I figured the dme was different, but still curious why the 4.6 is "easy". What would you suggest for a base turbo tune? Who would supply the tune? What would you think the cost?

I know a tune is out there somewhere, else there would be no SC tunes... but we both know the tune would be different for a turbo, and once you've got a base tune..it'd need to be tweaked for power. So even if you bought one 'off the shelf' who could you get to tweak the code on the dyno? No one around here for sure.

Yeah.. the Univ of Akron is really taking over downtown, and the new stadium is pretty nice. I finished up all my graduate engineering work there.

Different manufacturer for the DMEs.

I've built a lot of these cars. And I can tell you, (even with doing everything yourself minus tuning) you will be well over $20k to get a job like this done.

It'd be cheaper to build a nitrous setup. But longevity and power will not be on target for what your'e thinking.

These cars are different in every possible way from the ease of American tuning (less the new TT cars).

Think $3k+ in tuning alone. I just had a E46M done and it was north of that mark.

Good luck, but it won't be easy without $$$

while not cheap i feel that 10k would get it done....

e46m is the same dme as the 4.8 while the 4.6 is much easier to tweek....
tons of people can tune this...
i spoke to evo and ess.....both said to plan 1500 for a full remap.

so that that 1500
1500 turbo
800 injectore
1500 for maf/wg/bo
2000 in SS for headers/charge pipe/exhaust
350 fuel pump
1500 air to water IC

$9150 ish and change.......like i said i have this already plotted /planned out....just not moving forward with the project. this is all DIY so pricing may vary.

Here is my 2002 4.6 model. It is up for sale incase someone is interested.

I have had 4 4.6is's and will never sell the one I have currently. I had a Dinan stage 2 and a stage 3 supercharged. My S2 was ALWAYS faster than the S3. That was due to throttle response and the fact that the S3 had less power until the last 4 to 5 hundred to its recline. My current 4.6is is basically another S2 with a modified Dinan air intake. It has an Eisemann exhaust and stage 3 or 4 Dinan engine software. Like you, I wanted more power without sacrificing the engines fantastic response and drivability. The awncer was to build a Nitrous system for it. I have jets that provide 120 extra hp, but you can use smaller jets if you don't want that much. It is super smooth when it comes on at full throttle, but don't give it full throttle with 5he system activated below 2,000rpm. I have 2 ten lb. bottles located where the spare tire used to be. Looking at it, you would never know it's there. That is by far the way to go. My X5 4.6is is quite fast now with around 520hp that is instant like an electric car. There has been no troubles whatsoever in the last 4 years since the instal, and I use it as my daily driver. Message me if you want more info...