turbo e30

[charger5205]

i have a 91 325i and i wanna turbo it. i wana know wat would have to be changed and what would be the chances of it blowing somthing.

[Erick]

Oh boy.

Yeah... you have a lot to learn. There are different applications for turbocharging... and it all depends on your needs. Be aware that right off the bat you wont be able to do this for under $1000.

And even if you do it for $1000, your motor wont last long.

The bottom line is, the more you want to push it, the more you have to prep the motor, and eventually the more you will spend on it. I have put upwards of $3k on my setup already.

The only main part that you should be concerned with getting is the exhaust manifold, which is obviously something that has to be made/adapted to the e30. The cheapest way to get a turbo exhaust manifold is to get a 524td manifold and have it ported to the 325i motor specs.

The rest is basically universal (turbo/intercooler/etc) so you'd just need to find out what would work best with you. There is a lot of work into it... a downpipe has to be custom made for your car.

There's a lot more that you'll have to look into it... but it's definetly not as easy as just saying "I want a turbo" and having everything come together easily.

[Garageaholic]

Search it up brotha

[CarsSuck]

go to e30tech.com

[Borat]

Oh boy.
Be aware that right off the bat you wont be able to do this for under $1000.

And even if you do it for $1000, your motor wont last long.

I just did, not sure how long motor will last though. :D

[charger5205]

wat if its runing at like 6psi?

[MR 325]

wat if its runing at like 6psi?

It still costs money. Do it once, do it right.

[backtrail69]

go to e30tech.com

+1 Everyone with an eta and 3 dollars seems to have a ghetto turbo setup over there... but also some big players as well. I have 3-4k into mine so far...

[Erick]

wat if its runing at like 6psi?

i'm running 7psi, and I spent upwards of 3k already.

[e30bimmerdude]

If you are going to turbo, take the time and the $$$..its can be done for cheap if you want a cheap setup, but reliability is key, atleast to me... and not all of us ETA guys from e30tech are el cheapos...:)

[Erick]

I mean, this is all subjective. My point of view is.... if you want power ASAP, then do it now... even if it's rigged. Just be smart enough to push only as much as your setup can take.

Upgrade as you go along and sell the old parts to make up for the money. I just went from a 524td manifold to a Jon Volk adapter after a year.... and I dont regret being cheap at any point in time.

[matt]

The turbo diesel manifold is a good way to do it.

Jon Volks adapters are the tits also, though.

[triggrhaapi]

666 fab has some sick adapters for stock manifolds.

[Borat]

I mean, this is all subjective. My point of view is.... if you want power ASAP, then do it now... even if it's rigged. Just be smart enough to push only as much as your setup can take.

Upgrade as you go along and sell the old parts to make up for the money. I just went from a 524td manifold to a Jon Volk adapter after a year.... and I dont regret being cheap at any point in time.

Agreed, this is the way I have done it. Just spend some time planning your setup so you don't waste money on the big $ items. Things like oil lines, gauges, manifolds, wideband O2 can all be used over again with different setups.

[ForcedFirebird]

Here's some reading material. If you don't even know how a turbo works or is installed, you have a lot of information to obtain before starting your project. The Meagsquirt link has links to some good books that I have found on Amazon.com for less than $20. You CAN do a turbo for around $1500 if you are machanically inclined/experienced and have access to all the tools/supplies needed (ie welders, machining tools etc). The more you have to have someone else make is more money you are going to spend. If you are incapable of doing extensive custom fabrication, expect to get charged more than $3000 (+ the $12-1500 on parts).

http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/tech_center/tech_center.html

http://www.megasquirt.info/

http://not2fast.wryday.com/turbo/maps/

http://not2fast.wryday.com/turbo/glossary/turbo_calc.shtml#hp

http://www.beesandgoats.com/boostfaq/g2icturbo.html