318iS E36 Supercharger - Page 2 - United Bimmer Community

**DaleKP** · 01-10-2012, 06:26 PM

600 HP? Oh that is insane

in a good way though.

Now of course I have the European model 318iS here (with German compliance plates, the lot

) so I would have to source a comparable engine.... we get the 320i here, as well as all the others. I was also thinking about getting another 318iS engine and going along the high lift cams / high compression piston route.

I did try a Cosmos Racing cold air intake on mine but the induction roar drove me nuts, so I put the standard air box back on and put a K&N Cartridge filter in that.... I found there wasn't a lot of difference between a cold air intake and the stock airbox with a K&N Cartridge - apart from the fact there is no induction roar

This could also be because my car needs a GOOD tune and possibly have its DME remapped... (apparently my engine is OBD II and I cannot just replace the chip, I have to get the DME remapped)

Likewise I put a SuperCat free flow exhaust on but resonance between 2500 and 4500 RPM was wearing in the extreme and just gave me a headache, so after talking to the exhaust tech, he told me the biggest blockage was always the catalytic converter. We chopped off the SuperCat, put on a high-flow catalytic converter and put the standard silencer back - still had to add a massive resonator because it crackled somewhat - even with the standard silencer. Now I have a pleasant growl when I accelerate and it flies up to the redline..... didn't use to do that with stock airbox and exhaust!!

Like I say, I am going to be interested to try those Nology Hotwires.... and if I can't get a Supercharger, then hey, maybe a bigger engine is a possibility..... although the thought of tweaking a standard 318 1.9L with cams etc is appealing as well..... wonder what I could bore it out to........... any thoughts?

Hey Death2000 out of curiosity.... is there anyone else on this forum apart from you ?

DEATH2000 · 01-10-2012, 07:29 PM

If I was gonna do an engine swap: go big or go home. Why swap in an identical motor? I'm only gonna do an engine swap if I roast mine which I hope I never do, but I'd source an S52 or go and get an actual M3. The S52 cams in the M52 offer nice gains in performance but are difficult to install unless you have a special tool.

I have the Jim Conforti Carbon Fibre Cold Air Intake and I love it. It looks sexy and sounds just as good. It's a little expensive but well worth it. Sounds great at wide open throttle. The intake gives HP but robs a bit of torque but te under drive pulleys restore that torque so they complement each other very well. I still have the stock exhaust and it's quite nice at WOT. Next ill be looking to the M50 manifold swap and an exhaust. I hear the Borla one is really good. I want something that doesn't sound ricey and raspy. A high flow cat will e in order as well. I hear people put magnaflow exhausts on E36's and they sound terrible. With a turbo setup you need new headers, and they can run around $2,000.

I'm not sure what you could bore a 1.8l out to but the 2.0l uses the same M50/52 block so you could bore it out to 2.8l, but the cost involved isn't worth it. It's more cost effective to purchase a M52B28 and mod that.

I'm not the only one here, just traffic has been a little slower then we would like so we are working on improving it. Feel free to drop our name the next time you have a conversation with someone about BMWs.

**DaleKP** · 01-10-2012, 08:11 PM

Yeah you are right there you know. Not a whole lot of point putting in the same size engine. So a 2.8L M52 - or even S52 if I could get my hands on one - and that will drop straight into my E36? Wow.....

I would think my brakes will need a bit of work, probably suspension as well to account for the weight?

DEATH2000 · 01-10-2012, 09:24 PM

The S52 was found in the E36 M3 from 1996-1999. The engine mounts should be the same which means it should be a direct bolt on. However it will depend on your transmission whether it will bolt up to your transmission. It bolts in fine but their will be small things you will need to make it work, including a new DME or have yours remapped. I'm not sure how the wiring harness will fit or if you'll have to replace it.

The engine is larger so their will be more weight. A suspension upgrade is always a good idea, especially if yours is still stock. However, before upgrading make sure your mainetence is up to date. Check all your suspension parts and bushings to make sure atheist in good order. A motor mount is cheap and when they go bad it causes an annoying vibration. Rear shock mounts are a common failure point on the E36 so make sure you get a really good set of those. The repair if they rip through the sheet metal is usually a couple thousand dollars. As for brakes the stock ones should be sufficient providing your not racing it or slamming on them all the time. I do hear that the Hawx pads and rotors are an excellent upgrade though. Haven't tried them myself but I'm going to do a brake job in the spring and will probably try them out then.

Replace what's worn and broken before spending money on fancy stuff is what I've been told.

**DaleKP** · 01-11-2012, 05:23 AM

All very good advice and well received thanks. I have changed my rotors for slotted ones front and rear and yes, my rear shock mounts let go, but I changed them before they caused any damage to the sheet metal. I believe there is a kit that spreads the load of the top shock mounts - must investigate that. Front suspension is standard but I do have a front strut brace coming, ordered from U.K.

I had a gooooood look for motors here and I do believe that the price of parts is a wee bit more expensive this side of the pond. I found a used S52 motor going for AUD $4400 which is around USD $4530 at current rate of exchange. Parts seem to be more blasted well expensive here as well which is why I either buy from eBay or from Pelican Parts in the States.

I fitted an aftermarket set of front bearings as OEM ones available here were AUD $588 EACH.....aftermarket were AUD $75 each. Even if I have to replace them twice as often as the OEM ones I still come out on top. I have the 46mm socket, breaker bar and torque wrench as well as trolley jack and axle stand.... changing the hubs is a snap (relatively speaking)

I still fancy the idea of supercharging... because it would be unique and I like the thought of driving a supercharged car and I REALLY want to do the work myself. Supercharger fit - I have the technical ability, the workspace and the tools..... engine swap? mmmmmmmm..... would have to find someone to assist and with a decent sized garage and an engine hoist.

I must admit, I am hoping someone will come across my impassioned plea in the "Wanted" section and also will see this thread and say "hey - I have a 318 supercharger kit I am not using anymore........" you have to admit.... it's possible. Not likely, maybe, but possible........

DEATH2000 · 01-11-2012, 10:10 AM

Wow $4500US is still expensive, but I guess that may be the range for an S52. I've actually never priced out an s52 yet so I wouldn't know what they run here. If your getting a front tower strut brace ive heard that the aluminum ones are too soft and don't offer much support. From what people had said the steel ones are worth the added weight.

Those OEM ones are expensive! I think I had one of mine replaced and it was probably expensive too. I've never done my own wheel bearing change. I hear it's a PITA. Maybe next time my car needs one I'll attempt it.

I love the idea of supercharging as well. I love the idea of the added power available with the push of the pedal. If he a little worried about stop and go traffic but other then that it would be great. I think instead of a kit you could try sourcing parts peice by peice. Try to find a blower that would mount up. Maybe Downing Atlanta can give you a list of the parts that they used in the kit. I would assume it would be more expensive to do part by part but it may be a more successful option.

**DaleKP** · 01-11-2012, 04:25 PM

You are not wrong it's expensive !! I even priced a standard M52 motor and that was AUD $2500 ..... still not cheap. Considering all the other bits I would have to do to complete the swap, it would be cheaper buying a new car !! I saw a 1998 E36 M3 6 speed manual advertised in Australia on eBay for AUD $16 500 ..... now ..... if I had $16 500 going spare......

Sadly, I don't hence my quest for forced induction... that and the fact that I am incapable of having a car and NOT modding it

Hmmm. The brace I am getting is one of the lightweight aluminium ones, but it comes from Y&B Racing, manufactured by OMP .... I am hoping it has a good heritage then ... this is what I am getting HERE - take a look and let me know your thoughts.

Yes, wheel bearings CAN be a pain in the rectum, but very satisfying when all of a sudden, rumbles and whines just dissapear. It is not too bad if you have a decent socket set and of course the 46mm socket for the nut that holds the hub onto the axle. Even without a bearing puller I found it easy enough to get the hubs off. Since then I have procured a bearing puller kit ready for when I do the rear wheel bearings.

Other than that, I can feel a DME remap coming on in the very near future

With regards the supercharger, getting it bit by bit may be even more problematic. The supercharger that Downing used was an Eaton Roots twin screw and the reason they stopped doing the kits was because the manufacturer stopped making the blower they used. I will keep trolling the forums. somewhere out there, just waiting, is someone who wants to part a 318 with a blower...... I just know it........

DEATH2000 · 01-11-2012, 06:36 PM

With the value of E36s in Canada right now the resale value on mine is worth less the. A engine as well. As much as my wife wants me to sell it to help pay off some debt it's not really worth it. I think she wants me to sell it so I stop putting more money into it haha. I can't leave a vehicle stock. I have an insatiable desire to mod my cars. I wanna get a lift kit on my truck and 31" tires!

As for the strut brace, the way I look at is this: The strut tower brace is designed to prevent the strut towers from flexing and possible failure to make for more responsive handling in combination with a sway bar. What is the strut towers made of? Steel right? Well how can a strut bar prevent flex/movement when the bar is made of a softer material then the metal it's supposed to support? The softest metal is always the weakest link. Anything other then steel is usually for show. Their are some excellent write ups on the subject. Turner Motorsport races BMWs quite extensively so you could always email them and see what they recommend.

The Eaton blower may have stopped being made but other blowers are available. I'll have to look for it but I remember someone using the blower from a Corvette or something similar for their supercharged build. However it wasn't a 318.

**DaleKP** · 01-16-2012, 01:48 AM

Hey there, back again. Well I have been doing LOTS of research on Superchargers. Downing Atlanta seem to be the only one who manufactured kits for the 318iS, but stopped when they could no longer source the MP62 supercharger from Eaton. Well as it transpires, another company called Magnuson products (http://www.magnusonproducts.com/) DO stock the MP62 blower .... and an Australian company called Harrop Engineering also stocks a compatible unit, unfortunately neither of them do kits for BMW's of any kind, let alone the 318iS.

SO.... email sent to Jim Downing at Downing Atlanta and I wait to see if they bother responding............... I am a little disenchanted, I have to admit.

With regards the strut brace, I went and had a chat with my local suspension specialist. He gave me a very long winded and technical answer about dynamic forces and other stuff.... but the short version is that the alloy brace I am getting is OK. Phew !!

Still hasn't arrived yet though

DEATH2000 · 01-16-2012, 11:16 AM

Glad you were able I find the blower! I guess maybe sourcing all the parts seperatley is the best option. Once you have the blower the rest should be relatively easy. The installation manual for the AA supercharger is available online

Let us know how the stut brace works out. I guess since your not using it for racing you should be okay. Make sure you take pictures!

**DaleKP** · 01-16-2012, 04:28 PM

Oh I guarantee lots of pictures for the strut brace - and the Nology Hotwires. I have heard back from both Y&B racing who say they should receive the brace from OMP Wednesday and dispatch forthwith and from Pelican Parts who say the Nology Hotwires are due in TODAY and will be dispatched straight away

.

Just as an aside here, if you need parts for your Bee Em, I can DEFINITELY recommend Pelican Parts - these guys are GOOD and respond to any queries almost immediately

DEATH2000 · 01-16-2012, 09:16 PM

Pelican Parts is a great company. Tons do good reviews. They will get a lot of my upcoming business. They will include stickers in your order if you ask.

**DaleKP** · 01-16-2012, 10:48 PM

Yes, Pelican Parts really are the guys to go to I reckon - I also like their tech articles - it was one of the tech articles that got me started along the Supercharger track in the first place !! But the step-by-step "How to" articles are invaluable - I have used them for a whole load of things and they really are fantastic.

On another note, my quest for power has come one step closer. There is a firm here in Adelaide that can remap my engine management unit to up the power from 103Kw to 112 Kw and up the torque from 180 nm to 196 nm. Useful .... they are licenced distributors of Powerchip and are offering the Powerchip Gold 98 (as I can get 98 Octane fuel)

Still a bit expensive at AUD $1280 fitted and Dyno'd but certainly worthwhile for power increases like that.

DEATH2000 · 01-17-2012, 01:01 AM

The Pelican Parts DIYs and the Bentley Manual and you can do almost anything you need too. Great resources. Which is why I osted the link to the E36 Bentley Manual in the E36 section for anyone who wants a PDF copy of it.

With the supercharger your gonna have to get it remapped anyway do I would hold off. At that cost their is no point in having it done twice.

**DaleKP** · 01-17-2012, 01:30 AM

OK, interesting - when I had a chat to KPM they were pretty solid that I wouldn't need it remapped again - the software produces a curve worked out for a stock standard 318is - there isn't a curve for a supercharged one, so they were satisfied that I wouldn't need it remapped if I added the blower. Quite apart from which I can get a remap a damn sight sooner than I'll be able to afford a supercharger kit.......

Bentley Manual - yes I have heard of them - please can you direct me to the pdf link you posted?