$1000 Sedan - Turbo Build - SOLD

[McGyver]

iso_hi, what'd it hit? The AC line or the frame rail?

[jacobthegoat]

Dang that’s a shame it didn’t fit. I have the same manifold and planned on doing HX35W, though I’m in an e28 so I’m curious if it would fit in my car.

[iso_hi]

Yesterday I bolted up the clutch/flywheel to the engine and mated the transmission.



This morning after work I dropped it in.



Some bad news, the turbo didn't fit. The support bar for the internal wastegate rod was in the way. So I'll have to get a smaller turbo and probably go the external wastegate route.

[Northern]

As a future upgrade, I would recommend a 120 degree AN fitting for the turbo oil feed line.

I had a different take on this, I want to basically keep the CHRA oil ports vertical and get either an offset drain fitting, or an extended drain fitting to let it clear the flange.

Although I imagine there are big differences in how much clearance you get with different turbos/manifolds. (And there's no reason not to have both - I don't like the oil feed laying across my engine, but it's too short to route down around the front)

[McGyver]

The overwhelming thing about MegaSquirt is that there is always a way to do anything, but the best way is probably just to convert to a 325i setup.

If you're just tooling around without building boost, stock injectors should be fine. Keep in mind that the ECU isn't checking for boost pressure, so it isn't capable of increasing the fueling.

[iso_hi]

Yes I'll be running the stock ecu for a while as I gather all the sensors and parts to convert to full 325i. As far as I know I can't run Megasquirt with the eta setup as it has the speed reference sensors on the transmission bellhousing rather than at the crank pulley.

I won't be driving the car much, I'll just be starting it up to make sure nothing is leaking and maybe a couple light road tests to make sure the suspension is good. I just registered the car yesterday, 5 years for $70! Arizona ftw.

[McGyver]

Have you thought much about turbo size? An EFR 7163 or 7670 with that manifold would be incredible, but that’s also a $2k turbo.

The s200sx-e series seems to be a solid choice for half the price. Something like an s252 or s257.

I ended up buying an s257 for my build, unfortunately I ended up moving and have no idea when I can get to work on it again.

What injectors should I upgrade to? I'll still be running Motronic 1.1 for a while. I'll also be ordering the Intercooler once the engine is in the car.

I bought Siemens-60LB-EV1-6 injectors from tre performance, they should snap right into the original fuel rail and harness. I'm not sure how they'd work with a stock ECU. That being said, are you planning on running your stock ECU with the turbo?!?

[Panici]

As a future upgrade, I would recommend a 120 degree AN fitting for the turbo oil feed line.

[iso_hi]

Installed the feed line and received my clutch today. My next day off is on Sunday so the engine will start going back in.

[iso_hi]

Ok so a few updates. I got the 885 head on and pretty much have the entire engine put together. I ordered a cheap turbo off Amazon, a Holset HX35w replica with an internal wastegate, just to set up the oil lines and get an idea of what I'm getting myself into before getting an expensive turbo. Plus I won't be able to set-up megasquirt until I do a full 325i conversion.

This morning after work I set-up the drain line with -10AN fittings. I should have the clutch and the oil feed line later today. Then I can finally mate the transmission to the engine and put it back in the car. I also just placed an order for the master/slave cylinders and extra bits I'm missing.

What injectors should I upgrade to? I'll still be running Motronic 1.1 for a while. I'll also be ordering the Intercooler once the engine is in the car.

[Panici]

Subframe looks good, nice and fresh.

[iso_hi]

A couple new updates. A bolt broke off on the rear coolant flange and I couldn't extract it so I went a little overboard. I decided to order a 885 head yesterday. It came off a running 1991 325i. For now I'll get it resurfaced and install to check its condition before going for a full rebuild.

I also just finished up and reinstalled the refreshed front subframe. I couldn't get the ball joints out without a press so I ordered new control arms, cabs, sway bar links to go along with the repainted subframe. I'll be upgrading the struts/shocks/springs/brakes at a later time.

Before


After


Installed


Next will be the clutch kit. Soon everything will be going back in. And it's almost turbo time.

[jacobthegoat]

Love the e28 goodies manifold. I’m looking at that myself for my seta e28 turbo project. I’ll be following for more updates

[Panici]

Nice job cleaning parts up. It's time consuming but it all adds up to a clean finished product.
That water neck looks particularly rough, but it appears to have enough clamping surface left.

[iso_hi]

Been a minute since an update. Things are progressing pretty smoothly. I basically just need a turbo, a clutch kit, and a few manual swap parts and it'll be ready to go.

I'm trying to use as many original parts as I can because of cost savings. Also skipping painting most parts. Here I just cleaned up my original thermostat housing. I do need a new bleed screw as the original stripped.



Replaced my rear main seal and front crankshaft seal.


Again just cleaning as much as I can. So much easier to work on a clean engine and I'm sure this once will come out again in the future.



I repainted the front subframe, sway bar, brake shields, and water pump pulley. I need to replace the front struts and control arm ball joints before it goes back in.




I also purchased the correct ETA flywheel. And also sold my spare late-model G260.


And lastly for this update, I got a -10AN fitting welded onto the oil pan for the oil return.


I'm hoping to have more consistent updates in the coming weeks as I purchase all the parts I need.