E30 Zone

Evening all...

This is my first post, apologies if I break any protocols. I'll try to keep it simple. I have a 325 Touring, which I love. I'm slowly working my way through some minor rejuvenations / improvements. Once this list is completed the cherry on the cake would be a wee bit more poke. Not brain numbing (its already adequate), but a tickle more would be nice of course.

Having read through the forum my impression is that the turbo route is probably more effective per £ than engine swapping. I could be wrong? Due to my work I run a number of vehicles so I don't need to rely on this car every day, but at the moment it is being used fairly frequently because I like it. Daily Driving is virtually all fast A/B roads. I do very much enjoy a spot of spanner tinkering and I understand the principals I think. However the reality is having read through much of the info in this section I am fully aware that most of what's involved in turbo conversion is way beyond my capacities. I'm also trying to run a couple of small businesses and stay un-divorced, so free time is very limited and needs to be spent wisely. So the question is....

Is there anybody in UK who specialises in (or could) provide a turn key (roll in, roll out) service for turbo fitment on the M20 engined E30?

Or even something close? Maybe persons who could provide part of the service i.e. mechanical, then electrical? I realise most of what's involved could be done by any good mechanic, but it would be nice if there were someone you knew had done it before and figured out the best solutions to the obvious issues, and put a price on it. If this is possible it could give me something to aim for. If not it has to be a good potential sideline for someone?

Thanks in advance.

Scamp.

Should have said, wouldn't necessarily need to be an established garage. I'd be happy with someone who'd done a nice job on their own car and was confident to do another. I also appreciate that by the nature of the job there could be no guarantee you wouldn't lunch something else in the running gear by stressing it with more power, that just goes with the territory. My car is a mongrel anyway, rebuilt from two cars before I got it.

Anyone?

Realistically how much power are you after?

And where are you?

Ah... Technical questions...

No specific target, just enough to induce the odd speed giggle and keep up with more modern machinery. Apologies if that doesn't sound very well thought out. I'd rather be open to suggestions by those who have, rather than set unrealistic targets with regards things I know very little about. So, please tell me, what you all think is most effective?

Ta, Scamp.

I'm on the Isle of Man, but I'd be happy to transport the car anywhere in Europe really.

To be fair a decent m52 can feel quick enough in an e30.

How practical are you on the spanners? It would be pretty easy to install a small turbo with an m30 maf and chip and that would see you around 250hp+.

If not, try GS Tuning (Gunni on here) but he had some problems with another zoners car so not sure if it would be the best to do the job.

I did consider engine swaps. I had a cheapo 328 E36 before this, which I did keep for a while (lined up for the job), and a nice 130iM before that [awesome engine]. I also looked at another E30 Touring with the 330i engine. However the impression I got from reading as much as I could on here was that engine swapping also involved a fair amount of potentially tricky work, and the end result would likely not be as 'productive' as a turbo install. It was just my impression that for a similar amount of toil the turbo option would offer more bang for buck. Plus I kind of like the idea of keeping the basic M20 unit installed as intended, which is purely sentimental nonsense I know given that I want to blow it. Prior to my ownership my car had a lovely stroked engine, LSD, quick rack etc, which was all stripped out for previous owners rally car prep. It did go like stink then. All the running gear in it now came from another old rotter. Luckily it seems to be quite good mechanically. If you think engine swap or stroking could offer more umph for the same effort I'm all ears.

With regards the spanners, I'm OK with the basics, rebuilt my own landies, done a bit of road rally and 4x4 challenge prep / bodging. However the more important factor at the moment is time. I'd love to do it myself, but I'd also hate to get stuck half way through bodging it. Depending on how easy it is you are talking I guess I could ask one of my local spanners to do it. I'd want to know I'd got the plan right first though.

I'm happy to expect and deal with technical problems and the unforeseeable, so long as its all done straight and honest. Its BS problems that are a no no.

Well the way I look at it (and I'm sure others will contradict me) is you will always be tinkering with a turbo set up. There's nothing OEM about it, and even the most basic set ups will have teething problems, things will require adjusting etc. Owning a car that has had a turbo added is a bit of a labour of love really, requiring a fair bit of know how.

Whereas an OEM engine swap is as reliable as a manufacturer built car (within reason). They are also pretty much plug and play, forum member DanThe can provide manifolds and looms.

I'm not trying to put you off, I just feel if you are going to own a turbo'd BMW it is better to build it yourself and know how it all goes together for when it inevitably needs tinkering with.

ross_jsy wrote:Well the way I look at it (and I'm sure others will contradict me) is you will always be tinkering with a turbo set up. There's nothing OEM about it, and even the most basic set ups will have teething problems, things will require adjusting etc. Owning a car that has had a turbo added is a bit of a labour of love really, requiring a fair bit of know how.

I'm not trying to put you off, I just feel if you are going to own a turbo'd BMW it is better to build it yourself and know how it all goes together for when it inevitably needs tinkering with.

couldnt agree more i know been there done that lol

Ant may be able to oblige - he's done a good many turbo conversions, and seems to really know his stuff.

Points taken. Thank you very much.

I guess my concern is that the 328 I had wasn't really at the level I'd like - it felt slow compared to the 130 before that. I assume the e30 is a bit lighter, but still I'm assuming I'd then have to start spending money on an M52 motor to get to the same level of performance as a good turbo set up on the M20. Does that make sense?

What sort of tinkering are we talking about? I hope I could understand the basics, and I think I'm happy with tinkering, or having tinkering done. I run a small fleet of vehicles so I'm on pretty good terms with my mechanic, who I hold in high regard.

James.

Gunni has and could provide a turn key service.

PPF can supply a pre built, dyno setup engine ready to bolt in too. As can many others in mainland Europe.

I know a man who works on Aston/Fezza/Bently turds that would take this on, he's based in Maidstone Kent if that is any use, His engine builds are second to none !

I think I contacted Ant and he doesn't do it anymore.

I too am after a Turbo kit ideally with Chip to suit or Tuning solution pre-set for a M20B25. TCD Kits even just manifold/WG from what i read don't seem to fit or require mods from talking to a few people on here.

Does anybody know any individuals or shops that can provide the gear in a kit form so it can all be bolted on?

Thanks.

most "kits" wont be kits as the items are not custom made.

you have to build using guides on the web and trial and error - its the way ive done mine