The 2.8 build begins

[Templ8e30]

Finally got all my parts back from the machine shop today, I'm aiming to have this engine built and installed in 1 week

Spec:

M20B25 head/block/pistons/inlet manifold/injectors/ECU
M52B28 crank
M20B20 conrods
Catcam 273 degree cam
BTB 6 branch
2.8 chip from Ant
Total seal piston rings
Heavy duty grade main and big-end bearing shells
6kg flywheel
6 paddle clutch

I've bought the following from BMW:
New rockers and shafts
Spray bar
Water pump
Main and big-end bolts
All new locating dowels

GSF have supplied a new oil pump and all new gaskets and oil seals

I've had the following work done at the machine shop at a cost of over £600:

Full competition spec engine balance (crank/flywheel/clutch/vibration damper/pulley/pistons/conrods (end to end)/big end bolts and even flywheel bolts.

Head has been crack and pressure tested, bead blasted, skimmed, new valve guides and exhaust valves, all valves and seats re-cut.

Block has been re-honed (glaze busted) and had 0.5mm shaved off the top to keep the piston/head clearance (squish) the same as a standard M20B25.

I hope to start building her up this weekend, I've booked thursday/friday next week off to get the 2.7 out and this baby dropped in.

Can't wait to get her run in

Cheers,

Iain T

[Templ8e30]

Some head pics:











The last pic doesn't do the skim any justice, to the naked eye it's a beautiful job.

Cheers,

Iain T

[Phatz]

Nice one mate, will be keeping a close eye on this.

I started a build some time ago but haven't touched it for a while as I'v ebeen so busy with work. I'm at the stage where my bits all need to go to the machine shop for lightening and balancing but just haven't got round to it.

Anyway, best of luck with the build. Just out of curiousity, what sort of figures are you hoping for once all is installed? I ask because I'm going for a similar spec myself.

Cheers

[reggid]

It will be interesting for me see how the catcam 273 goes with the extra CC's.....see if you can find a RR when all is said and done.

good luck with it.

[Paynts]

did you go oversize on the exhaust valves?
valve springs standard or uprated

[he30]

Good luck with the build Iain, look forward to seeing the finished product.

I've toyed with this idea with the sport, after speaking to matt but can't decide wether to keep it standard(ish) or not. I'll be eargerly awaiting power/performance figures.

[Turbo-Brown]

When you say heavy duty big-end and main bearings, do you mean copper-cast-lead bearings?

If so I'd take them back and exchange them for steel-backed-aluminium if it were me. CCL bearings are totally unnecessary unless you've got something like a diesel engine, too hard and have poor "embedability" which means any little bits of crap that find their way into the oil system will score the crank rather than harmlessly sink into the bearings.

Good luck with your build whichever way you decide to go dude

[Andyboy]

CCL bearings are totally unnecessary unless you've got something like a diesel engine, too hard and have poor "embedability" which means any little bits of crap that find their way into the oil system will score the crank rather than harmlessly sink into the bearings.

Absolutely - CCL shells only really work with a nitrided steel crank. Standard 325i shells will be fine with the iron 2.8 crank.

[JazzMan]

Nice one, I'm just waiting for the 2.8 chip from Ant now to get mine started. I used standard shells for my build

[Templ8e30]

When you say heavy duty big-end and main bearings, do you mean copper-cast-lead bearings?

If so I'd take them back and exchange them for steel-backed-aluminium if it were me. CCL bearings are totally unnecessary unless you've got something like a diesel engine, too hard and have poor "embedability" which means any little bits of crap that find their way into the oil system will score the crank rather than harmlessly sink into the bearings.

Good luck with your build whichever way you decide to go dude

Lead, no chance.

I've got KolbenSchmidt KS R25 mains and big ends with a steel backing and an AlSn20Cu2 running layer. Load bearing capacity is 60Mpa.

Still waiting for my 2.8 chip from Ant, I'll have to ring him tuesday. Need it here for friday

Cheers,

Iain T

[bmwe30mtech]

Really nice spec, i like it a lot. The top end pics take me back to doing mine in february.

Mind me asking how much the new set of rockers were from BMW?

[Templ8e30]

Really nice spec, i like it a lot. The top end pics take me back to doing mine in february.

Mind me asking how much the new set of rockers were from BMW?

£12 each plus VAT (£170)

Cheers,

Iain T

[bmwe30mtech]

Thats a good bit less than i thought, although still not cheap. Might have to replace mine one day now, when im not broke!

[Beemer323]

Good on ya mate, its great to hear about a really nice m20 build, the way it should have been done.

Phatz, I'm in exactly the same position as you! Got heaps of stuff in boxes...waiting...looking for 300hp.

[Tom-Tom]

Finally got all my parts back from the machine shop today, I'm aiming to have this engine built and installed in 1 week

Spec:

M20B25 head/block/pistons/inlet manifold/injectors/ECU
M52B28 crank
M20B20 conrods
Catcam 273 degree cam
BTB 6 branch
2.8 chip from Ant
Total seal piston rings
Heavy duty grade main and big-end bearing shells
6kg flywheel
6 paddle clutch

I've bought the following from BMW:
New rockers and shafts
Spray bar
Water pump
Main and big-end bolts
All new locating dowels

GSF have supplied a new oil pump and all new gaskets and oil seals

I've had the following work done at the machine shop at a cost of over £600:

Full competition spec engine balance (crank/flywheel/clutch/vibration damper/pulley/pistons/conrods (end to end)/big end bolts and even flywheel bolts.

Head has been crack and pressure tested, bead blasted, skimmed, new valve guides and exhaust valves, all valves and seats re-cut.

Block has been re-honed (glaze busted) and had 0.5mm shaved off the top to keep the piston/head clearance (squish) the same as a standard M20B25.

I hope to start building her up this weekend, I've booked thursday/friday next week off to get the 2.7 out and this baby dropped in.

Can't wait to get her run in

Cheers,

Iain T

Is this a cheaper route than swapping the whole 2.8 M52 engine? Or was your main reason for going down this route, the fact that you'd already invested time and money into your M20?

The planned spec sounds great though, do you have any rough idea of how much power the engine will make (without No2) when it's finished?

[Phatz]

Good on ya mate, its great to hear about a really nice m20 build, the way it should have been done.

Phatz, I'm in exactly the same position as you! Got heaps of stuff in boxes...waiting...looking for 300hp.

Are you hoping for this figure from an NA 2.8 M20?

[maxfield]

Going to be a monster engine!

[ric325i]

Good on ya mate, its great to hear about a really nice m20 build, the way it should have been done.

Phatz, I'm in exactly the same position as you! Got heaps of stuff in boxes...waiting...looking for 300hp.

Are you hoping for this figure from an NA 2.8 M20?

300 from a 2.8 is it getting a turbo too?

[Beemer323]

ITB's, 3.0 m3 crank, high comp, the full shebang really. Lets see what happens!

I wish there were more of these builds on here as they are really interesting. It seems most english chaps simply drop a bigger engine in...

I dont want to be a thread whore so again, good luck Templ8e30!

[Templ8e30]

Losing my rag with this now, spent the last 24 hours pulling the old engine out and stripping bits off it for fitment to the new engine. It's p!ssing down and windy, I'm cold and soaked.

It'll be worth it in the end though.

Cheers,

Iain T

[Templ8e30]

Job stopped for tonight, had hoped to get the engine bolted in but that'll have to be tomorrow now.

Still need to set the valve clearances and fit the cambelt covers/pulleys first.

Lost plenty of knuckle skin and think I'm getting a cold

2.7 coming out


Heavy duty cover plate


6 paddle friction plate and lightened flywheel machined to suit this special clutch


Nice deep cut to my thumb, feckin sore !


Hopefully she'll be a runner this time tomorrow

Cheers,

Iain T

[Silverfang]

Whast's happeneing to the 2.7,just outta curiosity

[SHAKEELE30]

Looks so awesome, good luck with this...Just a question though, you say over 600, if you dont mind, how much over 600

[Templ8e30]

Whast's happeneing to the 2.7,just outta curiosity

It's going to be rebuilt, needs a crank regrind and maybe pistons/valves after a nitrous detonation incident

It's already sold though, sorry dudes.

Well it's 7.30 and the sun is out with hardly a cloud in the sky

Lets get the bugger in

Cheers,

Iain T

[Jhonno]

Good luck fella

[beardymat]

good stuff iain, you said a week and you werent kidding. cant wait to see what she does especially as ive got the twin of this motor waiting to be built up

as soon as that fiesta ive got sells ill have the funds to finish it and drop it in.

[Chris-W]

as soon as that fiesta ive got sells ill have the funds to finish it and drop it in.

That must be one rare jazz mag!

[beardymat]

as soon as that fiesta ive got sells ill have the funds to finish it and drop it in.

That must be one rare jazz mag!

nah, just an unfortunate name for a car, would deffinately prefer the mag

[mattG]

Looking good Iain, what clutch pressure plate & rating is that?

[Templ8e30]

Just having a brew while I wait for the rain to subside.

The engine is in, all ancillaries bolted up,antifreeze in and bled, oil in and up to pressure and the fuel is pressurised.

Just need to fit the chipped ECU and a double check that I've got everything connected then we'll have a fire up.

I hate this bit, clenched teeth and shaky hands until it catches and everything is AOK.

Cheers,

Iain T

[march109]

Just having a brew while I wait for the rain to subside.

The engine is in, all ancillaries bolted up,antifreeze in and bled, oil in and up to pressure and the fuel is pressurised.

Just need to fit the chipped ECU and a double check that I've got everything connected then we'll have a fire up.

I hate this bit, clenched teeth and shaky hands until it catches and everything is AOK.

Cheers,

Iain T

Good luck, and get us a video!

[DieselMeister]

Good luck, and get us a video!

+1

[Templ8e30]

Fookin hell boys, you lot post fast !

Mat, I don't f@ck about mate

MattG, got the clutch from Gripforce clutches on the bay, they're not selling anything at the moment though. Made them an offer of $190 for it and it was here from the US within 4 days. It's a stage 3 clutch, heavy duty pressure plate and a 6 puck friction plate rated to 355bhp and 340lbft.

Managed to get the ECU in between the rain and showers.




























She's a runner

Initially ran with a couple of cylinders down but after a few seconds around 3000rpm she's on all 6 pots.

Sounds lovely and seems very eager to rev.

I'll have a shower (in the bathroom instead of outside for a change) then go for a spin

No vids as yet, don't want to get the camera wet.

Here's some pics :











And finally, the weather I've been working in all day yesterday and this afternoon


Cheers,

Iain T

[mattG]

Have you had your shower yet, hurry up whats it drive like?

[jaffro]

i cant believe you have done it already after me seeing it yesterday you dont mess about lol. it looks really good i bet your well pleased