Beau, you here...need some info on SC.(nt)

[m3f_Roadrunner_00430f3330]

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[m3f_Beau]

Sorry, haven't checked this board in a few weeks. What do you want to know? - Beau

[m3f_Roadrunner_00430f3330]

which SC do you have? how is the reliability? what was the cost, including install. have you had any problems w/ it?

thanks in advance.

[m3f_Beau]

I bought my car used with the blower already in it. It's a Dinan Powerdyne unit... which isn't used in most SC apps due to not being terribly reliable. The Vortech V2 or S2 (don't remember which) is supposed to be bulletproof, quiet, and has the potential for far greater power. It doesn't seem there's anything inherently different between tuners, they're all pretty much the same. The Dinan units can be installed and serviced by an authorized BMW dealer... the others I guess you either do yourself or have an independent shop take a whack at it. - Beau

[m3f_Beau]

BTW, I should add a note about price. IMO, no FI for the M3 is worth the price. I believe ERT and RMS may be the cheapest out there, but they're still about 50% more than say what you'd pay for a Mustang kit with the same exact blower and similar hardware. Sales volume likely is a huge chunk of the reason, but I believe it still comes down to simple gouging.


My point is, if you're a DIY'er type and know a thing or two about FI you could save yourself a nice chunk of change doing a one off, which typically isn't true with most vehicles. Esp when you want to go for crazy hp. I worked out the cost to put together a 600hp turbo kit, with programmable ECU and new rods/pistons + labor for an independent shop to do pipe fab, and it still eclipsed AA's price by over a grand. Their standard kit puts out around 400hp. I've read where they'll do custom setups for this kind of power, but it costs you upwards of $30k or something crazy like that. That is typical of most high end tuners - gladly sticking it to those who have far more money than brains. - Beau

[m3f_Roadrunner_00430f3330]

thanks for the great info. i checked with dinan and they want to charge $8,000 to $10,000 for the SC and labor. i'm gonna check around and see if i can do most of it myself. how is yours running? AA prices are crazy! 30 grand for a turbo. i guess some people have way too much money.

[m3f_Beau]

If _I_ were to the mod the car I'd probably just do the upcoming Conforti cam kit for a couple reasons


1) Cost - nearly the same performance for half the price as a simple 6 psi centrifugal setup.


2) Fuel efficiency. The blower will drop about 2-3 mpg. I tend to get just under 17 mpg with mixed driving.


On the other hand, a Vortech will give headroom for insane power if you choose to add an intercooler or water injection down the road.


BTW, AA's standard turbo kit is $11k... the $30k+ I quoted was referring to having them custom fab an insane setup that could rival what I could do myself for just under $10k. - Beau