Questions on superchargers

jblaze21 · 08-22-2014, 07:55 PM

I'm considering buying a M3 with a VT2-650 supercharger kit. Now I've never had a supercharger before so I'm not terribly knowledgeable about that.

I'm wondering what extra maintenance/special care you have to take with the supercharger?

Is there anything to watch for with a car with a supercharger? Does the engine get stressed more? More frequent oil changes, etc?

Any gotcha's regarding superchargers?

Any advice and knowledge is appreciated. Thanks.

JEllis · 08-22-2014, 08:06 PM

I change my oil every 3000 miles. I would do it regardless of the supercharger.

You need to change the supercharger oil every 7000 miles.

You need to check your air filter frequently for debris.

Spark plugs should get changed, at least checked, every 10,000 miles.

I frequently check my bracket and supercharger bolts to ensure everything is tight.

Other than that, enjoy!

BobS · 08-23-2014, 06:02 AM

What Jellis said. I would suggest getting a gauge that shows AFR's as well so you can monitor in real time how he car is running. My P3 gauge does the job perfectly...oh and you can see boost too ;-)

jblaze21 · 08-23-2014, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobS

What Jellis said. I would suggest getting a gauge that shows AFR's as well so you can monitor in real time how he car is running. My P3 gauge does the job perfectly...oh and you can see boost too ;-)

The car I'm looking at has a P3 gauge as well.

BobS · 08-23-2014, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jblaze21

The car I'm looking at has a P3 gauge as well.

Perfect! But not all p3 gauges show afr. Some just show boost. I think its the earlier ones or the base P3 gauge that only show boost.

Mine shows EGT, AFR, Boost, IAT's, 0-60, etc....

jblaze21 · 08-23-2014, 01:26 PM

Another question: how is the power delivered? Is it only "active" when above 5500 rpms + or is the power available all throughout the rpm range?

Does it help with low end torque?

I DD this car so I'm not running around town at 6k rpm all day so I'm not sure how much use I'd get out of it. I don't drag or track either. Might be overkill but if it has real life DD applications for "spirited" driving, then I'd get some use out of it.

Thanks.

JABSprings · 08-23-2014, 01:53 PM

ESS recomends min of 93 octane with 650 kit. Not all states have such.

JPH704 · 08-23-2014, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEllis

I change my oil every 3000 miles. I would do it regardless of the supercharger.

You need to change the supercharger oil every 7000 miles.

You need to check your air filter frequently for debris.

Spark plugs should get changed, at least checked, every 10,000 miles.

I frequently check my bracket and supercharger bolts to ensure everything is tight.

Other than that, enjoy!

^ this
Also periodically inspect the belt and pulleys.

Ezio · 08-23-2014, 04:05 PM

the car is for sure under more stress with 600+HP. everything drive train part will wear faster if you drive it hard.

although that doesn't mean you will have problems. it just means you gotta take more care of the car. i wont go around doing burnouts, and driving hard on a cold engine etc.

usually people like to buy a M3, and put there own blower on it. So they know the car hasn't been abused with lots of power Vs abused with stock power.

Longboarder · 08-23-2014, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jblaze21

Another question: how is the power delivered? Is it only "active" when above 5500 rpms + or is the power available all throughout the rpm range?

Does it help with low end torque?

I DD this car so I'm not running around town at 6k rpm all day so I'm not sure how much use I'd get out of it. I don't drag or track either. Might be overkill but if it has real life DD applications for "spirited" driving, then I'd get some use out of it.

Thanks.

There is more torque but boost is linear with any centrifugal supercharger. The power above 6,500 is insane...tires can start spinning so be careful. The power band is similar to something like a Ferrari 458 Italia so you need to keep the rpms up.

You should really try to take a drive in one if you can.

TommyLights · 08-24-2014, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobS

Perfect! But not all p3 gauges show afr. Some just show boost. I think its the earlier ones or the base P3 gauge that only show boost.

Mine shows EGT, AFR, Boost, IAT's, 0-60, etc....

I heard the newer P3's dont work well with the 08's and only show boost. That right?

08-22-2014, 07:55 PM	#1
jblaze21 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 221 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Anywhere iTrader: (0)	Questions on superchargers I'm considering buying a M3 with a VT2-650 supercharger kit. Now I've never had a supercharger before so I'm not terribly knowledgeable about that. I'm wondering what extra maintenance/special care you have to take with the supercharger? Is there anything to watch for with a car with a supercharger? Does the engine get stressed more? More frequent oil changes, etc? Any gotcha's regarding superchargers? Any advice and knowledge is appreciated. Thanks.
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08-22-2014, 08:06 PM	#2
JEllis Major General 532 Rep 5,498 Posts Drives: E36 M3, E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth iTrader: (4)	I change my oil every 3000 miles. I would do it regardless of the supercharger. You need to change the supercharger oil every 7000 miles. You need to check your air filter frequently for debris. Spark plugs should get changed, at least checked, every 10,000 miles. I frequently check my bracket and supercharger bolts to ensure everything is tight. Other than that, enjoy! __________________ Instagram: jellismotorwerks
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08-23-2014, 06:02 AM	#3
BobS Colonel 97 Rep 2,002 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern NJ iTrader: (0)	What Jellis said. I would suggest getting a gauge that shows AFR's as well so you can monitor in real time how he car is running. My P3 gauge does the job perfectly...oh and you can see boost too ;-) __________________ ESS 650 ACM-R Upgrades
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08-23-2014, 01:26 PM	#6
jblaze21 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 221 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Anywhere iTrader: (0)	Another question: how is the power delivered? Is it only "active" when above 5500 rpms + or is the power available all throughout the rpm range? Does it help with low end torque? I DD this car so I'm not running around town at 6k rpm all day so I'm not sure how much use I'd get out of it. I don't drag or track either. Might be overkill but if it has real life DD applications for "spirited" driving, then I'd get some use out of it. Thanks.
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08-23-2014, 01:53 PM	#7
JABSprings Private 11 Rep 88 Posts Drives: '11 E92 / ESS VT2-650 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (0)	ESS recomends min of 93 octane with 650 kit. Not all states have such.
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08-23-2014, 04:05 PM	#9
Ezio Brigadier General 380 Rep 3,934 Posts Drives: 2023 Alfa Romeo, 2023 m240i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: MI iTrader: (0)	the car is for sure under more stress with 600+HP. everything drive train part will wear faster if you drive it hard. although that doesn't mean you will have problems. it just means you gotta take more care of the car. i wont go around doing burnouts, and driving hard on a cold engine etc. usually people like to buy a M3, and put there own blower on it. So they know the car hasn't been abused with lots of power Vs abused with stock power.
	Appreciate 0 Quote