M20 Turbo build questions

[beggs]

So I'm doing a turbo build on a 1987 325is. My power goal is around 400-500 and this will be my daily. The products I'm going to buy are:

VAC - M20 'Pro Series' Turbo Build Kit

https://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac---m20-pro-series-turbo-build-kit-p243.aspx

and the Kamotors Canyon Crusher Kit

http://www.neuemotorsports.com/store/canyon-crusher-turbo-kit

For a cams, would you reccommend replacing at all? I had my eye on the Vac motorsports turbo cam.: https://store.vacmotorsports.com/bmw...px?Thread=True

And another question is would you recommend me get a shop to o-ring the block? I wasn't planning on it but if this is a MUST then I will.

If you recommend ANY products please tell me! Anything helps! Thanks.

[ak-]

Is your power goal 500hp in an e30 or 500hp in an m20 powered e30?

For the money you're about to drop, I would swap in a stock m52 and turbo that to hit 500hp casually than gamble the m20 like that.
You're still thousands away from getting it running even with the plan you listed.

If you're stuck on the m20, I reccomend getting your head built with Bimmerheads along with an O-ring'd block which they can take care of as well.
Source your own parts to save the expense of kits you're thinking about buying.

[beggs]

I'd like to stick to the M20. If I bought something similar to this it would be able to support my power goals without a hiccup?

http://www.bimmerheads.com/catalog/m20-super-sport-885-cylinder-head/

Anything else you recommend on doing?
Thanks for the info!

[nomansland92]

Personally I would suggest the MLS over any o ring job. If the MLS is installed correctly it won't leak and it will all the power you can throw at it. You might want to consider a forged crank, just a suggestion though. Also e85 or meth injection is something to consider unless you just want a bigger turbo with more lag. And of course a stand alone ecu is a must.
Good luck

[Dylanhat]

I'd personally run a Bimmerheads regrind or billet cam.

[beggs]

So I've done research and figured out what I want.
I'm really wanting the best quality parts for a daily. I'm not going to do any special fuels like E85 or Methanol Injection yet. For this I'm trying to keep it under 20k with the car being priced at 4500. If you recommend anything please say so! Anything Helps!
Below are the parts list:

Canyon CrusherTurbo Kit By Kamotors
M20 performance engine by Vac Motorsports
Manual boost controller by Grimmspeed
Bosch Spark plugs
K&N Air Intake
Fuel pump
Magnaflow exhaust(Maybe, might ask custom fabricators to straight pipe to save 600 bucks)
Tune by Cryotune
Custom exhaust work
AEM AFR gauge
TRU Boost gauge
AEM EGT Gauge
Wilwood Stage 2 Brakes

[LowR3V'in]

500hp in a daily it'll be a short life.

[beggs]

Well since winter is coming I'll do a conservative tune low 400's or high 300's, then once summer hits I'll do higher.

[BMWManiac]

500hp in a daily it'll be a short life.

I daily the M3 with 650....been boosted since 2005

[BMWManiac]

Personally I would suggest the MLS over any o ring job. If the MLS is installed correctly it won't leak and it will all the power you can throw at it. You might want to consider a forged crank, just a suggestion though. Also e85 or meth injection is something to consider unless you just want a bigger turbo with more lag. And of course a stand alone ecu is a must.
Good luck

And I could not respectfully disagree with you more.....I've had two different shops (TRM being 1 of them) and myself install a MLS headgasket and all 3 x times, they eventually leaked......

Now, the motors in both my BMWs have o-ring'd blocks......that is a must for FI in my opinion.

[ak-]

So I've done research and figured out what I want.
I'm really wanting the best quality parts for a daily. I'm not going to do any special fuels like E85 or Methanol Injection yet. For this I'm trying to keep it under 20k with the car being priced at 4500. If you recommend anything please say so! Anything Helps!
Below are the parts list:

Canyon CrusherTurbo Kit By Kamotors
M20 performance engine by Vac Motorsports
Manual boost controller by Grimmspeed
Bosch Spark plugs
K&N Air Intake
Fuel pump
Magnaflow exhaust(Maybe, might ask custom fabricators to straight pipe to save 600 bucks)
Tune by Cryotune
Custom exhaust work
AEM AFR gauge
TRU Boost gauge
AEM EGT Gauge
Wilwood Stage 2 Brakes

With a $15k budget I would ditch the overpriced VAC built M20 and have Bimmerheads built it with the same, if not better, internal components and add a half liter at the same time.
Have you seen FLG's turbo m20? LOL.

500hp in a daily it'll be a short life.

true chainz

I daily the M3 with 650....been boosted since 2005

Your M3 wasn't a single cam 170hp motor to start with though. 650 is casual power nowadays for turbo 24v BMW motors.

And I could not respectfully disagree with you more.....I've had two different shops (TRM being 1 of them) and myself install a MLS headgasket and all 3 x times, they eventually leaked......

Now, the motors in both my BMWs have o-ring'd blocks......that is a must for FI in my opinion.

I agree with this however. Same story with 2 close friends.

[nomansland92]

And I could not respectfully disagree with you more.....I've had two different shops (TRM being 1 of them) and myself install a MLS headgasket and all 3 x times, they eventually leaked......

Now, the motors in both my BMWs have o-ring'd blocks......that is a must for FI in my opinion.

Did you take the rivits out of them and coat each layer with copper spray. That's they way my builder tought me at least, been holding so far. But whenever gets the job done works you can't complain haha

[BMWManiac]

Did you take the rivits out of them and coat each layer with copper spray. That's they way my builder tought me at least, been holding so far. But whenever gets the job done works you can't complain haha

Nope, but I use copper spray on my e30 as well. Exactly, if it has worked for you, great, but I've given MLS too many opportunities

[OOMPH!]

With a $15k budget I would ditch the overpriced VAC built M20 and have Bimmerheads built it with the same, if not better, internal components and add a half liter at the same time.
Have you seen FLG's turbo m20? LOL.

I agree, stay away from VAC. Everything and anything to do with VAC, stay away.