325i Sport Hill Climb build-time to turbo

[DanThe]

Id rather paint it!

[ross_jsy]

I was going to originally, but now since I am getting this exhaust done I figured I would get this done at the same time

[Neilios]

I'd say white, it just looks clean and down to business.







etc.

I agree white looks clean and tidy.

[Gert_8]

A white interior will show up the blood more clearly too!

[ross_jsy]

In that case I had better paint it red!

[ross_jsy]

Nothing exciting to report on lately, college work, other projects and terrible weather have meant the e30 isn't getting a look in. Stunning day today though so hopefully pull it out the garage to do this gearbox soon.

Picked up a windscreen though



As mine was covered in splats from the grinder.

Got the missus helping me on the bike I'm rebuilding, so maybe she'll lend a hand on the e30 next?





Lovely smell of 2 stroke oil has filled my study

[Gert_8]

Is that the misses? I didn't recognise her with so many clothes on!

[suchy]

Is that the misses? I didn't recognise her with so many clothes on!

Or from the front

[ross_jsy]

Washed it and hoovered all the crap out thats accumulated over the past few years and sorted out a mysterious starting problem that cured itself ready for moving it in a couple of weeks:

[ross_jsy]

Not updated for a while. Had one of those moments where I decided it's time to stop talking and start doing, so have ordered one of these:

http://bmw.blunttech.com/Top-Mount-Turb ... 38723.html

And picked up a turbo off the e30 zone Facebook page. It's an 18cm Holset HX35 so it's a big bastard. Sold my manifolds and Scorpion. I'll be building a 3" side exit Will be going for a .120" MLS head gasket and ARP's, management will be taken care of by VEMS and I'm aiming for around 500hp, should shift with how little the car weighs I'll update once the mani/turbo arrive.

Can't recommend Blunttech enough btw. Fired off an email yesterday about postage, the guy emailed me back within minutes despite it being a Sunday and told me he would invoice me today, but then he forwarded me the invoice immediately and wanted pics of the car, a real enthusiast and wants loads of updates.

I'll have to modify the wastegate pipe to clear the steering rack, but that's not a problem. Will run a screamer pipe.

It's my treat for finishing college on Friday, 3 A's at A level

[ross_jsy]

Manifold arrived today. Had to wrangle it in from underneath but got there in the end. Forgot to take a picture of it off the car but it's a lovely bit of kit. All the walls are 1/8" and it's a heavy bastard.

Chucked it on to check fitment:





The bit I was worried about was the waste gate as I read a thread where someone used this with a rhd car and it needed moving, however I think with a Tial MV-R, clearance shouldn't be a problem:



However I will have a problem getting a down pipe through:



I'll have to cut out the battery tray for sure, but getting a 3" pipe through there isn't going to happen. Does anyone know how oval pipes flow in comparison to round?

My friend who is making the exhaust is coming once the turbo is here to look at exhaust routing so will go from there. I might have to notch the chassis to get the clearance I need though

[jimmyspeed]

might be different with the m50/2 whatever it is, but on my m20 i went the other side of the steering rack using two curves.

If you look at your third picture it goes into the gap between the bell housing and bulkhead. A 3'' has plenty of room and thats without the skinny splined piece you have

its fugly but you get the idea - the first tapered section is curving toward you (diving down engine bay) - second and third piece go down and into toward the sump

[ross_jsy]

Sadly no room as that's where the w/g is going to sit

[ross_jsy]

Turbo has just arrived, it's big



Looks right at home under the bonnet

[staley_turbo]

I managed to fit a 3" downpipe on mine, you may have a wider head with it being 24v though.

Looking good! White inside and out ftw

[ross_jsy]

Had my friend who is a welder/fabricator come round yesterday and we have a plan of attack for the down pipe. It's going to be quite tricky but do-able, just have to move the w/g slightly

[staley_turbo]

I had to join in the center as it would be impossible to fit without taking the manifold off.

[ross_jsy]

That's the conclusion we came to as well. Have you gone on the block side of the rack there?

[staley_turbo]

Yes under the manifold above the rack and then took a bracket off a gearbox bolt to help support it.

[jmc330i]

Nice size snail Keep the pics coming

Not sure if I've missed you mention it, but what class will this run in at hill climb events?

[craigieeb]

Turbo has just arrived, it's big

Looks right at home under the bonnet

Boom!

Looks right at home mate,
I see a bit of metal altering persuasion is in order

[ross_jsy]

Now I've "clocked" the centre so the oil feed and return are vertical it sits perfectly with about 10mm either side of the compressor housing

What a job it was splitting the old rusted halves of the Holset though. A night soaking in penetrating, lots of heat and lots of hammering/swearing eventually got it separated

[ross_jsy]

Pulled all the ancillaries off ready to remove the head. Just need to find a cam locking tool, anyone want to donate one

[russ325i]

RLB sticker = YES.

I'm looking forward to seeing this in the metal mate!

[ross_jsy]

I'm looking forward to getting the turd done!

Spent yesterday trying to get the sump off. Almost there. Decided while I am at it I am going to drop the box as it's going to need a new clutch to handle the powwaahhh. When I win the lottery I am installing a ramp!

[ross_jsy]

Bollocks. Head came off:



And piston number 5 looks like this



Corresponding damage to the head



No idea what could have caused it but the engine pulled bloody well so didn't seem to affect performance. The bore is undamaged as well.

Oh well, these things are sent to test us! It now leaves me with a few options. Option 1 is to source another m50 piston and carry on with the MLS head gasket plan, option 2 is to see if there are any BMW rod/piston combo's that will drop the compression to near 8.5:1 and go wither either a stock gasket and O ring the block or a pyramid gasket. The final option which I am warming to is to do it properly and go for the same as option 2 but forged pistons and rods and freshen up the bottom end while I am at it and make some real power.

Any ideas or suggestions?

[craigieeb]

Ahh bollox!!

Think the easiest option will be just to find another lump fella.

it would be sods law that if you just stick another piston in there,
there will be something wrong with the block,

and if you do reuse that block, you'll have to pull it and send it off for inspection, pressure testing etc
you would have to, just to make sure.

and also, the head looks like it would need a bit welding, either before or after a pressure test,
along with a new valve....

the most cost effective way to me.............

is a fresh start

[ross_jsy]

Unfortunately getting hold of a lump is going to be a nightmare due to living on Jersey, otherwise I would.

I'm thinking build a monster the first time, screw it if it takes a while! I'll get the block pulled as soon as the old dears sofa's get moved out of my garage and get stripping. Just been looking at pistons:

http://www.importperformanceparts.net/i ... s_bmw.html

$699 + $160 for rings so roughly £500 isn't too bad and I'll go for an overbore so the cylinder will be fresh, plus while at the machine shop it can get inspected. Better the devil you know?

[ross_jsy]

Screw it, decided to built an m50b28. m52 cranks are forged I believe so that's good news.

Craig, do you have the contact details for Gunni, I want to fire him a couple of questions?

[craigieeb]

Incoming p.m

[ross_jsy]

Cheers mate

[ross_jsy]

Been working 63 hour weeks since college finished so not much has been done on the car, but this arrived today:



m54b30 crank

[ross_jsy]

After quite a long period of it sitting in my garage I've managed to find some time to start doing work again.

So, the other day I pulled the lump out



Don't have an engine crane here so had to get creative. With the head off and engine arms removed I rotated it forward and jacked the car up and over it.

Stripped the engine down





The shells are all looking pretty decent but these will all be getting replaced naturally. With the block out and stripped I could get a proper look at the damage caused by the piston:



The picture makes it look far worse than it is and nothing can be felt with the nail. Taking it up to the motor vehicle college to use their bore measurer to see if I can get away with a re-hone or a rebuild

[ross_jsy]

Not updated this in a while as not much has been happening, life has been getting in the way.

Craig has spent some money for me, bought a 2.65 LSD off him:



Which I then proceeded to strip down:





It will be getting brand new bearings, seals, plates and some increased lock, along with a fresh coat in 2 pack. Here it is after blasting. Need to take it back to the workshop to finish it off a bit more before it gets painted:



I also was given a sheet metal folder, so I will be making a nice twin ear hanger for the rear diff when I find some time.

Craig, being the nice chap he is also pointed me in the direction of Gunni, who is now selling a plug and play VEMS ecu for a very reasonable price. That was ordered a week or so ago and looks something like this:



The rear end has been fully stripped. Deciding if it is worth going for an adjustable beam or not.

Got to get saving, next big purchase is pistons and rods and they won't be cheap Think I am going to look for another head as by the time I have sent this head off island to be repaired and shipped back, it's going to cost a fortune.