Piece together turbo kit

[Hypr5]

I know theres a lot of threads about this, but... mine is slightly different than most in one way. I'm not looking for mad amounts of power, I just want more driveability than I currently have.

As you probably know, the m20 engine is a little sluggish ( a lot sluggish) in the large e34 5 series. Selling the car and engine swaps are, however, out of the question.

What I want is more torque off of the line and some passing power. Currently the car has neither. I was hoping for around 230 ish HP at the crank and maybe 200 - 210 ft/lbs tq.

What size turbo would be best for this application?
What parts will I need to buy aside from the turbo itself and the manifold?
I heard that a system like this should be around 6 psi and should require no larger fuel injectors or software. Is this true?

Thank you for any answers you can supply me with. :)

[xatlas0]

gol10dr1 has had great results using the TCD kit with the M30 motor; they also make a M20 kit that would probably suit your needs.

http://www.turbochargingdynamics.com/

[techno550]

This sounds like you are looking for a very budget minded DIY kind of project. So the following is with that in mind.

There are a few turbos in the T3 family that are well suited to that motor in stock form. A 524td manifold can be modified to fit, though cartech also sells manifolds for it. (though T4 flanged iirc. :confused)

Stock injectors and stock software work fine up to ~8psi, just throw on a RRFPR.

[Hypr5]

Thank you for the replies. I have looked into the TCD kit, however it looks to be a little bit pricey for the kind of power I am looking to get out of it. I wouldn't mind forkin over that much If I wanted more power.

Like I said, I just want my car to feel comfortable moving, not fast. I was just going to do the m30 engine swap, but I'm not so sure I want to be hassled with all the little stuff, like finding different radiator coolers, re-routing the expansion tank and finding just a new bellhousing / possibly different driveshaft. It seems like something that isn't worth that kind of time for only 208hp.

About the turbo size, I want something thats not gonna just come on all at once or have excessive lag. some lag is ok, though. Keep in mind my main concern with this car is torque. With that said, I have found some turbos, but one is A/R .63 and the other side is .60, while the other turbo is a .49 A/R and the other side is a .48 I'm not so sure what this means, but with what I want, which should I try to get?

Also for RRFPR are they all the same or is there a certain brand I should be checking into?

Thanks a bunch, hope to have this done in a month or two :) (however long it takes to source out odds n ends)

[Hypr5]

SPECS ARE 50 TRIM COMPRESSOR IN .42 A.R HOUSING, 69 TRIM TURBINE WITH .48 HOUSING.

Is something like that too small? I Know it's for a 4 cylinder, usually, but that m20 is only a 2.5 liter with the same power as a 4 cyl (lol).

edit: how much is gas mileage going to suffer? I guess this one is sort of important. I noticed on a few supercharged cars, gas mileage goes up a notch or two. Any such luck with turbos?

Im loaded with questions here, but I'll save the install questions for when I get all the parts I need. lol.

[Hypr5]

bump

[highboostingm3]

This sounds like you are looking for a very budget minded DIY kind of project. So the following is with that in mind.

There are a few turbos in the T3 family that are well suited to that motor in stock form. A 524td manifold can be modified to fit, though cartech also sells manifolds for it. (though T4 flanged iirc. :confused)

Stock injectors and stock software work fine up to ~8psi, just throw on a RRFPR.
I agree but don't worry about T4 flanged exhaust manifold everyone!

I just made full boost @ 3,000 rpm with a T4 exhaust manifold! :buttrock

engine: 3.0L block
turbo: T66 with .58 A/R turbine housing(so it pulls until redline with giant compressor)
boost: 17PSI

[Hypr5]

What about t25? Is that a decent small turbo for what I'm looking for?

[highboostingm3]

What about t25? Is that a decent small turbo for what I'm looking for?
For the power that you are going for...yes!

[Hypr5]

hmm thats good news, they seem readily available.
Would it just be adequate or ideal for my situation?
Why would it only be good for a 4 cylinder or small engine? Is it not capable of enough airflow or what? If it says up to 2.0L, how does it still work with a 2.5L engine? Im not doubting you, just trying to understand how this works.

Also: what are the numbers that say A/R .48 etc?

as for installation: is an oil cooler necessary because of the added heat of the turbo?
Where would I tap into for oil send / return ?
Is this safe for the catalytic converter?
Should the O2 sensor be placed before or after the turbo?
If the lower portion of my radiator is my tranny fluid cooler, is it still safe to put a small FMIC in front of that or will it cause lack of cooling for the tranny fluid?
Is it necessary to pull the engine to install the turbo manifold?

Just trying to get the whole thing planned out so theres no surprises during install. She's my daily driver and can't have ehr down for more than a weekend.

Thanks a whole bunch to everybody :)

[highboostingm3]

Would it just be adequate or ideal for my situation?
Why would it only be good for a 4 cylinder or small engine? Is it not capable of enough airflow or what? If it says up to 2.0L, how does it still work with a 2.5L engine?
I don't know who states what turbo works with what displacement but it seems that they like big lag and lots of power up top. Cause the consensus on bfc is quick spool but strong power mostly to redline. Meaning that for the small power increase you are looking for...T25 will work fine on your 2.5L. Although T28R would be better. ;)

Also: what are the numbers that say A/R .48 etc?
That means the radius measurement for the compressor housing or the turbine housing at a certain point. Basically the smaller the number the smaller the housing. The smaller the housing the quicker the spool but also the higher the backpressure. It's a balancing act. Not sure what A/R turbine housings the T25 can come with but I'd get a .82 or larger if they have it for enough flow. Exhaust wheel matters also.

as for installation: is an oil cooler necessary because of the added heat of the turbo? For your power levels no. Most like it for tracking a car where heat levels get high! I don't have one at 425rwhp.

Where would I tap into for oil send / return ? You aren't installing this yourself are you? If you don't know that please research and read some books.

Is this safe for the catalytic converter? No sweat!

Should the O2 sensor be placed before or after the turbo? After, meaning in the downpipe

If the lower portion of my radiator is my tranny fluid cooler, is it still safe to put a small FMIC in front of that or will it cause lack of cooling for the tranny fluid? Don't worry about it

Is it necessary to pull the engine to install the turbo manifold? No. It's tight and you will scratch your knuckles but no worries.;)

[Hypr5]

Thanks a ton for the helpful replies. I have a turbo here that I'm not sure anything about. I was wondering if this is ok for use in my application or if I should be on the lookout and purchase another one:

http://bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4088820

I just posted this thread so I hope the link works.

Thanks a bunch.

[gol10dr1]

i love my TCD kit and it is def worth the cash. here is the thing. say you get and install a t25 turbo. right now you think that you are gonna be happy with 220ish hp. ya, that ain't gonna last b/c the boost bug will bite and you will want to upgraqde. my advice, bite the bullet now, get your name on the list for the m20 kit coming out in june, spend the dough and be happy with your investment.

[Hypr5]

There are several reasons I don't want to spend that amount of money on a good kit. One being that it exceeds the value of my car by a good amount. Two being that I have an automatic tranny.

It is hands down one of the slowest cars I have driven and I just want it to move comfortably, not looking for a racer here.

With that said, will a TO4B with A/R 48 and the other side a .60? (at least thats what I'm told it is ... see a few posts above this)