N51 Supercharging Possible?

[smith.spencer98]

Hey everyone, i recently bought myself my first BMW. A 2009 BMW 328i xDrive. Love the car, its a great driver. I just wish it was a little bit faster. Now i know everyone is going to instantly say, "Should have bought a 335i" or "Go trade it in for a 335i". I wish i could do that. But it's just not very doable for me at the moment. Anyway.

I'm wondering if it is possible to supercharge the N51 engine? Because unfortunately my 328i is the SULEV model which didn't mean anything to me upon purchasing because i didn't know the difference. I see many kits for the N52. Can I use a supercharger kit for an N52 on an N51? Or will i run into problems that will make it nigh impossible to effectively execute?

I know it sounds silly to supercharge my 328i instead of buying a 335i. But that's what's most attainable for me at the moment.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[et89]

regarding the N52 supercharger kits, do you include ECU tuning?
guessing that these supercharger kits (never seen 'm to be honest) do not go that high in boost?

what is your VIN? I do not know a lot about the SULEV models, but it would be good to know if they run the same ECU's as the N52's.

EDIT: ESS tuning kit says it is compatible with both N51/52 engines

[smith.spencer98]

Which kit are you looking at? ESS provides multiple kits and most of them say that it is not compatible or rather not designed for the N51.

Also VIN: WBAPK53519A511895

[pbonsalb]

Some sources say the ESS kit will work on N51 as well as N52. https://europeanautosource.com/ess-s...m-bmw-n52.html. Best to call ESS in case there are some differences. AA sells a 328i kit also but I don’t know whether it fits an N51. I personally would not spend $5k on a supercharger for a 328i when used 335i are so cheap and with just a $500 tune will outperform the supercharged 328i while offering way more low end torque than the centrifugal supercharger kit.

[M3poseur]

^^^^^
Logical thinking are not allowed. Don’t forget common sense too.

This man speaks the truth.

[smith.spencer98]

Oh, i fully agree that it makes more sense logically to buy a 335i. But unfortunately it's not very financially achievable for me to get a 335 only like 8 months after buying my 328. Sounds silly but 5 grand for a supercharger kit is more attainable for me than buying a new car. It is what it is. Just mulling through the options

[pbonsalb]

Sell 328xi for $6k, buy 335xi for $10k? Seems better to me than having $11k into a $6k car.

[Def]

Aye, plus a SC "kit" is usually just the beginning. You're typically going to have quite a bit of extra expense in odds and ends to make it something that's actually even remotely close to what you'd consider a "finished" somewhat factory-level car with higher HP.

[et89]

the N51 runs on the MSV80 software, same as the N52K. so that shouldn't be the problem. (according to your VIN and REALOEM).
the biggest difference that might have an effect on the supercharger build would be the intake manifold. but i doubt that will be an issue.

but, what Def says...
I have an N52 and i keep it stock because of this. if it really was as simple as adding a kit, I would give it the same treatment as my M52.
but it isn't...

[M-technik-3]

^^^^^
Logical thinking are not allowed. Don’t forget common sense too.

This man speaks the truth.

He's been down that road before....hence why his toy E36 has a turbo.

Aye, plus a SC "kit" is usually just the beginning. You're typically going to have quite a bit of extra expense in odds and ends to make it something that's actually even remotely close to what you'd consider a "finished" somewhat factory-level car with higher HP.

Then your going to want a bigger Diff to handle power and lets not forget braking... Yeah if looking for a new toy and you want the power, purchase the best 335i you can afford and remember maintenance on them is not cheap as we know.