercooler, wastegate, & boost control you would need for this type of project. I found a lot of the information on the net to be lacking & sometimes wrong. I have been toying with the idea for a while, & I think it might be easier to swap in a bigger motor than to try to turbo charge an old economy engine. There are a number of people who have swaped in later gen engines into the E30 chassis. Good luck

hi
i am from belgium and my englisch is not very good i'am sory.
dit you use a turbo chip for more fuel inject?
or haw you dit that i have to find uit because i want also to turbo charge my 325i e30 .
is it nessesery to use boost injectors?
i just want some of 235 hp. thanks anyway.

Hey Ralph
What did you do for exhaust and turbo manifolds. Where did you obtain them or make them yourself?
Dave