How to get 300HP from 525i ????

[Iwo]

Ok, so I already got my donor for manual transmission and now is time to plan the game for more power.
I plan to have 300HP and not sure SC or Turbo...???
Any ideas how to get that HP ???

[cary]

Sell it and buy a 540i, much cheaper and more reliable than a turbo 525i with a ton of miles.

[Ferret]

Sell it and buy a 540i, much cheaper and more reliable than a turbo 525i with a ton of miles.

That's the second time this week I've seen someone tread on someones ideas on this board!

Iwo, have a chat with jon k, he's the turbo mad genious around here

[Dave M]

60k is a ton of miles?

[Incantation]

that's hardly treading.. this is probably the most sensible option for the guy

[cary]

60k is a ton of miles?

I didn't catch the mileage. I do stand by my original position, taking a automatic 525i, converting it to a manual, and putting a turbo on it, will cost $5000+ and take countless hours. The result will be a bastarized questionable car. A nice car like his with 60,000 miles should bring $5000-6000 easily, and for $8000 he can get a clean E34 540i, or for $12000-15000 a good E39 540i, both with six speeds.

[wjbell]

I didn't catch the mileage. I do stand by my original position, taking a automatic 525i, converting it to a manual, and putting a turbo on it, will cost $5000+ and take countless hours. The result will be a bastarized questionable car. A nice car like his with 60,000 miles should bring $5000-6000 easily, and for $8000 he can get a clean E34 540i, or for $12000-15000 a good E39 540i, both with six speeds.

Agreed. Too much work converting and upgrading. Sell it and buy a 540.

[jjdickm]

I'd rather have a lighter 525i turbo with 300hp than a heavier 540i with 300hp. although the 540 is a very sweet car. I've seen 1997 e39 540 going for 8 grand locally. good luck.

[Iwo]

I thought about it.. and I'm staying with my 525i.
I took it to mechanic and he was very amazed how the car clean is.
Not a single oil drop anywhere... bottom is like new. It's a CA car from one owner....
I more rather stay with it then buy a car with more miles and rust.. and unknown history. I already found a manual donor that I'm going to use so I'll have other parts also.

The main thing is how to get more power......!!!!!!!
I was thinking Turbo+racing pistons+headers and some other stuff..., but my knowledge is not great in technical side of it.... that's why I asked for help and ideas

[cary]

I'm not trying to ruin what you want to do, but you are really going to spend a lot of money for little gain. From what you are saying, you lack the skills to do the work yourself. You are going to take a very nice car, that will command a premium as it stands and hack it up.

To pay someone to swap the tranny, you are going to be looking at $2000+ for labor.

To do the engine mods you are contemplating, you are talking $1500 in labor if you don't open the engine up. When you discuss swapping pistons, start raising that minimum labor to $3000+. All together you are looking at $10,000 + for what you want to do. When you are all done, you will have a car that is worth less than it is now.

With this, you haven't even discussed suspension, wheels and tires, all of which you will want to upgrade to be compatible with the faster car. Figure another $2500 easy.

Fast cars need better brakes, I won't even add that in. Were at $12,500 on a good day, plus the value of the car, so $18,000 or so.

I know that you don't want to hear this, but at the end of the day it is not worth doing this. Start with something faster to begin with. A nice E39 540i sport is going to have all of this stuff, be as fast, and will hold it's value much better.