Boosting the M30b35 with a bolt on kit. TCD vs Kamotors vs Cartech Racing vs I.E.

[Mr. Burns]

Hey all-

I spent a good chunk of the summer just loving the M30 swap in my vert.
the sound, the 2nd to 3rd gear pulls...all are a symphony of sounds and feels.

now I want it to be fast...not to downplay the M30's performance...it's great. it keeps up with modern cars with ease...but I want a FAST car now.


I'm planning my 2016 project early. Boosting the M30.
I'm not going to muck about with junkyard parts, and homebrew solutions, I'm going to essentially take the more proven route (and unfortunately more expensive) journey.

with that said...
the top 3 contender are:

Turbo Charging Dynamics
Kamotors
Cartech Racing
Ireland engineering


The TCD kit seems to be the most 'popular' choice for e28 guys who boosted their e28's. It's also at a descent price point, yet not intercooled on their basic stage 1...priced at roughly $3800

KAmotors i'd REALLY like to get more info on, I spoke to Cameron about piecing a kit together where I'd basically just have to trim the piping up.
I do not know what the price point would be

Cartech Racing...little to no real information, however I know they make GREAT stuff for domestic applications. the website hasn't been updated since 2005 on their BMW stuff, but looking at a little over $3200 for a full kit.

Ireland Engineering offers a low boost kit which is likely the safest with a TD04 snail....it's however the most expensive.
I've had hit and miss service and quality come from IE in the past...price is pushing 4K non intercooled.


Is there anything else out there?
or can anyone recommend anything?

key notes: looking for a FULL kit, including the tune. I want to bolt it together with relative ease.
I'm not opposed to changing head studs, but don't want to touch the bottom end.

cheers,
Ryan

[Bearmw]

AFAIK the TCD m30 kit was designed for an E28 so as to retain A/C and ABS and also not having to cut any body sheet metal. The TCD kit doesn't use a FMIC but a number of people have used TCD parts as well as others (such as the GoodnTight manifold) to create a custom setup.

I would ask what you are looking to achieve as well as what you are willing to sacrifice to achieve it? In an E30 you are going to have to do some fabrication it seems to get the best results no matter whose parts you end up using. How much power are you seeking and what is your driving like? Personally I think its possible to have too much torque if it means that certain gears are essentially useless due to excessive wheel spin. If I go turbo I would be looking for quick response and moderate power but that's just me. I love E30's with 400 plus horse power but can't imagine they would be as enjoyable overall as something with a little less power and better overall driveability.

I look forward to your project.

[SkiFree]

If you call on the "IE" Kit I will simply send you over to Todd @ TCD. Hope that makes things a bit simpler, haha.

[ak-]

What ever you decide on, don't buy something that includes the "tune".
Get it re-tuned by a dyno operator. Too many variables even on kits made for the car.

[Insaini]

I know it wasn't one of your options, but would something like this work?

http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=136000

[Mr. Burns]

If you call on the "IE" Kit I will simply send you over to Todd @ TCD. Hope that makes things a bit simpler, haha.

???
Are you saying you'd rather not have my business?

[Mr. Burns]

AFAIK the TCD m30 kit was designed for an E28 so as to retain A/C and ABS and also not having to cut any body sheet metal. The TCD kit doesn't use a FMIC but a number of people have used TCD parts as well as others (such as the GoodnTight manifold) to create a custom setup.

I would ask what you are looking to achieve as well as what you are willing to sacrifice to achieve it? In an E30 you are going to have to do some fabrication it seems to get the best results no matter whose parts you end up using. How much power are you seeking and what is your driving like? Personally I think its possible to have too much torque if it means that certain gears are essentially useless due to excessive wheel spin. If I go turbo I would be looking for quick response and moderate power but that's just me. I love E30's with 400 plus horse power but can't imagine they would be as enjoyable overall as something with a little less power and better overall driveability.

I look forward to your project.

Much like yourself, moderate power and quick response if my goal. I don't have a whp number in mind, I'm all about simply making the car turnkey reliable on 94.
Agree on all counts re: accessive torque...useless to me, I'm seeking passing power , 3rd gear pulls, a little more life after 4500rpm and such.

As for sacrifices, I'm allready sans-a/c and power steering. The abs module box is bulky however.

Im realizing now there really isn't a bolt on e30 m30 turbo kit, perhaps at this rate I'm seeking the one with the less custom work to do.

Found out cartech stopped making their kit's back in 2004.

Might take it to a local speedshop here and get their opinion too...

[LJ851]

???
Are you saying you'd rather not have my business?

I would assume what andrew is saying is that the product IE advertises is the TCD product.

[Mr. Burns]

I know it wasn't one of your options, but would something like this work?
http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=136000

I believe Corvallisbmw is in the midst of doing this on his e30...I'll research more.
Thx!

[Mr. Burns]

I would assume what andrew is saying is that the product IE advertises is the TCD product.

Ah! Makes sense...my misunderstanding:)

[CorvallisBMW]

I believe Corvallisbmw is in the midst of doing this on his e30...I'll research more.
Thx!

Yes I am!

Really, the 745i kit is the cheapest way to go turbo, full-stop. But realize that there are a ton of other expenses that are not included in the price of a 745i setup nor in the price of these other kits as well. Think about exhaust, downpipes, flex couplers, wideband 02 sensors, piping/hoses/clamps, gauges, oil feed/drain, heat shielding, catch cans, vacuum hoses and fittings, etc.

I bought my entire 745i setup for $900, but I'm easily $3k in to the build itself. My guess is that no matter what kit you purchase, you'll need to budget at least another $1-2k in extraneous parts to actually have a running, driving, reliable car.

Also don't worry about the engine management. If any of those kits are using a "chip", they're pretty crap anyway. Plan on going Megasquirt no matter what hardware you choose.

[SkiFree]

Ah! Makes sense...my misunderstanding:)

Yes sorry, Lorin's got it right. The listing on the IE page is done as a bit of a favor for Todd (people call and get directed to TCD).

[PimpinWalrus]

I would definitely consider piecing a kit together. All I'm missing is megasquirt and I'm at about 1/2 the price of some of these kits with better or equal quality parts. But if you're set on a kit, a buddy of mine recently got KA's m20 kit and he has nothing but good things to say about both the kit and customer service.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

I would definitely consider piecing a kit together. All I'm missing is megasquirt and I'm at about 1/2 the price of some of these kits with better or equal quality parts. But if you're set on a kit, a buddy of mine recently got KA's m20 kit and he has nothing but good things to say about both the kit and customer service.

This. Piecing a Kit together is the best and cheapest option. Personally I would grab a holset hx35, good'n'tight manifold, mishimoto Intercooler, WhoDwho megasquirt and then your waste gate and bov. I've spent a fair amount of time pricing this stuff out and it can be done for under 2500 easily especially if you play your card right and pick up good used items like the manifold for example good used ones are around 400-450 compared to the 600 new. There is a guy that is selling two hx35 for 500 a pop brand new. They are internally waste gated but you can just weld it shut and run an external. Kits IMO are a waste of money piecing together can be done for 1000-1500 less then the kits that are out there.

[PimpinWalrus]

TWhoDwho megasquirt

Dont mean to hijack but is he still doing ecus? I've been trying to get in contact with him but his inbox is full :/