Another E34 Turbo Build

[Emons34]

So, im basically building a turbo motor for my 94 e34 and this is what i already have:

complete m30 motor, harness, computer, no tranny

complete m50nv motor, no harness, tranny

Car 93 E34 w/ m50tu 5 speed, 3.21 LSD, everything suspension...

After researching parts, cost, and availability, i dont think im going to go w/ the m30 motor, so that leaves me with the m50's should i go with my current motor which already has the vanos issue , or go w/ the m50nv with the bigger ports, no vanos, and dual valve springs, but w/ the m50nv will i need a new computer and harness cuz i believe they dont have knock sensors??

oh and yes i know the m30 is basically the shit, but 17 mpg before the turbo?! $300-500 for a tranny, and that awful intake intake system just doesnt seem worth it, and im not looking to buy another motor so no m52, s50, or s52

[attack eagle]

turbo what you have, I think most if not all the off the shelf FI chip tunes are for m50tu

[StealthBimmer]

or....a better option, sell those engines and find a m52

[Binjammin]

Ask JonK, he'll tell you the best way to go. He's 5mall5nail5 on the board.

[Emons34]

but what about the heads, m50nv or m50v for boost?

[525fourthew1n]

The NV heads have thicker valves I believe, but vanos can help any turbo setup.

[5mall5nail5]

The compression difference is in the pistons btw.

The lack of maintaining a vanos unit is enough for me to not want one. But, some people think that the 6mm valve stems save a ton of weight... though I see M50NV revving way higher than M50TU's, even with their 6mm stems.

What you could do is take the M50TU head and drop the vanos and put the M50 front cover on and have an M50 non vanos with 6mm stems and swap in the double valve springs. I think that's been done before.

[cant hit bombz]

Wait...wut


do you have to be a rocket scientist to understand Jon's posts?lol

[HE53]

The compression difference is in the pistons btw.

The lack of maintaining a vanos unit is enough for me to not want one. But, some people think that the 6mm valve stems save a ton of weight... though I see M50NV revving way higher than M50TU's, even with their 6mm stems.

What you could do is take the M50TU head and drop the vanos and put the M50 front cover on and have an M50 non vanos with 6mm stems and swap in the double valve springs. I think that's been done before.

I don't see why you couldn't... you could also use a NV head with a Vanos unit..


I am in the same agreement with you about rather not messing with the vanos unit and having the thicker valves and double valve springs.

[5mall5nail5]

Thicker valves are said to be more weight, which makes sense, but I wonder if it helps in preventing bending them or floating them I dunno.

[clevertd]

Another Charlottean... nice. PM Specter325, he lives off WT Harris past UNCC and has a TCD turbo kit on his 325 w/ M52 motor. He's a track instructor.

What are your goals and will the car be a DD?

[Shuasha]

What are your goals? What power level are you looking for? Are you planning on tracking the car? Keep the VANOS if it's a daily driver/street car. The low end torque is nice and it helps the turbo spool earlier. I've had both in my M3 and while I like the non-vanos, I'll probably put a VANOS head on it if I need to pull the head for any reason.

The tuning is also more readily available for a M50 TU. Contact TRM on this board or their website, they have an off the shelf tune and will do custom if needed.

[jessejames]

I can't wait for pics

[Emons34]

The compression difference is in the pistons btw.

The lack of maintaining a vanos unit is enough for me to not want one. But, some people think that the 6mm valve stems save a ton of weight... though I see M50NV revving way higher than M50TU's, even with their 6mm stems.

What you could do is take the M50TU head and drop the vanos and put the M50 front cover on and have an M50 non vanos with 6mm stems and swap in the double valve springs. I think that's been done before.

im liking that theory, im gonna have to do some research on that, but it sounds like ill need some tuning if i pull that vanos off my m50tu, it'll probly make it run like poop?

As for what my goals are, currently its my dd, but im getting a civic within the next few months so i can make this my project car, i do a little autocross now and then but over all im just a spirited driver, love going to the mountains every other weekend and getting a little side ways, so with that in mind id like to get around 240-260hp/trq to the wheels, but i do plan on building the motor internally so im sure i can reach that with what ever motor i decide to go with, oh and im going to be doing everything myself, im a auto mechanic and this is my first bmw build but ive done a few hondas in my past life...

oh and when can i start using smileys and pm'in people?

[uk525td]

thinner valve stems also allow more flow.....common in na tuning is to fit stronger valves with smaller stems as a simple way of getting more port area.

[uk525td]

oh and when can i start using smileys and pm'in people?

When you show us your honda bonfire?

[5mall5nail5]

thinner valve stems also allow more flow.....common in na tuning is to fit stronger valves with smaller stems as a simple way of getting more port area.

Very minor though - the cool thing about the M50NV head is you can run dual intake cams for more lift on both sides.

[uk525td]

Very minor though - the cool thing about the M50NV head is you can run dual intake cams for more lift on both sides.

thats true
1mm smaller stem is no where near the same area you gain from going up 1mm on a valve size

dual cams?!?!? as in two cam shafts on the intake side?!?!? im off to find a vanos diagram

[Shuasha]

Just keep in mind that tuning is everything and your life will be MUCH MUCH easier with the TU engine since there are options.

[clevertd]

id like to get around 240-260hp/trq to the wheels

You could do that with a M20. Set your goals higher for the DOHC, otherwise, just find a used S/C kit and call it a day.

[JUTTERB]

17 mpg? What's wrong with your m30? My 535i gets 21-22 back and forth to work. I just recently drove through the Rockies down to New Mexico and averaged 26 MPG with an automatic. Boost the M30 and be done with it.

[strayts]

I can't wait for pics

agreed.

17 mpg? What's wrong with your m30? My 535i gets 21-22 back and forth to work. I just recently drove through the Rockies down to New Mexico and averaged 26 MPG with an automatic. Boost the M30 and be done with it.

agreed.

[BMWheadSpence]

17 mpg? What's wrong with your m30? My 535i gets 21-22 back and forth to work. I just recently drove through the Rockies down to New Mexico and averaged 26 MPG with an automatic. Boost the M30 and be done with it.

finally, a simple suggestion. that SOUNDS way easier than mm this and vanos that, super-charge this and m50 that. besides, with the m30, you'll be able to call yourself a 535i owner (not to discriminate any other m** e34s)
big six baby

[clevertd]

His power goals don't necessitate a M30 turbo, and he doesn't have a transmission for it. Sell what you have. Turbo/supercharge the M50TU. VANOS makes more usable power everywhere. Swap in M3 cams. Your requirements are very easy to reach.

[e34freak1993]

I'm probably gonna end up doin this same thing!

Plz make sure u note everything use and how you did it.

Thanxs Derek