[Boostedphil698]

Hey everyone, I've been curious and haven't found anything online about this, but how much bigger is the compressor on the EWG turbo vs. the PWG turbo? When I bought my 435i last month my buddy said that I made the right choice steering clear of PWG N55's.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by 435i_Phil

Hey everyone, I've been curious and haven't found anything online about this, but how much bigger is the compressor on the EWG turbo vs. the PWG turbo? When I bought my 435i last month my buddy said that I made the right choice steering clear of PWG N55's.

Little to do with compressor size.

EWG just has slightly better control and holds boost up to around 5.5k compared to around 5k with PWG. You can get the same result in a PWG with a Pure Turbo Stage 1.

BOTH PWG and EWG exit out through a CAT in the Downpipe which ends with a 3.0" inch exit on both units, which everyone ignores and talks of the 3.5" entry for the PWG Downpipe compared to the EWG Downpipe.

Likewise, the EWG cat is most likely tighter (more restrictive) as it meets EU6 regulations while the PWG cat is only EU5. I have asked many used cat buyers if they have opened up both to compare, but none have indicated they ever have.

[Boostedphil698]

I won't be keeping the stock downpipe but I was told that the turbo is bigger.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by 435i_Phil

I won't be keeping the stock downpipe but I was told that the turbo is bigger.

Doesn't matter. All the Downpipes have a 3.0" exit to attach to the OEM exhaust pipes.

[lens]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Little to do with compressor size.

EWG just has slightly better control and holds boost up to around 5.5k compared to around 5k with PWG. You can get the same result in a PWG with a Pure Turbo Stage 1.

BOTH PWG and EWG exit out through a CAT in the Downpipe which ends with a 3.0" inch exit on both units, which everyone ignores and talks of the 3.5" entry for the PWG Downpipe compared to the EWG Downpipe.

Likewise, the EWG cat is most likely tighter (more restrictive) as it meets EU6 regulations while the PWG cat is only EU5. I have asked many used cat buyers if they have opened up both to compare, but none have indicated they ever have.

EWG doesn't make more power based on boost control alone, there is a noticeable difference in the compressor side of the EWG turbo compared to PWG. You just said yourself, "you can get the same result with PS1" which means the turbo is tinier than EWG which would be why you need the upgrade in the first place.

EWG also holds boost up to 6k easily, PWG holds about 10-11psi, dipping down to 9psi by redline, where EWG starts to taper after 6k, yet it's still making about 14-15psi at 6.5k rpm depending on the tuning, you can see that most logs provided by BM3, PWG will not go past 11psi up top, that is a turbo restriction.

If both cars had the same turbo, EWG would be best due to boost control and more reliable as you don't have to deal with boost solenoids or something else making the PWG sucky. It's also a nightmare for tuners as they all hate PWG.

[Boostedphil698]

I chose an EWG car because PWG is not as reliable, from what I was told. I didn't realize that EWG makes 14-15 psi though.

[Jake From State Farm]

Originally Posted by 435i_Phil

I chose an EWG car because PWG is not as reliable, from what I was told. I didn't realize that EWG makes 14-15 psi though.

I haven’t had any reliability problems with my PWG turbo. Not sure why it would be less reliable than EWG. As mentioned by others, it is true that tuning PWG is more difficult, although BM3 OTS tunes are dialed in well.

I agree with your choice going EWG for several reasons but PWG isn’t a bad choice for those that cannot pick up an EWG. If you have examples of the reliability issues I would like to hear more.

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by Jake From State Farm

I haven’t had any reliability problems with my PWG turbo. Not sure why it would be less reliable than EWG. As mentioned by others, it is true that tuning PWG is more difficult, although BM3 OTS tunes are dialed in well.

I agree with your choice going EWG for several reasons but PWG isn’t a bad choice for those that cannot pick up an EWG. If you have examples of the reliability issues I would like to hear more.

PWG turbo cars have a lot of vacuum lines that tend to rot out that need replacing, a few of my friends have had wastegate rattle on the N55 PWG models. It was easier from a tuning, and maintenance perspective for me at least to go with EWG.

[BeastMode335i]

Originally Posted by 435i_Phil

I chose an EWG car because PWG is not as reliable, from what I was told. I didn't realize that EWG makes 14-15 psi though.

They don't run that stock, these cars run around 7psi stock.. And whoever told you that the PWG was less reliable than an EWG was just trying to sell you a newer car lol..

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

They don't run that stock, these cars run around 7psi stock.. And whoever told you that the PWG was less reliable than an EWG was just trying to sell you a newer car lol..

Me and my friend were having a talk about EWG and he said it was more bang for your buck. I also wanted a later model.

[BeastMode335i]

Originally Posted by 435i_Phil

Me and my friend were having a talk about EWG and he said it was more bang for your buck. I also wanted a later model.

The differences are marginal, but if you wanted the newer model then yes, you chose the right one. I'm a very DIY oriented person, so the turbo thing didn't bother me. I can never leave things stock so I knew it was a matter of time before a PS2 turbo ended up in my engine bay lol. =)

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

The differences are marginal, but if you wanted the newer model then yes, you chose the right one. I'm a very DIY oriented person, so the turbo thing didn't bother me. I can never leave things stock so I knew it was a matter of time before a PS2 turbo ended up in my engine bay lol. =)

If I ever go big turbo, it's gonna be SpeedTech's kit that has the Borg Warner EFR turbo. I can never not "go big or go home." IT'S A DISEASE.

[BeastMode335i]

Originally Posted by 435i_Phil

If I ever go big turbo, it's gonna be SpeedTech's kit that has the Borg Warner EFR turbo. I can never not "go big or go home." IT'S A DISEASE.

Agree! I use my f30 as my DD, so I'm only shooting for 450-500 range. I'm shopping around for an E90 M3 6MT to go full racecar with lol...

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

Agree! I use my f30 as my DD, so I'm only shooting for 450-500 range. I'm shopping around for an E90 M3 6MT to go full racecar with lol...

E90's seem to have what I call "the legacy price tag," they're still kinda high, especially the 335is. My Honda is my daily. No where near as fun to drive.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by 435i_Phil

I won't be keeping the stock downpipe but I was told that the turbo is bigger.

The turbo on an N55 EWG is absolutely larger than the turbo on the earlier N55 PWG. If you call Pure Turbos to discuss upgrade possibilities they will tell you that the N55 EWG turbo is roughly the size of their N55 Pure Stage1. They will tell you to get Pure Stage2 to see an improvement. They said that an N55 PWG will benefit from a Pure Stage1 upgrade since the stock PWG turbo is smaller