E46 318 ci Turbo

[rb51]

Just wondering if it has been done or even if the engine is able for the hike in power or what is needed to turbo charge one ie: map sensor changes, ecu problems etc etc, and before anyone suggests just buy a 6 cyl model the reason is road tax would be over 1500 as opposed to around 580 on a 1.9 in eire.

[rb51]

parts would not be a problem i have access to lots of bits but you make a good point, im just looking for something a little different than the run of the mill stuff

[dxb335d]

Aint worth the cash expense im afriad.


Its very possible and would make an interesting car. On standard internals you prob could only manage 220HP.

With some serious work then 300+ would be achievable.

[daveco]

I thought about doing the same thing mate but in the end I went for a 325 and then moved onto a 330. The motor tax is punitive but they can be picked up cheaper than the 318 because of this. The 2.5 is a great engine and there really isn't any difference up to 50mph between the 2.5 and the 3.0

[rb51]

good points indeed it was just one of them mad ideas i suppose because just about every engine swop worth doing has been done but iv never heard of the 4cyl bmw unit been used for big power conversions and im beginning to think there is obviously a reason for that.

[clonmult]

rb51 said:

good points indeed it was just one of them mad ideas i suppose because just about every engine swop worth doing has been done but iv never heard of the 4cyl bmw unit been used for big power conversions and im beginning to think there is obviously a reason for that.

I've only ever seen one big power conversion on the M42 engine - some european tuner took it to something like 500bhp. Doubt much of the original internals were kept ....