turbocharging the E36

[m3f_turboS50]

Hi everyone, i am new to this site and i have a few questions that i was hoping someone out there could anwser.



Over the past couple years i have been pretty big into VW's which has made me realize that there is only so much potential in a front wheel drive setup. I have been looking far and wide for some information on the E36 but i haven't really been able to find what it is that i am looking for.



To my knowledge the E36 came with S50 engine. Does this engine have any weaknesses? How does it handle high boost? What are the maximun hp numbers that this engine and drivetrain can take? Does it have any problems with warping or head gasket failure? And lastly, is this a good engine to base a race car around, with the proper tuning(cams, internals,etc.) would it be able to handle 450-550 high rpm high boost horsepower?



Thanks so much for your time!!

[m3f_Roadrunner_00430f3330]

hi turbos50, welcome to the board. assuming US spec, only 95's were s50 3.0 litre. 96-99 were s52 3.2 litre. these engines can handle plenty as long as properly driven. there is a TC'ed s52 car putting out +400hp. it's incredible what people are getting out of these engines with somewhat reliability intact.

[m3f_BMWGuy206_5da5c2e650]

turboS50



Adding a turbo kit on a E36 M3 can be expensive especially if you want big horsepower!



On the US models, the 95 M3 has a 3.0L engine and engine management system was a Bosch type and OBD1 compliant. The M3 models from 1996-1999 were a 3.2L and the engine management system was a Siemens and is OBD2 compliant.



If you're running less than 8.5psi on a turbo kit, the engine will hold and not much of a weakness is there unless you hold it at WOT for a long time. Anything higher and cylinder pressures will be very high and could be near critical levels. The weakness in this engine design is the deck so there is a chance the head may lift. The stock compression ratio is 10.5:1. Recommended max boost setting on that ratio is 10psi with good fuel.



On stock internals, turbo spec cams, and with a compression ratio of 8.5:1 the S52/S50 engine can produce 650BHP at around 19psi. This is very expensive! The transmission is capable of holding this power, its the clutch that may have a problem.



The project car on European Car Magazine is a bit over 500bhp but is a built 3.2L engine and goes to the track a lot.





I recommend checking out this site;

www.AATuning.com



http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=150

[m3f_turboS50]

Thanks a lot guys. Those kit are really expensive........it look like this is gonna take a while

[m3f_00poop6x_6dca3456a4]

A small turbo, T-40 something I think.....metal head gasket, higher compression ratio of 13:1, 7psi low boost and 9psi high boost. Cost of all = $2500 give or take the price and what kind of parts you get, tracked at 11.6 sec 1/4 mile. Friend help his buddy last week with this.

[m3f_IIrjII_d3ff03939b]

$2500 For a turbo? Is it for a kit or just a turbo?

[m3f_00poop6x_6dca3456a4]

Turbo, intercooler...so on, custom picked parts....not a pre-setup kit. I'll ask my friend more about it tomorrow.

[m3f_Extrav.Dre_53c7fb859e]

wow $2500 for all of that.. you Must tell us more.

[m3f_IIrjII_d3ff03939b]

Hell yeah. That is hella cheap for a turbo kit. I would want to hear more about it. Is it just the price for you or everyone that purchases it?

[m3f_Roadrunner_00430f3330]

please more info on this TC. what kind of reprogramming was required? thx.

[m3f_00poop6x_6dca3456a4]

This is not a "kit" it is handpicked parts for the turbo setup, my friend left town for a lil while, but I will post soon after I get the info on this. Trust me, I am just as anxious to hear more too.:thumbsup: M3's are hard to do so I'm not even sure this is a safe setup with the high compression, he usually plays with Supras' turbos....but I will ask!

[m3f_ESP_5b942e8837]

very intersting... any dynosheets, A/F curves, etc?



Tuning seems to be the biggest issues with going FI on a BMW...

[m3f_JAlfredPru_7f28a4f655]

lil boost



id like to see if poop ever gives us a response, because i myself am interested at this revelation

[m3f_00poop6x_6dca3456a4]

It'll be a while guys, I am home only during breaks since I am in college 10 hours away from home. But even I am interested....I will post when there is news.

[m3f_JAlfredPru_7f28a4f655]

understandable



:rockband: