Unofficialbmw.com

idanity · Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 3097 Location: N.W.U.S.A.

i know, this is the "purist" site and all, but i like you guys the best.

does anyone run a supercharger (or has before) Question

any advice.

i just want faster response from the get go, and not so much pulse- thrust like a turbo..
ive done lots of interest on the tubo, but for light to light, and introduction into boost, i think the best thing is supercharger...(not always redlining, normal weekend street )

maybe turbo later, but after full rebuild or w/new car built for a turbo setup..(low compression)
_________________

........

..

Tn325I · Joined: 23 Sep 2002 Posts: 212 Location: SE US

I run an Eaton M90 on my car(the E30). Did a lot of head work to maximize air flo.. Intake and headers. I love it. Hope I never have to go back to NA.
_________________

The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.

peerless · Joined: 12 Nov 2003 Posts: 1721 Location: Orange County, Ca

Centrifugal will be the easiest to setup. You can also go without a intercooler since you will most likely be under 10psi. Even then you can use methanol injection, chemical intercooling.

I have never had a S/C car but I have been for a ride in few of them. It works just fine.
_________________
Robert

E30 Repair and Maintenance Services
714-398-8405

wazzu70 · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 838 Location: Issaquah, WA

Ive had a car in the past that was supercharged. It had the Eaton M90 (also known as the Heaton due to the high IATs it creates) and the throttle response was nice, although revs were limited by the supercharger. Biggest issue with these is getting a drive belt connected to your crank pulley, you'll need to make something custom. Also mounting bracketry and adding a tensions puller can be issues. I really dont think a supercharger is any easier. I would also go with a centrifugal or a lysholm if I was going this route. Eatons just arent good enough for it to be worth it IMO.

Also, you can run a turbo on the stock compression of a "i" motor no problem. Just keep it around 10psi and you would be fine. I think its actually easier to go this route.

Both systems would require a stand alone management system IMO to get it to run properly. It can run, but not properly without one even though people will say otherwise...its just not true.
_________________
-Nick

1984 BMW 325e
1991 BMW 325i
1976 Honda CB400F Super Sport
"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

idanity · Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 3097 Location: N.W.U.S.A.

thanks everyone.

i suppose i should just get the megasquirt setup next (build my own) b.c i just love to pass, and cannot be happy when /if a mazda passes me.noone has yet but its b/c i live in the P.N.W.

i read on the pelican page about this, and they suggested the s.c, but as you mentioned, the pulleys are just not available.

maybe i will just rebuild another m20 with very low comp. (wishing i had a garage again) or go test drive a 1 series....

o how i love the e30, and yet wish it was twice as fast.
_________________

........

..

tncean · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 1652 Location: Chattanooga, Tn.

Maybe you need a Nitrous Oxide system? Turn on at will, esp when those pesky Mazdas get in front of you.

t

wazzu70 · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 838 Location: Issaquah, WA

What CR are you planning on lowering the M20 to? 8.5 over 8.8? Please. you wont even notice the difference. The custom pistons are nice because you can get them with a thicker crown to help prevent melting in the case of tuning errors, and the material dissipates heat better. Overall though, you can just use your regular internals. The BMW stuff is quite stout and as long as you keep the boost moderate you shouldn't have an issue. The thing that kills engines is improper tuning, not necessarily boost pressure unless it is really extreme. Different internals cant make up for a bad tune. Might as well practice on the cheap stuff Smile

_________________
-Nick

1984 BMW 325e
1991 BMW 325i
1976 Honda CB400F Super Sport
"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

idanity · Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 3097 Location: N.W.U.S.A.

thanks everyone...

wazzu70 · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 838 Location: Issaquah, WA

If you are going stand alone, consider VEMS instead of MS. MS is just low grade components. Sure it works, but, its not really "reliable grade". I'm well aware of a lot of the turbo cars around here and what systems they are running on. Most people around here use MS, but that's just because its so cheap to get them up and going, not because its better. Just don't get confused as to the reasoning of the selection.

For an easy read, Corky Bell's Maximum Boost provides some good introductory information to turbo/supercharging your car. It leaves a lot to be desired, but its still good to get the wheels in your head moving. Also, its much cheaper than buying parts. Very Happy

_________________
-Nick

1984 BMW 325e
1991 BMW 325i
1976 Honda CB400F Super Sport
"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

idanity · Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 3097 Location: N.W.U.S.A.

thanks.
i will try to get a copy from the library.
there is a few more books, but sofar, mostly drag=s.c. and basic layout books showing pics on it, rather than how-to's
_________________

........

..

cmcon98 · Joined: 13 Nov 2002 Posts: 1844 Location: Boston

Wouldn't an S50/52 swap be cheaper than building up an M20 and engine management system for super or turbocharging? I have a friend who did the swap (on a 4-door E30!), and total cost was around $5k. He paid $3500 for the engine, harness, and ZF tranny, and it cost another $1500 for stuff like exhaust, A/C lines, new mounts, E34 oil pan, etc.

May be something to consider if you're just looking for decent (but not extraordinary) HP and originality isn't important.
_________________
Cirrusblau '88 325iC 5-speed
Cosmosschwartz '99 M3 'vert 5-speed

wazzu70 · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 838 Location: Issaquah, WA

Yes a 24v swap is a nice way to add power and some low end grunt (from the 3.0/3.2). It also has factory reliability if you use the original ECU....thats nice.

Some people just like to dink with stuff though. I dont think a lot of people take into consideration that when the tuning is up to YOU there is a lot mroe room for error and a lot more days when its not running good enough to drive. Luckily Idanity has another vehicle for daily use as far as I know.
_________________
-Nick

1984 BMW 325e
1991 BMW 325i
1976 Honda CB400F Super Sport
"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

idanity · Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 3097 Location: N.W.U.S.A.

idanity · Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 3097 Location: N.W.U.S.A.

wazzu70 · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 838 Location: Issaquah, WA

http://www.amazon.com/Maximum-Boost-Turbocharger-Engineering-Performance/dp/0837601606/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220548718&sr=8-1

The book should be able to be had for quite cheap. Also, not something I believe in, but I hear rumors that you can get a PDF copy of the book for free online. Personally I feel its appropriate today the author their dues so they can keep producing books....but not everyone has that viewpoint. e30tech has info on the book in PDF form if you prefer to go that route. I got mine from Amazon no problem and think its easily worth the cost.
_________________
-Nick

1984 BMW 325e
1991 BMW 325i
1976 Honda CB400F Super Sport
"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"