The Ecobeamer

[hkv]

I got the idea to and started this project earlier this month; Take my e30 and really build it up as a nice car with a ford ecoboost powerplant. Did planning and research the first week august and went to work on the 7th. Things are moving along good but i need to get some parts so I decided to take a break to make this build thread for your viewing pleasure. Heres the fundamental details of the build:

-4 door e30
-2.3L ford mustang ecoboost crate motor with control pack
-Quicktime bellhousing for 2.3l ecoboost to T5/TKO tranny
-Hays dragon claw single disc clutch kit with flywheel rated for 600+hp
-Tremec TKO-500 tranny with .68 OD
-Custom chromemoly driveshaft with 1310-1350 u joints
-3.64 torsen LSD from Z3 with dual bushing mounts
-reinforced subframes
-coilovers,rebuilt spindles/hubs, new cv axles
-universal radiator and big intercooler
-full 3" 304ss turboback with mandrel bends with a resonator
-12 gal fuel cell with holley hydramat to prevent fuel starvation.
-basic universal wiring harness
-autometer z series gauges in custom gauge panel


this dyno graph shows what the 2.3l ecoboost is capable of. powerband is flat as hell. as it is right now the motor is rated to 310hp and 350 ft/lbs at the crank. im hoping that with my intercooler and 3" turbo back that I can hit 300hp and 350 ft/lbs at the wheels with a tune. that respectable power along with its low weight I think will be real nice in an e30

[hkv]

ok so I gotta start this project with a stripped body shell and from there I removed the notorious tar and also removed spare tire well to save some weight. I will cut an aluminum sheet and rivet it in there to cover the hole






the plan for the fuel cell is to mount it as close as possible to the stock location

[hkv]

one part of this project involves spraying the underside clean so that I can give it some good looking paint

turn this:


into this:

[formyhealth]

Nice work! Hope to see this running one day.

[hkv]

Nice work! Hope to see this running one day.

thanks man, you had the idea before me. more posts to come, stay tuned.

my desired date to get this thing driving by is late October

[hkv]

the fuel cell location is interesting, I kinda wish I did a stock fuel tank but it is what it is, I will have to rivet/weld a shield to separate it from the cabin
cut, test, cut, test, cut, test:








location is pretty sorted out, good ground clearance:

[hkv]

megan racing coilovers, don't feel 100% about them but they should be decent

[hkv]

wire wheeled the trailing arms


painted them with por-15 and installed new bearings

[hkv]

new tie rods and power steering delete for the steering rack:

[hkv]

motor, control pack and wheels where delivered freight within 10 mins of eachother. couldn't have planned it better if I tried too


here she is; what a beaute

[hkv]

almost immediately got to removing the stock flywheel






tko came in soon after as well



time to hoist the motor up to get it going

[hkv]

flexplate


flywheel with bronze bushing in it as opposed to in the crank for the TKO



clutch



dragon claw pressure plate



and finally with the bellhousing the end result;

[hkv]

I painted the car which was an adventure. first attempt was a disaster but this second attempt came out pretty good and im extremely satisfied with it. I realize that many will cringe but take it or leave it, I like it.

[hkv]

once again: cut, test, cut, test, cut, test.... the ecoboost has a rear sump oil pan and my strategy is to mount the motor far back enough and high enough so as to clear the front subframe. luckily with the Tremec TKO transmission I have 6 (I believe) different shifter locations to choose from depending the final location of the engine. the high pressure fuel pump of the ecoboost is the high point of the motor and I will tuck that under the windshield.








lots of engine bay room

[hkv]

I had to turn a spacer for the throw-out bearing on my lathe because this is such a funky driveline setup, the input shaft doesn't go into the crank it only only seats as far as the flywheel. so the transmission is much farther back than on a sbf for example




so pretty