VF Engineering - Supercharger System - E46 M3

VF-Engineering chose to supercharge the BMW E46 M3 to add to already superior throttle response and give wild mid-to-top end power with the centrifugal Vortech supercharger. Maintaining 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 15 years of supercharging experience and worldwide OEM supply contacts to create the ultimate supercharger system for the ultimate driver's car.

The VF480 kit features production manufactured aluminum manifold with integrated air-to-water heat exchanger (charge cooler) is provided for added value and greater performance compared to similar air/air systems. 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 while creating cooler intake temperatures for more powerful and reliable ignition.

The VF570 kit offers even greater performance via extra boost from a smaller supercharger pulley, replacement stiffer serpentine belt tensioner and upgraded GIAC stage 2 software ECU flash with larger stage 2 fuel injectors and MAF upgrade. This kit requires the use of high performance cats. The test car was setup with Supersprint headers and Euro M3 cats. Drag racing and aggressive back to back peak rpm shifting will likely require a clutch upgrade. 100 octane fuel recommended when used on the race track. A pre-cat wideband air/fuel ratio monitoring gauge is recommended.

All key components are 100% made in the USA. Supporting components such as flow matched injectors, radiators and water pumps are all aquired from German OEMs. 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. Competantly 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 1 year unlimited mileage warranty on the product only. Installation can be performed in approximately 14-16 hours and is non-intrusive, allowing it to be fully reversible.

Specifications

VF420
Supercharger system setup for 4.0-4.5 psi V3-SC trim supercharger system (non cooled). Replacement cast intake manifold prepared for aftercooler cartridge. High flow fuel injectors, Bosch MAF housing, GIAC ECU flash. Easy to upgrade to VF480.
PSI: 4.0-4.5
HP: 420 (Stock: 333)
Torque: 320 (Stock: 262)

VF480
Supercharger system setup for 5.5-6.0 psi, V3-SC trim supercharger with air/water cooled cartridge inside cast intake manifold. High flow fuel Stage1 injectors with GIAC ECU flash. Easy to upgrade to VF570.

PSI: 5.5-6.0
HP: 480 (Stock: 333)
Torque: 340 (Stock: 262)

VF570
Supercharger system setup for 8.5-9.0 PSI, V3-SC trim supercharger with air/water cooled cartridge inside cast intake manifold. OEM spring tensioner upgrade, Stage 2/3 Bosch fuel injectors, Hitachi MAF conversion, with custom GIAC Software flash. Requires sport Cats downstream from header. Cold weather requires boost gauge monitoring and AFR gauge monitoring.

PSI: 8.5-9.0 (Stock: n/a)
HP: 570, 600 w/ race gas (Stock: 333)
Torque: 380, 400 w/ race gas (Stock: 262)

VF Engineering vs the competition
- The Vortech supercharger is a much larger unit and therefore has a superior flow rate over the competition.
- The Vortech unit [centrifugal] runs at approximately half the impeller speed when compared to a typical planetary unit at like-for-like boost levels.
- The Vortech unit is capable of creating up to 20psi [application dependent] and therefore has greater potential for higher power levels.
- The Vortech unit does not need its own separate oil cooling system with reservoir and extra radiator. - Vortech units have been on the market for over 15 years in the US, many many times longer than the competition.
- VF's air/water cooling system is far superior to any air/air intercooler which is why VF makes 460whp on 91 octane without water/meth injection.
- The VF570 kit makes the same power as the competitor's kit but with less boost and less octane. VF only needs 8psi and 91 octane.

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. VF does not guarantee that all engines will make the same power numbers. 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. VF installs its systems in house as means of continuous product monitoring. All vehicles are dyno'd pre-install and the stock E46 M3 typically delivers 265-275whp on 91 octane. VF-Engineering is not responsible for pre-existing or consequential wear and tear of your vehicle. It is an assumed owner responsibility to ensure your car is adequately upgraded to support power enhancements.

VF420 Supercharger system components
- GIAC custom tuned "Steetsport" software flash
- Top speed governor removed
- Vortech V3 SuperQuiet SC trim supercharger (no oil lines)
- 4.0 - 4.5 psi supercharger pulley setup
- Bosch MAF housing with recalibration
- 1 year unlimited mileage limited product warranty
- Replacement cast intake manifold
- VF CNC machined 6061 aluminum bracket system
- OEM BMW idler pulleys
- Stage 1 OEM High flow spray pattern matched fuel injectors
- VF Custom molded polypropylene ducting
- VF Custom tuned cast supercharger intake
- High flow Greddy Type R overrun bypass valve system
- Custom crank case ventilation system
- 4 ply silicon couplers with OEM screw clamps
- Replacement OEM serpentine belt
- K&N induction filter with cold air intake
- Comprehensive installation CD-ROM
- Precision Made in the USA

Components when upgrading from VF420 to VF480
- GIAC custom tuned "Stage 1" software flash
- Replacement 5.5-6.0 psi supercharger pulley
- Bypass valve spring upgrade
- Slide-in air/water heat exchanger for intake manifold
- Bosch water pump activated by key power relay
- VF custom molded 3 gallon water reservoir system
- OEM front center water radiator with OEM hangers and water lines

Components when upgrading from VF480 to VF570
- GIAC custom tuned "Stage 2" software flash
- Replacement 8.5-9.0 psi supercharger pulley
- Replacement OEM serpentine belt
- Replacement fuel pressure regulator
- Replacement serpentine belt tensioner
- Stage2/3 OEM High flow spray pattern matched fuel injectors
- MAF upgrade conversion
- Larger K&N induction filter

Models Supported
2001-2006 E46 M3