Page updated 5-Sep-2006
No special tools or modifications required.
8-10 Hours fitting time, fully reversible.
VF-Engineering chose to supercharge the BMW 328
and 330 to improve throttle response and mid-to-top end power with
the centrifugal Vortech supercharger. With the 3.0 liter version
being a bored and stroked upgrade of the 2.8 motor, both variations
are otherwise virtually identical. Maintaining the the
original BMW quality, smoothness and reliability were the key factors
in the VF design. This is where the GIAC software comes into
full play. VF have harnessed reliability of Vortech superchargers
and quality of GIAC custom software with their 10 years of supercharging
experience and worldwide OEM supply contacts to create the ultimate
supercharger system for the ultimate driver's car.
All key components are 100% made in California.
This system has been fully road tested and dyno tuned on both the
GIAC Mustang MD500AWD and in-house Dynojet 224XLC dynamometers
with and without engine load. All stage 1 kits are setup at 6 psi
and create as much, if not more, power than similar products running greater
levels of boost.
VF engineers spent over 12 months software testing
the BMW Bosch and Siemens ECUs and resolved stalling and MAF
issues faced by other supercharger systems. Software flash
technology and latest BMW file versions have all been employed to
provide the cleanest and the most reliable method of software
installation. GIAC engineers extensively re-wrote the ECU software
using their own binary, assembly and disassembly algorithms written
from scratch. Testing the software included extensive road and dyno
test cycles, with acceleration and deceleration tests for driveability
smoothness and ECU fuel management. All test cars were put through
long term full throttle testing in conditions varying from wet cold
climates to hot dry Arizona desert temperature for safe-optimal air
fuel ratios and knock activity monitoring. Competently-written
ECU software has allowed VF to fully explore the potential of the
BMW engine, making over 40% more power in most applications.
VF chose to mount the Vortech supercharger with
an in-house CNC machined aluminum bracket system. The unit is
positioned in line with the original serpentine belt which is replaced
with a longer OEM belt. The key to this design is that the OEM active-spring
belt tensioner remains fully functional and eliminates belt slip
or the need to manually tension the belt. The supercharger air ducts
are custom molded in-house from plastic to give an OEM
appearance, quality and fit. The incorporated Bosch boost
overrun system is designed for smooth off-throttle cruising
and deceleration with clean emissions. The crankcase ventilation system
is designed to cope with positive pressure and high flow OEM
injectors are supplied to fit as direct replacements without modification
to the injector rail. A removable plastic air box
is provided with the K&N induction filter for those who use their
vehicles in persistently wet climates.The VF supercharger system
remains fully OBD2 compliant and is supported by a 3 year unlimited
mileage warranty on the product only. Installation can be performed
in approximately 8 hours and is non-intrusive, allowing it to be fully
reversible.
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Above left: BMW 328/330 kit shown without intake duct. Precision
machined CNC bracket with chrome-moly support brace. All held in place
with metric high tensile hardware. Bracket is mounted in-line with
accessories and uses OEM belt tensioner for optimal efficiency.
Above right: (a) Superior design belt drive with almost 80% belt wrap of
supercharger pulley. (b) Custom plastic molded ducting
is used on all VF kits for ultimate quality and fitment. (c)
One piece discharge duct includes idle stabilizer and bypass spouts. (d)
CNC machined billet aluminum for superior strength and optical effect.
(e) Front mounted high quality water radiator for stage2 aftercooler kit.
(f) Simple by design, the VF kit fits neatly under your hood.
Every aspect of this kit has been
fully engineered for high quality fitment and highly demanding
performance and expectation. VF's in-house horizontal, turning
and milling CNC's and plastic molding plant, GIAC's industry
reputation and track record, and Vortech's reliability have
been fully exploited to create a product with internationally
un-rivaled material technology, quality, and performance.
Not all vehicles respond identically to engine
modifications which is why it is important to consider the "delta", or
relative power increase, measured on the same dyno before and after
modification. Power gains shown by VF have been found to be accurate
on test vehicles on 91 octane at sea level, with stock setups (i.e.
throttle body, exhaust system, etc). The GIAC software adapts just
as the OEM software and a slight increase in performance may be expected
from the use of higher quality fuels such as 93 octane. Power gains
may vary according to factors such as altitude or vehicle condition.
Automatic vehicles are compatible but due to the nature of the transmission,
dyno measurements are not made.
The 330 5-speed test vehicle shown in the above
images is a GIAC daily driven test vehicle. Throttle response is
crisp and torquey. It is easy to find oneself above the legal speed
limit and uprated brakes may be desirable.
Stage
1 is set up to create 6psi manifold pressure at peak
boost taking the BMW 330 from 200hp to 290hp at the wheels.
This represents and increase of 105hp at the flywheel.
VF engineers tested and found 6psi to be the optimal induction
charge limit without aftercooling. |
Stage
2 is in development with boost having been upgraded
by 2-3psi and the stock manifold being replaced with an
air-to-water integrated chargecooler manifold. Air/water
cooling requires less lengthy pipework than an intercooler
and provides more consistent aftercooling effect. The stage
2 upgrade package is being designed as an add-on kit to
the stage 1. |
Stage
3 is a planned (VHPD) Very High Performance Derivative
stage 3 for the 3.0 liter engine with manual transmission.
Aimed at the hard core enthusiast, this upgrade from the
stage 2 package will include engine internal and lowered
compression components. |
All information is correct at time of going live
online. VF-Engineering reserves the right to alter specifications
and prices at its will of the above prototype product at any time
up to and after the production model is launched.