how hard would it be?

[AdamRamjit]

is it too pricey to install a turbo on a 128i? or would i be better off trading mine in and getting a 135i?

[the1andonly]

Im going to go with trade being a no-brainer...but we'll see what others weigh in with...

[AdamRamjit]

Originally Posted by the1andonly

Im going to go with trade being a no-brainer...but we'll see what others weigh in with...

true, but i feel like one really good turbo would be nice on a 128i. rather than the two that are on the 135i

[NYC6]

since 2011 all 135's come with a single turbo.

The 128 block is an aluminum/magnesium alloy that isnt cut out for boost. Thats why BMW uses an all aluminum block for the 135. The 128's internals are different also. You would be making a ticking time bomb by boosting the 128.

[AdamRamjit]

Originally Posted by NYC6

since 2011 all 135's come with a single turbo.

The 128 block is an aluminum/magnesium alloy that isnt cut out for boost. Thats why BMW uses an all aluminum block for the 135. The 128's internals are different also. You would be making a ticking time bomb by boosting the 128.

but overall, is it still possible to put a turbo in a 128i with the stock motor?

[Greenkirby21]

Originally Posted by AdamRamjit

but overall, is it still possible to put a turbo in a 128i with the stock motor?

anything is possible with $$$ and willpower. Is it smart? no. You are better off getting a 135i or if you really want to keep your car get a supercharger unless you want to build the entire turbo setup yourself

[AdamRamjit]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

anything is possible with $$$ and willpower. Is it smart? no. You are better off getting a 135i or if you really want to keep your car get a supercharger unless you want to build the entire turbo setup yourself

i didnt think about a supercharger lol

[CentralPA E82]

I love my 128 but the low end in the 135 is addictive as hell (had a loaner last week). As others have said here the N52 is not suited for FI (hence the changes to the N54/55 block and what not).

[RoundelM3]

Trade up. By the time you make all the changes and make it reliable, you'll have spent way more than the cost of the trade, have no warranty, and the car's value will drop significantly.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by NYC6

since 2011 all 135's come with a single turbo.

The 128 block is an aluminum/magnesium alloy that isnt cut out for boost. Thats why BMW uses an all aluminum block for the 135. The 128's internals are different also. You would be making a ticking time bomb by boosting the 128.

This is the point I came to make. When it came time to make the N54 the N52 with simply a turbo added to it was evaluated. However BMW determined that the Magnesium crank case could not handle the increased temperature and crank pressure brought on with turbos.

In other words an FI N52 is a terrible idea.

[JimD]

My message is similar to BrokenVert but I will say it a little different way. The N54 engine weighs 430 lbs versus the N52 at 355 pounds. As we all know, BMW REALLY cares about weight distribution so they hang a weight off the back bumper of the 135i to compensate. Now if BMW could just put a turbo on the N52, why would they go to all this trouble?

The N54 is an aluminum block with a cast iron cylinder wall liner. That is "old school" versus the aluminum cylinder wall of the N52. I was worried about the N52 and looked to see who else uses aluminum as the cylinder wall and how long they've done it. Porsche is one and it's been done for over 10 years. The N52 came out in 2005 (two years before the N54). That convinced me to give it a try. I think as long as lubrication is good, my motor should hold up fine. Turbocharging puts much more stress on the motor, however, and I would be worried about both the aluminum cylinder walls (getting scraped by the aluminum pistons and/or steel rings) and the magnesium separating from the aluminum in the block. I don't know if these are BMW engineers concerns or not. But I'm sure they thought about it and decided not to. I think that is solid evidence turbo-charging the N52 isn't wise. Super charging, by the way, is different and apparently people are getting nearly the power of a stock N54 by supercharging. If I decided, for some reason, I REALLY needed 300hp from my 128i, I would look into supercharging, not turbocharging.

Jim

[BrokenVert]

Jim isnt there that SC kit for N52s now?

[RoundelM3]

There used to be a supercharger kit for the engine in the E46 330i...I'd think they'd have one for the N52 as well, but the electronics are a whole lot different.

[Evice]

I wouldn't FI my 128i. However, I'd kill to get something around 275 HP from my car.

I can't imagine how fantastic this car will be with a little bit more power, staying true to its roots with its NA engine.

[AdamRamjit]

Originally Posted by Evice

I wouldn't FI my 128i. However, I'd kill to get something around 275 HP from my car.

I can't imagine how fantastic this car will be with a little bit more power, staying true to its roots with its NA engine.

exactly wat i was thinking lol

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by Evice

I wouldn't FI my 128i. However, I'd kill to get something around 275 HP from my car.

I can't imagine how fantastic this car will be with a little bit more power, staying true to its roots with its NA engine.

As a lucky person with a 130i, it's pretty amazing tbh

Edretty sure i made a post here about it earlier.. But anyway.. For these engines low boost high response sc > 'high boost more laggy' turbo.. If a crappy 1.8L 20 year old motor can make 200wkw stock internals, this engine (n52) can take 6psi of boost logically no? It's still only producing mad power at peak rpm and realistically unless doing super extended track day, heat should never be an issue?