Super cheap turbo kit

[asuj158]

Ok so I have a 524td manifold and turbo and some piping lying around. My question is if I get the adapter kit from a guy on r3v to make the mani fit without too much trouble what else would I need for a fairly small and cheap working turbo kit? Maybe bigger injectors? what else. Trying for around 200 hp

[Duke]

[asuj158]

[Martin in BellevueWA]

I'd suggest that Duke's facepalm, might mean that you lack a sound plan and should not expect great success.
Others'(including my own) turbo experiences posted on this site have been arduous, exasperating, and challenging.

[Duke]

arduous, exasperating, and challenging.

BINGO.............don't forget $$$$$$$.

[asuj158]

Ok things you need for a basic turbo set up on an eta:
turbo
manifold
piping
wastegate
bigger injectors
FMU
and management
bigger exhaust
am i missing anything?

[mooseheadm5]

Money
Time
Knowledge

Other than that, your list pretty much covers it, unless you want to install an intercooler as well. The td mani is not a great solution, though your power goal is pretty reasonable so you might be able to make it happen with that mani, though I wouldn't bother.

[cvillebimmer]

Money
Time
Knowledge

I'd say you could get away with 2 out of 3.

[asuj158]

Money
Time
Knowledge

Other than that, your list pretty much covers it, unless you want to install an intercooler as well. The td mani is not a great solution, though your power goal is pretty reasonable so you might be able to make it happen with that mani, though I wouldn't bother.

what if I were to port and polish it? would it help much?

[alijonny]

what if I were to port and polish it? would it help much?

hogging the holes out bigger will not make more power, you may actually LOSE power. Paying someone to do it is not cheap.

and management

don't say it like that. I almost had a really cool turbo car. The "and management" really killed it. I wasn't serious enough about it and it get the best of that project. I built a budget turbo for my 535is. Would I do it again? HELL NO. Save your money and aspirin. Do it right or don't do it at all.

[Brad D.]

The attitude in this thread pretty much sums up the consensus that turboing a car isn't as easy as amassing a couple of parts and "slapping it together". It requires a fair amount of knowledge and a solid plan. Going into it headfirst without this will drown the project. Also be aware that whatever box of used random crap you throw haphazardly on the car will yield commensurately crappy results. There are many of us on this board that would be rich if me got a buck each time someone posted that they were going to turbo their car and never did.

Plan this out. If you are going to the trouble then do it right and you will be rewarded with a fast car that is reliable enough to be a daily driver. Good luck.

[BENAllison]

I almost had a really cool turbo car. The "and management" really killed it. I wasn't serious enough about it and it get the best of that project. I built a budget turbo for my 535is. Would I do it again? HELL NO. Save your money and aspirin. Do it right or don't do it at all.

Ali the fruits of your labor have not gone unnoticed....11 PSI and I feel the clutch may not be long for this world.. :

[turbodan]

I made 300rwhp with a 524td manifold. The car hauled ass. It can be made to work, just like anything else. On the other hand, starting out half assed isn't going to turn out well. No point in doing it at all if you're going about it like that.

[M. Holtmeier]

I made 300rwhp with a 524td manifold. The car hauled ass. It can be made to work, just like anything else. On the other hand, starting out half assed isn't going to turn out well. No point in doing it at all if you're going about it like that.

Dan, you're the exception to the rule though.

You keep buildin' it, and buildin' it and buildin' it well...

[Nebraska_e28]

[don't say it like that. I almost had a really cool turbo car. The "and management" really killed it. I wasn't serious enough about it and it get the best of that project. I built a budget turbo for my 535is. Would I do it again? HELL NO. Save your money and aspirin. Do it right or don't do it at all.

Your car was the PERFECT project that just needed some loose ends tied up. Still kicking myself for not jumping on it.

[Brad D.]

I made 300rwhp with a 524td manifold. The car hauled ass. It can be made to work, just like anything else. On the other hand, starting out half assed isn't going to turn out well. No point in doing it at all if you're going about it like that.

Dan, you're the exception to the rule though.

You keep buildin' it, and buildin' it and buildin' it well...

Plus Dan, you didn't just dive into it blindly with little to no knowledge of turbo systems. You have had some great successes with homebrew m20 systems.

[asuj158]

I made 300rwhp with a 524td manifold. The car hauled ass. It can be made to work, just like anything else. On the other hand, starting out half assed isn't going to turn out well. No point in doing it at all if you're going about it like that.

Dan, you're the exception to the rule though.

You keep buildin' it, and buildin' it and buildin' it well...

Plus Dan, you didn't just dive into it blindly with little to no knowledge of turbo systems. You have had some great successes with homebrew m20 systems.

I have an e30 turbo that does about a 12.6 in the 1/4 miles. I know a bit, just not everything. Plus whats on the e30 is a tcd kit and very nice. easier than putting your own system together for a different car

[alijonny]

I almost had a really cool turbo car. The "and management" really killed it. I wasn't serious enough about it and it get the best of that project. I built a budget turbo for my 535is. Would I do it again? HELL NO. Save your money and aspirin. Do it right or don't do it at all.

Ali the fruits of your labor have not gone unnoticed....11 PSI and I feel the clutch may not be long for this world.. :

[turbodan]

I started out with no knowledge. Did a lot of reading. The original build with the GT2560R and the 524td manifold was my introduction to turbocharged gasoline engines. It put down 230rwhp in its initial configuration and just under 300rwhp with a GT2871R and Megasquirt. I can't say I honestly knew what I was doing to any extent until I had some real time with standalone injection and high boost under my belt.

Building a turbo system isn't a simple or straight forward project. How are you going to plumb your charge piping? Are you going to retain the stock fuel injection? Blow through the AFM or draw through? What do you have in mind to handle fueling under boost? Have you done any test fitting?

Its a lot of work. Done poorly it will be a huge waste of time and money. It doesn't necessarily have to be expensive either, but you should more or less have it built and worked out 100% in your head before you consider turning any wrenches.

[asuj158]

I started out with no knowledge. Did a lot of reading. The original build with the GT2560R and the 524td manifold was my introduction to turbocharged gasoline engines. It put down 230rwhp in its initial configuration and just under 300rwhp with a GT2871R and Megasquirt. I can't say I honestly knew what I was doing to any extent until I had some real time with standalone injection and high boost under my belt.

Building a turbo system isn't a simple or straight forward project. How are you going to plumb your charge piping? Are you going to retain the stock fuel injection? Blow through the AFM or draw through? What do you have in mind to handle fueling under boost? Have you done any test fitting?

Its a lot of work. Done poorly it will be a huge waste of time and money. It doesn't necessarily have to be expensive either, but you should more or less have it built and worked out 100% in your head before you consider turning any wrenches.

thats why I came on here asking for some help and pointers, it may seem im trying to rush evrything but im just trying to get basic stuff figured out first adn figure out what I need for a decent basic set up, then move on to the details.

[BATESY]

there is no such thing as cheap turbo'ing you car.....never.

Just throw a bottle of Nitrous on it. Your going to blow the motor up anyway. That the real "cheap mans turbo"

[asuj158]

there is no such thing as cheap turbo'ing you car.....never.

Just throw a bottle of Nitrous on it. Your going to blow the motor up anyway. That the real "cheap mans turbo"

ewww nitrous.... im actually getting all new gaskets and everything done right now. I dont have time to do it myself with the new job and all. All I wana do is give the 528e a bit more get up and go, more so than just bolt ons. and imo cheap means 1000 bucks, which is very feasible for me since i have alot of the parts already. just need info and to see every last thing i need

[Brad D.]

Don't knock nitrous. It's fun and somewhat cheap, especially when you can pick up the gear used. The problem is that back when I ran it ( almost 10 years ago) I had a $30/week nitrous habit. I vowed that I wanted the power all the time and was going to turbo my car. It was a lot of fun though a decent stop gap until the turbo setup came to fruition. Just because you run nitrous doesn't mean you will blow up your engine.

As for cheap turbo systems, I did mine on a budget and while not cheap (~$3k which includes exhaust, engine management and other odds and ends) it's cheaper than a bought kit. Don't think it's going to be a sub $1000 affair though and have it be reliable and yield acceptable performance.

[BATESY]

1000 bucks will get you shit. Unless you did want I got which was a whole 745i for $500, but I even had more then that after buying the car.

Its just not possible. Honda civic...yes 1000 bucks..not a 528e.

[CoyoteStarfish]

When you realize the 524td manifold is not a good option at all -- PM me, I need an extra one.