E30 with SR20DET

Discuss general engine, turbo and supercharger conversions in this section

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n1tr0_9
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Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:28 pm

I think perhaps the previous owner has removed the thermostat, and perhaps didnt fit a restrictor of any type in its place, hence high flow rates and reduced heat transfer from block/head to coolant.

Im gonna miss this car when it goes, always puts a smile on my face when i see it in the garage.
gareth
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Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:49 pm

Theo325 wrote:Another problem that has become evident is that the engine simply doesn't get warm enough! Water temp sits at around 55/60 degrees and the heater is unable to provide hot air unless you let the car idle for a while to raise the water temperature. Similarly, the oil temp is very low thanks to it not being thermostatically controlled. I think I'll just put a piece of cardboard in front of the oil cooler and see how this effects temps. I will also check there is a water thermostat fitted - you never know what suprises the previous owner of the engine has left.
being from a fragged ricer, was it used for drifting at all?
welding the diff (init), fitting cable ties and removing the thermostat are the first three stages of drift car prep :D
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Theo
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Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:59 pm

Previous owner wasn't a driftcock, but he was partial to a good bodge.
winx
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Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:03 pm

driftcock :mad: So what did you do when leaving Guildford last night?! winkeye
Theo
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Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:09 pm

My wheels slipped on an oily surface. Total accident. :P
winx
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Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:11 pm

Ah I see, thought that soot left by Oz looked slippy :P
e30topless
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Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:11 pm

Theo ,

stop messing around with this turd and get the H36 sorted !

:P
Theo
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Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:14 pm

The plan is to do the H36 over winter - I'm in the middle of clearing my garage so I can get it in there along with along with all the various parts. Will be great for when relatives come and visit as I can hide in the garage for hours working on it.
e30topless
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Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:17 pm

Theo325 wrote:The plan is to do the H36 over winter - I'm in the middle of clearing my garage so I can get it in there along with along with all the various parts. Will be great for when relatives come and visit as I can hide in the garage for hours working on it.
hmm, thats what I do ! :D
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Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:11 am

That reminds me, my mother arrives from the UK in two weeks time. Thank goodness there's still plenty of work to do on my car!

Someone enlighten an ignoramous like myself, what role do cableties play in drifting? To stop parts from flying loose ?
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winx
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Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:23 am

they are the chief bodging tool for all drifters, that and gaffer tape!!

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GeoffBob
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Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:46 am

Good God, Frankenbumper :eek: Ta.
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Theo
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Fri Nov 13, 2009 6:53 pm

It has a Nismo thermostat, which opens at 62 degrees - £50 to buy new apparently!?!

Will replace with a standard one and hope that brings the heaters to life.
stonesie
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Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:39 pm

Theo325 wrote:It has a Nismo thermostat, which opens at 62 degrees - £50 to buy new apparently!?!
Sounds like a quality bit of Ebay Fodder winkeye


This project is awesom by the way 8)

Much as I love the sound of my M20 when it's on cam, I also love to hear a turbo doing it's thing...
GeoffBob
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Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:41 pm

62'C way too cold on a track car :eek: Who would do such a thing? What are these drifters thinking? Would recommend you aim for 80 to 85'C.
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Fri Nov 13, 2009 8:43 pm

cable ties perform all sorts of heroic deeds. i know someone that held a broken balljoint into the lower control arm for the drive home from my house. 8O
gareth
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Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:25 pm

GeoffBob wrote:That reminds me, my mother arrives from the UK in two weeks time. Thank goodness there's still plenty of work to do on my car!
a better plan still, while she's flying one way, you fly the other way :D
i'm sure a few of us could provide accomodation in exchange for your services over the xmas break winkeye
GeoffBob wrote:Good God, Frankenbumper :eek: Ta.
:rofl:


i've seen a fiesta van with the bottom engine mount literally made of cable ties. like 100 of them!
did a good job too, it ran well for a good few months after purchase before it was noticed while servicing it
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DRIFTBOY
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Sat Nov 14, 2009 1:54 am

It's only cable ties and hoses that hold my intercooler in place! :D

Cable ties (and duct tape) are a bodgers best friend! winkeye
Jeremy Clarkson wrote:...but it drives the front wheels. Theee wrooong wheels!
da4x4turbo wrote:I raced a vivaro on the motorway once in a 318is.... and lost!!!
GeoffBob
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Sat Nov 14, 2009 1:26 pm

gareth wrote:
GeoffBob wrote:That reminds me, my mother arrives from the UK in two weeks time. Thank goodness there's still plenty of work to do on my car!
a better plan still, while she's flying one way, you fly the other way :D
i'm sure a few of us could provide accomodation in exchange for your services over the xmas break winkeye
Gareth Sir, you are too kind. For enough beer I'll fix anything you want me to :D .
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Theo
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Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:46 am


GeoffBob
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Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:10 pm

Theo325 wrote:New 82 degree C thermostat is fitted
:thumb:
Theo325 wrote:A 5th bonnet pin is also now fitted to stop the middle of the bonnet lifting at the front. Looks crap, but the weight saving of a single skin GRP bonnet is considerable.
Could you not disguise it with a row of red LED's that roll backwards and forwards. Now wouldn't that be OTT :eek:
Theo325 wrote:I had the troublesome pipe pop off again whilst giving it some stick, I managed to free wheel along way though, due to my considerable velocity
Also had my fair share of problems with boost pipes popping off. I welded a lip around the edge of all my stainless tubes to give my silicone hoses something to grip onto. Another trick (I am told) is to glue a layer of course emery cloth around the outside of the offending pipe (with the coarse surface upwards). This also gives the silcone hose something to bit on, but I prefer having a proper lip around all my pipes.

Almost there Theo! Well done so far. Interested to hear how hard you can brake on the track with those brakes of yours (once the pads and discs are bedded, that is). Are you running on your semislicks at the moment or on normal road tyres?
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Gunni
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Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:19 pm

My friend made this to fix hoses popping off.

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Theo
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Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:53 pm

Could you not disguise it with a row of red LED's that roll backwards and forwards. Now wouldn't that be OTT
I'm sure somewhere, there is someone with a saxo or fiesta who would actually like that. Alas, the LEDs would affect my weight distribution too severely...

The boost pipe which pops off is one from a kit which came with the engine, the bit of the pipe which is clamped is just too short. All the ones I cut and got beaded by a friend at his work are fine. He's got a neat tool which puts a perfect bead on the end of aluminium pipe, quite expensive apparently so I was told not to touch :) If I didn't have access to this then I would no doubt be trying some of the above suggestions.

I'm running r888s at the moment, I have no road tyres to use! I'll be sure to bed the brakes in properly in the next couple of hundred of miles, I've only done a couple of hard brake applications so far.
n1tr0_9
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Sun Nov 15, 2009 3:39 pm

This is the beading tool that i have been using to do theo's other hoses. Those modified grips are a really neat idea. I love the ingenuity.

http://shop.useful-tools.co.uk/hand-bea ... ol-4-p.asp
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tomislav
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Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:04 pm

£245??????? Ouch!!!
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n1tr0_9
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Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:08 pm

Yeah but its really good. Im just lucky i can borrow it from work
Theo
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Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:12 pm

Update time:

New thermostat is in and working a treat, water temp sits in the mid 80s now. The heater now works as well, although only after I swapped round the two hoses going two/from the heater.

I've also remade the hotpipe, and it's a much neater, smoother flowing design. More importantly it doesn't pop off all the time. Just need to get the ends beaded and it will be finished.

On the hotpipe, I've had a suitable flange welded on and fitted my Greddy Type S BOV which is recirculating into the the air intake after the MAF. This supposedly gives better throttle response and improves fuel consumption...

After playing around with the boost controller I got it set at a safe level and took it for a hard test drive. It's properly quick now! Not sure exactly what change has caused this, perhaps it was leaking boost before. The acceleration in 5th at 3000rpm is akin to that of a 325i in 3rd at 5000rpm.

5th bonnet pin is now mounted to the centre of the bonnet and it doesn't flap round anymore.

Next problem to solve is the exhaust - it's knocking around a bit and needs extra support. Once that's done I will have very little to complain about! Actually, that's not true. The exhaust is also making big bangs on gear changes even at low RPM which is a bit embarassing when you're just bumbling along in the village after a trip to the petrol station.

Pic of engine bay:
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Jon_Bmw
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Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:31 pm

Weapon. I want one.

I presume it has been chipped, I wonder if they removed the 'cut fuel on overun' option for the ghetto rude boi look?
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Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:36 pm

Looks fantastic Theo!! :banana: And you are blowing off back into your intake, that's so polite of you :D
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Theo
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Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:20 pm

Cheers Geoff, and thanks again for all your incredibly useful input along the way.

I am very, very happy with it. :D
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hoshy
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Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:23 pm

Awesome work theo - that's a proper hero chariot!
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Theo
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Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:26 pm

Jon_Bmw wrote:Weapon. I want one.

I presume it has been chipped, I wonder if they removed the 'cut fuel on overun' option for the ghetto rude boi look?
It has a chip from Horsham Developments which is meant to be the best one you can get.
hoshy wrote:Awesome work theo - that's a proper hero chariot!
Thanks! Wish it would stop raining so I can drive the car without it trying to kill me all the time.
winx
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Wed Nov 25, 2009 7:54 pm

:cheers: :rock:

NEED a ride :wink:
bss325i
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Wed Nov 25, 2009 8:46 pm

Will you be at the Ace on monday?
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Theo
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Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:08 pm

Yep, I will.
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