Maximizing an AA Stage I Turbo

[SSJ_Chris]

I am working on getting all the parts to convert my 325is into an AA Stage I Gen III Turbo with an M3 engine. So here are some questions and concerns that i have.
1. Which M3 Engine should i get and what year?? 3.0L or 3.2L
2. Will the Stage I kit have that coveted blow off valve sound?
3. What can I do to maximize the Stage I kits performance?
Bigger Turbo, Polished and clipper, ceramic ball bearing, larger intercooler, water injector cooler kit
4. I am mechanically capable to do my coilovers and headers on other cars, so can i do the turbo install?
5. If i can't do it how much should someone be paid to install the turbo?
6. Is the AA high performance clutch an overkill for the power recquirements that i will be pushing.

and any other ideas will be welcomed.

SSJ_Chris

[///MCubed]

To answer you questions in an easy manner and that way you get all the info from the right source, call them up, they wont bite.

Now, from my experience, here it goes:

1. 3.2L

2. You will have a small blow off sound if it is routed back to the intake. If you want it to blow off to the atmosphere, you will have to reprogram to make sure your car doesn't stall.

3. You can do all of what you asked, but then why not go with the stage 2? You can go with the stage 1.5 (just the larger IC) and water/alcohol injection.

4. you can probably do the install of all the hardware and maybe some of the electronics (depends on your experience or how gun-ho you are), but the software I would only leave up to two people in the aftermarket business (AA or JimC).

5. How much should you pay? I guess that all depends on the quality and level of experience of the person that will do the job. I woulld expect at least $2500 (and that is a very low price). My opinion is, save yourself the heartache and just send it to AA and have them do it if you don't have anybody with experience near you.

6. The AA clutch for a stage 1 is recommended, but not required. Expect your stock clutch to go out sooner though, and trust me, you might as well put it on now 'cause you will want more boost in no time flat, it is that addicting.

The only other thing I would recommend is a LTW flywheel if you are doing the clutch, it will have you some labor. There are many things I would recommend, but I bet you have some kind of budget:D . Hope this helps.

[SSJ_Chris]

Hey thanks for the info. I figure that with the engine and the Stage II kit I should be spending around 26K, and I really don't want to spend anymore than that. But when i see how much that is I keep on seeing a 325is with an M3 engine and a Stage I kit and a Lancer Evo VIII sitting in my garage. In the long run it would cost me more but I would have 2 very fast cars and one of those would be brand new. The Lancer VIII should be out sometime late 2003 or early 2004 and the Stage I kit should fit me for that time frame.

[zenon]

(Zenon)How much does this M motor cost you?
Just wondering if you can build your motor up to something better than an M3 3.2?

[GMat]

Actually fyi, the lancer will be here at the end of this year :)

[SSJ_Chris]

GMat:
you are right the Evo VII will be here around the end of the year but on my post i said EVO VIII (8) not VII (7). I am waiting for the 6 spd that they are saying will be on the VIII, plus a little more hp and tq to fully lay the smackdown on the Sti WRX which might I add the EVO VII already spanks.