Engine Refresh Recommendations

[Threehz]

About to refresh the old 318is, starting the with the M42. I'm not exactly sure how in-depth I'm going to go with the actual engine yet, but I'm starting with the cooling system including the head gasket. I'm strongly considering turbo-charging the engine in the near future as well.

If I'm replacing the HG, studs, water pump, all coolant hoses, and t-stat, what other items should I consider taking care of while I'm in there?

What brands of HG and studs will handle a turbo well?

Should I look into replacing the profile gasket for the timing case? Chain tensioners?

I also have a couple of stripped valve cover threads I want to fix. Are helicoils the best solution for this? I know someone was thinking of making a kit some time ago..

Thanks

[roguetoaster]

Essential:

Timing components, all of them (if you like reliability)!
Head work, check, deck if needed (with the upper timing cover too!), stem seals, consider new lifters
Oil filter housing
Plastic coolant pipe (BMW, not URO)
Oil pan gaskets
Crank seal

Maybe:

The oil pressure/check valve.
Replace t-stat cover
Rear main
Clutch (esp if adding power)

You will be replacing the profile gasket if you remove the head. I wouldn't bother checking the blocks components unless you really want to spend some money on an M42. As far as the gasket Cometic MLS seems to make people happy, and ARP studs are the easy choice, although there are cheaper ones around which may not make them worse.

As far as the stripped VC, just ask your machinist to do it when you have the head checked, they will probably do a better job than you can at home at a reasonable cost.

[uturn]

The timing case gasket and maybe the oil pump gear while it's out. The updated oil pressure relief valve. All the above will require doing the oil pan gasket also.