JetBlackE46
09-16-2002, 02:17 AM
Some advice on supercharging…
I'm assuming you have a couple of kits you are already considering and have some knowlege on the type of gains and pricing. This is just some general but important things I wish I knew before I purchased my kit.
When choosing a kit, ask the tuner to see both before and after dyno charts for your specific model. When I say your specific model I mean if you have a 330ci manual, then talk to someone who has a 330ci manual, not someone with a 328ci step or 325I manual. These cars are similar but definitely not exact. Software will be different for each model. If the tuner says they don't have any or can't provide them, then I would ask, how the hell can they claim any gains if it was never tested. They should be able to email you actual charts. If it's on a dynojet you can ask for the "raw data". You can goto www.dynojet.com and download the viewer for free. Make sure you see HP, Torque and Airfuel readings. I can't think of a good reason why any tuner with a quality kit not being able to provide this information….unless there's something to hide.
Ask how many miles have been put on their prototypes, how many kits have they sold, what problems have they had. If you care about passing emissions, then ask if the kit is smog legal. If they tell you they are still in development and you want to be a test subject they go ahead but if they tell you the kit is completed, then I would ask the tuner to provide or find atleast 3 people who have your specific model. Ask these guys how they like their kit, if they have any problems etc. Unless you're living in a cave, everyone is online nowadays.
Please note that just because a tuner had great results on the E36 kits doesn't mean their E46 kits are good. Also, just because a tuner is new to the scene or unknown does not necessarily mean they aren't capable of developing a quality kit.
Once you decide to purchase a kit, you should definitely get your car dynoed before and after kit installation. Try to use the same dyno. Make sure you get an Air Fuel reading. I used to think that the most important thing was your HP rating but that doesn't mean a thing if your Air Fuel is off. You can be eating M3s for breakfast but how long will your engine last? You could be causing major damage to your engine and not even know it. Look at the Air Fuel as a mamogram for women. You may not feel any thing is wrong but this is the only way to know for sure. When you get your dyno printout, be sure to ask them to email you the chart or raw data also. It's both easier to post on line and reprint if you need to. There's no reason why they shouldn't be able to email you your chart. You can email just about anything.
I would also suggest charging your kit with a credit card. If you have any issues you can always dispute the charge.
That's all I can think of for now.
Nelson
I'm assuming you have a couple of kits you are already considering and have some knowlege on the type of gains and pricing. This is just some general but important things I wish I knew before I purchased my kit.
When choosing a kit, ask the tuner to see both before and after dyno charts for your specific model. When I say your specific model I mean if you have a 330ci manual, then talk to someone who has a 330ci manual, not someone with a 328ci step or 325I manual. These cars are similar but definitely not exact. Software will be different for each model. If the tuner says they don't have any or can't provide them, then I would ask, how the hell can they claim any gains if it was never tested. They should be able to email you actual charts. If it's on a dynojet you can ask for the "raw data". You can goto www.dynojet.com and download the viewer for free. Make sure you see HP, Torque and Airfuel readings. I can't think of a good reason why any tuner with a quality kit not being able to provide this information….unless there's something to hide.
Ask how many miles have been put on their prototypes, how many kits have they sold, what problems have they had. If you care about passing emissions, then ask if the kit is smog legal. If they tell you they are still in development and you want to be a test subject they go ahead but if they tell you the kit is completed, then I would ask the tuner to provide or find atleast 3 people who have your specific model. Ask these guys how they like their kit, if they have any problems etc. Unless you're living in a cave, everyone is online nowadays.
Please note that just because a tuner had great results on the E36 kits doesn't mean their E46 kits are good. Also, just because a tuner is new to the scene or unknown does not necessarily mean they aren't capable of developing a quality kit.
Once you decide to purchase a kit, you should definitely get your car dynoed before and after kit installation. Try to use the same dyno. Make sure you get an Air Fuel reading. I used to think that the most important thing was your HP rating but that doesn't mean a thing if your Air Fuel is off. You can be eating M3s for breakfast but how long will your engine last? You could be causing major damage to your engine and not even know it. Look at the Air Fuel as a mamogram for women. You may not feel any thing is wrong but this is the only way to know for sure. When you get your dyno printout, be sure to ask them to email you the chart or raw data also. It's both easier to post on line and reprint if you need to. There's no reason why they shouldn't be able to email you your chart. You can email just about anything.
I would also suggest charging your kit with a credit card. If you have any issues you can always dispute the charge.
That's all I can think of for now.
Nelson
