is it possible to boost a e36 316i?

CK BMW · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 04:30 PM

hi,

i was wondering if it was possible to boost a 316i and if so, would a turbo or a supercharger be better for this engine?...i have seen a 316 turbo'd but it did blow up but i think he was running way too much boost, impressive to get about 210hp from that engine but paid the price for the high boost level, what kind of boost pressure could this engine take before upgraded internals are required?!..thinking of getting it to around the 150-160hp area

trying to keep the weight down (aiming for better power to weight ratio instead of just ultimate power so the handling can be the best it could ever be) so trying stay away from straight engine swap as the straight 6 engine is quite heavy in comparison to the 4 cylinder. engine swap would be way too easy wouldnt it???!!

Thanks

sundqudc · #2 (**permalink**) 11-18-2008, 03:58 PM

i have never heard of a 316i. do they change model numbers in america?

RacerJames666 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-19-2008, 01:50 PM

We were never offered a 316. More popular in europe.
Turboing is only a matter of money! You could maybe run 8psi max depending on the stock compression ratio. I would advise thicker head gasket to reduce comp ratio, but all in all, building the motor to run turbo from the get go is the better option. Then seeing 300 at the wheels wouldn't be surprising. Run a standalone ecu of some sort and the sky is the limit. Fabricate your own intake manifold and downpipe tho. If you have the DISA system(intake) in your 4 banger it will mess with the reliability of your ecu tune.

u`F`o · #4 (**permalink**) 02-02-2009, 10:22 AM

Yes, it is possable, but i think it is useless. There was one e36 316i turbo and she was about 160-180hp @ 0,7 bar/ 10 psi. He was modifyed her ECU, and all the internal parts like - pistons, valves, cams , fuel pumps was stock. I think he was changed only the injector size. The guy said that, this car is faster then his other car e36 325i - 192hp. I think it is only becouse it is UNnaturaly aspirated and the engine runs faster from low rpm to high rpm. So i think that you have to swap your engine with a straight 6, the biger -the better. If you modify some M50/B25 with a turbocharger @ about 10psi (same pressure as above 316i) you will get about 260-290hp - witch is very good, and with a custom turbo kit will be cheap as well