Turbocharging my 325i

I'd like to turbocharge my 325i but really don't know where to start. Am I going to need to reinforce lots of engine components? Will I need a more aggressive fuel system? Will the boost toast my engine? Where do I find affordable, quality turbochargers?

i second this lol...would love to do the same but dont really know how to go about it

Seriously, do a little searching. This subject has been covered dozens of times.

whoops he told us

Yeah good point. A BMW forum was probably the wrong place to have a conversation about what parts and techniques are best to use when turbocharging a BMW.

yea cause its been talked about so much and we couldnt possibly wanna start a new conversation about it

To do it right.. yes. Rods, pistons, headwork, cam, higher flowing injectors, fuel pump, chip, upgraded clutch, turbo manifold, turbo, downpipe, headgasket(Multi layered steel gasket),ARP hardware, bigger exhaust, better tires, intercooler, piping, more. Im in the process of building a 3.5 from a 91 535i for my E30. Im buying the Miller turbo tuning package, the turbo manifold, a HX65 Holeset turbo, arp headstuds, thicker headgasket, side mount intercooler from a 95 eclipse, piping off of ebay, a bosch upgraded fuel pump, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, upgraded 6 puck clutch, 3" turbo back exhaust with electronic cut out to do a straight dump, solid motor mounts and tranny mounts, meth spray kit for intercooler and prolly another atleast $1000 for here and there items along the way.
It's not cheap, but on 7psi I should put down close to 400hp. With same mods on the 2.5 you'll see maybe 300hp

Awesome man, that's what I was wondering. Where do you get your performance parts from? Summit racing?

Dont take this the wrong way but...:

Please read our relevant stickies, particularly the last paragraph of the original post of this thread

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=597283

look we want to help, but none of us are going to write a 6 page thread with everything you need to know.

Right, that's understood. I'm new to the e30 and had general questions about best places for parts. I'm not a beginner to cars however. I have a 66 mustang and when it comes to supercharger installation I'm pretty confident. I'm just not steeped in the euro community at this point and looking for general information like the homie above provided.

That being said, next time I'll only ask specifics.

The stock motor can handle 15psi with an upgraded head gasket and supporting fuel. The wide body made 357whp at 15psi on a Holset HX35.

Originally Posted by ForcedFirebird

The stock motor can handle 15psi with an upgraded head gasket and supporting fuel. The wide body made 357whp at 15psi on a Holset.

Stock whp is 168 right? Or maybe that's just to the crank. 15psi adds close to 200 horse though? That seems like a ton.

Most m20b25's make about 130-150whp stock depending age and previous maintenance. We have dynoed several Spec and Chump e30's lately, I would say 140 is the average.

Originally Posted by Chaunceton

Yeah good point. A BMW forum was probably the wrong place to have a conversation about what parts and techniques are best to use when turbocharging a BMW.

Originally Posted by e30325i

yea cause its been talked about so much and we couldnt possibly wanna start a new conversation about it

Real funny, guys.

The point of having a search function is so you can read details of what's already been covered (at length when you talk about turbocharging) BEFORE you start another thread about it. If you have questions after doing due diligence in searching then feel free to ask. Searching the E30 forum for just "turbocharging" comes up with 17 hits, and at least 5 of them are detailed accounts of adding a turbo to an E30. Forced Firebird's thread is one of the best.

thinking about getting a chip to add a little power any suggestions? or even worth it?

Originally Posted by hornhospital

Real funny, guys.

The point of having a search function is so you can read details of what's already been covered (at length when you talk about turbocharging) BEFORE you start another thread about it. If you have questions after doing due diligence in searching then feel free to ask. Searching the E30 forum for just "turbocharging" comes up with 17 hits, and at least 5 of them are detailed accounts of adding a turbo to an E30. Forced Firebird's thread is one of the best.

Yeah, understood. I do use search and check the sticky threads. I researched this moderately, then went to a meet and spoke with several owners about their turbos. My hope in asking the question that started this thread was that I could find out specifics of where people are currently getting their parts. And what techniques (new if any) have proved more efficient than the traditional well known ways.

Originally Posted by ForcedFirebird

Most m20b25's make about 130-150whp stock depending age and previous maintenance. We have dynoed several Spec and Chump e30's lately, I would say 140 is the average.

And one turbo is capable of adding over 150 whp?

Originally Posted by Chaunceton

And one turbo is capable of adding over 150 whp?

if tuned properly with proper parts, you can add 400hp if you wanted and have the pockets. hop on youtube and check out the ics killer bee.

Check out Kamotors turbo E30 build. Good luck at becoming a registered user on E30tech but its a nice place to read. Turbo Build

Originally Posted by downhiller

if tuned properly with proper parts, you can add 400hp if you wanted and have the pockets. hop on youtube and check out the ics killer bee.

That's insane. I wish I had the money to do something that ambitious.

Originally Posted by Tkaczuk

Check out Kamotors turbo E30 build. Good luck at becoming a registered user on E30tech but its a nice place to read. Turbo Build

Awesome thread man, thanks for turning me on to that.

Originally Posted by hornhospital

Forced Firebird's thread is one of the best.

Which thread?

Honestly, either one you have linked, but I was thinking of the Delphin thread. I forgot you never turboed it, even though you said you were going to many times before it was totaled.

Yeah Pinky is going to be an animal. The turbo compressor is rated to 980hp, but not planning on going near that. Will be limited to 400-ish with the current injectors and hacked Motronic.

gotta love boost, its an addiction! aiming for 430whp this spring on 93 octane.