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Thread: So I've been looking at buying a BMW to turbo

  1. #1
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    So I've been looking at buying a BMW to turbo

    I have filtered through the options and narrowed it down to 3.
    E34 525i manual
    E36 328i 4dr manual
    E39 530i manual

    I know the 530i would seem to be the obvious choice with the E36 following, but I've always liked the e34 and that simplicity unlike the newer models, it might not have as much potential as a 535i but that's a complete gas guzzler. I plan to daily it, and I'm afraid the e39 will cause a lot of problems. I also can't over how ugly the e39 is compared to an e34 in M trim.

    What are your suggestions, is the E39 worth the trouble?
    Last edited by AlpinaZawsze; 10-26-2017 at 09:10 PM.

  2. #2
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    E36 328i would be my choice. The M52/S52 takes well to boost and the path is easy to follow since many have done it -- I turboed my E36M3 in 2010. The E39 from 99 on used an aluminum block motor, the M54, that may not hold boost as well.

    E34 525i with M50 is an ok choice as well. The smaller displacement won't spool a turbo as well but many have done it. Its also obd1, which is not quite as capable but may be cheaper or easier to tune.

  3. #3
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    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by pbonsalb View Post
    E36 328i would be my choice. The M52/S52 takes well to boost and the path is easy to follow since many have done it -- I turboed my E36M3 in 2010. The E39 from 99 on used an aluminum block motor, the M54, that may not hold boost as well.

    E34 525i with M50 is an ok choice as well. The smaller displacement won't spool a turbo as well but many have done it. Its also obd1, which is not quite as capable but may be cheaper or easier to tune.
    I appreciate your answer, thanks. I've done some research and the m50 is quite cheap, I seemed to have overlooked that the larger displacement 328i would spool better.

  4. #4
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    And the S52 even better. You can always do the M50, get the car sorted out, and swap in an S52 later. Choose a reasonable size fast spooling turbo. Don't go overboard. Spa manifold with 0.58 journal bearing Precision 6262, for example. Or you could go even smaller. Things can always be changed later. I have run 4 turbos and 3 manifolds.

  5. #5
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    I'm not looking at insane horsepower gains, but I definitely want to hit the 400 mark. Would the M54 aluminum block really be an issue with 14psi? Obviously not stock though, I plan to dish out a couple thousand on forged parts.

  6. #6
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    I don't know much about turbocharging the M54. A few have done it but the M50/52 and S50/52 are much more popular to turbo and probably more durable. When an M54 overheats, the head bolts often pull the threads in the block. All an M50/52 or S50/52 needs for 500 rwhp is a thicker head gasket and arp head studs. If you must turbo the m54, ask pei330ci in the FI subforum what to use (beware his build is no expense spared so you will have to ask him hiw to do a budget build). He is the only one I know of with a turbo M54.

  7. #7
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    Alright, I really appreciate it, thanks. I might be looking at a 528i if that's the case.

  8. #8
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    Has to be 97-98 528i. 99-00 had an oddball engine -- dual vanos all aluminum M52TU in 2.8L. If you are going to turbo an aluminum engine I would do the M54 3.0L but again, I don't think it will make as much power reliably and I am not sure there are compression lowering headgaskets for it or the M52TU like there are for the old single vanos iron block motors.

  9. #9
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    Very nice to know, contacted PEI330CI and he says that some people believe any engine making power over stock should have time-serts. That's a really risky business that I don't want to sign a contract with though. I'd rather not drill into my block and make a mistake. What types of problems will I face with an M52B28 after a year of running 500rwhp? How much boost are you putting through it making 500 anyways?

  10. #10
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    With a good 60lb tune, S52 cams, M50 intake, CES cutring gasket and copper spacer, spa manifold, pt6262 or gt3582r turbo and 3 inch exhaust, and M52 will make about 500 rwhp and 450 lbs rwtq at about 20 psi boost. If the M52 is in good shape to start with, it should last a while. I know someone who ran one with 250k miles on it and a turbo system like I described for a couple of years. But these engines are getting older -- they are all around 20 years old now. A good tune is the most important part.

    I'd skip the aluminum block. Do an M50, M52, S50 or S52. M50 and M52 are cheap. Like $500 for a running motor. If you blow one up, buy another. But done right you should not blow it up.

  11. #11
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    92 BMW 525
    Can anyone tell me where to get a turbo kit for my e34 525i? (its a '92, with an M50 engine). Thank you.

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