Project Just the Tip: E30 M30B34/5 VNT Turbo Vert

[HappyPuppy]

Engine Update
With the crankshaft installed, I had finally come a point I have been dreading...sandblasting the tops of my brand-new forged pistons

No going back now.

After cleaning and masking, it was time for the Piston Coat. Cook for 20 minutes at 175 degrees, then 300 degrees at 60 minutes, allow to cool and...

Gearhead muffins!

A little more cleaning and taping, and a light coat of Microfilm Lubricant painted on for good measure.

Looks almost like the product of skilled labor ;)

Time to break out the rods! I used wooden blocks to gently press the pins in with my vise, then (eventually) managed to install the retaining clips--occasionally after some swearing and a frantic search for a pin that had broken free and achieved orbital velocity...

[Anthony B]

Damn you & your m30 turbo ideas...

I've now found myself piecing out a turbo build for my car.

The coating work you're putting in is looking great, I would have been so hesitant to sand blast the new pistons but the result looks well worth it

[HappyPuppy]

It gets addicting, doesn't it ;) Wait until I get to the turbo! I read the most wonderful article about ceramic coating the inside of the compressor housing....and the impeller ;D

An "a la carte" turbo system is the way to go if you enjoy tinkering. I originally bought a complete vintage CarTech turbo kit, but the only thing I'm actually using out of it is the exhaust manifold.

I was terrified about sandblasting them! It's taken me months to work up the courage I just hope the Cerakote stuff is as good as the reviews say...

[HappyPuppy]

Engine Update










And there you have it! After all the measurements, stressful moments, and occasional panic...it turned out better than expected :D

So, for all those other Victor Frankenstiens out there, know this:
M30B34 crank
+
M30B34 block
+
CX Racing "S38" rods
+
Wiseco Mitsubishi 3000GT turbo forged pistons
+
Glyco S38 standard rod bearings
=
Zero Deck Block/Piston Setup!!!

[CorvallisBMW]

Damn, that worked out well!

[HappyPuppy]

CorvallisBMW: No one is more surprised by that than me. I generally expect most things I do to play out like an R-rated gearhead version of Scrat the squirrel.

Anywho...

Interior Update

With the harness inside the passenger compartment buttoned up, it was time to tackle the instrument cluster. Turns out, Batteries Plus found an exact match for the lithium batteries powering the SI board--including the welded-on tabs! 20 bucks and a week later, they were at my doorstep. Since I am no soldering wizard (actually more like the Sorcerer's Apprentice than anything ;)), I found a company that put them on the board for me.

A few screws, and a bit of cleaning...and


Meanwhile, I decided to get the trunk into better shape.

It has been low on my priority list...but the carpeting has been getting in the way recently. In the process, I decided to go ahead and build the new subwoofer "box"


I wish I could claim credit for this idea, but my brother was the one who led the way on this. He (like most vert owners) was tired of the trunk being taken up by the box--not to mention the agony if you ever have to get to the spare tire! His setup was very similar, and it worked surprisingly well. I made a few improvements, and I am going to track down some cheap free-air subs. I'm hoping they will help even more...the tight cone suspension will definitely help longevity!

Engine Addendum

I forgot to do this earlier, but I wanted to say thanks to Frank and the rest of the team at New-Part. He was nice, helpful, and a fellow German car enthusiast. His company has the absolute lowest price on Glyco S38 rod bearings--even cheaper than eBay! A word of caution: they sell Glyco per box, and it's <2> bearing halves in a box.

On a side note, anyone need some S38 rod bearings for cheap? I have almost a full set ;D M30 ones as well, thanks to initially having the dumb when I first ordered my bearings

[papito]

Basora...

Sweet I cant wait to see it ready...

[evoDRichie]

I'm curious what the compression ratio is with this set up?
Also what was the final price on the internals. I'm currently building a b34 block too. This may be a path I take!

[CorvallisBMW]

I know it's been a while since this thread was updated, but how does that Z3M radiator fit?