Who here has added forced induction to a car?

[A930Rocket]

Let's get this out of the way: No, I'm not going to sell my $3K BMW and buy an M3 or something else for $20k+.

Mission creep has snuck in and I want/need more power for my 2005 330ci track car. The suspension has been upgraded and is good to go. I'm installing headers with a Spec E46 exhaust this weekend. I'm not looking for tire shredding power, but maybe a safe 100 HP increase with 5-6-7 PSI boost with a supercharger. Kits range from $4,500 up to $10K. For my purposes, I want to keep it on the low end...$4.5k to $5.5k. I do all the wrenching on the car and will be installing the kit. The kits below say they can be installed in a weekend or less.

That said, has anyone added a supercharger to a car? With low boost, is an intercooler needed?


https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-397294-e46-supercharger-kit-level-1/

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-377830-vf-engineering-supercharger-kit-330hp-275-ft-lbs-torque/

[Arizona_928]

I think it would depend on the egt's. Running no intercooler is a good way to melt some stuff. Been there. Done that.

I would piece together everything you need. Once you shop the major silicone boot suppliers, high quality aftermarket wastegates, turbo/super, and custom hoses made. It'll be cheaper.

[greglepore]

Its not egts as much as cr and detonation levels. I think Turner has probably sorted their kits.
I did a 3.2 turbo using Protomotive parts on a 130k engine, and its fine at 150k, at .5 bar. Went to an intercooler now because they're cheap, but with a Bimmer there's a bunch of plumbing involved that likely will add some lag. For track use though I would certainly watch afr's with some sort of tuning tool and add methanol injection as its cheap, easy, and doesn't add to lag.

[porsche4life]

Those VF kits are nice. If you are happy with the HP/$ ratio then do it!

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by greglepore

For track use though I would certainly watch afr's with some sort of tuning tool and add methanol injection as its cheap, easy, and doesn't add to lag.

Methanol is on my list if I go FI. I was going to add it to my 930, but sold it before I did.

There are intercoolers for the SC’s but I’m not sure how efficient they are.

When I dyno’d my 930, I would place a bag of ice on my Kolken intercooler before the run and after the run, I could not put my hand on the intercooler, it heated the air up that much. That was at 1 bar, so I don’t know if six psi with methanol would be OK. I was told by either Turner or Bimmerworld, the intercooler wasn’t needed, because with 5-6 psi, it doesn’t produce the same amount of heat when compressed.

[greglepore]

Turner has a pretty good rep.I doubt they're blowing cars up much, but I'd make it clear to whomever you talk to there that its a track car, as they don't account for that. Dyno runs aren't like real world runs, as I'm sure you know. Zero airflow.

[Scott R]

I did it to a 944 you can look it up under my user name. The car didn’t last long.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Turner has a pretty good rep.I doubt they're blowing cars up much, but I'd make it clear to whomever you talk to there that its a track car, as they don't account for that. Dyno runs aren't like real world runs, as I'm sure you know. Zero airflow.

That’s exactly why I asked him about using an intercooler, because on the track. The supercharger would be used multiple times per lap and session session, for an extended period of time.

My plan would be to add one.

[asphaltgambler]

I've done all the power adders years ago. The issue was always how to control fuel curve and timing relative to boost incrementally. Also depends on how 'modern' the engine design, specifically combustion chamber / valve angle/ layout.

As with anything you get what you pay for in 'kits'. I would research thoroughly who has already installed those, what problems with tuning or installation have occurred. I take the manufacturers claims like a grain of salt. Another good source are shops that have a wheel dyno that have experience in tuning BMW's that have superchargers installed. THEY are the best source as to who has the best kit.

[peppy]

I had a vortex kit on my 93 Saleen mustang. I ran it very conservatively and had no issues with detonation. When I sold it I saw a video of it being tuned and there was a lot more power that I left on the table.

[cockerpunk]

just buy a corvette.

adding forced induction to a street car is maybe a thing you can do, doing it with a track car is a good way to blow things up. a great way to turn a fun tack day into a mess is having forced induction. look down the paddock at the next track day, and see whos having issues. and look at the end of the day, who is trying to cram in as many laps as possible ... its the guy in a junky, cheap, NA, track beater.

[stevej37]

Nitrous...much cheaper for the same hp.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

just buy a corvette.

adding forced induction to a street car is maybe a thing you can do, doing it with a track car is a good way to blow things up. a great way to turn a fun tack day into a mess is having forced induction. look down the paddock at the next track day, and see whos having issues. and look at the end of the day, who is trying to cram in as many laps as possible ... its the guy in a junky, cheap, NA, track beater.

This. ^^ With used Z06 Corvettes being cheap, (with some miles, of course), it's a no-brainer, IMO. That's if you really enjoy going to the track. The performance is GT3 level and they are actually tough cars. I've always bought the 911 I wanted, (or that fell into my life), and taken it to the track occasionally for a DE. None of my cars were really track purposed.

From what I've seen at Willow Springs, a very high-speed track in desert heat, BMWs blow-up as much as Japanese cars that were never meant to be tracked. I like BMWs as street cars but I'd go the 'Vette route for a bargain track weapon.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Nitrous...much cheaper for the same hp.

How many laps can you get out of one bottle of nitrous?

[A930Rocket]

Do I look like a Corvette owner?


No doubt, a Corvette is a great bang for your buck. I did think about it before buying the BMW from a friend, I just couldn’t make that leap.

Also, my track buddy has an M3, so we’re able to help each other car wise.

Edit: last time at the track, the Corvettes were passing me at will. At least with 100 more ponies, I might be able to hear them a little longer and futilely trying to keep up.

[dad911]

eRAM?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by dad911

eRAM?

Yep, +cool collar and you're good to go.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

How many laps can you get out of one bottle of nitrous?

depends on the size of the bottle and how long you are in wot

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

I've done all the power adders years ago. The issue was always how to control fuel curve and timing relative to boost incrementally. Also depends on how 'modern' the engine design, specifically combustion chamber / valve angle/ layout.

As with anything you get what you pay for in 'kits'. I would research thoroughly who has already installed those, what problems with tuning or installation have occurred. I take the manufacturers claims like a grain of salt. Another good source are shops that have a wheel dyno that have experience in tuning BMW's that have superchargers installed. THEY are the best source as to who has the best kit.

Finding a tuner with a dyno to talk to is a good idea. Might have to go to a bigger town to find one. Thanks.

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Finding a tuner with a dyno to talk to is a good idea. Might have to go to a bigger town to find one. Thanks.

These guys have a good reputation amongst the local BMW crowd. Pretty sure they have a dyno on site. Just outside of Charlotte.

https://cesmotorsport.com/