325is turbo from the states

[akk-]

Hey everyone.

I lurk this forum on and off quite a bit and love the wiki section btw!
I'm from the US, California to be exact, and just want to share my little 325iS turbo with you guys.

It's fun to see the differences between in our cars and how we mod them; EU vs. US.

I'll stop talking now
Let me know what you think or if you have any questions!

-Ak

[redcar]

Lovely car. Looks very cool

[mani]

Loving the interior

[NL-BMW]

Very Nice - Links to any vids?

[OOjoeE30]

Looks good
Is the motor built or stock internals? Specs
Are you part of Castro? have seen some of there builds on bimmer forums they have some awesome cars.
Is interesting how tunning methods differ whether it relates to petrol prices, steering wheel being on the other side, we seem to be a bit behind in some respects.

[blackE30indy]

Liking the look of this mate

[akk-]

Thank you everyone!
I wish I had vids.
Maybe next time my friend brings his camera we'll try some!

Looks good
Is the motor built or stock internals? Specs
Are you part of Castro? have seen some of there builds on bimmer forums they have some awesome cars.
Is interesting how tunning methods differ whether it relates to petrol prices, steering wheel being on the other side, we seem to be a bit behind in some respects.

Yes, I'm Castro's good friend! He definitely does good work/fabrication. No more than 30 miles out from his shop.
I wouldn't say you're behind to be honest. There are many people in the states who envy your cars.

The motor is essentially stock with a completely OEM rebuilt bottom end.
All the bearings
Race Piston rings
ARP connecting rod bolts
ARP main bolts
ARP head bolts
O-Ringed the block
Stock sized Goetze headgasket
Head is untouched, though a rebuilt head with HD rocker arms is going in.

Garrett t3/t4 Hybrid turbo .60/.63 v-band
CXracing manifold; cut off the 2-bolt flange and welded a v-band for the wastegate
42lb injectors
HKS bov
TiAL 44mm mvr wastegate

For tuning, using a 3.5" Miller MAF (draw-through setup) and the stock 173 ECU.


Excuse the crappy pictures.

[dips346]

car looks cool

[maxfield]

Car looks good.

What hp/tq is it running?

[OOjoeE30]

Nice setup
I meant behind just in a sense that the FI market isnt really catered for.

[akk-]

Thanks!
And oh okay, I understand now. Parts aren't as easily available I'm guessing?

Car is on 12psi making 275wheel hp and 280wheel torque tuned on a Mustang Dyno

I cannot go further without either water/meth injection or standalone ECU, because the 173 ECU isn't "smart" enough in a sense even though my 3.5" is 400hp capable (which can be used on an e36 M3 turbo for example)

[parkin10]

tasty e30 you have there

[ross2009]

pretty smart liking the wheels

[Jim-Jim]

mm mm mm shes too sexy!!

[Tan91]

Looks awesome man..those e38 wheels they redrilled or hub adapters.

Wanted to do the same, best setup on e30 for stock i think.

[akk-]

Thanks guys ;)

Looks awesome man..those e38 wheels they redrilled or hub adapters.

Wanted to do the same, best setup on e30 for stock i think.

You recognized them rolling didn't you!

I filled(welded all the holes shut) and redrilled them.
A reputable wheel shop did the work here for $240.

Now, if you do this option you are going to need an 8mm spacer in front to clear brakes. I did 20mm all around.

Smallest safe adapter you can get on the market is 18mm(which is cool, so now you can run 17" Style 5's, Style 32's and such if you get bored.)

Cleared no problem with a good roll front and back with a 205/45/16 tire!

[Hotspur]

That is some weapon you have dude. She looks evil

[akk-]

Hey fellas! Here are some more pictures for your enjoyment.

[akk-]

[Chris_B86]

Really liking this. I want all red rear lights, are they stock US spec, or have you sprayed them? I notice the one next to it in the second to last pic has them too

[Greeny]

You American boys do know how to get the perfect "stance" lovely E30.

[akk-]

Really liking this. I want all red rear lights, are they stock US spec, or have you sprayed them? I notice the one next to it in the second to last pic has them too

Thanks! The owner of that car next to mine is my best friend.
Known him since the tender age of 7 haha. Runs an s50 turbo.

The tail lights are stock and sprayed professionally by a body shop. You can do it yourself, but have to follow correct steps so they don't "oxidize" in months.

The popular off the shelf spray paint we use that is a dead on match to stock and transparent is "Testers: Candy apple red".
Hobby shops have it here!

[Chris_B86]

Really liking this. I want all red rear lights, are they stock US spec, or have you sprayed them? I notice the one next to it in the second to last pic has them too

Thanks! The owner of that car next to mine is my best friend.
Known him since the tender age of 7 haha. Runs an s50 turbo.

The tail lights are stock and sprayed professionally by a body shop. You can do it yourself, but have to follow correct steps so they don't "oxidize" in months.

The popular off the shelf spray paint we use that is a dead on match to stock and transparent is "Testers: Candy apple red".
Hobby shops have it here!

Cheers dude, I'll have a look for it. Only thing we have over here that I've seen is E-Tech or Foliatec red tinting spray. I'll look out for this.

S50 turbo? Wow you boys know how to do it right. Fair game

[matt86]

Really liking this. I want all red rear lights, are they stock US spec, or have you sprayed them? I notice the one next to it in the second to last pic has them too

Thanks! The owner of that car next to mine is my best friend.
Known him since the tender age of 7 haha. Runs an s50 turbo.

The tail lights are stock and sprayed professionally by a body shop. You can do it yourself, but have to follow correct steps so they don't "oxidize" in months.

The popular off the shelf spray paint we use that is a dead on match to stock and transparent is "Testers: Candy apple red".
Hobby shops have it here!

Cheers dude, I'll have a look for it. Only thing we have over here that I've seen is E-Tech or Foliatec red tinting spray. I'll look out for this.

S50 turbo? Wow you boys know how to do it right. Fair game

Etechs good that's what I used.

Very very nice cars both of them!

Is that what you call a jimmy hill spoiler the one fitted to the front??

[Eddie25]

Love this car.

Good spot Matt it looks like a chromie chin spoiler on a facelift.

I like

[matt86]

Love this car.

Good spot Matt it looks like a chromie chin spoiler on a facelift.

I like

yeh I wouldn't mind one of these for my facelift 2 door, think they're quite cool

[akk-]

Love this car.

Good spot Matt it looks like a chromie chin spoiler on a facelift.

I like

Haha I never heard it been called that!
But you guys are correct. It's an early model car front chin spoiler.
I was getting annoyed at my IS lip taking a beating since they are $120 over here so I threw this one on considering they are cheap at the junk yards.

We call our "chromies" diving boards, since they are huge. We didn't get the sleek bumpers you guys have.


Here's some pictures of my friend's S50 turbo. Keep in mind we don't get the Euro spec

How it started out:


Painted and facelift plastic bumpers at this point

[Tan91]

holy mother of resolution lol

did you not think of using the 4x100 > 5x120 adapters from adaptec or 8308 Labs ( i think thats the name haha), only asking because they are 20mm in thickness rather than the fill and drill?

Theres a dude on r3v limited selling them i think.

Also I must say that the bbs's with the non stretched tyres and mudflaps is such a awesome look

I was going to ask a bit of an anal question, if you have a decent phone or camera at hand you mind recording the sound of your motor with a few light revs obv when its warm, never heard a M20Turbo before...



Tan

[akk-]

Lol sorry. On my end it fits the pictures in the thread's column unless you click on it to enlarge. Do other's see differently?

I filled/drilled them instead because it was a cheaper option/sturdier and I can play with my offests instead of being permanent. When I sold them, I offered the buyers a set of 20mm's or 12mm's and sure enough some wanted both/either/or. 12mm's you can run good tire, 20mm's you can't.
Plus, I've heard too many stories of snapping studs/bolts on adapters. The consumer always has a story, but you just never know if it was human error or product design flaw unless you have an engineer stress test it, you know?


Haha and sure, I'd love to make a vid when I have the time. Couple friends have GoPro's.
I'll play with them when I have time.

[Tan91]

Lol no probs man, on my laptop the pic loads up like a billboard advert then re adjustes, the iPhone which I'm using now is still staying humungous.

Fair enough with the fill and drill. I wanted to do that as well but nobody near me does it, that and I haven't really bothered asking. I've heard decent reviews about the adaptec ones and a few VAG mates of myn have used them or still are, no snaps yet haha.

Btw did your seats come like that or is it a retrim job? Looks lovely....

[akk-]

I think adapttec offers 18mm adapters at the minimum.
When asking around, remember to request a FILL and drill. Not just redrill lol. Those seem sketchy since they most likely have to overlap bolt holes.

Seats are redone by my father's business. Does home interiors/upholstery/furnishing!



Another he did for my bud's e30 m3

[Tan91]

Holy Moly. Looks soo good. The padding design looks awesome on the set of red ones. M3 ones look delicious too, that's a rare combo with those m stripes, leather bolsters and top it off recaros too. Nice work credit to you father.

You should get a few shots of the moredoor. Looks good too.

Also your on stanceworks aren't you? If I'm correct then that's where I saw your car first about a month ago lol.

Glad you rememberd the fill part, avoiding all sorts of sh*t hitting the fan ha!

[akk-]

Haha thanks! I'll let my father know of the compliments.

And yes I'm on S/W, but mostly just lurk for the pretty pictures.
I'm way more active on r3vlimited. "ak-"

[scott180gtb]

Car looks magic!

What steering rack mods are you guys using? I'm looking for a LHD rack and was just wondering what is the best rack to fit for a track weapon in LHD form.

[akk-]

Z3 rack! It's a 2.7 lock to lock turn. Almost go-kart feeling.
There is also a guy here who makes spacers to put on your rack/tie rods to give you a little more angle.