M50 Turbo Winter Project

[SirMaxximus]

looks nice! i'm m50/6spd swapping mine right now but hope to do a similar turbo build next winter. i am running nice OEM looking vdo gauges in my car. i have voltage, oil pressure, and oil temp ones. i got the gauges and senders from summit for a decent price but i'm not sure if they make a matching boost gauge.

what are you doing for a turbo feed line?


you should definitely go electric fan. here is a link to the markert motorworks electric fan how to. i am doing a standalone setup like is posted at the bottom with a separate relay and everything because i don't trust my stock fan wiring. for a turbo car i wouldn't cheap out on a fan. i am running a derale i already had that is like 1800cfm, but you should run at least 2000cfm or better for a turbo application. summit produces their own that have good reviews, they are basically SPAL knock offs but cheaper.

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...10783&t=210783

Awesome I'll check out summit for pricing.. I like the VDO vision series but after a sender and whatnot it ends up being like $90 for a really basic oil pressure gauge... I'm probably just getting to the frugal part of my purchasing now that I'm starting to run out of parts to buy! Maybe I'lll look into the summit brand fan's then! I love the idea of a SPAL knock off! haha

heres a link to the oil feed line I bought. Its already made to the right size for 24v motor top mount style. feeding it off the back of the oil housing.

https://rallyroad.net/collections/forced-induction/products/turbooilfeedline

also if you have a vanos motor. heres a link to an adapter that will keep your vanos oil feed line in place and add another fitting for your feed line

https://rallyroad.net/collections/forced-induction/products/vanosbanjooilsupplyfitting

Thats how I'm planning on running it!

[mitchlikesbikes]

looks nice! i'm m50/6spd swapping mine right now but hope to do a similar turbo build next winter. i am running nice OEM looking vdo gauges in my car. i have voltage, oil pressure, and oil temp ones. i got the gauges and senders from summit for a decent price but i'm not sure if they make a matching boost gauge.

what are you doing for a turbo feed line?


you should definitely go electric fan. here is a link to the markert motorworks electric fan how to. i am doing a standalone setup like is posted at the bottom with a separate relay and everything because i don't trust my stock fan wiring. for a turbo car i wouldn't cheap out on a fan. i am running a derale i already had that is like 1800cfm, but you should run at least 2000cfm or better for a turbo application. summit produces their own that have good reviews, they are basically SPAL knock offs but cheaper.

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=210783&t=210783

[SirMaxximus]

Decided it was finally time to dedicate a thread to my project.

Update Season 2 of this build starts on page 6

BACKSTORY: I picked up my e30 about 3 years ago. It had been swapped w an M50tub25 by the previous owner, however the owner couldn't get it worked out right, had intermittent misfires along with several other issues. I bought it from him dirt cheap mostly for rust free body and figured if I could save the motor it would just be extra! I spent the next year or so slowly working it out and fixing a lot of his mistakes. By last year most of the kinks had been worked out and it became an extremely reliable summer fun car. I had always planned on boosting it but could never really put aside the funds. I decided about 5 months ago I was gonna make it happen, I started tossing money at it each month with the goal to start the build this winter. I live in MN so it stays in the garage all winter anyways!

Here's what she looks like before putting away:




SPECS:
Body: 87 325es
Motor: M50tub25
Trans: G250 (we'll see how long it lasts)

BOOST PARTS:
Garrett 57 trim t3/t4 hyrbid turbo .63 A/R
RSI (GoodNtight) t3 manifold
Megasquirt pro PNP
Wyntonm Ebay Wastegate + BOV
CXRacing 18x12x3 intercooler
ARP Headstuds
Bosch EV1 42lb injectors
Inovate LC-2 Wideband
Hallman Manual Boost Controller

CURRENT PLAN:
about 10psi on stock headgasket with ARPs. hoping around 300whp.. see how that does me for the spring/summer and maybe thicker headgasket next year for more boost!

So before putting it away for the winter I swapped out the 3.46LSD I had for an 2.93LSD. the 3.46 was really fun but I think it would be too short for boost!





Remember to bring your pup with you into the garage!


What do you guys think of this fan...... I know its close... I know most people run an electric... I'm open to any suggestions on a cheap one!? or has anyone tried to get away with the standard fan clutch... I shaved the fins slightly so they wouldnt hit the radiator.. so far no issues 2 years and some aggressive driving later.




Mission 1: Tap oil drain into timing cover.

Goodbye front bumper + radiator and intake manifold




Decided to use a drill bit to hold to the flywheel in place.


Well that worked.....


After some serious struggle... finally got that harmonic balancer bolt out!




Brought the timing cover to work and cleaned it up, replaced crank seal and tapped a fitting for the oil drain!







Also stripped the exhaust so I could test fit things





Okay screw test fitting I'm gonna wrap this manifold and just put it on

first time wrapping a manifold. It went pretty good I think but I would do a few things different next time. namely wrapping upward so that the stainless straps are less noticable.. oh well





yup... its gonna be tight.. thats for sure



I'm not quite sure how I'm gonna fit a downpipe here.


Barely clears


My dog doesn't think it'l work


maybe this adapter is too long... I dont think there will be room for a vband clamp... might try to shorten this up... or find a shorter 5 bolt to vband adapter



meanwhile a few weeks earlier I made cardboard cut outs of various intercooler sizes... I know people have mounted 24x12x3 intercoolers... but I wanted to route the pipping under the headlights and I wasnt sure.. It looks too tight to me.



I settled on an 18x12x3 to make sure I could fit under the headlights.. made some quick brackets. mounted it up.





ECU came last week too!... feeling very broke!



Meanwhile. this week my daily broke... not what I wanted to be spending money on. but spent a hunk of the weekend fixing my e91 wagon. If anyone has to fix the crankcase vent on these, its integrated into the valve cover and pays 5.6 hours on alldata.... also it kinda sucks





In other news I ordered some VDO gauges from egauges.com back in september... I've called and emailed them numerous times and now they are saying the gauges I ordered aren't even being produced anymore.. I cancelled my order and got a refund being very frustrated... So I'm on the lookout for some "CHEAP" gauges.. I want a vacuum/boost gauge and an Oil pressure gauge that match and look decent, I dont need anything special, but they have to match, any suggestions are appreciated... I found some decent bosch ones but it was a "mechanical" oil pressure gauge and I have no interest in running a pressurized oil line into my dash, that just sounds stupid to me.... I picked up a pod holder down in the stock ash tray location. I also already have an AFR gauge and a one of those Voltmeters that fit in the e30 dash they sell here on the forums.

Thats most of what I have for now. I'll start updating with more photo's each week! Early January I have a buddy coming up with his welder to help me do some exhaust and fab work! hopefully get a downpipe worked out that weekend!