E30 Turbo install begins!

[Andrew]

Well, I had enough with the performance (or lack of) of my 325e, something had to be done. Sure N/A is nice, but a full build of the engine wasnt feasable. I dont have the time, money, or expertise to do this. I decided the only way is forced induction. The replacement for displacement.

The last pic of the stock engine. Very gross.



Ripped into the front end, and it began. I had to remove the washer fluid tank in order to relocate the coolant take, which would be dangerously close to the downpipe once its installed.



The stock exhaust manifolds where a bitch to remove, but after torching the nuts, it came out. For some, I had to remove the stud b/c the nuts where horribly stuck, even after the torch.



The 524td was ported to match my exhasut ports before I got it, so that was a bonus. Mocked up, not tightened.



And finally, the turbo. Its a smaller turbo, I figured since my engine cant rev past 5500 or so, a small turbo is ideal for fast spool, with little top end, because I have no top end.





Im planning on removing the AC components, theres alot of crap in the way, especially a thick tube that runs right infront of the turbo.

Garrett Airesearch
Tail replica 46mm wastegate
524td manifold (Thanks Chris)
8:1 Powerdyne FMU
Bosch BOV
Stock motronics, stock internals
Im planning on running no more than 8psi, maybe more with stonger headbolts.

Ill be updating as soon as I make more progress.

[Defacto]

Great to see you've brought your build over here, Andrew...the addiction is starting!

[bmw95318is]

sick man cant wait to here the rest do you know how your gonna be tuning it?

[Andrew]

I hope to get a wideband O2 sensor, and AFR gauge to monitor the air/fuel ratio, and make adjustments with the wheel inside the AFM unit. If I dont get a wideband, Ill use one at a dyno and tune there, although it would be great to have one installed permenantly.

[Defacto]

Again, I really stress the importance of talking to Todd@TCD or Mark D'Sylva and having a custom chip burned for you. Not only will the car run infinitely better, and make much more power, as well as allowing you to use properly sized injectors (instead of band-aiding it with an FMU), it's also much safer. I do realize that your setup is relatively light-weight, however, it is still an important piece that you really should address. It's easy to do, not really expensive, and offers a great deal of positives.

[Andrew]

Ill take a look and see what I can find out about these chips. Thanks

[Defacto]

NP, if you need contact info for either one, send me a PM.

[Andrew]

UPDATE

Not much of an update, but its something. The AC garbage was getting in the way, and causing too much trouble, so it got the boot. Every part of the AC system in the engine bay is gone. I was wowed by the weight of the compressor, Im glad to have it out.

[Defacto]

Good move! Andrew, just please promise me that you'll pull your valve cover and intake manifold and at least bead blast them, if not powdercoat them before this project is over! You're going to be showing off your turbo setup quite a bit, don't want the engine compartment not looking the part!

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Defacto

Good move! Andrew, just please promise me that you'll pull your valve cover and intake manifold and at least bead blast them, if not powdercoat them before this project is over! You're going to be showing off your turbo setup quite a bit, don't want the engine compartment not looking the part!

Absolutely. I wanted to do that last night, but decided to get what had to be done taken care of. Once I have some free time and other major compoments set they're coming off. I cringe everytime I look in there.

[Andrew]

Yes, stock internals, I dont really want to go over 8psi for now, since it is stock. The compression of the e I believe is lower than a 325i, but Im not sure about the M10 or M42.

[Andrew]

Quick update, ot really turbo related. Everyone has been hastling me about the valve cover and how shitty it was, so this should shut everyone up. lol

I sandblasted the original cover, got some high temp paint, then sanded the ribs. I think it looks darn good for a DIY. The intake manifold it next.





On the car

[gadza]

post more images, i want to install a turbo too, so i m interesting in "how to do that". Thanks

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by gadza

post more images, i want to install a turbo too, so i m interesting in "how to do that". Thanks

Sorry mang, the cars long gone (sold). Shoot over to e30tech.com, they have a very good FI forum for e30s.

[costas14]

did you ever finish or did you just dump it onto somebody else