Turbo system total cost estimate...

[natorious]

what would you say rough you spent on your turbo setup?

Base car being a perfectly running 89' 325i with 100,000 miles

im just looking for a ballbark.. the e30 is going out of daily service soon to be a fun project car, my new (to me) E430 Sport is going to take over daily duties

[Erick]

It depends, like everything else.... it comes down to the saying "Cheap, Reliable, Powerful.... pick two"

I've seen turbo setups for under $1000, which looked like complete ghetto rigs. TCD sells their awsome Stage 2 for $5000. So it's up to you.

[rwh11385]

TCD would be the only way to fly in my mind.

of course, you could do the e30tech junkyard turbo thing and get some PVC charge pipes.

[Morrison]

It could be done quite cheaply if you know what to look for as far as the hardware part of it is concerned. You might want to look into scrounging the turbo and intercooler from an eclipse/talon. The 90-94 M/T turbo DSM's came with a Mitsu 14b turbo, which can be capable of low 13's. Splurging a little more for a front mount intercooler would be well spent. Fuel manangement and datalogging should be your priority.

[Quseless]

It all depends on the parts you use...

if you go all new parts, using quality components w/ clean (professional grade) installation and tuning; you'll end up spending $5K-$6K for parts + tuning.

if you go w/ used parts, but still quality parts. you can cut your costs down to $3K.

if you cut a couple corners and use average parts and such. you'll be right around $2K.

I always tell people to never hope to spend less than $2K on a turbo. that's what I have spent on my cheapest turbo project, and that was with a free turbo.

One way to save a lot in completing a good turbo setup is to make good honest friend with a certain someone who can madrel bend, weld and machine most parts...

Q