e34 525i turbo questions

peril 787b · #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 06:29 AM

Okay, here goes...

After reading many posts on here, I decided to can the idea of a supercharger and go turbo...

I have an e34 525i (auto) with m50 engine. Have purchased an e36 turbo manifold as I have been told that it will fit. Car is right hand drive (as am in New Zealand), so the turbo will need to be high mounted.

What suggestions of turbo do people have?
What have you used successfully?
Will the auto withstand a bit of power (how much)?
Suggestions on engine management system? (was thinking microtech as I'm familiar with tuning them (on rotaries anyway)
Other associated ancillary items... intercooler size?, fuel pump reccomendations?, anything else I have pre-thought on?

itsabimmerthing · #2 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 05:32 PM

I cannot comment on RHD
A Walbro 255 is a good pump
An intercooler that isnt too small is important. Find out your turbo flow, and match it to an intercooler. Any reputable intercooler vendor will be able to tell you the max capacity of the fmic.
A good standalone is the TEC3 and TEC3R. This seems to be flavor of the year for bimmers.
The auto should be able to handle it. A valvebody and end clutch kit upgrade, as well as the all important tranny cooler and better ATF should help handle the extra load.

CarDriver · #3 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 11:41 AM

I have been thinking about going Turbo or Supercharger on my car for some time. I just got done rebuilding the suspension front and rear and now I can start to play with the engine.

Has any one heard of the Rotrex Compressor? If so, What do you think of it?

Wheel to Wheel Powertrain

itsabimmerthing · #4 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 03:03 PM

I am not a fan of superchargers, but I have heard some good reviews on the rotrex.

CarDriver · #5 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsabimmerthing

I am not a fan of superchargers, but I have heard some good reviews on the rotrex.

Thanks, thats good to know. I am a big fan of Turbo, Its just that The Turbo set up I was looking into would be around 7 grand when all is said and done. Maybe I just have not looked into the right vendors?

itsabimmerthing · #6 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 03:31 PM

As I tell almost all BMW owners that ask the questions about expensive turbo setups or SC.... You do not have to buy the most expensive kit to get good numbers an quality. Save your money, peice it together, and you will have about 1/2 of the price of the expensive kit saved, and have as good, or sometimes better kit. Then take that 1/2 saved, and buy a standalone engine management.....