[dombr11]

It seems like I have one of the only e92s with the n52 engine, but I'm looking to turbocharge it. I haven't been able to find any turbo kits for the n52 engine, so if anyone knows of one or where I can find one, could you please let me know?? Thank you.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

I think you’re probably the first person to come up with this. But just to make sure you should try the search function...

Good luck!

[ADEe92]

To state the obvious, sell the 328i & buy a 335i with the N55 engine? Will likely be a lot cheaper & the engine is built for it from the factory.

I can't imagine dealing with valvetronic programming + an aftermarket turbo will be easy.

[Tunafish]

Its possible and think one or two have done it but.. The issue is not necessarily the hardware.. Its the software which there is no plug and play options which is why you won't find a kit or to much info on the subject..
The best option would to get a 335i.. If you did do a 328I I wouldn't see much retail valve since there is no testing on longevity. So whatever you put in it to do the turbo don't expect that back and except to lose a couple grand off the book value

[Biginboca]

Let’s take the best N/A I6 motor BMW ever built and make it into the worst Turbo motor BMW never built. Perfect!

[Smgs1992]

Sell it and buy a 335i it will be cheaper and more reliable in the long run. N52 was not made for boost a N54/55 was and they can make very good power with just a tune and a couple bolt ons.

[eljay]

Here's a kit:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-2011-20...oAAOSwb5ZeRjd0

It comes with a free engine attached to it.

[S65Hunter]

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1770812

[e90yyc]

A supercharger kit exists for this engine. I don’t know if it’s still in production, but that would be a FAR easier route if you’re looking for FI.

Edit: It’s still in production.

https://esstuning.com/ess-n52-g1-sup...-system-gen-3/

Not cheap, but I’d think doing a turbo wouldn’t be either. Maybe not the power gains you’re looking for tho?

[53N30W]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

Let’s take the best N/A I6 motor BMW ever built and make it into the worst Turbo motor BMW never built. Perfect!

I second that

[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

A supercharger kit exists for this engine. I don’t know if it’s still in production, but that would be a FAR easier route if you’re looking for FI.

Edit: It’s still in production.

https://esstuning.com/ess-n52-g1-sup...-system-gen-3/

Not cheap, but I’d think doing a turbo wouldn’t be either. Maybe not the power gains you’re looking for tho?

For the price you could sell/trade the n52 for a car with a N54 or N55 and a tune and be making more power than this kit. That isnt taking into account the labor to have it installed either.
There is just no justifiable reason to boost a N52 when the 335i exists

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by Smgs1992

For the price you could sell/trade the n52 for a car with a N54 or N55 and a tune and be making more power than this kit. That isnt taking into account the labor to have it installed either.
There is just no justifiable reason to boost a N52 when the 335i exists

Oh I'm with you 100% on that my guy. I don't think it makes any sense either. Just shared it in case OP wasn't aware it existed.

I can *sorta* understand wanting to boost an N52 if you're in it for the novelty and the challenge (and money or value for money are not factors), but from a purely practical POV I don't think it makes any sense at all...

[rick100]

dont do it...

want cheap power, buy a used 3 stage intake and get a free tune from bimmerlabs and you ll car would feel a lot better, it wont be numb ...

[JonOhh]

The N52 will take boost just fine, hardware is up to the task. Seems the real roadblock is getting a street able, refined, and oem feeling tune for it. In terms of refinement, the n54/55 will probably always be better on that front.

An N54 with all issues sorted would probably be cheaper to operate over 60,000 miles or so, but I'd be willing to bet that if tuned properly and not boosted to oblivion, a good N52 turbo setup would he equal, if not cheaper to operate than another particular engine, over the long run.


I agree with the above however, there's a lot to enjoy from this engine NA with the 3IM, and 330 tune.

[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by JonOhh

The N52 will take boost just fine, hardware is up to the task. Seems the real roadblock is getting a street able, refined, and oem feeling tune for it. In terms of refinement, the n54/55 will probably always be better on that front.

An N54 with all issues sorted would probably be cheaper to operate over 60,000 miles or so, but I'd be willing to bet that if tuned properly and not boosted to oblivion, a good N52 turbo setup would he equal, if not cheaper to operate than another particular engine, over the long run.


I agree with the above however, there's a lot to enjoy from this engine NA with the 3IM, and 330 tune.

The N52 has a magnesium block it will not hold up to boost longterm.
None of the other systems in the engine were designed to handle the additional power and heat from turbos either. So those would likely need to be replaced or upgraded more frequently. I dont believe a N52 comes with an oil cooler so rising oil temps would definitely be an issue. Obviously the fuel pump isnt up to the job. Injectors need upgraded. Ect...then you gotta run the plumbing. Deal with additional heat under the hood which depending on where the turbo is mounted could result in more frequent valve cover gaskets and possibly valve cover.
Assuming you want atleast 400hp (otherwise why not get a N55 and leave it alone) you’ll be putting lots of strain on the conrods, block and pistons those wont last 60k+

I would not be so fast to assume that your N52 is so much superior in reliability as you guys always claim them to be

[relative4]

Don't listen to these guys. Grab a pair of N54 turbos and an outlet pipe, weld the wastegates shut, and run a hose to your throttle body. You'll get plenty o boost.

[JonOhh]

Originally Posted by Smgs1992

The N52 has a magnesium block it will not hold up to boost longterm.
None of the other systems in the engine were designed to handle the additional power and heat from turbos either. So those would likely need to be replaced or upgraded more frequently. I dont believe a N52 comes with an oil cooler so rising oil temps would definitely be an issue. Obviously the fuel pump isnt up to the job. Injectors need upgraded. Ect...then you gotta run the plumbing. Deal with additional heat under the hood which depending on where the turbo is mounted could result in more frequent valve cover gaskets and possibly valve cover.
Assuming you want atleast 400hp (otherwise why not get a N55 and leave it alone) you’ll be putting lots of strain on the conrods, block and pistons those wont last 60k+

I would not be so fast to assume that your N52 is so much superior in reliability as you guys always claim them to be

I'm a bit weary of the early n55, although it seems they're pretty well sorted by the end of their production.

In terms of what the n52 can take boosted, I mean in the 300-350hp range, which it should handle easily- a few have proven what it takes to pop one of these, and magnesium or not, it's still overbuilt like every other BMW engine...the part that fails isn't even magnesium. However, as someone said above, there's plenty of enjoyment to get from it naturally aspirated

Financially, it's not a cheap task to buy a new car, whether it's the cost of the actual vehicle, loss on selling the old one, or whatever else may come up. In cases like this, I'd say if you absolutely must have 300-350hp and aren't particularly interested in selling your car, turbo-ing an N52 is an option IF you're willing to take power over refinement, something a n54/n55 will likely always have the edge in over a turbo N52.

In terms of reliability, yeah, an N52 will always be cheaper to run over a long enough time, but that's not to say that all N52s are trouble free, and all N54s are a pain. There are pain in the ass N52s, and nothing but preventative maintenance required N54s.

One is not better than the other, both are capable of making enough power to satisfy most people. The N54 and N55 are incredible engines, I am in no way attempting to shame them, it's just that the N54/55 is not always the answer.

[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by JonOhh

I'm a bit weary of the early n55, although it seems they're pretty well sorted by the end of their production.

In terms of what the n52 can take boosted, I mean in the 300-350hp range, which it should handle easily- a few have proven what it takes to pop one of these, and magnesium or not, it's still overbuilt like every other BMW engine...the part that fails isn't even magnesium. However, as someone said above, there's plenty of enjoyment to get from it naturally aspirated

Financially, it's not a cheap task to buy a new car, whether it's the cost of the actual vehicle, loss on selling the old one, or whatever else may come up. In cases like this, I'd say if you absolutely must have 300-350hp and aren't particularly interested in selling your car, turbo-ing an N52 is an option IF you're willing to take power over refinement, something a n54/n55 will likely always have the edge in over a turbo N52.

In terms of reliability, yeah, an N52 will always be cheaper to run over a long enough time, but that's not to say that all N52s are trouble free, and all N54s are a pain. There are pain in the ass N52s, and nothing but preventative maintenance required N54s.

One is not better than the other, both are capable of making enough power to satisfy most people. The N54 and N55 are incredible engines, I am in no way attempting to shame them, it's just that the N54/55 is not always the answer.

Well given the power range of 300-350hp you would absolutely be better off going with a 335i whether it is n54 or n55 as those cars you can just leave them stock and youre already at those power levels. Realistically it is well known those engines are underrated 280whp on average for a stock N54 is over 300hp and when you get a 335is i think they put down 320whp so thats over 350hp.

The magnesium block may handle the power but longterm it will suffer. The N54 is so strong because it was overbuilt to handle the boost.

I absolutely agree there is plenty of reason to keep and enjoy a N52 i just dont think anyone should get in one and be trying to chase power in one. Enjoy it for what it is.

I disagree especially since you mention financially. You’ll end up spending alot more money and have alot more headaches trying to boost a N52 and if the tuning is wrong have to buy another engine and start over. VS accepting that the engine isnt worth putting the money and effort into and selling it spending a couple thousand more that you would already be spending trying to put a turbo on it.
Not only will you save yourself the headaches but you’ll end up getting a better transmission, brakes made to handle the extra power, depending on the 328i’s options xenon headlights are standard on a 335i and a few other upgrades that are standard to the 335i.

Like i mentioned before there is nothing wrong with a N52 it just isnt a smart choice if power is your goal. Youre better off taking that initial loss and getting the car designed for it

[eljay]

Well, if you want to dive in the never-ending chase of issues on a modified engine, here's your chance: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1770812

[mousefarmer]

sounds like a fun project for the next three years or so.

[Torgus]

Is the OP a troll?

Obviously the n54 is the better solution. No way does turboing an n52 make sense even if you can build the manifold yourself.

Leave it NA it is a fine NA non M motor.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by JonOhh

Financially, it's not a cheap task to buy a new car, whether it's the cost of the actual vehicle, loss on selling the old one, or whatever else may come up. In cases like this, I'd say if you absolutely must have 300-350hp and aren't particularly interested in selling your car, turbo-ing an N52 is an option IF you're willing to take power over refinement, something a n54/n55 will likely always have the edge in over a turbo N52.

You could buy an N54 car and fix everything that is wrong with it including blown turbos and still have money leftover compared to a janky N52 turbo setup that will never run right.

The reason you never see turbo'd N52's is that they already make the N54. There is no comparison. I'm not here to tell anyone the N54 is reliable, but think of all the problems that engine has and now imagine how many it would have if it was built by billy-bob in his garage. All the time, money, and effort could be put into making an N54 somewhat reliable and still put down more power.