From DM to John (PA)...and others !! (archive)

The complete automotive resource for buyers, sellers, and owners like you.

I have, in my garage, brand new in the box, arrived 2 weeks ago, a brand new turbo system for E36, for $3900. It's a Mosselman system. Came straight from Holland, with Fedex, in one box, 66 lbs, and the $3900 included freight. There were no import duties. The kit consists of a Garrett T4 turbo charger with integral waste gate (very heavy), a small intercooler, a new exhaust manifold, lotsa tubing, K&N cyl filter in a cyl housing, a new FPR, a new 2 to 1 exhaust pipe and a whole bunch of hoses and some very bare bones instructions. Mosselman says this is not a DIY job, and I will prove him wrong. I'm going to install this myself in the next few weeks.

I chose the Mosselman turbo charger over the AA system for several reasons.
1) My car has AT and AA won't sell me a turbo, their turbo makes too much torque, the AT can't handle it. The Mosselman kit makes less power. I think if I keep torque peak below 260 and don't drag strip it all day long, the stock AT can handle it just fine.
2) $3900 versus $5900

I do believe the AA kit is superior to the Mosselman kit in several aspects. 1) It comes with 6 new, high flow injectors and custom software. The Mosselman kit essentially has no fuel management 2) it comes with a big front mounted intercooler. 3) It makes more power and torque. On a 325, I think around 265hp, 295 ft/lbs torque. Don't quote me on the numbers. The Mosselman kit does not come with injectors or software. Mosselman says the stock ECU can manage 6 psi boost with stock injectors, but increase the fuel pressure a little bit by adding a Fuel Pressure Regulator in the fuel return line. Using premium fuel, the right spark plugs, a new fuel filter and maybe a second fuel pump in series and you're good to go. I guess we'll find out.

My point is, as odd as it may sound, I do not want the power of the AA turbo, because I don't want to blow up my AT. I you have a 5 speed, go for it, spend the extra money. If you have an AT, this may be your only option for turbo. A DINAN Supercharger with 6 psi boost costs nearly twice that much. Granted, it comes with software and injectors, but what is with the prices Steve??

I sold my bored Dinan TB and Dinan chip. Can't use either one with this turbo. Mosselman says you don't need to rev above 6k, as the power is now where you really need it. Positive boost starts at 1200, full boost at 2200. That's barely off idle, especially in an AT. And I don't need to be over 128 mph all the time either, so stock chip is OK with me, I guess, keeps me out of trouble.

The intercooler was not what I thought it would be. I thought it'd be bigger and be mounted in front of the airdam. Evidently, it goes behind the driver side foglight on the inner fender somewhere and get cooling air through a cut brake duct (supplied). I don't know if I like that. I estimate the intercooler to be about 14"x14". I'm going to see if I can mount it in the airdam instead and keep my brake duct for the RF brake. I think the brakes stay cooler and the intercooler gets more cold air that way. We'll see.

The instructions say, if it pings, adjust the waste gate to dial down boost. I'll either do that, or buy 6 ea 24 lbs injectors and see how that goes (stock I think is 20#, and 24# is next size up (?)). I rather have it run a little bit too rich than too lean. Mosselman says that if you put in bigger injectors, you need to reprogram the ECU to recalibrate for the additional fuel. Managing A/F and not have it ping is still my biggest worry with this kit, but Mosselman succesfully convinced me it will work just fine like this. He's sold thousands of turbo kits, has agents in 25 countries and has been in the turbo business for 26 years. I'm sure he knows what he's doing. If you don't go overboard on the boost, the ECU can compensate. Keeping boost down is fine by me, Hell, I'll dial it down to 5 psi - saves my tranny too. I just want to fix that annoying utter lack of low end torque the 325i has, that's compounded by extremely long gearing of the AT, and 5 psi will do that.

I'll see if I can borrow a dig. camera and take lotsa pics of the components and the installation.

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.