Got bit by the turbo bug.

[Matt Cramer]

Just ran across this thread, and I noticed the notes about the parts on the connector board weren't easy to find. I've updated the assembly directions, and you can find the notes about what the items on the connector board do here:

http://diyautotune.com/diypnp/docs/diypnpb55/b55_adapter_board_assembly.html

[einstein57]

Been playing with the tunning software for the last week. Got the start up and idle going but it jerks when i'm crusing. Need to get a real TPS so i can go closed loop. Also got the rest of my 804 injectors. Debating whether or not i should have the professionally cleaned or try and save $40 and clean them myself. I'm heavilly leaning towards professional cleaning. Also received my sway bar reinforcement bracket.

[einstein57]

Got my megasquirt together. Hella 325 pictures threw me off a little since he has parts i don't have and he is not running jumpers that the write up shows. lFor example the part where it says to remove the d5 diode and jump from relay 2 in and out to connection 27 and 36. Also he has r2a and r3a connected and it never says to solder those in.

[einstein57]

Just got the DIYpnp in the mail. Trying to figure out where to get started. $500 and i don't even get a stinking 25cent instruction CD. Instead i gottah read through pages of stuff that does not apply to me. I'm starting to see the appeal of tha war chip.

[e30polak]

I'm not hating, I'm just saying that budgets should always be flexible. I went over my budget on the s52 swap, and I gave myself decent cushion room.

I'm glad that you'll be boosted before me. I want to learn MS with you, so I have a better idea of what's going on when we turbo my car. ;)

Seriously let me know when you're working on it, I want to come help you. :D

[einstein57]

Stop hating polak cause I'm going to be boosted before you. I tried zilvia but people wanted way to much for clapped out turbos. Plus i don't want to be stuck with a T2 flange. I already have the turbo taken care of which was potentially the second most expensive part behind the manifold. If i can make my manifold for $200 or less then i'm in smooth sailing. I do need acces to a TIG welder. All i have is MIG access. I picked up some misc aluminum tubing that had large nipples (giggle) so that i could use them to vent the crank case in to the turbo intake and to route the ICV. I'm going with a modified a catch can that i'm thinking about tucking under the battery tray.

Turbo stuff I have
---------------------
TCD manifold, dp, 38mm tial wastegate, Rotomaster T4 with .58 AR stage 4 exhaust, 60 trim wheel ($950)
T3 Turbo with internal wastegate ($73)
Exhaust downpipe ( one was free and one is my left over megan racing DP from my 1.8t)
Standalone engine management with boost controller and IAC ($500)
Intercooler ($120)
CXracing interooler pipes ($97)
BOV flange, Godspeed 2-2.5" elbow reducer and t-clamp (free thanks to fatboygarage.com)
e36 variable TPS ($10)
Bosch new 42lb injectors ($235)
Gauge pod ($18 )
Boost gauge ($43)
Maximum boost by Corky Bell ($26)
Metric Blue head bolts ($42)
Oil pan gasket ($6)
Pipe cutter ($14)
LC-1 ($189)
Fasturbo Oil inlet and oultet kit ($51 missing pan bung)
Custom goodridge 3 AN oil feed line ($25)
T4 oil drain flange ($10)
90 degree 10 AN slip fitting ($20)
Pan Bung ($5)
Blow off Valve ($20)
GE silicone intake elbow ($80 retail :) )
Castro Customs oil feed block and catch can (free!!!)
Valve cover vent hoses ($18)
Bosch 3330 short oil filter ($7)
Custom wrench to bolt on turbo ($5)
Vbands ($45)
Catalytic converter ($45)
Flex pipe ($28)
Exhaust hangers ($14)
3" dryer vent ($10)


Extra purchase "while i'm at it"
------------------------------
Turner Sway bar reinforcement ($134)
M3 style sway bar links ($140)
RX-7 calipers & corrado rotors ($250)
88+ almost complete cooling (everything but cap and lower elbow $80)
88+ fuel fail and injector harness ($20)
Ronal LS with 225/50/25 kumho v711 $500
ESM 002's with 215/40/16 Hankooks (I'm not telling)
M42 radiator ($167)
88+ wasserpump ($57)
GM coils for wasted spark ($27)
Sparco Sprint juniors ($135)
Vaders ($600)
M3 back seat ($250)
Leatherique ($100)
OMP 3 point harness, ($100)
Momo Wheel (traded for another Momo)
Hub ($35)
Quick release hub ($22)


Things i need to get
----------------------
Better air filter
Clutch (slipping in 4th)
Resonator or new muffler


On the fence
------------------------
Harbor Freight Tig Welder ($325)
EGT sensor
Aftermarket oil cooler and lines
O ring and welded head ($250)
Wasted spark ($100-200)

Stuff to sell and offset the budget
------------------------------------
19lb injectors (sold $75)
14lb injectors
027 AFM and bracket (sold $75)
m20 AFM bracket ( sold $20)
m20 afm
m42 harness cover
173 ECUs
Radiator (sold $30)
coolant overflow bottle
zimmerman drilled rotors and pads
New OBDII cat and IE exhaust ($400)

[lifeiskaos]

Meh, I used metric blues for my turbo m20. No complaints here.

I highly recommend you get a more appropriate sized turbo though. The volvo one is a huge butt plug.

Also, the 524td manifold won't work as a bottom mount, but it can as a top mount with some notching and porting

[e30polak]

Metric blues are not worth the money, stock head bolts are better. The new style ARPs are well worth the money. I think you will be pushing your budget limit. There are always little things here and there that will send you over it, especially with boost. :(

That being said, just keep your eyes out on zilvia.net, BFC and e30tech for turbo stuff; there are plenty of deals to be found.

Let me know if you need an extra hand to wrench, as I want to learn some stuff before I do my build. :D

[einstein57]

I'm going to see if my neighbor will build be a volvo style side mount manifold that hugs the block. He had an RX-7 performance company (mindtrain) and he personnally designed all the turbo kits. He even has a turbo 13b powered ford model-t. lol. He used to do pantereas before rx-7s and had an 800hp panter DD. He even set a few land speed records back in the 70's. The only proble is he is retired and doew not like to work on cars anymore. He builds himself custom bicycles to keep himself busy.

I found out mcmaster carr is down the street from my girlfriends house so i picked up some metric blues. I Had to order a bunch of parts for my gti since i never bought new gaskets after having my stage 3 eurospec head rebuilt so i also ordered a new oil pan gasket for the e30. Also bought a pipe cutter so i can easily shorten the intercooler pipes. Also went to the junkyard for some injectors. I could only find 5 bosch green top (30lb) injectors but its a start.

357= the bosch 357 injectors that came stock in the 84-89 b230ft motor 29lb/hr (300cc/min) @ 3bar

804= the bosch 804 injectors that came stock in the 90+ b230ft rated 30lb/hr(310cc/min) @ 3 bar
Also got 3 off white 24lb injectors (i think) off a saab 9000 urbo. They were free so i can't complain. I'll have to keep my eye out on booth cars to complete my sets.

[einstein57]

After 3 years of owning my e30, i'm at a point where i can't see why i should go another day without a turbo. My previous car was a 1.8t gti that i absolutely loved. I sold that for $12k and put every penny in to my e30. I always had the intention of doing a crazy 2.8 build and then slapping on a turbo but it seems lilke the ass backward way to go about it the more i think about it. If i'm going to blow up my motor tuning it, it should be a cheap one.
MY intentions are very modest. I'll be more then happy to have 220whp so i don't need a crazy turbo setup. 7-8 pounds of boost is what i'm going for. I also don't want a flashy kit and since i have an 87 i don't want to hassle with relocating my washer bottle, expansion tank, and coil so a bottom mount is my best option. That being said i can't find too much about that here. I know the TCD and Cartech manifolds are bottom mount but i'd prefer an internal wastegate to keep it simple. Will a non-wasted gated 524td manifold bolt on with out getting in the way of my oil cooler? Can i cut and reweld an ebay manifold to mount it upside down and clear the frame rail? Or am i going to have to build my own from scratch?
I bought a used T3 turbo off a volvo 760. Or a 740 i don't remember.Its a .48 exhaust, .42 cool side. I thinking i might try and port the cool side cause the walls are really thick. My main reason for getting a used one is budget (only paid $73 with tax and a bunch of hoses.) I'm trying to stay around $2k including DIYpnp MS which i have ordered and will install and tune before I even start making a list of turbo parts. That leaves me about $1500 for the rest of the build. This is my homework period and it seems like i'm going against the norm (as i want small amount of power, bottom mount, and internal wastegate.) I orded corky bells book and will read through that as well before i bug el bob and blue apple soda (i warned you guys. LOL) I am aware i can probably find a used s50 and swap motors but i like my m20. Call me nostalgic. All concerns and recommendations will be well .