Hello all! I am new to this site, and new to BMW! I've always owned Volkswagen's up until this point, but I decided I wanted to build a turbo'd vehicle, and what better car to do so on than an E30? Below will detail most of my build, and hopefully supply someone with information/motivation along the way! Everything will be dated as it is updated. I love constructive criticism, so if anyone has anything to say, please do so
3/20/14 - At the moment I am in the parts collection stage of the build. Plans are to fully rebuild the stock M20B25 from the ground up. I am really intrigued with the idea boosting the motor on stock internals, so this is what I am doing. Ultimately looking to run 10-12psi, with horsepower and torque figures floating around 300. The research I've done seems to prove this is safe, and reliable. So, here goes nothing. I've got boxes of seals, gaskets, you name it, for the motor already with me. But.. who wants to see that boring stuff. ;)
The Car:
Gold 1987 325is M20B25
Feburary 2014 - March 2014:
I quickly decided on a turbo shortly after bringing the car to its temporary resting place. Also a few more goodies to support this! ;D
Garrett GTX3071 along side a Forge Motorsport 44mm External Wastegate
Forge Motorsport Universal 34mm Atmospheric Valve
Forge Motorsport 304mm Big Brake kit
CX Racing Turbo Manifold w/external wastegate provision
Not knowing too much about BMW and their motors at this point, I did not realize the car was actually swapped with a B27 for whatever reason, until the head was off. The car is comes back on a VIN search as a 325is and is running Motronic 1.3. So I have come up with the idea it was swapped, but who knows really. This block and head will be scrapped unless someone wants the crank, pistons and rods for a stroker build. I realize I could throw on a B25 head to achieve low compression, but I would rather not complicate the build. With a reliable turbo'd car in mind, this will be the route I stick to.
Front end was torn away in order to get measurements for a custom front mount! Definitely goofy looking!
Driver's side door lock will replaced as well
As of 3/20/14 this is my progression. Little things have been done here and there but nothing worth documenting. Trying to mainly keep this as a turbo build write up in hopes someone else can find the information useful. I am currently trying to locate a complete M20B25! If someone has anything local to Central Florida, let me know! Updates to follow.
*UPDATE* 3/26/14:
I've tracked down an 885 head. Hoping to have that locked in and shipped this week. Every PowerFlex street version bushing they offer for an E30 has been ordered, with the exception of the diff bushing. I went with the black PowerFlex bushing thinking this would suit the added torque and power.
I've decided to keep the B27 block and use an 885 head. Luckily I have the 885 manifold, and all the other B25 goodies. With the car being Motronic 1.3, it's should be a bolt on and go stroker from my understanding. I will be doing an ARP head stud conversion as well. I'm hoping that will allow the use of the OEM head gasket I purchased a few weeks ago. A few things have been done here and there while I'm awaiting parts. The bay has seen some degreasing and once the block is finally pulled, it will be pressure washed really well. Pictures of all this will follow this week!
*UPDATE* 3/27/14:
Found some spare time to mock up the turbo and manifold on the B27 head that I am not using. Also played around with some ideas for a heat shield. Pictures below!
Here is everything mocked up.
Here are a few pictures where you can see the heat shield a little better. Have been trying to figure out where to mount it to, but haven't had a solid plan yet. May end up welding it to the manifold as it will sit perfectly, or make a tab and possibly use the bolts on the valve cover to hold it in place. (if that makes any sense lol) I also realize the spark plug wires will need room. This is another hurdle with the shield. Albeit not a huge deal to sort.
*UPDATE* 3/28/14:
I went ahead and placed the old B27 head back onto the block with the manifold and turbo. I was trying to get an idea of what bends I will need for the intercooler piping. I'm no artist, but I am proud of my cardboard replica intercooler that I cut to the specs mine is being built to. I didn't go to overboard on the size. I figured a modest size would suit, and with no issue should be able to support horsepower figures way above where I am aiming to be. This manifold has the turbo offset a little closer to the frame rail than I anticipated, so I was not able to have the turbo cold side clocked in the position I initially wanted. I ended up needing a few different bends than originally anticipated, so the mock up was well worth the effort. The turbo is not fully tightened down on the manifold so you'll notice a white rag kind of supporting the black 90 degree bend in the position it is intended to be in. #aintcare
More updates next week as I tackle installing the PowerFlex bushings!
*UPDATE* 3/30/14:
Didn't have a ton of time this weekend to really get things done, however I did manage to spend a few hours tinkering. Worked on getting the raised lettering and bars on the valve cover sanded and polished. Here is a picture during that process. Currently prepping it for paint at the moment. The sand paper caught a couple areas that were to stay black. The intake manifold will receive the same treatment. The small things count too!
3/20/14 - At the moment I am in the parts collection stage of the build. Plans are to fully rebuild the stock M20B25 from the ground up. I am really intrigued with the idea boosting the motor on stock internals, so this is what I am doing. Ultimately looking to run 10-12psi, with horsepower and torque figures floating around 300. The research I've done seems to prove this is safe, and reliable. So, here goes nothing. I've got boxes of seals, gaskets, you name it, for the motor already with me. But.. who wants to see that boring stuff. ;)
The Car:
Gold 1987 325is M20B25
Feburary 2014 - March 2014:
I quickly decided on a turbo shortly after bringing the car to its temporary resting place. Also a few more goodies to support this! ;D
Garrett GTX3071 along side a Forge Motorsport 44mm External Wastegate
Forge Motorsport Universal 34mm Atmospheric Valve
Forge Motorsport 304mm Big Brake kit
CX Racing Turbo Manifold w/external wastegate provision
Not knowing too much about BMW and their motors at this point, I did not realize the car was actually swapped with a B27 for whatever reason, until the head was off. The car is comes back on a VIN search as a 325is and is running Motronic 1.3. So I have come up with the idea it was swapped, but who knows really. This block and head will be scrapped unless someone wants the crank, pistons and rods for a stroker build. I realize I could throw on a B25 head to achieve low compression, but I would rather not complicate the build. With a reliable turbo'd car in mind, this will be the route I stick to.
Front end was torn away in order to get measurements for a custom front mount! Definitely goofy looking!
Driver's side door lock will replaced as well
As of 3/20/14 this is my progression. Little things have been done here and there but nothing worth documenting. Trying to mainly keep this as a turbo build write up in hopes someone else can find the information useful. I am currently trying to locate a complete M20B25! If someone has anything local to Central Florida, let me know! Updates to follow.
*UPDATE* 3/26/14:
I've tracked down an 885 head. Hoping to have that locked in and shipped this week. Every PowerFlex street version bushing they offer for an E30 has been ordered, with the exception of the diff bushing. I went with the black PowerFlex bushing thinking this would suit the added torque and power.
I've decided to keep the B27 block and use an 885 head. Luckily I have the 885 manifold, and all the other B25 goodies. With the car being Motronic 1.3, it's should be a bolt on and go stroker from my understanding. I will be doing an ARP head stud conversion as well. I'm hoping that will allow the use of the OEM head gasket I purchased a few weeks ago. A few things have been done here and there while I'm awaiting parts. The bay has seen some degreasing and once the block is finally pulled, it will be pressure washed really well. Pictures of all this will follow this week!
*UPDATE* 3/27/14:
Found some spare time to mock up the turbo and manifold on the B27 head that I am not using. Also played around with some ideas for a heat shield. Pictures below!
Here is everything mocked up.
Here are a few pictures where you can see the heat shield a little better. Have been trying to figure out where to mount it to, but haven't had a solid plan yet. May end up welding it to the manifold as it will sit perfectly, or make a tab and possibly use the bolts on the valve cover to hold it in place. (if that makes any sense lol) I also realize the spark plug wires will need room. This is another hurdle with the shield. Albeit not a huge deal to sort.
*UPDATE* 3/28/14:
I went ahead and placed the old B27 head back onto the block with the manifold and turbo. I was trying to get an idea of what bends I will need for the intercooler piping. I'm no artist, but I am proud of my cardboard replica intercooler that I cut to the specs mine is being built to. I didn't go to overboard on the size. I figured a modest size would suit, and with no issue should be able to support horsepower figures way above where I am aiming to be. This manifold has the turbo offset a little closer to the frame rail than I anticipated, so I was not able to have the turbo cold side clocked in the position I initially wanted. I ended up needing a few different bends than originally anticipated, so the mock up was well worth the effort. The turbo is not fully tightened down on the manifold so you'll notice a white rag kind of supporting the black 90 degree bend in the position it is intended to be in. #aintcare
More updates next week as I tackle installing the PowerFlex bushings!
*UPDATE* 3/30/14:
Didn't have a ton of time this weekend to really get things done, however I did manage to spend a few hours tinkering. Worked on getting the raised lettering and bars on the valve cover sanded and polished. Here is a picture during that process. Currently prepping it for paint at the moment. The sand paper caught a couple areas that were to stay black. The intake manifold will receive the same treatment. The small things count too!
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