E30 S52 Build + Turbo Install

[DrLeadFoot]

Pics of the carnage.


-There is some detonation.
-Cyl #1 had a leaky injector for awhile.
-The tune has been super rich.
-I have some port matching todo.







Zipties for the documentation
























I will be ordering a cut ring gasket, new arp head studs, exhaust nuts and researching the best exhaust manifold gasket today. Also, I will take the head into the shop to have it inspected then after it checks out I'll get it back to port match everything then send it back to get cleaned up.

[IronFreak]

I know there are some companies making turbo and manifold gaskets from inconel, turbo gaskets being more common, I haven't seen any for bmw manifolds though. Be you're best bet, but get ready to shell out for the most expensive gasket you've ever bought.

[IronFreak]

What turbo manifold is that?

[DrLeadFoot]

What turbo manifold is that?

Good & Tight.

I will get it checked to see if it is flat.

[Sh3rpak!ng]

A friend of mine here in LA is from Milwaukee and was visiting his family a few weeks ago and randomly saw your car in a parking lot. He snapped some pictures and sent them to me. I only saw the rear photo at first and immediately guessed s52 turbo - and I was right! Then I wondered if you were on the forums, and lo and behold, a month later I randomly stumble upon it!!

Sick build, very impressive and quality work. Subbed for more progress and a retune when you get the headgasket sorted!

I'll keep an eye on this as inspiration for my own!!









Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DrLeadFoot]

This is awesome!! Small world!

A friend of mine here in LA is from Milwaukee and was visiting his family a few weeks ago and randomly saw your car in a parking lot. He snapped some pictures and sent them to me. I only saw the rear photo at first and immediately guessed s52 turbo - and I was right! Then I wondered if you were on the forums, and lo and behold, a month later I randomly stumble upon it!!

Sick build, very impressive and quality work. Subbed for more progress and a retune when you get the headgasket sorted!

I'll keep an eye on this as inspiration for my own!!









Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DrLeadFoot]

Got the exhaust side of the head ported out a ton.







Stock width:


The final width was 49mm. I still had a little of work to do on this one.

















In a couple of days I'll get the head back and go from there. I'll be ordering Megasquirt 3 soon and see how all that stuff works...here goes nothing!

[Sh3rpak!ng]

Got the exhaust side of the head ported out a ton.

In a couple of days I'll get the head back and go from there. I'll be ordering Megasquirt 3 soon and see how all that stuff works...here goes nothing!

Are you following any sort of principle when doing this porting, or is it more of a gasket matching? I ask because I'll probably be pulling the head off my e36 w/AA stage 2 S/C and longtube headers and this would be a nice additional project to do while it's apart. Plus I already have all the tools and bits.

Either way, looks good!!

[DrLeadFoot]

Are you following any sort of principle when doing this porting, or is it more of a gasket matching? I ask because I'll probably be pulling the head off my e36 w/AA stage 2 S/C and longtube headers and this would be a nice additional project to do while it's apart. Plus I already have all the tools and bits.

Either way, looks good!!

I basically port matched the gasket first then grinded the sides down to make them straight with the insides of the runners. You need to get the right dies. I paid $100 total for both of these snap-on grinders and borrowed the sand paper thingy which really finished nicely.

It will make more sense once you get in there and grind. I felt for similarities and differences with my fingers and listened to classic R&B pandora. It got pretty romantical...

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Sh3rpak!ng]

I basically port matched the gasket first then grinded the sides down to make them straight with the insides of the runners. You need to get the right dies. I paid $100 total for both of these snap-on grinders and borrowed the sand paper thingy which really finished nicely.

It will make more sense once you get in there and grind. I felt for similarities and differences with my fingers and listened to classic R&B pandora. It got pretty romantical...

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Gotcha, that makes sense. I have those exact "metal" grinding heads, and I'll probably pick up a set of the "sand paper thingys".

Hahaha ohhh I can imagine... the music playing, getting all up in there with your fingers.... were you also working by candlelight?

[DrLeadFoot]

Gotcha, that makes sense. I have those exact "metal" grinding heads, and I'll probably pick up a set of the "sand paper thingys".

Hahaha ohhh I can imagine... the music playing, getting all up in there with your fingers.... were you also working by candlelight?

My wife kept on walking in on me. It got awkward after the 4th time...

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[pandaboo911]

I wish I had done this when I had my head out. Didn't have the guts to grind the ports though.
I would just go with oem gaskets.

[Good & Tight]

Can't wait to see the results.

[DrLeadFoot]

Can't wait to see the results.

Me too! I'm also going megasquirt 3x so I can finally get a proper tune. It's in the mail.

I'll document the process as well as I can

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[DrLeadFoot]

Just talked to the machines and my #2 valve seal was turned inside out causing oil to leak in the #2 seal. I was super worried that it my be piston rings.

He also checked my blunt tech manifold for straightness and it was off .060 and he doesn't have the right jig to mill it down.

My head has been milled down to the maximum. 5.500" total thickness. It's a new head if this one goes... Come on Megasquirt!

All new valve seals have been installed and no valves were bent!