M40 Budget Turbo / Megasquirt / Electrics Questions

[Max399]

Hello guys,

I know what you're thinking, yet another stupid M40 thread that is never going to get boosted but will have a lot of questions..

I know it, i've used search and read everything :)

Ok, so i have a M40B18 the weak M20 brother (sister?), and i have to stick to it since some stupid local laws that prevent me from swaping it to an M50.

So while im at it i might aswell boost it.

Basic plan is to use as much BMW parts as possible, since here (Europe, Lithuania) we do not have many GM parts, but have lots of E30/E34/E36/E39/E46 partouts.

For the basic setup i planned on using a TD04 from a E34 325tds diesel engine. Small turbo, spools quickly, perfect for basic low boost setup and really cheap here (~35$ for a used working one, lol). The plan is to use the stock ECU for the time being and have ~0.4-0.5 Bar of boost on stock components with no intercooler setup and no ECU touching. AFM blow-throug setup.
This would be a cheap setup, since all it needs is an exhaust manifold, turbo some vacuum lines and a downpipe. It wont make a lot of power but on the poor M40 it will be pretty good. And the ECU wont need touching since it will correct the fuel up to 0.5 Bar.

With this part everything seems to be ok and i dont really have any quesitons (Lol, what am i doing here then?).

Later after that is done, the plan would be to upgrade to Megasquirt and a Wideband O2.
For the WB im looking at 14point7 WB controller with a Bosch LSU4.9 (Total cost is lower than 100$). Cheap and from the reviews really good product.
And ofcourse Megasquirt. This is the part where im lost. Which version would suite the engine the most? I do want to cotorl fuel and spark, so the optimal decision would be to use MS2 V3, but maybe i should get a MicroSquirt? Maybe MS1 V3 would be enough for the M40? I dont know.
I would like to convert to M43/44 Coil pack later so i can get rid of the Distributor, so i dont really know how much of what the MS has to have to make it all work

After i have the proper engine management i would definately up the boost. Goal would be to have somewhere near 1 Bar of boost (1.3 Bar maybe?), but its going to take a while to get there.

I've been looking at M10/M42 Turbo projects for a long time, since both are more less the same, but the more i look the more lost i get , lol.
The setup is for a daily driver so its would be to just make it more fun :)
No trackdays (We do have one track only here, and its 300km's away from me ...)

Any help would be appreciated.

P.S: Will have an exhaust manifold and turbo flange laser cut in a few weeks. Current stage is gathering parts :)

Max.

[Max399]

Got the turbo i will be using. Stock E34 525tds turbo.
Garrett TB2514





Will it be ok for the 4-cil M40? :)

[varg]

So you have some stupid laws preventing a 6 cylinder swap, but do they prevent you from swapping in a stronger 4 cylinder (M10 or 42) and turbocharging it? From what I've read, the M40 is a real dead end for modding unless you do a lot of work to it, might be cheaper to put in a more robust I4.

That turbo is really small, as you said, should spool fast and give you some extra torque and power, but not a lot.

[Max399]

So you have some stupid laws preventing a 6 cylinder swap, but do they prevent you from swapping in a stronger 4 cylinder (M10 or 42) and turbocharging it? From what I've read, the M40 is a real dead end for modding unless you do a lot of work to it, might be cheaper to put in a more robust I4.

That turbo is really small, as you said, should spool fast and give you some extra torque and power, but not a lot.

Technically it could be done, but its rally a pain in the ass to do, since you the inspection guys will have to check if everything was done correctly and still will find things they wont like.

As far as it goes, M40 is not that bad. Belt driven like the M20, low compression ratio - 8.8:1 which is perfectly suited for a turbo, so i wont have to change any internals for the time being. It's dirt cheap, i mean, if this one blows, replacement is like 50$.

For the price of a swap i can do a turbo :) Which is really more fun :)

Since the engine originally has 83kW, my aim would be to have something around 110-120kW which i think the turbo is capable of doing flawlessly.

And if not - the turbo can be upgraded later, lots of cars use same mounting holes, Audi, Volkswagen etc.. I mean i got that turbo for 10$, lol.

Also, i have a question regarding the 14point7 SLC OEM product, is the narrowband output it provides compatible with the Motronic 1.3?

Thank you,
Max.

[Max399]

One more pic of the Turbo's cold side:

[varg]

120kw? Definitely doable. You're going to want more eventually, we all do! I'll probably get to 225wkw one of these days and want more soon after.

Also, i have a question regarding the 14point7 SLC OEM product, is the narrowband output it provides compatible with the Motronic 1.3?

Not sure. If it's a true simulated narrowband output it should be universal. I'd e-mail Alan at 14point7 or check the forum to find out. I'm using an SLC gauge in my car and I'm happy with it.

[Max399]

Ofcourse il want more, lol. Turbo is like a tattoo, you won't stop till all your body is tattooed.
But i hope that 120kW will keep me entertained for a while :)

Regarding 14point7 i guess i will email and ask if it's plug and play compatible :)

Max.

[econti]

I think you may find the turbo is a little too small for your purposes

[Max399]

I could upgrade it later, you see the problem is that turbo is also illegal, just as a swap, but it can be hidden, if you give the inspection guys a little bribe :D

Also the good part is that this turbo will fit on a bottom mount manifold :)