OK, I don't post here much, though I read every day at this site. It has helped me figure a lot out about my car, 5-speed 1989 525i. I bought it four years ago from the original owner who only put 48K miles on it. I have kept it mostly stock, other than fresh paint, a new stereo head unit and some Borbet Type H rims (which I think look great.)

Anyway, I now have 125K miles on the car. It is a daily driver. It has dawned on me that in another two years, give or take, this will be a 20 year old car. It will be a classic. I don't intend to part with it even if I get something else to drive.

My complaint with this car is everyone's complaint - it is slow. Zero to 60 is snail-like. Now, on the interstate, 60 to 120 is quick if one knows how to work a 5-speed. I have looked at all the mods out there - chips, tri-flow exhausts, cams, intake kits. No manufacturer can actually PROMISE a specific gain in HP.

My question is simple. What would it take to supercharge this car? I have seen other charger kits in the $6K range. I assume there is a fair amount of installation from a mechanic after than parts cost. What else would have to be done to a stock e34 to make the supercharger effective and safe? Suspension? Wheels? Tires? I am seriously considering this rather than buying another car and making my beloved e34 a third car.

Somebody tell me if this is possible, who can do it and what I am getting into here.

Most people go the turbocharging route for forced induction with the M20 motor. For a complete package, check out Turbocharging Dynamics.

Many of the E30 guys have put together their own Turbo setups using plain turbos and the manifold available from 666Fabrication.

Go on the FI forum here and start to learn about it. You'll figure out what you want to do pretty quickly.

I posted on this topic on another thread on superchargers. I would highly recommend the turbo route and suggest looking at Miller Performance Cars. Theyre doing a 500 hp 745i for me and about to start my e34 to @ the same specs.

Youre right though, for the power that can be produced, I feel you have to pretty much do all the main components simply for safety to say the least. The MIller group worked with me for almost a year addressing so many issues that in reality need to be addressed if your serious about adding any major power increase, especially with some serious boost behind it.

The turbo development Miller has been doing is quite amazing, big time low spool power. They're show car is amazing. @ 470 bhp turbo six in a 325!

I used to have a JAg XJR supercharged, it was ok for a big 4 door, but my 745 will blow it away. My e34 should be simply flat out scary. When you consider what a new M5 or AMG CLS runs, this route seemed like a bargain for the power to me, and i thinkthe e34 is time less as well which makes it worth the investment.

I cant post theyre web link, its as I wrote it with the dot com

we got a dinan 535? in the shop the other day. had a single turbo at 8psi. making like 400 some odd horsepower. was on the cover of roundel a few times. sick sick car. very safe. im in tenneseee too man, and the man to go to is jon siccardi. treehouse racing.

if you get off 24E on to briley parkway, hang a right off the exit. turn right onto Logan St. and go to the end and hang a right. Its in a shop at the end. 333 9118. if you want something real in front of you to help you decide and someone to ask questions

I searched over at Bimmer.info for information about a M30 supercharger and found the following issues that could hinder it:

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showpost.php?p=168180&postcount=18
http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showpost.php?p=168191&postcount=19
http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showpost.php?p=168221&postcount=20

Still, I like the idea of a S/C on my 535i and if I had the cash on hand, would probably buy the guy who is selling his set up. If you're interested in seeing it, the link to that thread is http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=638497

Yeah for the amount of fabrication work you have to pull to rig up the pulley system in a BMW, I'd much rather go through the oil and exhaust plumbing of turbocharging. They spool faster and give you more control over boost as well.

Redfive has a centri-type SC kit he is trying to sell. Has dynos and everything, but that is for a M30. For the M20, the only currently made FI kits are all turbo.

I'm actually interested to see how Redfive handled what was discussed in the links I previously posted. I'm just starting to crave some sort of FI for this motor :drool:

we got a dinan 535? in the shop the other day. had a single turbo at 8psi. making like 400 some odd horsepower.
I searched over at Bimmer.info for information about a M30 supercharger and found the following issues that could hinder it:

There is a big difference between the m20 he has and the m30 when it comes to forced induction.

In my opinion the money you would spend to get anything above 250hp on the m20 isn't worth it. Either leave it stock and enjoy it or swap in an s50. You're baseline on the s50 is 240hp and you have a lot of room to go from there.

They're show car is amazing. @ 470 bhp turbo six in a 325!

They swapped out the m20 in favor of an m106. So it's more like a 345i now :evil2

I appreciate the feedback from the group on my question, particularly the local contact in Nashville. I will give them a call. It sounds like from the various comments here and what I have been able to read on the FI board, turbo and supercharging are two very different things. It also sounds like with my M20 engine a turbo would be a more realistic idea. If I could get the thing to even like 225 HP I would be thrilled.

Check out www.E30tech.com, there is someone who has a supercharged E30 M20, and has a supercharging discussion forum. But most just go with turbocharging, see what your budget and capabilities are and pick the one best suited for you.