Does anyone know about these turbo setups...

[solo_the_lad]

I would really rather turbo the ole Z rather than supercharge because I don't want to lose any torque down low... but it seems like no one has turbo'd a Z4 yet? Not that I can find anyway. There's a few kits made for the N52 and so I presume they could possibly fit the Z... check em out.

 

[B21]

Well I guess there are two reasons why there is no E85 kit..either the volume is too low to make it worthwhile or there’s a show stopper due to something like bonnet height ..

The superchargers seem a more proven path for this engine..

Whist it’s easy to make power with turbos ..controlling it is more problematic..if you look at what BMW did to change a N52 to a N54 you get some of the issues..

 

[enuff_zed]

Top mount one seems to put a lot of heat very close to all the coil wiring etc. (and I doubt would fit under the bonnet).
Bottom mount one I think would have big problems with the steering rack on a RHD, but of course, that wouldn't worry you.
The superchargers seem like such an easy install compared to this.

 

[john-e89]

You can’t fit the turbo you’ve shown as there’s not enough room for it against the inner wing. Finding somewhere to put it is the least of the problems trying to turbo a Zed. Supercharge it, kits readily available, you’ll still get a lot more from the engine than stock.

There’s a reason why you can’t buy turbo kits…..

 

[DaveP]

I would really rather turbo the ole Z rather than supercharge because I don't want to lose any torque down low... but it seems like no one has turbo'd a Z4 yet? Not that I can find anyway. There's a few kits made for the N52 and so I presume they could possibly fit the Z... check em out.

This bit confused me.

Superchargers are known for delivering better low-down torque than turbos.

 

[B21]

I would really rather turbo the ole Z rather than supercharge because I don't want to lose any torque down low... but it seems like no one has turbo'd a Z4 yet? Not that I can find anyway. There's a few kits made for the N52 and so I presume they could possibly fit the Z... check em out.

This bit confused me.

Superchargers are known for delivering better low-down torque than turbos.

To be pedantic folks are mixing two separate concepts..

Turbo lag and boosted torque curves..

You can have low end torque and turbo lag..or you can have turbo lag and high end power…

BMW squared the circle on the N54 by having two small baby turbos..generally one big turbo will generate torque at higher rpm than two little turbos..

Superchargers generally give a relatively linear increase in torque and power over the rpm range..

 

[solo_the_lad]

I would really rather turbo the ole Z rather than supercharge because I don't want to lose any torque down low... but it seems like no one has turbo'd a Z4 yet? Not that I can find anyway. There's a few kits made for the N52 and so I presume they could possibly fit the Z... check em out.

This bit confused me.

Superchargers are known for delivering better low-down torque than turbos.

Yeah, I thought that would make sense as well, however I believe I remember other people on the forum who have purchased the SC setup have said its not as noticeable of a difference at the lower rpm's...

 

[Ed Doe]

The supercharger most use on here is a centrifugal one - this delivers a very linear power curve but can be a little less torquey at the bottom.

BPC in the US turbocharged what I understand what an otherwise stock n52b25 engine (in an e9x 3er) on 175k miles, achieving something like 350whp at 6-7psi of boost. They took it up to 500whp and then took it racing so it can't have been that unreliable! The only issues I understand were the location on of the turbo (as mentioned above location will be an issue), and that there was no way to install the turbo without removing the ac.

Quick Google for the old thread:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1378565