Overlord475: 1988 SETA 2.7i Build Thread (Turbo Prep)

[Overlord475]

About 100 miles on the swap so far and running strong.

The 2.7i 17# 89oct tune from SSSquid is doing well.

For the first few miles there was a slight hesitation for power on when at WOT, but the ECU is adapting and everytime I drive it feels stronger.

Plan to change the oil tonight, install my IE strut brace, check for any loose bolts/nuts, and then really go to town on driving the crap out of the thing.

[squidmaster]

Sweet!! Take it easy on the break in :)

[MR 325]

Nice work!

[Overlord475]

Sweet!! Take it easy on the break in :)

My idea of taking it to town is pretty mellow. My wife drives faster than me most of the time :(

Nice work!

Thank you!

[Overlord475]

Hit 300 miles on the swap today.

Changed the oil, re-cranked the head bolts to 70ft-lb, and swapped out the valve cover for a spare one that I repainted:







Also, stopped in at the local car show this past weekend and got to check out the new m235i. My wife and I have agreed... Saving up for one of these starts this month. Going to test drive it this week:

[Overlord475]

Cleaned and painted the AFM:

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Also removed the 19# Mustang Injectors from the old fuel rail and ETA dSylva Ultrachip w/ 525 ECU.

For Sale here : http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...46#post4097446





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[phenryiv1]

Very nice build. I found it was a pain to install the IM with the head on the car so I installed it on the head and then installed the head on the motor. Heavier but less of a PITA overall.

[Overlord475]

Very nice build. I found it was a pain to install the IM with the head on the car so I installed it on the head and then installed the head on the motor. Heavier but less of a PITA overall.

I would have preferred this method too, but had no one around to help lift a fully dressed head IM and all.

So I had to do it the hard way. Not too bad though.

[Overlord475]

A few developments.

Got a roof rack:



Did some transmission work. Swapped the clutch again and fixed a leak. The Grip Force Stage 1 clutch kit I got was a piece of junk. The pressure plate didn't have enough clamping force to hold the disc in place:



Then after getting the running better than ever before I parked it and covered it up:



Because this happened:

[phenryiv1]

Day 10:

The POR15 Block Paint Kit Came in:

Zinc oxide prep for good POR15 rust inhibitor adhesion, and a pic of the final product (paint still drying)

This block will never rust again:

Question on this process...did you use the POR-15 cleaner and then actually hose off the crud/grime with the engine in the car and taped off like that?

I see people post about cleaning and painting the block still in the car but I always wonder how they actually do that. I happen to have my SETA bottom end out of the car and am about a month behind you in terms of prep and progress on my 2.7i build (this my second one, but the last was 4 years ago and I had help with it) so reading this thread is serving to remind me what comes next and what I might be forgetting.

I am also convinced that just having the IM dipped/cleaned is the way to go.

On another note, I see that you had to swap out the clutch. Maybe I missed it but are you on a single- or dual-mass flywheel?

[Overlord475]

Question on this process...did you use the POR-15 cleaner and then actually hose off the crud/grime with the engine in the car and taped off like that?

I see people post about cleaning and painting the block still in the car but I always wonder how they actually do that. I happen to have my SETA bottom end out of the car and am about a month behind you in terms of prep and progress on my 2.7i build (this my second one, but the last was 4 years ago and I had help with it) so reading this thread is serving to remind me what comes next and what I might be forgetting.

I am also convinced that just having the IM dipped/cleaned is the way to go.

On another note, I see that you had to swap out the clutch. Maybe I missed it but are you on a single- or dual-mass flywheel?

I cleaned the engine block first with a die grinder / wire wheel combo and super purple cleaner. This was all done with the block in the car. It was fully stripped down though:



I didn't tape anything off except the block deck. I went slow and with a very steady hand.

I am on a dual mass flywheel for more comfortable daily driving. The Grip Force Clutch I bought was a piece of junk.
Their customer service was worse than their product.

Went back to a new stock clutch / pressure plate.

[phenryiv1]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Awesome reply. Thank you!

[csmitty]

Great thread, and almost dejavu of my 88 SETA build. Mine is torn down to the block and bottom end as well still in the car. Just got the oil pan and lower timing chain cover back on and torqued down. All new seals and cleaned of course.

What did you do for the piston cleaning? Thats my next task. Similarly they have good carbon build up but the hatching still looks excellent. 220k+ (as far as I know)

What kind of power upgrade were you expecting with the chip and injectors? I plan on doing the same with possibly a M30 AFM, as I don't have one yet other than the stock Eta AFM. Exhaust is still up in the air.

I also sourced a 3.25 LS E28 diff. I think. Its actually been a while since I got it. Still wanted to get good hwy miles as I do a bit of a commute and it will be a DD.

Mine will be a single mass flywheel and havent' found a clutch kit yet, mine was 5spd originally. New driveshaft, refurbed suspension/bushings/etc. Looking forward to it.

[Overlord475]

.....
What did you do for the piston cleaning? Thats my next task. Similarly they have good carbon build up but the hatching still looks excellent. 220k+ (as far as I know)

What kind of power upgrade were you expecting with the chip and injectors? I plan on doing the same with possibly a M30 AFM, as I don't have one yet other than the stock Eta AFM. Exhaust is still up in the air.

I also sourced a 3.25 LS E28 diff......

Thanks man!!!

I actual used scotch bright pads, Berrymans Chem Dip, and a die grinder / wire wheel to clean up the pistons.

I think I'm probably around 180HP. The Squid Chip is a great product. Start right up and has an amazing idle. Car feels almost as fast as my ZHP 330i, but that's probably because the E30 is a bit more dramatic to drive.

I love my 3.46 LSD

[Neil1138]

Wait, did you buy Grant's ZHP?

lol