Generic 2.7i build for boost in progress

[Steve o 77]

Hello all,

Just creating a thread where I can ask random questions and maybe help someone in the future with this process.

I bought this 1988 SETA motor from a local doing an LS swap for $200. The plan is new bearings, seals, rings, oring'd block with stainless wire, elring Head gasket, bimmerheads head with welded coolant jackets,280/274 dual pattern regrind cam, I intake manifold, 60lb injectors and the famous kinugawa TD06SL2-20G on a goodntight manifold.

I don't have any pics of it all together but we all know what a filthy M20 looks like right?

Head off:


Head was trash






Valve ding on piston number 1



Anyway I got the motor torn down


Looking good!


Why bmw? Why? Slotted screws have no place in this world.




Block ready for the machine shop



Cleaning the Pistons was an incredible amount of work. I drove out the wrist pins and soaked the Pistons overnight in some Autozone chem dip stuff, then used a piece of old ring to clean the carbon out.







Took care of that valve ding






While waiting on the machine shop I got the intercooler installed




And wired up the wasted spark gm module


Then this baby showed up. Awwwww yeeaaahhh!!!



Finally got the block back


Fresh hone and he also cut the oring grooves with the boring bar. They're beautiful.







Mains were a bit on the loose side but in spec...








And that's where I'm at now. Waiting on a piston ring compressor to wrap up the rotating assembly. Also waiting on the head and crank scraper.

Stay tuned.

[Kershaw]

No, you stay tuned. And by you, I mean your motor.

[Steve o 77]

[Steve o 77]

Got the rotating assembly all wrapped up. All the bearings measured .0018"ish.

Ring compressor was a PITA but it works.









Now the waiting game. Head should hopefully get here within a couple weeks.

[Tonybeemer]

Very interested I'll be doing the same exact setup soon .. But with a hx35 .. Can't wait to see how this monster comes out

[Steve o 77]

Me either. I'm getting all antsy waiting for parts. Definitely want it running for the start of auto x season which I think is doable.

[ahrensNW]

Uhm.... what's all that white stuff on your wasted spark module? Lol, build looks sweet man.

[Steve o 77]

Uhm.... what's all that white stuff on your wasted spark module? Lol, build looks sweet man.

I LOVE wasted spark, get off me bro. Lol

No it's some rtv stuff I found at work, figured it might help prevent corrosion under the cover.

So I just got this in the mail from a fellow member.






Also just ordered a MSPNP from kamotors that'll be pre wired for wasted spark and have a tune that should get the car started.

[88BlackS-ETA]

Damn, nice going. That manifold looks good. Im doing a turbo setup with a HX35W and it will only have a head build but the bottom end is also from a 2.7L SETA and that will be stock. I'll be using a billet 272 cam, hd rockers, stainless steel valves and new OEM double valve springs.

Anyone know what all is involved for wasted spark? Im thinking of running stock cap and rotor and coil.

[Tonybeemer]

I got the same manifold hold up my hx35 is that a good n tight manifold .., I build my ms myself and running car and rotor for now .., wanna go wasted spark soon too ., just need to solder a few drivers on the ms board

[Steve o 77]

Yeah good n tight manifold.

Wasted spark is pretty simple, you need to make some minor mods to the megasquirt then go to the pick n pull and find any pile of garbage gm v6 car and get the coil pack module (the thing the coils bolt to). I got mine from some POS Pontiac with the 3800 v6. Then you just rip out all the electronics and wire it up like my picture.

[Steve o 77]

small victory today, got the stainless wire laid in the block, what a PITA that was.







Also got some artsy fartsy pics off my DSLR



















Also picked up my long time dream tool, a TIG welder. So excited to put it to use on the exhaust and intercooler piping.

[Steve o 77]

Small progress today, still waiting on the head so I can't do any of the fun stuff yet.

Anyway I practiced a whole bunch of aluminum tig trying to get myself up to a level where I can weld up my intercooler piping. After a bunch of frustration I think I'm getting the hang of it. It's not pretty but it'll work.

Some of my practice:





First actual pipe that's going on the car



I don't have a bead roller for the end so I improvised by laying a hideous weld down instead





Also got the freeze plugs installed. I used "the right stuff" to seal them.





And got my turbo oil feed/oil pressure gauge stuff figured out.

It's an M12x1.5 to -4an converter attached to a special fitting made to install a fuel pressure gauge but it so happens to be perfect for this. It's got -4an connections on each side with a hole tapped to 1/8npt in the side.





That's it for now. Head should be here this week so the fun should begin shortly.

[TobyB]

You're going this far- why not new pistons?

t

[digger]

and why not a freshly machined block for better HG seal?