New guy :)

[Null]

Hey guys, I just recently found this site and have started reading it and it really has sparked my interest in having a turbo E30. I used to post at the old E30sport.net (I see a lot of old members are here and its cool to see you all). I currently own a '94 325i that I am planning on selling and with the money I am going to buy an E30. I owned an E30 before, but it was a crappy '84 325e, so this time I'm going for a 89-91 325i(s), manual of course with 2 doors. Anyways, I've been doing several searches on turbo conversions and have learned a lot but I still have several questions.


First of all, how much money should I be expecting to pay for the whole turbo install and setup (I will be having a shop do the work because I really don't have the skill to do it myself) I am shooting for 275-300 wheel hp.

Second, where can I find a parts list for everything I need or a really good write up with complete instructions (with pics) and everything for doing this project (to have as a reference if I was to have a shop do it)

Third, should I stroke the engine beforehand or just go with the regular M20B25 engine and turbo that?

Fourth. should I rebuild the engine (the E30 I'm looking at has 144k miles) before I do the turbo or during it or what?

Fifth, how fast should I expect the car to be, I hoping for 13's in the quater mile and 0-60 in around 5 secs.

Thanks for all of your help guys!! I greatly appreciate it!

Null

[riverdale21]

Lot of questions here. Where to start. A good start is to really utilize the search tab. From what I was reading in this forum expect to see about $3000 or so set aside for all the hardparts and labor at least. Look into good fabricators in your area for something like this. Also read all you can. Do the research, do it right the first time so you wont have to fix things later.

TURBO SIZING IS CRUTIAL. Make sure when you buy a turbo that it is either new or has no shaft play. Getting the correct size turbo will help give you a comfortable daily driver dont try to be an internet hero and go for a certain number. Just build a turbo that will work for you and be liveable and have a broad tractable power band

[riverdale21]

Sorry, computer messed up. As I was going to say. Engine management is also very key. From what I have read on this forum people usually go with either Megasquirt or SMT-6's. You can purchase the latter from Gstuning.net. From what I gather the stock ignition system is sufficient for a boosted M20.

You dont really need to get a stroker motor but it may help with a little bit of the low down torque if you really wanted to.

If you were really going to get 275-300 rwhp you may see around mid 13 sec 1/4 mile passes. But like I said earlier shoot for something that you can live with on the street not just a dyno queen that is way too peaky just to produce some high number.

All in all do tons of research, plan the parts build, and find a good fabricator. Check local speed shops and ask them who they recommend. Any speedshops can recommend a fabricator not just BMW specific.