TCD kit and turbo driveability

[EuroShark]

First question is: What does the TCD kit include to take care of the AFM adjustment / modification that is needed to keep the air / fuel ratio in balance?

Second question is concerning driveability. Does adding a turbo to your E28 make it less pleasant to drive? I understand that off boost, it should behave basically like a standard E28, but does the turbo system add any complexity or issues that you wish you didn't have to deal with on a daily basis?

I'd like to turbo my 533, but I am mostly concerned with it turning into a bitch to drive every day. I have other cars, so I won't HAVE to rely on it every day, but it would be nice if I could. I'd probably run nowhere more than 8psi, just enough to have some fun, but not enough to require severe changes to the motor or electronics. How much would 8psi yield? 275bhp?

Thanks

[T_C_D]

First question is: What does the TCD kit include to take care of the AFM adjustment / modification that is needed to keep the air / fuel ratio in balance?

Thanks

Based on your low boost requirement, we would supply 24lb injectors with your kit. They probably would not require any adjustment of the AFM. If they did it's about a 5 minute job. Instructions and unlimited telephone technical support is provided.

Second question is concerning driveability. Does adding a turbo to your E28 make it less pleasant to drive? I understand that off boost, it should behave basically like a standard E28, but does the turbo system add any complexity or issues that you wish you didn't have to deal with on a daily basis?

Interestingly the turbo makes the driving experience much better even at light load. It's hard to explain but the turbo is helping airflow even prior to reaching positive pressure.

How much would 8psi yield? 275bhp?

The lowest boost level we generally start with is ~9.5psi. On a 3.4 it yields 260rwhp/305rwtq. On your 3.2L it would likely be 270rwhp/280rwtq.

Todd

[EuroShark]

Would this all be done using the stock electronics? I have considered a swap to the newer harness and 059 ecu, but there are other pieces I would need, so I would like to keep the standard stuff with the 008 ecu. If all of this can be done with the 008 ecu, then I am for sure going to be turboing the 533!

[T_C_D]

Would this all be done using the stock electronics? I have considered a swap to the newer harness and 059 ecu, but there are other pieces I would need, so I would like to keep the standard stuff with the 008 ecu. If all of this can be done with the 008 ecu, then I am for sure going to be turboing the 533!

I have one 633 customer who managed to run 12psi intercooled on 91 octane with the stock timing. So yes, I believe you could use the stock 533i electronics.

Todd

[Duke]

Based on your low boost requirement, we would supply 24lb injectors with your kit.

Make sure you send low imp injectors for the 008.

[T_C_D]

Based on your low boost requirement, we would supply 24lb injectors with your kit.

Make sure you send low imp injectors for the 008.

Thanks Duke. What would I do without you?

[EuroShark]

I have yellow 19lb injectors in my 533i that measure like 20ohm, compared to my old ones that were around 2.5ohm... No problems in 3 months.

[T_C_D]

I have yellow 19lb injectors in my 533i that measure like 20ohm, compared to my old ones that were around 2.5ohm... No problems in 3 months.

Exactly. It's fine to use high imp injectors with the 008. You just cannot use low imp with a 059.

Todd

[///ARINUTS...]

I have yellow 19lb injectors in my 533i that measure like 20ohm, compared to my old ones that were around 2.5ohm... No problems in 3 months.

Exactly. It's fine to use high imp injectors with the 008. You just cannot use low imp with a 059.

Todd

Why is this so?????

[Jeremy]

Low impedance injectors draw more current than the 059's injector circuit is designed to handle. Fries it in short order.

Using high impedance injectors with the low impedance ECU (008) actually draws less current than it's designed for, so no issue.

Jeremy

[Duke]

Thanks Duke. What would I do without you?

You are sooooooooooo welcome, any time.

[Skeen]

Since few have commented on the daily-driver side of your question, I'll speak to that. IT'S A FREAKIN' BLAST!

Seriously, I'm running an S2 at 13 psi for the moment and it's so much fun. It's lots of fun at the track, but I can't tell you how much better it is on the street. Especially the highway, these things are torque monsters. Leave anyone you want, anytime you want. No ill manners when properly tuned.

[russc]

Ya,
As I like to say, at 325whp, the car is "effortless". Mid throttle is enough to pass just about anything out there except the most baddest or modded rigs. On/off ramps are the most fun, for wheel drifts are common.

The car is effortless.

RussC

[bmanice]

i wish i had the money.... a turbo 535 is a dream project for me...

[Bill in MN]

Ditto Russ

Once the novelty wore off I don't think about it much and simply drive the thing. That says a lot for what the boys at TCD have done because the performance is seamless once everything is dialed. For some reason many have this idea these cars are moody, unreliable beasts and a handfull to drive. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

[russc]

Ditto Russ

Once the novelty wore off I don't think about it much and simply drive the thing. That says a lot for what the boys at TCD have done because the performance is seamless once everything is dialed. For some reason many have this idea these cars are moody, unreliable beasts and a handfull to drive. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Well, I would give a little credit to the original tuners who pioneered this platform, especially Dinan. SteveD saw the potential in this car very early on in the early '80s, and was the first to really engineer a reliable system. Before that the turbo installs where really mostly hack jobs.

While Todd didn't re-invent the wheel(turbo sys for E28), he certainly made a reliable, solid and well engineered platform to build on.

And your right, you just drive the car, and mostly forget about 350whp, its mostly seemless, and the car just does everthing you ask it to "effortlessly"

RussC

[bmanice]

And your right, you just drive the car, and mostly forget about 350whp, its mostly seemless, and the car just does everthing you ask it to "effortlessly"

RussC

thats why its called "the ultimate driving machine" right?

[EuroShark]

Im hooked. I just dont think I can afford a TCD kit unfortunately. Would I get similar results with a 745i manifold? 8 psi doesn't really need an intercooler accoring to Mr. Bell's book. Is that a safe way to go for a budget setup?

[M635CSi]

Im hooked. I just dont think I can afford a TCD kit unfortunately. Would I get similar results with a 745i manifold? 8 psi doesn't really need an intercooler accoring to Mr. Bell's book. Is that a safe way to go for a budget setup?

If you have to ask the question, you won't get the similar results. Bite the bullet and buy the TCD kit. While I believe the choice of exhaust manifold is relatively minor, the BMW manifold limits you basically to the KKK 27 turbo which isn't an advantage. You can get a better turbo for about $1,200 but then the money saved on the manifold is a wash so don't bother. The only advantage I see in going with parts from a 745 is they are BMW parts. If you don't care about pedigree, why bother with the BMW parts?

[Craig -535i- Seattle]

I tried the 745i route and it turned out to be much more work and trouble than just paying for the TCD kit. So I did. It's not impossible, but look through some of the posts on here from people that have used the 745i manifolds and parts. It's a pretty long project, at least from what I can tell.

Twice.

[Skeen]

Im hooked. I just dont think I can afford a TCD kit unfortunately. Would I get similar results with a 745i manifold? 8 psi doesn't really need an intercooler accoring to Mr. Bell's book. Is that a safe way to go for a budget setup?

If nothing else, buy the TCD manifold and spend time sourcing inexpensive parts (but of the highest quality you can afford). Would end up being a better setup than the 745 stuff methinks.

[davidu]

If i had to do over i would also bite the bullet . To many headaches to list. . Spend the extra bucks

[EuroShark]

Can you shed some light on these headaches? Are they plumbing issues with the exhaust and intake tubes? AFM calibration? Fueling issues?

[Kyle in NO]

Hack fit used old technology VS. exact fit new parts and new technology, plus tech support!

[EuroShark]

lol, well.....

I don't want to sound like an idiot, but if the hack fit system works, then it's ok for me! For now at least... It will give me something to do until school starts in spring I guess. I can cut, weld, shape, etc. so the idea doesn't scare me. I REALLY wish I had the $5k to drop on a TCD kit because it really does look like awesome stuff, but I will have to make due if I want a turbo system I guess!

Or I could just keep the trusty old 108,000 mile M30 just the way it is and concentrate on the E30 335i

[Kyle in NO]

Or I could just keep the trusty old 108,000 mile M30 just the way it is and concentrate on the E30 335i

Ding ding ding!!!

[EuroShark]

Fair enough

When I have the money though, I'd like to give the 5er the TCD treatment. Thanks guys.

[Kyle in NO]

I try to live by the rule of always having one mechanically STOCK car at my disposal. Nothing beats reliability and duribility!

[Skeen]

If you have the means, I don't see why you wouldn't get a TCD manifold, a decent turbo, and fab everything else. It's not that much more and the benefits are great.

[EuroShark]

If I had the $700 to buy one I certainly would!