Forced Induction for 2006 E53 4.4i

[Frankiesayrelax]

Okay, I’ve searched for days now and haven’t found any answers. I have, as the thread title says, a 2006 E53 4.4i with the N62 engine. I recently saw a few YouTube videos of guys hunting through junkyards for superchargers from other vehicles that they would lightly mod and add to theirs. Of course they had different remodel BMW’s then me but that got me wondering. Are there any superchargers or styles of superchargers that would work for my car? Possibly that I might find in a junkyard. Is that silly to think? I’m new to all this so, as usual, any info is appreciated! Thanks.

[andrewwynn]

I looked many times. A company did make a turbo kit but no longer.

However: there is a new product that will do what you are looking for (ish).

Electric "turbo" (should be called supercharger as it doesn't use exhaust)

There are sub $1000 models that are worthless. There are $2500 models that will generate about 5psi into a 6 cyl engine will be a little less on an 8.

The system is pretty simple. Is has a big battery bank of about 48v and charges that under normal load. When F.I. is requested (unclear if that is automatic or you need to press a button ala nitrous bottle), you get the boost.

On the YouTube channel I watched they took a Chevy cavalier or similar up from 125 to 165 ish HP. That's pretty amazing.

[crystalworks]

ESS (I think it was) just released a complete supercharger kit forthen62b44 for the e60. With some mods I bet it would be serviceable for the x5.

[Frankiesayrelax]

I was wondering about electric chargers myself. Although as you say price is a factor for quality.

I guess I was mostly wondering if there were existing chargers for other brand cars that would work. For instance I’ve seen guys pull superchargers from older Pontiacs and use it on BMWs. I like the junkyard possibility because the price will be much more tenable for someone like me.

I also saw that ESS was supposedly developing a supercharger kit a few years ago but I guess nothing ever came to fruition on that. I’ll look into the kit you mentioned for the E60.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Frankiesayrelax

I also saw that ESS was supposedly developing a supercharger kit a few years ago but I guess nothing ever came to fruition on that. I’ll look into the kit you mentioned for the E60.

That's the one. It finally came to fruition. Adds 100+ hp but costs are north of $5k. Fully inclusive kit though (for the e60).

As for JY options... not going to be much in the way of S/C. Just about any turbo can be made to work but will cost a bunch on the back end (manifolds, tuning, piping, etc).

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by Frankiesayrelax

I was wondering about electric chargers myself. Although as you say price is a factor for quality.

I guess I was mostly wondering if there were existing chargers for other brand cars that would work. For instance I’ve seen guys pull superchargers from older Pontiacs and use it on BMWs. I like the junkyard possibility because the price will be much more tenable for someone like me.

I also saw that ESS was supposedly developing a supercharger kit a few years ago but I guess nothing ever came to fruition on that. I’ll look into the kit you mentioned for the E60.

I saw a review of an electric blower; they call it a turbo but it doesn't use the exhaust for power nor ala super charger, drive belt, anyhow they achieved 5psi boost on a v6 engine, boosted HP from about 125 to about 170, it looks very promising. $2500; it uses a large battery pack and huge gauge wires, not sure what kind of amperage that little blower takes but it's hella lot. Very promising add-on. it's definitely piqued my interest.

[Frankiesayrelax]

Gotcha, well I that’s life. Everything’s a cost ratio with older cars.

[bcredliner]

Best value is nitrous with meth injection. Max would be 150 shot. Dinan had a Supercharger for the 4.4 but is no longer offered. Have seen one on Ebay, not likely going to see another but never know.

[twinspool]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Best value is nitrous with meth injection. Max would be 150 shot. Dinan had a Supercharger for the 4.4 but is no longer offered. Have seen one on Ebay, not likely going to see another but never know.

what would be the round about price for this setup?

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by twinspool

what would be the round about price for this setup?

For informational purposes only, not a nitrous pitch. It's not for everyone. There is the potential for a nitrous backfire that could blow the intake off the engine or worse. However, if properly installed and you don't go crazy it is safe. it is always the best gain for dollars invested---cheapest horsepower you can buy.

I costed out supercharges and sts twin turbos before I went nitrous four or five years ago. I already had a Dinan tune installed in 2003. I didn't want to lose the benefit of that tune when I am not using nitrous. I added meth injection to increase octane to counter not doing a nitrous tune which usually retards the timing rather than advancing it as the Dinan tune does. Meth injection is active all the time so that increases performance with or without the juice. I am using a 150 shot. I started with 1 10lb bottle. I went to a 2 bottle bracket. I now have a 10 and 15lb bottle to cut need to refill very often. Refilling doesn't take much time as I stick the bottles in ice for an hour before I go.

I am just finishing changes to the system. Since both tanks were already in the bracket I added a bottle opener, pressure gauge and heater connection to the second tank. I split the nitrous line so it goes to both tanks. I installed a 3 way toggle switch so I can open/close, one or both tanks with the electric bottle openers. Next I will purchase another 15lb. bottle so I always have a full spare and increase shot to 200 for dyno runs to see if I can get proper fuel/ratio. Hits for me are mostly 0-50-60 so a tank lasts a long time. I think I have less than $2,500 invested, including the Snow Performance stage 4 system. It was a DIY install and not complicated at all.

Downsides are a bottle has to be opened or open and at proper pressure and system must be purged first to use it so it takes 20-30 seconds to be ready to go. It is not unusual for a nitrous system to leak some so I don't open a bottle unless I intend to use it. I have replaced 3 MAFs since the install and it takes up considerable trunk space. There are extremely few to base an install on. There was no one that I could find that had done a 4.6. You might find nitrous on the same engine but weight and drivetrain won't be the same. It is likely you will have to decide on your own how big a shot your engine will take and what the meth controller settings should be. It took several hours of dyno time and anxiety overload to determine what was best. I started at 50 and increased in 25hp increments. On the other hand, it is an instant additional 150+ and substantial torque gain, doesn't need to build boost, it is a universal system so I can remove it and install it on something else if I want. Lots of fun at Car and Coffee, always draws a crowd.