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Thread: e30 m52 turbo build

  1. #1
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    e30 m52 turbo build

    The other day I removed the head off my m52 to find out why I was burning coolant. The engine only has about 300 miles on it, with a resurfaced head and new gasket. This i what i found....

    If you look at the rings around the cylinder walls they are warped and not flush. I knew something wasn't right when i saw that the upper radiator hose was super pressurized. Ive heard some bad things about victor reinz head gaskets.
    So now that the head is off and the e30 is no longer my daily driver i have decided to go forced induction. I have some basic knowledge of forced induction but might need some help along the way. I have decided that right know im looking for around 300-350 horsepower which is more than enough for an e30, and will also be kind of budget build. As for manifold i was thinking the cast ebay one, havent heard to many bad about them. I have just ordered the vac prep forced induction kit which is mls and arp's, but went with the .120 thickness cause im not looking for extreme boost. Not sure what turbo yet probably something generic like t3/t4. I will be babying my new stock clutch for the time being. I would like come of your thoughts and input.
    This i where im at now.


    86' 325es OBD1 M52~VSL Radiator~Spal Slim Fan~ Superprint Headers~ Ground Control Coilovers ~ Koni Shocks~ RX7/VW BBK ~TreeHouse Control Arm Bushings~5000K Hid Headlights/Fog lights
    11' Sierra Z71 2.5 inch Level~285 75 17's~Westin Sportman Grille Guard

  2. #2
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    Never,ever use Victor Reinz again,please Nowadays it is not even substantially cheaper than Elring or Goetze.

  3. #3
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    What engine? All I see is dat azz in your avatar! MORE MORE MORE

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Armo95 View Post
    What engine? All I see is dat azz in your avatar! MORE MORE MORE
    its an m52, trying to find some s52 cams before i but it back together.
    Im thinking about changing the avatar, cant post anything haha.... all i get is more!! more!!

    86' 325es OBD1 M52~VSL Radiator~Spal Slim Fan~ Superprint Headers~ Ground Control Coilovers ~ Koni Shocks~ RX7/VW BBK ~TreeHouse Control Arm Bushings~5000K Hid Headlights/Fog lights
    11' Sierra Z71 2.5 inch Level~285 75 17's~Westin Sportman Grille Guard

  5. #5
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    I've never seen anyone have success with the cast ebay manifold in an E30. I know a guy near me selling a mani that will fit your motor/car though.

    Status: Someone put glitter in my oil. Wait. Why's all my oil outside the engine? What's that knocking?

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by protomor View Post
    I've never seen anyone have success with the cast ebay manifold in an E30. I know a guy near me selling a mani that will fit your motor/car though.
    ohhh dang, i was thinking about top mount. i have a ton of space, cause im not running any A/C.

    86' 325es OBD1 M52~VSL Radiator~Spal Slim Fan~ Superprint Headers~ Ground Control Coilovers ~ Koni Shocks~ RX7/VW BBK ~TreeHouse Control Arm Bushings~5000K Hid Headlights/Fog lights
    11' Sierra Z71 2.5 inch Level~285 75 17's~Westin Sportman Grille Guard

  7. #7
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    ha ha you said "dang" thats his last name hes got a Top mount turbo manifold for sale.

    E30 Turbo 2.8L - 60ft - 1.70 :: 1/8th - 6.99 :: MPH - 105.47 :: 1/4 - 10.66 :: MPH - 132.53
    Daily E36 M3 - 60ft - 1.790 :: 1/8th - 8.20 :: MPH - 84.68 :: 1/4 - 12.81 :: MPH - 107.05
    *RIP* E36 M3 - 60ft - 1.944 :: 1/8th - 8.64 :: MPH - 80.00 :: 1/4 - 13.55 :: MPH - 99.95
    Cool2seat's TTstg1 E36 M3 - 60ft - 2.123 :: 1/8th - 8.44 :: MPH - 87.71 :: 1/4 - 12.94 :: MPH - 107.95

  8. #8
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    +1 lulz

    Status: Someone put glitter in my oil. Wait. Why's all my oil outside the engine? What's that knocking?

  9. #9
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    already got a price for the kid from viet. should here back soon its a pretty good price for a brand new manifold never used

    E30 Turbo 2.8L - 60ft - 1.70 :: 1/8th - 6.99 :: MPH - 105.47 :: 1/4 - 10.66 :: MPH - 132.53
    Daily E36 M3 - 60ft - 1.790 :: 1/8th - 8.20 :: MPH - 84.68 :: 1/4 - 12.81 :: MPH - 107.05
    *RIP* E36 M3 - 60ft - 1.944 :: 1/8th - 8.64 :: MPH - 80.00 :: 1/4 - 13.55 :: MPH - 99.95
    Cool2seat's TTstg1 E36 M3 - 60ft - 2.123 :: 1/8th - 8.44 :: MPH - 87.71 :: 1/4 - 12.94 :: MPH - 107.95

  10. #10
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    i thought the victor reinz HG had a good rep? somone school me? cos so far ive got the wrong set of head studs and a sub par head gasket :S
    Long time E34 owner
    Now E39 530D touring Sport Auto

  11. #11
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    No issues with a VR gasket on an M20 at over 400whp... so I don't really believe the claims about VR.

    Also op, I would suggest contacting Otis (good & tight)for a manifold, great guy to deal with.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by NOTORIOUS VR View Post
    No issues with a VR gasket on an M20 at over 400whp... so I don't really believe the claims about VR.

    Also op, I would suggest contacting Otis (good & tight)for a manifold, great guy to deal with.
    You will never see Elring or Goetze look the way VR looks on the OP's pictures.Once the fire ring is pushed they are gone,but VR is deformed on a multiple spots.There are many club racing guys that have failures with VR on M/S5X.It even looks and feels cheap and fragile.
    Is the M20 holding without O-rings or welded head?
    Last edited by bawareca; 06-27-2012 at 04:47 PM.

  13. #13
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    surely when the head is clamped down that fire ring cannot go anywhere? except, obviously for the op it can....

    Op, have you inspected the combustion chambers, i know of 3 heads recently which have had cracks in no4 between the valve and coolant passage
    one of them was my own m52
    Last edited by uk525td; 06-27-2012 at 05:00 PM.
    Long time E34 owner
    Now E39 530D touring Sport Auto

  14. #14
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    get the manifold from blunttech. $500 and it's a quality piece.
    1985 325 - 5 speed - LSD - M50NV - MS2/extra - AEM UEGO - TiAL MV-R - 750cc injectors - HX35 - Blunttech Manifold - 3" exhaust
    1991 318i - 5 speed - M50NV - e36 rack - Smileys

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by uk525td View Post
    surely when the head is clamped down that fire ring cannot go anywhere? except, obviously for the op it can....

    Op, have you inspected the combustion chambers, i know of 3 heads recently which have had cracks in no4 between the valve and coolant passage
    one of them was my own m52
    the head is at the shop getting pressure tested, didnt see and cracks but wanted to know for sure.

    86' 325es OBD1 M52~VSL Radiator~Spal Slim Fan~ Superprint Headers~ Ground Control Coilovers ~ Koni Shocks~ RX7/VW BBK ~TreeHouse Control Arm Bushings~5000K Hid Headlights/Fog lights
    11' Sierra Z71 2.5 inch Level~285 75 17's~Westin Sportman Grille Guard

  16. #16
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    Make sure the head is heated prior to pressure testing. M50 based heads have been known to seal when cold but open up cracks when at op temp.

    Status: Someone put glitter in my oil. Wait. Why's all my oil outside the engine? What's that knocking?

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by bawareca View Post
    Is the M20 holding without O-rings or welded head?
    Neither... wasn't even resurfaced...

    The whole welding the head thing is a gimmick... we did that on the first head... later found that it wasn't needed for 400-420whp...

    One motor was o-ringed but still using a VR gasket, it held just fine @ 501whp even when one piston let go.

  18. #18
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    i will definitely be running the otis manifold, i have a friend driving me up one in a few weeks. I am looking for no more than 15 lbs, im thinking t3/t4 is my best option plus thats the flange on the manifold. what is good price for a t3/t4, i've seen a lot of people run the holset hx35 and they seem much cheaper. Thoughts?

    86' 325es OBD1 M52~VSL Radiator~Spal Slim Fan~ Superprint Headers~ Ground Control Coilovers ~ Koni Shocks~ RX7/VW BBK ~TreeHouse Control Arm Bushings~5000K Hid Headlights/Fog lights
    11' Sierra Z71 2.5 inch Level~285 75 17's~Westin Sportman Grille Guard

  19. #19
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    The Holset HX35 is an excellent choice, very good spool and tough as nails.

  20. #20
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    Go with Goetze next time.

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