$1000 Sedan - Turbo Build - SOLD

[iso_hi]

Wait wait wait, you moved from the Central Valley to Casa Grande, AZ? We moved from Modesto to Phoenix. There is a great E30 group here in the valley. We should meet up!

Yes sir! Lmk next time you guys meet, ill prob come out in my Focus for now but def wanna get to know some local E30 peeps.

No progress since last update. My parents came out to visit for Lucid Family Day and to check out my new place. I’ll continue work on the e30 next Wednesday. Oh and something kinda special may be coming up.

[iso_hi]

Ok some new updates.



I got most of the front removed including the coolant and radiator. My wife also left for vacation for a week so I’m pretty excited about being able to dedicate most of my time to the e30.



Still need some parts for my manual swap. Didn’t realize how much they have gone up in price but I was able to get the pedals for under $100 on eBay.



And last but not least, I made space in my garage for something. I also scored an old used Craftsman toolbox for $40. Perfect for my small tool collection.



New post tomorrow hopefully.

[iso_hi]

So I was supposed to pick up an e34 535i to use as a donor. There was barely any pictures in the post. When I got there it was filthy inside and out. It was definitely only good for the m30. But it had all flats and when I requested my AAA truck I forgot to ask for a flatbed. It was on a Sunday about an hour away in Phoenix on my only day off. So I just went back home and took the L since I had other things to do(couldn't get an eta on the flatbed).



For now I'm just going to focus on removing the m20 and refreshing the subframes. Today I removed all the accessories from the engine, the exhaust shield, and used penetrant spray on the engine mounts/driveshaft/axels to make it easier to remove tomorrow.

I'm going to buy an engine stand and hoist on Black Friday since it's so close might as well wait for some savings.

[laidback93]

Yes sir! Lmk next time you guys meet, ill prob come out in my Focus for now but def wanna get to know some local E30 peeps.

No progress since last update. My parents came out to visit for Lucid Family Day and to check out my new place. I’ll continue work on the e30 next Wednesday. Oh and something kinda special may be coming up.

Congrats on the progress!

Regarding meet ups, I guess we missed several of them last weekend. I wasn't feeling that great so we stayed home.

Are you on Facebook? That's the best way to keep in touch with the local enthusiasts.

[McGyver]

Holy shit, big changes from my last post when you were fighting "Check Engine" light problems for smog.

Sorry to hear about the 2.7, does that mean you're going to m30b35 swap it? I had a b35 in my convertible and the torque was insanely fun, I loved it! Now that I think back on it, I feel like I need to do it again...

[iso_hi]

Holy shit, big changes from my last post when you were fighting "Check Engine" light problems for smog.

Sorry to hear about the 2.7, does that mean you're going to m30b35 swap it? I had a b35 in my convertible and the torque was insanely fun, I loved it! Now that I think back on it, I feel like I need to do it again...

I ended up not getting the 535, it was filthy and I noticed the harness was ripped in multiple places.

I'm going to turbo the m20 after I complete my manual swap. So far I have the g260, pedals, and driveshaft. I'll be pulling out the m20/tranny soon to go over some seals and clean up the bay. Maybe find an I head.

Id love another M30 but I dont think I want to deal with bashing the firewall. Plus if I stick with the m20 I can always swap in an I engine later and still keep the turbo parts.

[iso_hi]

Some new updates. Finally got a decent used workbench so I no longer have to work on the floor. Hoping to paint the garage soon once I get some additional storage in my backyard.



Also building my first bike. So here are some parts I've been scrounging to build that tan frame on the wall on the first pic.



And last but not least, decided to tackle the rest of the engine removal after my 12 hour shift. I just had to disconnect the fuel lines and put the harness through the firewall.



Next I'll unbolt the auto transmission and put the engine on a stand to go over some seals/hoses. I'm going to try to get a steam cleaner for the engine bay. I'll probably be removing power steering on this car also but keeping AC because Arizona. I just got my manual driveshaft in the mail so I need a clutch kit/flywheel/shifter to complete the manual swap.

[AWDBOB]

I like the M20 turbo plan. Good time to decide on that, as you can put a proper clutch in when doing the manual swap.

As far as turbo bits go, there is a company making Twin Scroll T3 log manifolds that will spool very well, and they're doing an initial run discount:

https://e28goodies.com/product/m20-t3-twin-scroll-turbo-manifold-cast-iron/

[iso_hi]

I like the M20 turbo plan. Good time to decide on that, as you can put a proper clutch in when doing the manual swap.

As far as turbo bits go, there is a company making Twin Scroll T3 log manifolds that will spool very well, and they're doing an initial run discount:

https://e28goodies.com/product/m20-t...old-cast-iron/

Wow I'm digging that manifold. Might have to preorder if the rest of the month goes as planned.

Pushed the car out of the garage a bit to clean up the engine bay.



The wife picked up a new Camry on the weekend. We had originally picked out a 2011 328i with the N51 but it was leaking from the vcg upon delivery. Didn't feel like having two project cars so decided to get something new.



I just used degreaser and my pressure washer for the engine bay. No scrubbing. It turned out great and got most of the grime off. Just look at that steering rack. Every e30 I've owned has had a black steering rack from oil.



Last but not least, I unbolted the transmission from the engine. Today I'll mount the engine on to the stand and start refreshing it while I collect more manual/turbo parts.

[iso_hi]

Took me longer than I thought to mount the engine to the stand due to going back to California for Xmas and not having the correct bolts for the stand.

Today I went to Lowe's a couple times to get the correct M12 x 1.75 bolts since the transmission ones were too short to use. The first set I got were too long and I got it right the second time.



After mounting it to the stand I removed the engine harness and manifolds after letting the nuts sit with penetrant spray for a while. First time I get them all out without pulling out a stud. Tomorrow I will pressure wash it and start removing more parts.



And McGyver sent me an e36 tps adapter for my turbo build since I'll be going the MSII route. Thanks again man!

[iso_hi]

Early on Saturday I got the M20 on the driveway to pressure wash it. Tidy enough for now.



Valve cover off. Everything looking ok.



Head off. Gasket had no rips. In hindsight I should have just finished the manual swap and driven the car.



Everything is looking good and coming off easily.



Any ideas on what to do about this? Tried chiseling it off but it’s on there pretty good.



Will be redoing the seals on most of the engine, ARP studs, and hopefully find a 885 head locally. Progress will probably be slow from this point since I dont want to buy everything in one go. Happy New Year everyone.

[McGyver]

Head off. Gasket had no rips. In hindsight I should have just finished the manual swap and driven the car.

...

Any ideas on what to do about this? Tried chiseling it off but it’s on there pretty good.

Yeah, but where's the fun in not taking on a massive project?!?

For the oil pan, use a flap disk or a roloc sanding disk to sand the JB Weld away until you have clean metal. Then use a large tooth carbide bit (to avoid clogging it) to v-groove the cracks to remove the rest of the epoxy. Then weld it up!

[iso_hi]

Yeah, but where's the fun in not taking on a massive project?!?

Very true. I got a recommendation from tyeler18 for a local machine shop and they resurfaced my head/hot tanked my intake manifold/valve cover for super cheap. In a day also.



My head gasket kit should be here this weekend also. I was really hoping to get some ARP studs but seems like every place is sold out until March. So I'll probably wait til then to put everything back together. I'll probably buy the turbo manifold AWDBOB linked but that also doesn't deliver til March.



In the meantime, back to collecting manual swap parts.

[iso_hi]

So... kind of stuck on what to do next. The turbo manifold and ARP studs I need can't be delivered until March/April.

Should I install the head with new regular bolts, complete the manual swap, and drive the car as I save the turbo parts?

Or just work on other areas of the car as I gather the parts I need for the turbo build?



I've also been debating on painting the engine. It would be nice to clean it up now that it's out of the car but I do not like respraying metal in silver. And there's a chance I'll swap the head for a 885 later.



I rested the parts on each other to get an idea of what it's looking like. I think it's amazing when people restore these engines/parts to look like new but I dont want to make this car nice where I'll be scared to drive it.

Today I ordered the shifter assembly/selector rod. And I'm still thinking if I should order the bottom end seals now or wait. Clutch/flywheel are the major pieces I'm missing now.

[tyeler18]

Add in any hard to replace turbo parts now, put it together and drive it while you wait. Drain fittings, water fittings etc. Bolting a turbo, manifold, and intercooler are all easy to do with engine in the car so you can utilize it while you wait on the hard parts.