I have $2500, and a 325E, Turbo?

[nando]

you can do a $2k turbo but that doesn't mean it will be powerful or reliable

a 5-6k turbo is more realistic if you want daily driver reliablity and ~300whp.

don't forget to add engine management and tuning to the equation. There's a lot more to it than just bolting stuff to your car.

if $2k is your budget I'd look for an M52 instead.

[RickSloan]

so a $2000 bolt on boost kit for a stock m20 that would make over 220hp realiably and be able to be bolted on and installed in one day already tuned would be desirable?

[bimmer_E30]

buy ebay turbo kit.

[yberther]

^wat.

I think it can be done with ~2k.
depends on what you want exactly.
524td manifold (notched), cheap turbo w/ wastegate, rrfpr, bigger injectors, oil fittings, turbo chip? (sad, but meh for now), and finishing the exhaust (downpipe etc.)
easily can be done for under 2k (not ideal, but can be reliable with low boost).

[nando]

sure, then you have a motor that makes maybe 200whp, and lasts 6 months before it pukes a rod out the side of the block.

seeing how he has an eta as a base (not a good place to start for a turbo), I still think an M52 is a better idea.

[SamE30e]

Thank you for that link.

Get that, then add an Ebay intercooler and you're golden... Till it explodes. Throw a i head on it with an MLS headgasket and ARP studs. Run 10psi + all day and make 300whp.

[Lurker27]

(With an I head)

[D-rock]

Is there a problem if you turbo or SC your daily driver?

[Aptyp]

apparently some people think so

[nando]

Is there a problem if you turbo or SC your daily driver?

not if you build it right

[nando]

apparently some people think so

it's safe to assume that somebody who posts "can I turbo my daily driver reliably for $2500" isn't going to be able to pull it off.

[D-rock]

it's safe to assume that somebody who posts "can I turbo my daily driver reliably for $2500" isn't going to be able to pull it off.

Okay now that makes sense LOL

[Aptyp]

you don't know that... I thought it would be a pain in the ass, but then there are local guys, who turbo charge their everything and drive 60k miles worry free. It's all in tuning. Spend $1500 on parts and leave that last $500 on nothing but dyno-tune, and you have yourself a cheap and reliable turbo setup. There are way too many people who've done this, and there a lot more more turbo e30's than online community suggests.

When I was beginning my projects, I thought I'd be the first one in state, than there were like 20 guys already. I thought I'd be at least first in Greensboro, and there are 4 of them already. What I'm saying is, turbo m20 (especially E) is nothing new, and has been done way too many times to think that it's not reliable.

Besides, worst case scenario: he'll pick up another E block for $100 swap tturbo parts and roll on to see another 10k miles. Small price to pay.

[nando]

right but $1500 in parts doesn't leave you much for engine management. MS will cost about $500, plus you need a wideband. Then you have $800 for all your turbo parts. Not going to happen.

[Aptyp]

I seem to be able to pull it off... I have like $300 tied up now. Most expensive part is manifold, the rest you piece together from CL, eBay, and local turbo-hopefuls that ran out of funds. And you don't necessarily need a wideband to tune MS, just as you may not get MS. Most people don't.