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| PSI | HP | Torque | Price |
| PSI | HP | Torque | Price |
| Stock Performance (S54 3.2 liter motorsport engine. E46 M3 also) | n/a | 315 | 251 | - | ||||
| 6.0 | tba | tba | $10000 |
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 Z3 M Coupe and M Roadster to improve throttle response and mid-to-top end power with the centrifugal Vortech supercharger. 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.
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.
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Above left: BMW Z3 S50 kit. 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: Superior design belt drive with almost 80% belt wrap of supercharger pulley - Custom plastic molded ducting is used on all VF kits for ultimate quality and fitment - One piece discharge duct includes idle stabilizer and bypass spouts - CNC machined billet aluminum for superior strength and optical effect. - Front mounted high quality water radiator for aftercooler kit. - Simple by design, the VF kit fits neatly under your hood.
The US model S50/S52 engines responds extremely well to the introduction of positive pressure. Strong acceleration and smooth power are all exaggerated to a point where one wants to push the car in all gears. European models have not been tested.
Stage
1 for the S52 (E36 M3 engine) is set up to create 6psi
manifold pressure at peak boost taking the M3 from 212hp
to 302hp at the wheels. This represents and increase of
110hp at the flywheel. Some test cars have yielded power
gains of up to 125hp. VF engineers tested and found 6psi
to be the optimal induction charge limit without aftercooling. |
Stage
2 for the S52 (E36 M3 engine) 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
1 for the S54 (E46 M3 engine) is being developed on
a VF in-house 2005 model E46 M3. This kit has been designed
as a single stage including a complete aftercooled kit
comprising of a production manufactured aluminum manifold
with integrated air-to-water heat exchanger (charge cooler).
Typically used in European Rally cars, air/water cooling
is the ultimate in aftercooler technology for on-and-off
the race track. Air/water cooling provides superior cooling
ability over air/air, without lengthy ducting and giving
cooler intake temperatures for more powerful ignition.
This kit is still in development and estimated for release
in Spring 06. |
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.
![]() Z3 M Stock/VF horsepower & Air Fuel plot ![]() Z3 M Stock/VF torque & boost plot ![]() Z3 M Stock vs VF Stage 1 |
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