how much to install a supercharger?

[prashil]

If I bought a super/turbocharger, how much would a shop roughly charge to install it? I got a 2000 328ci....am I just wasting my money trying to put a blower on it?

[MachRc]

Depending on werther you have intercooler and extra piping for stage two with different injectors and such it can go from diy free to about 800i-1400 at a shop. Installation is one of the most important parts so make sure you take it to. A quailfied installer the kit maker recommends, or find one/ask in your regional ssection for a good place. I payed around 1200 if I remember correctly. But it included a lot of fresh hoses and extra care and preventive measures like engine mounts and etc.

[TxZHP04]

It's really going to depend on which kit you're having installed and what your local labor rates are. Figure a minimum of 8 hrs for a basic stage 1 SC kit if the shop already has experience with the particular kit. Maybe 12-16 hrs for a stage 2. Ball park, you're probably looking at somewhere between 1 and 2 grand for installation.

Regardless of how you look at it, you will never get a return on the money spent modding a car and the car's resale value will likely drop - if you can find a buyer for a modded car. Only you can decide if FI is a better path for you than trading up to a newer, faster car. How long do you plan on keeping your car? What kind of condition is it in? Have you performed a leak down or compression test to see if it's up to holding boost? If you spend a bunch of money adding FI, are you going to be able to keep up with all other maintenance? Have you considered clutch replacements or auto transmission failures (not sure if your car is manual or auto)?

[M3ILLA]

SC and TC are two different ball games.

With a good footing in automotive knowlage a basic Supercharger kit is fairly self explainitory to install.

Going with a turbo is tougher. Unlike SC you are rerouting exhaust gasses so more piping is involved and creating much more heat underhood. But this option is the "better" option if you seek more power at similar SC boost levels.

Cost? It varries. Most kits list install hours so figure
Shop fee/hr X Hours.

[TxZHP04]

Should probably mention that there are currently no off-the-shelf turbo kits for the 328... and not likely to ever be one (IMO).

[prashil]

Regardless of how you look at it, you will never get a return on the money spent modding a car and the car's resale value will likely drop - if you can find a buyer for a modded car. Only you can decide if FI is a better path for you than trading up to a newer, faster car. How long do you plan on keeping your car? What kind of condition is it in? Have you performed a leak down or compression test to see if it's up to holding boost? If you spend a bunch of money adding FI, are you going to be able to keep up with all other maintenance? Have you considered clutch replacements or auto transmission failures (not sure if your car is manual or auto)?

I just wanted a rough estimate, which I got from the responses. Now my only question is what is the true cost of supercharging? The kit and installation is the beginning I know that. I thought that if you have low boost such as 4-8 psi, then you can get away with stock internals. I've never heard of a leak down or compression test before...what is it and who performs it? What other maitanence would there be for a supercharger? I have a manual, so I think I would need a new clutch soon after adding boost. Although its a 2000, my car is in damn good shape, drives like new and actually still under warranty for a few more thousand miles ( I got 53k on the car). I just bought it so I would say at least another 4 years min. I would keep the car.

[MachRc]

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=389297&highlight=for+dummies

and many like this one

[prashil]

MACH I really like your car...your papers and lighter arent bad either ;)

[XoDuZz]

I'm thinking you got a S/C... it would probably cost around $1k for about 8-14hrs of labor depending on the experience of the shop. Goodluck... or call up Mike Tran he'll do it for free all you have to do is hold his flashlight he'll even let you bring his sister to the kitchen :eeps: