[CobraMarty]

Just thinking, how about a single turbo instead of the elusive Gavin or ESS supercharger.

I don't know it they would fit, but the options could be;
1) N55 stock turbo, manifold, and downpipe
2) HPF N54 single turbo manifold and smaller 300-350hp turbo
3) Vishnu N54 single turbo manifold and smaller 300-350hp turbo

You could use stock 335 intercoolers (cheap takeoffs) and some piping pieces.

[JJenE92]

As I understand it the N52/N51's internals aren't reinforced enough to handle turbos, supercharging is the only way we're going to get forced induction on this platform and even that seems like a pipe dream.

[CobraMarty]

Boost is boost. Supercharger or turbo it doesn't know the difference. If you keep it to 6 pounds and 300-325HP you will be fine.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by CobraMarty

Boost is boost. Supercharger or turbo it doesn't know the difference. If you keep it to 6 pounds and 300-325HP you will be fine.

yup.

if you could compare the gaskets between the exhaust manifolds, that would give you an idea if it the 335i parts fit.

[C ///M]

Honestly I've been looking at this route for my X3. I've kinda been looking at all possibilities from Gavin's S/C, to a motorswap, and now an N55 single turbo.

From a non-technical standpoint and maybe some "common sense" the n55 is sort of based on the n52 with a single turbo added whereas the n54 was based on the m54 engine.

Taking the various bits from the n55 (injectors, turbo w/manifold, intercooler, etc) and fitting to the n52 should be straight forward. I figured since both motors had valvetronic, double vanos, etc, all the sensors should be the same and tuning should be "easier". I'm thinking replacing the cylinder sleeves with something stronger should be a good start towards some insurance. My version of the n52 is rated at 260hp (I don't know why the extra 5hp over the 330i or z4 3.0si). So an extra 40hp from a stock n55 setup should be no problem. Following that thought, getting a stock n55 software profile should be cake to load.

We'll see what I find out when I get some time to plan. So far this is just theoretical. I had my mind set on a motor swap, but my last one was an s52 into an e30 and electronics was not a concern back then.

[Johnny D]

Originally Posted by C ///M

Honestly I've been looking at this route for my X3. I've kinda been looking at all possibilities from Gavin's S/C, to a motorswap, and now an N55 single turbo.

From a non-technical standpoint and maybe some "common sense" the n55 is sort of based on the n52 with a single turbo added whereas the n54 was based on the m54 engine.

Taking the various bits from the n55 (injectors, turbo w/manifold, intercooler, etc) and fitting to the n52 should be straight forward. I figured since both motors had valvetronic, double vanos, etc, all the sensors should be the same and tuning should be "easier". I'm thinking replacing the cylinder sleeves with something stronger should be a good start towards some insurance. My version of the n52 is rated at 260hp (I don't know why the extra 5hp over the 330i or z4 3.0si). So an extra 40hp from a stock n55 setup should be no problem. Following that thought, getting a stock n55 software profile should be cake to load.

We'll see what I find out when I get some time to plan. So far this is just theoretical. I had my mind set on a motor swap, but my last one was an s52 into an e30 and electronics was not a concern back then.

There are no cylinder sleeves in the n52.

[CobraMarty]

Off the N55 could use the turbo and manifold, use someone's N55 take off downpipe, use your vehicle specific take off stock 335 intercooler.

Other parts- adapter to connect N55 downpipe to 328 exhaust, air filter and tubing, intercooler piping, tuning.

[C ///M]

Originally Posted by jntar

There are no cylinder sleeves in the n52.

Damn, well that explains a lot... Dumb question, but are you 100% certain of this?

[Bavarian Tech]

Originally Posted by C ///M

Damn, well that explains a lot... Dumb question, but are you 100% certain of this?

Straight from BMW
"The cylinder bore consists of an Alusil structure, there are no iron cylinder liners as with previous
6 cylinder designs. The cylinder bores cannot be machined, however this design still allows for
planing of the deck surface if needed."

[C ///M]

Originally Posted by msbc721

Straight from BMW
"The cylinder bore consists of an Alusil structure, there are no iron cylinder liners as with previous
6 cylinder designs. The cylinder bores cannot be machined, however this design still allows for
planing of the deck surface if needed."

Thanks for the clarification guys. Well that sucks.

[mike-y]

is the N52 an open or closed deck design?

[SavvyByNature]

While getting my car dyno tuned today (more on that soon), they had a professional drifting team there dyno'ing their turbo'd e46 ME. Their engine guy told me it's possible to turbo/supercharge the N52 engine, but the engine would have to be sleeved due to the magnesium block. He said it should be able to handle 6psi boost without issue.

I don't know how valid his answer is... but he had their 3.0L engine putting out around 700hp on the dyno.

[Beemw335]

Simple: buy a 335

[CobraMarty]

Originally Posted by Beemw335

Simple: buy a 335

Don't want one. Did they ever get the HPFP problem fixed? How about that direct injection and those carboned up intake ports. Don't they still have PCV oil blowing issues that catch cans don't fix. Hows your insurance bill?

Go play in your own sandbox and leave us 328 owners alone. TY.

[kiwi29]

I've been doing research about this as well, from what I concluded, if you'd wanna boost higher than 6 psi, you'd need a air cooling kit. Far past the intercooler, you'd need : oil cooler kit, meth and water injection or nitrous, and a tempurature management system. A friend of mine turbo'd his civic and he recommended using an extra set of fans to cool where the intercooler and another set to blow the hot air away from the headers. Ceramic coated parts are highly recommend as well. Good luck in your endevours, when you find the golden ticket , klet me know . Ill be surely searching for more info as well!

[e92mac]

Originally Posted by CobraMarty

Don't want one. Did they ever get the HPFP problem fixed? How about that direct injection and those carboned up intake ports. Don't they still have PCV oil blowing issues that catch cans don't fix. Hows your insurance bill?

Go play in your own sandbox and leave us 328 owners alone. TY.

Don't mean to be mean but

I love my 328i too. Something will come, if not just keep saving for your next car and make it an m3 instead of a 335.

[C ///M]

Originally Posted by Beemw335

Simple: buy a 335

And what am I supposed to do exactly?? In order to get an N55 engine, I have to get a new X3. First, I don't want a new X3 because its way too big. Second, I have a fully loaded M-Sport E83. In order to get the equivalent in an F25, I need to spend $60,000, or nearly $40,000 more than I did for my 20k mile '07. The way I see it, if I spend half that on modding my current car, well gee, there's a lot I can do for $20,000.

Just give it a rest already...

[C ///M]

Originally Posted by TooSavvy

While getting my car dyno tuned today (more on that soon), they had a professional drifting team there dyno'ing their turbo'd e46 ME. Their engine guy told me it's possible to turbo/supercharge the N52 engine, but the engine would have to be sleeved due to the magnesium block. He said it should be able to handle 6psi boost without issue.

I don't know how valid his answer is... but he had their 3.0L engine putting out around 700hp on the dyno.

See, that was my original plan, but having just been informed that there are currently no sleeves in the N52, you can't add them without getting a whole new set of custom pistons that will fit.

I imagine that guy also doesn't know that the N52 isn't sleeved to begin with like a typical motor.

[SavvyByNature]

Yea, I believe he knows. He does a lot of custom fabrication of parts.

I think getting our cars to the magical number of 300 whp would be perfect.

[TSM330i]

Originally Posted by Beemw335

Simple: buy a 335

Oh gawd! Like we haven't heard that before

Why are you even on the NA board anyway? It would cost me about $20K to get a 335 to where my 330 is. NOT going to do it.

[BenõrTheBMW]

Say you just slapped a turbo on a stock N52 (325i) what exactly would happen? Just strain and reliability?

[mike-y]

you shouldn't need to sleeve if you are just going to boost 6-7psi.