M30 OEM Turbo project

[CorvallisBMW]

Best guess is 1-2 weeks. Some of the parts they had to order from The Fatherland, so that pushed out completion by a bit.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Hopefully that takes some hear away. When will you be getting the turbo back?

[CorvallisBMW]

Bummer about the turbo, but that's what happens with non-watercooled turbos. Only way to avoid it is to make sure you install an oil restrictor and run a turbo timer.

Same exact failure on mine, but nothing was damaged beyond the rear bearing.

Well the 745i's that left the factory never had water cooling or a turbo timer, so I'm fairly confident that it wasn't normal use that killed it. It's more likely that I dislodged some gunk when I was rebuilding it 2 years ago, and it got stuck in the oil passage. I spoke with the guys at G-Pop at length about an oil restrictor, and they said they found no signs of over-oiling and recommended that I stick with the -4AN line that I currently have.

[pandaboo911]

Bummer about the turbo, but that's what happens with non-watercooled turbos. Only way to avoid it is to make sure you install an oil restrictor and run a turbo timer.

Same exact failure on mine, but nothing was damaged beyond the rear bearing.

[ZenitramNaes]

Nice, looking really good. I still need a blanket. The heat shall be conquered.

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[CorvallisBMW]

I did some things today. Picked up my downpipe section from the guys at Finish Line Coatings, who put down 4 layers (2 inside and 2 outside) of their ceramic downpipe formula. Should really help with the underhood temps, and at ~$25 per linear foot it's very affordable compared to some other suppliers.


Next I wrapped the whole thing in DEI Titanium exhaust wrap, just to give it some extra heat holding ability.


It was a little tricky with the 2-1-2 merge of the OEM setup, but I'm happy with the result.


And this beauty arrived in the mail. The heat must be conquered!!

[CorvallisBMW]

Like this?

Not quite. Given the tight clearances in the e30 bay, only the factory "elbow" will fit. I've seen those SS elbows, but e30 and even e34 M106 guys say they won't fit.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2210865-The-Elusive-Big-Brake-Upgrade-Revisited&p=28782868#post28782868

So an adapter has to be machined to fit an aftermarket diaphragm/valve assembly into the stock elbow.

TCD built like 2 prototypes in 2007 but gave up because the price point was too high.

[slammin.e28]

In the mean time, the guy on bf.c who was supposedly making Tial WG adapters for the stock m106 elbow is taking his sweet time. I've been looking at it closely, and I'm very tempted to just make my own. I mean, how hard can it be?

Like this?




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[CorvallisBMW]

I rebuilt my k27 and noticed the oil passages had filled up with carbon because the oil cooked inside. You have to rod them out with a dental pick or paperclip, no amount of acid dipping will free it up.

So I just received an email from Gerry at G-Pop Shop (the guys who are rebuilding the turbo) and unfortunately this is exactly what killed the turbo. One of the oil passages was blocked up, which stopped oil from getting to the rear bearing. The shaft overheated and was damaged, along with the seal plate, turbine wheel, and bearing housing. All of those parts now have to be replaced, which bumped the total damage from ~$600 to ~$900. Not the news I wanted, but there's nothing that can be done about it. New parts incoming!

Also, big shout-out to Gerry and the team at G-Pop Shop. They've been incredibly helpful and responsive, and are a wealth of knowledge. They're also E30 enthusiasts and are working on a very slick variable A/R turbo setup :up:. If you need turbo work, hit them up!

http://gpopshop.com/

[Anthony B]

I love seeing updates on this thread, now more updates please haha.

You've given me some good pointers on how to approach the m106/m30 build I'll be doing for the better half e30. I need to pull my finger out & finish my itb m30(money tree is a little sparse at the moment)

[CorvallisBMW]

Dropped off the entire downpipe/dump tube/merge section of the exhaust today for ceramic coating. Hopefully this helps with underhood temps. Next up: find a PTP turbo blanket that will fit the old K27 exhaust housing: https://www.ptpturboblankets.com/

[CorvallisBMW]

I pulled off the factory WG and started taking measurements so that I can hopefully mock up an adapter for a standard Tial or TurboSmart WG. This is a drawing of the mounting plate and valve for the factory WG.



My goal now is to go find a NIB aftermarket wastegate that I can snag some measurements off of, and see if it's possible to do some cutting and welding and fit an aftermarket WG, sans housing, on to the 4-bolt factory plate using some kind of custom adapter.

[CorvallisBMW]

The turbo is out for repair! Hopefully I get it back in a couple of weeks.

In the mean time, the guy on bf.c who was supposedly making Tial WG adapters for the stock m106 elbow is taking his sweet time. I've been looking at it closely, and I'm very tempted to just make my own. I mean, how hard can it be?

[CorvallisBMW]

I have good oil flow going in to the turbo; in fact it might be too much. I know that some turbos use restrictors, so I'm wondering if I should look in to doing the same.

The turbo is leaving (hopefully) this week for a rebuild and billet comp wheel upgrade. I'll make sure to let the shop know about the possibly blocked oil passages.

Yes, I do have some heat shields left! Send me a PM.

[pandaboo911]

If your turbo failed that quickly you may have an oiling problem. Don't wreck your new rebuilt turbo too. Replace all oil feed lines and fittings.

I rebuilt my k27 and noticed the oil passages had filled up with carbon because the oil cooked inside. You have to rod them out with a dental pick or paperclip, no amount of acid dipping will free it up.

Do you have any of those exhaust/motor mount heatshields left? ^^