M104 Supercharger Project Complete
 

Almost 2 years ago I started working on a forced induction project for my 1993 3.2L 300E. The project started as a very simple non-intercooled blower setup with stock injectors. Over the past 24 months I've added a piggyback ECU, larger injectors, exhaust system, a front mount intercooler and slowly turned up the boost. Today I think I'm 'done' (at least for now).

Final Bill of Materials:
• Rotrex CP34-90 Supercharger (www.w2wpowertrain.com)
• NGK BCP7ES Spark Plugs
• Apexi Piggyback ECU (www.apexi-usa.com)
• Bosch 280 150 945 injectors
• Reticulate type Blow-off Valve
• Front Mount Intercooler (3.5” x 6.5” x 27”) and piping
• Supercharger Oil Cooler /Tank
• Air filter/ Belts/ Hoses/ Pipe/ Clamps
• Misc. Steel / bolts/ hardware

The entire system was custom built in my shop with just a few basic shop tools (drill press, cutoff saw, grinder, etc.) No welding, CNC or lathe work required just some patience.

Anyone interested can view the latest stages of the project at:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2099787672&code=25091369&mode=invite&DCMP=isc-email-AlbumInvite

Love the E32 Kompressor badging.

Have you run and performance numbers yet, like hp, torque, 0-60, 1/4 mile, etc.?

Performance Data
 

Paul:

Unfortunatly I've not taken the time to get the car on the Dyno with all the recent mods. I've got a shop lined-up I just have to find the time.

The Mosselman and TDI kits for the 3.2L engine are listed at around 320hp. Both these kits run at 0.4 Bar, use stock injectors, stock exhaust and have tiny engine-compartment mounted intercoolers.

With 0.5 Bar, 30# injectors and a front mount intercooler I'm hoping to be in the 330-350hp range. I'll post the Dyno numbers once they are available. Until then all I can say is this is the fastest car I've ever owned and a blast to drive.

Well done! I'll probably copy that intercooler arrangement for my setup.
Once you get some performance data let me know and I'll add it to the W124 performance model list.

'Well done' that man....a thing of beauty too.:cool:

Impressive good looks along with simplicity.:)
Some what like, my self !:D


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I bet it is. :)

great project! Do you have any photos of you're entire car?

Nice!
 

That Rotrex supercharger is not big..... About the size of an MB alternator?

Can you tell more about the Rotrex?

Is it a compressor housing just like a turbo, with on the other side a gearbox which increases the RPMs of the pulley 3 or 4 times, or something like that?

And what are the downside of the Rotrex (everything has downsides....)
-a bit loss of power at the crank, to drive the Rotrex (just like any other supercharger)?
-maximum pressure or air flow not as much as a turbo maybe? (not that you can use lots of pressure with standard pistons (are they standard oem?)
-how many miles before rebuilt?

And what are the good things of a Rotrex?

And in what other (standard) cars is a Rotrex used? Or is it an aftermarket kinda thing?

For sure its a nice install which isnt as much work as fitting 1 or 2 turbos is suppose.

Rotrex Data
 

Jorge: Thanks for your interest… I’m on the road this week but will snap some additional photos this weekend and add them to the folder.

Reinier:
Rotrex has a great website with the answers to almost all your questions (www.rotrex.com) Check their 'Aftermarket' link for a number of applications on everything from a Ferrari to various Motorcycles. My favorite things about the Rotrex are first, the very small size and second, the very very low noise level. Then additionally I got ‘the deal of a life time’ on a new-in-the-box unit for half off the list price. However this induction methodology, and my overall system design, could be done with any number of Supercharger brands. I’ve had the Rotrex unit on my car for two years without any problems and don’t expect any. But, for the price I paid, if the thing blew-up tomorrow it would have been worth every penny paid.

I don’t wish to reopen the turbo/supercharger discussion/debate… each have their own puts and takes. I say: ‘to each their own’. I seriously looked at doing a Turbo(s) setup. I just could not get past the exhaust manifold dilemma; ie… where do you buy a good turbo exhaust manifold(s) for a Mercedes engine? The answer is (from my research) you can’t; unless you drop Big dollars on a full kit. Your other choice is to have a manifold(s) custom made which will not be cheap. Also with a turbo you then need a custom exhaust system from the turbo outlets back and custom waste gate piping. Taking all this work to a custom shop will cost you dearly and put the car off the road for a while. If you are by chance an expert welder with the equipment none of this will bother you… go for the turbo. I unfortunately am a poor to fair welder and don’t have any welding or pipe bending equipment. I also couldn’t afford to have the car off the road a single day as it’s my daily driver. So you can see my choice to go with a supercharger was a practical choice based on availability, resources and time.

Niiice!

I'd like to hear the results of your dyno test.

Thanks for the info! (and the link to the rotrex site)

one question only: what are the costs of a rotrex? (if you buy it at one of the dealers)

Rotrex Cost
 

The Rotrex unit is $1900

http://www.w2wpowertrain.com/pc-28-64-c30-94-head-unit-250-400-hp.aspx

Don't spend that kind of money however without doing some shopping. You can find new or nearly new supercharger head units on Ebay for under $1500 all the time. Again, Rotrex is just one of the many blower brands that will work. You just have to take the time to shop very carefully.

Yeah, OK, but that other brands superchargers are maybe not as 'easy' to fit as the Rotrex?
Saw that you can also install a Rotrex on the front of the engine if you dont have room for it besides the engine. With an eaton that would be a bit more difficult, not?

Price: phew! (2 brand new turbos for that kind of money, but then again: turbos require more work (money) to place it/them. So in the end......lot of money, lots of power in both cases!)

But maybe that price is a complete kit with the oil lines, pump, filter and oil cooler??? Or just the charger?

More...
 

The Rotrex is certainly easy to mount but there is room for a Vortech unit or similar brand. With the factory air box gone there's a ton of free space opened up. You could also relocate the washer fluid tank if you needed even more space.

The Eaton units can be installed (there are a couple of guys on the forum with them on M103/M104 engines) but the mounting hardware will require some skilled metal-fab work.

I've added a few more shots of the system to the folder including the blowoff valve and gauges if you are interested:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2099787672&code=25139088&mode=invite&DCMP=isc-email-AlbumInvite

car looks great, especially the smoked lights and euros...How does the eisenhaus exhaust sound?