'89 318i 6 speed m50b32tu turbo swap build

[ba114]

Yeh I used the spot that is most commonly used elsewhere. As you can see there is no way to go any higher on the pan.

Timing cover would be difficult to route as I am running A/C...

[ba114]

After completely removing the turbo, i found oil in the manifold indicating that it was not infact oil getting through the seal.
After more researching, I diagnosed a potentially faulty pcv valve which could have been sucking oil up through the dipstick.

To test this I cut the drain from the pcv to the dipstick in half and plugged both ends.

After running for about 5-10 minutes the smoke stopped and this is now what remains when I start the car.

https://youtu.be/Fr3n_eJ4yxQ

It seems to confirm that the PCV had indeed failed and was allowing oil to be pulled through the dipstick.

So not an issue with pressurised crankcase, but more an issue of excessive vacuum through the pcv.

[Northern]

that's some really good news then!

[ba114]

Still not in the clear yet. Haven't had a chance to take it for a drive and check if it still smokes under load.

I'm optimistic, but at the same time looking for piston and rods to fit on the m52 crank I have leftover from the scrapped m52, for fitting ìn the spare m50 block.

[ba114]

just updating as ive been quiet.

The issue was 100% a collapsed PCV. Car runs fine now without smoke.
I'm now having some issues with timing drops at idle once the engine is hot so i've got some investigating to do.

other than that, it's driving well, boost comes on cleanly off just the wastegate spring. Dealing with a little more knock than i'd like so still working through timing and fueling but i'm happy with the progress :)

[ba114]

Couple pics following a bit of a cruise yesterday

[Northern]

Looks great!

[ba114]

Updated interior pic after fitting led interior bulbs.

Also hooked up my defi advance clone in the air vent. Only shows boost, rpm and speed in the video but have since wired in oil pressure, oil temp and fuel pressure.

https://youtu.be/xvF8CNxFQ3k

[pandaboo911]

'89 318i 6 speed m50b25tu turbo swap build

Am I the only one who hates those bright as fuck LED interior lights?

Ain't no romance in that shit.

[ba114]

Am I the only one who hates those bright as fuck LED interior lights?

Ain't no romance in that shit.

I actually don't particularly like the colour, but I'm focussed on getting light output and unfortunately they only seem to make 6000k. I'd rather something more like 4300k.

[Brian697]

Nice build, appreciate the documentation!

[ba114]

Had a little fire due to the beauty cover melting and dripping onto the downpipe. Melted the coil harness under it too.

No major damage. Was likely caused due to high EGTs from running too low timing by accident.

Anyway bought a new coil harness and a carbon fiber beauty cover that won't melt. Put some gold tape over it to hopefully lower the temps under the cover too.

Now I can get back to tuning!

[ba114]

Replaced the springs in the wastegate with a large black and small red which should wield just over 10psi.

hooked up the bottom port to the air compressor so that i could install it easier with the fire ring and mounted it up.

Went for a drive and the result was just over 11psi. Pretty much right where i want it for spring pressure only.

[ba114]

Night time clip from the other day, before changing springs

https://youtu.be/wuqKygHJ-bs

[ba114]

Was experiencing a new ticking/flutter noise from the engine that had me concerned maybe i'd caused some damage when i was overboosting. Didn't have much luck on the weekend finding the source of the ticking noise. After a drive i couldn't actually notice it, however it was back again the next time i started it so it may infact just be lifter tick.

Did some other work on the weekend including wiring in my MAC solenoid to the TEV (charcoal canister purge) wiring for use as boost control.
Also fabricated a heat shield for the downpipe which will hopefully further prevent chances of melting anything else in future.