Turbo E34 525i

[Alphaman]

OK the thought has crossed my mind and I am sure a few others as well. Anyway I can get my hands on a turbo manifold for the M50 engine and was wondering a few things. One would be if I decided to turbo charge the car could I do so with a low boost turbo say... 5 PSI max boost. In doing so could I just get away with the standard ECU and larger injectors? Seeing that the boost isnt anything all to radical at all asking the stock ECU to do the work shouldn't be out of the question would it? The other thought is keeping the injectors and ECU stock with a small turbo setup and use a 7th injector that activates via relay when the turbo starts to spool this richening the fuel mixture to compensate for the additional airflow. Any thoughts? Has anyone tried? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Alphaman]

Well a follow up to my initial question. I have decided to go with a Tec3 controller for engine management w/ custom downpipe and exhaust. The turbo itself is yet to be determined but will be a quick spooling unit, 2k RPMs +, and only provide about 5-6 lbs boost. Aftermarket intercooler, oil cooler and wastegate as well. After speaking with the folks at electromotive they pointed me to a local turbo shop that does phenominal work here in FL. So that folks is where I am at and will hopefully starting the project in the next 3 months or so after my move. Goal is a modest 250-275 HP, nothing mind numbing but enough to make a noticable difference. I will keep you all apprised of the progress and include pics as well.

[CRZYBM]

gday. ive turbo charged my e34 535i. running between 10-14 psi, 2 extra injectors, t3 low mount. remapped ecu

[Alphaman]

10-14 psi is a bit more than I am looking to go. When you went to 14 psi were you doing it with a stock engine? If so were there any reliability issues that arose?

[CRZYBM]

yeah stock motor. there is a spark prob when its hot ie. sitting in traffic. it doesnt miss fire but just seems like its lost 100kw. once its moving and getting some air in the enigine bay its fine. weird.

[devinwwu]

whered u get the parts for the 535???

[bjl4776]

The M30 engine in the 535i is a unstressed motor at 9:1 CR so it isnt unheard of to push 15psi+ without even touching the headgasket. The M50 has a higher CR so 10psi is pushing it unless properly tuned or internally modified. A couple of places make manifold for the M30, i know the turbo charging dynamics in CT makes some good power for the M20 and M30 engine. Most the the stuff on the E36 M50 works on the E34 M50 as well. There is enough room in the engine bay to mount the turbo up on top next to the engine instead of underneath, and it works well with cooling if you take the highbeam out. Your not going to be able to find anypiping kits for it either, so custom piping will be needed. Any special question on turbo E34 just PM me

[CRZYBM]

it was a custom made kit from AVO in melbourne australia.