Supercharged 332ti starting problem
 

I have a '96 318ti with a '97 M3 motor (built by a shop in Jacksonville, FL). Engine mods include a M50 manifold, cats removed, Shrick cams and Turner Stage 3.

A local BMW shop installed an Active Autowerke supercharger (thus replacing the Turner Stage 3 stuff). The car runs very strong--except when I shut it off, it won't restart.

We discovered, when checking fuel pressures, that if we cut power to the fuel pump, it starts! By watching the gauge, we see that the engine cranks for a few seconds until fuel pressure at the fuel rail drops to 20 psi, and then it starts. So now I have a switch to turn off the fuel pump and I'm getting by.

But I'd sure like to make it right. Before the supercharger, the car ran like a clock.

We've been working with the Active Aerowerkes experts, and their opinion is that it's something very simple--like something is mis-plumbed--but nobody can figure it out. We wonder if there's something different between 318ti and E36 fuel plumbing that could be causing this. Or if the M50 intake manifold is different from the E36 manifold the supercharger is designed for.

Here's some data:
45 psi at the fuel pump and fuel rail.
New fuel pump installed per Mike Miller's suggestion.
Seems to run rich.
82000 miles on M3 motor

Any ideas? Is there anybody in Iowa that REALLY knows BMWs?

Where is the fuel pressure regulator located after the swap?

I'm pretty sure the '96 M44 had the FPR located on the fuel rail while the '97 M3 had the FPR located under the driver seat. Was the M3 FPR added when you did the swap?

The FPR is under the driver seat. We have a new one, but haven't put it in yet.
We were wondering about all the goofy plumbing under there.
Don't forget--the car ran fine for 6 years BEFORE the supercharger.