Edit: Read this if you are considering a “budget build” for your “daily” I’ll do my best to document success, failures and of course: sadness. Prior to this I had only done basic upgrades/maintenance so I’m still learning how to do it right, which is usually done by completely avoiding the word “budget.”
Name's Jonathan, been lurking around for a long while, avoiding the FS section because I really can't afford anything... Purchased an S52 shortblock last year planning for a swap from my M50tu and as luck would have I was able to come in and join the club with this nice old-school AA kit to "restore" and hopefully upgrade as needed and more specifically as the budget allows. Married with 2 kids so this project will take a backseat to life. Picked everything up last weekend:
Little rundown:
Rebuilt Obd1 S52 - I'll be swapping heads, probably installing a .140 MLS and adding S50 cams, refreshing everything as I go.
TD06 20g turbo - came in the original kit
AA tune for low compression OBD1 S52, 42lb, draw-through 3.5” maf (803?)
Assorted TRM bits - catch can and intercooler from an older kit.
Original exhaust sections and intercooler piping. Needs some work but I'll take care of what I can.
Original cast AA manifold. This thing is heavy...
Rally Road motor mount arm made for a 4" pipe. I hope to fill this area with a big-boy turbo eventually!
3" Magnaflow exhaust
Previous-previous owner said it did 380whp @ 9psi with this setup and tune. Not the highest number ever but it should be a really nice upgrade from my near-stock 205k M50tu i've been driving since 2003!!! I'll keep my progress up to date best I can. Here's a look at what Ive been doing with the car for the past year and a half, think of it as a part-time daily/drifter:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...uild-Austin-TX
Suggestions/wisdom/comments are all welcome, I know this is a pretty primitive setup but don't hate!
Last edited by jjjjjjj; 10-05-2017 at 09:26 AM.
1995 325i | OBD1 S52 | S50 cams | AA Turbo TD06 20g / 42lb / Porsche maf | .140 MLS | F1 s3 clutch | Ultimate SSK | AKG 75D subframe/diff bushings | 3.23 LSD | Powerflex LCAB/RTAB | e46 fca | Raceland coils | BMP rear arms | DEPO HID | AEM Failsafe | Aeromotive FPR | Walbo 255 | 3" Magnaflow muffler/cat/res | 17x8.5/9.5" 225/45 & 255/40
Nice Good luck!!
92 325i TCD Turbo | 98 528i
Instagram: @kairaspo
As a veteran of the AA kits, good luck! Sell that 20g, get a GT35r, retune and you'll be in the 420 arena....the 20g just isn't going to cut it for you!
1997 Arctic Silver/Black M3
CES Stage IV (651rwhp/615rwtq @ 24 psi)
1999 Techno Violet/Dove M3
Auto/Convertible and staying stock!
awesome looking forward to the progress of this build!
i don't have much experience/knowledge of the 20g tubro but i'd imagine given its size it'll give you quick spool which is nice for daily driving.
Thanks guys, Im pretty excited because now I have about 90% of the parts needed for the swap and started building my engine hoist this morning (Daddy day, I watch my kids all day on my days off during the school year) so i'd like to be finished soon enough to have time for testing and some summer drift events!
Yeah, I know there is so much left on the table with the 20g but honestly I'm probably going to have to learn how to drive this car all over again plus I'm very new to drifting so it should be a hoot to say the least...
Oh yeah, here are some pics of the recipient:
and at the track:
1995 325i with 208k, 2nd owner since 2003. I've recently done pretty much all poly bushings front and rear, AKG 75D in rear subframe and diff plus reinforcements , swapped a 3.23 LSD so it's all pretty solid and ready for more power chassis-wise as soon as I figure out what to do about fatter tires as I'm looking to sell the 2 sets I own to get something wider.
So can you or someone else tell me what 380whp will do on a stock clutch? (Sachs heavy duty actually...) Recent slave, old-school "ultimate" SSK, no issues as of now. I also have a stock S52 clutch that came with the deal but not quite sure what I want to do yet or if it's a big deal at this power level.
1995 325i | OBD1 S52 | S50 cams | AA Turbo TD06 20g / 42lb / Porsche maf | .140 MLS | F1 s3 clutch | Ultimate SSK | AKG 75D subframe/diff bushings | 3.23 LSD | Powerflex LCAB/RTAB | e46 fca | Raceland coils | BMP rear arms | DEPO HID | AEM Failsafe | Aeromotive FPR | Walbo 255 | 3" Magnaflow muffler/cat/res | 17x8.5/9.5" 225/45 & 255/40
I've been following your build for a while, it's looking really good. I originally wanted to go top- mount and a google search about the OBX manifold led to your build sometime last year so keep up the good work!
The way I see it, top mount is way more awesome and has its advantages but at the same time I'm still ok with the stealthy bottom mount plus a cast manifold hopefully won't crack like my POS stainless headers have repeatedly.
I really want quick/transparent spool (if that makes sense) and really would like it to be reliable and semi-quiet more than just huge power so maybe this little turbo will be good start. Sleeper status has been another goal, I already have the 325i bumpers lol
1995 325i | OBD1 S52 | S50 cams | AA Turbo TD06 20g / 42lb / Porsche maf | .140 MLS | F1 s3 clutch | Ultimate SSK | AKG 75D subframe/diff bushings | 3.23 LSD | Powerflex LCAB/RTAB | e46 fca | Raceland coils | BMP rear arms | DEPO HID | AEM Failsafe | Aeromotive FPR | Walbo 255 | 3" Magnaflow muffler/cat/res | 17x8.5/9.5" 225/45 & 255/40
You may want to look into the f1 stage 3 clutch kit since I noticed you mentioned 'track' and 'drifting' which is significantly different to cruising on the street with 380whp. If you don't mind dropping the trans it might be worth it to try the HD sachs clutch kit you have now and see how it holds up.
AA tune for low compression OBD1 S52, 42lb, draw-through maf
Which HFM are you using with this tune?
I'll be following your build.
Fast lookin' but slow movin'
237 rwhp N/A power
1995 325i | OBD1 S52 | S50 cams | AA Turbo TD06 20g / 42lb / Porsche maf | .140 MLS | F1 s3 clutch | Ultimate SSK | AKG 75D subframe/diff bushings | 3.23 LSD | Powerflex LCAB/RTAB | e46 fca | Raceland coils | BMP rear arms | DEPO HID | AEM Failsafe | Aeromotive FPR | Walbo 255 | 3" Magnaflow muffler/cat/res | 17x8.5/9.5" 225/45 & 255/40
'97 M3, Estoril blue, 2 dr, euro 6-spd, EFR 9180 divided T4 .92 IWG, RK tuning, CP 8.5:1 pistons, Eagle rods, Schrick cams, L19 11 mm ARP studs, O-ringed block, Supertech stainless/inconel valves, Supertech springs & Ti retainers, ported head, S54 oil pump/pan, 80 lb. injectors, OBD1 intake manifold, Steedspeed twin scroll T4, 3.5" SS exhaust, eBoost2 EBC, HFS-4 W/M injection, AEM Failsafe, Zeitronix data logger, Racelogic TC, OpenOBC w. ethanol %, Ireland Eng. engine mounts, UUC black tranny mounts w. enforcers, UUC twin disc feramic, ARC-8's, MCS 2-ways, Z3 rack, Rallyroad strut bar, X brace, Eibach sway bars, Ground Control LCAB bushings, Bimmerworld RTAB's, Powerflex subframe bushings, 210 4-clutch LSD, Stoptech BBK, titainium shims, steel braided lines, brake cooling ducts.
1996 332IS
Built 3.2
CES/Steed TS Precision 6466, spraying a "$π!℅" load of meth.
Technique Tuning 80# tune.
1/4 mile 10.84 @ 136.72
Your 1 and only stop for all your BMW performance needs
WWW.CESMOTORSPORT.COM
I'm pretty sure I'll get used to it quickly but still enjoy it. I mean I'm very used to my current 160-ish whp so more than double will be "fun."
I agree on the daily part, bought my wife a new 6-speed Soul+ last year so that's the family vehicle that I drive quite a bit. Pretty slick shifting transmission!
I do know that it eventually will bug me to no end that so much is left on the table with the small turbo and this tune though...
1995 325i | OBD1 S52 | S50 cams | AA Turbo TD06 20g / 42lb / Porsche maf | .140 MLS | F1 s3 clutch | Ultimate SSK | AKG 75D subframe/diff bushings | 3.23 LSD | Powerflex LCAB/RTAB | e46 fca | Raceland coils | BMP rear arms | DEPO HID | AEM Failsafe | Aeromotive FPR | Walbo 255 | 3" Magnaflow muffler/cat/res | 17x8.5/9.5" 225/45 & 255/40
The more you drive it. The more you will want to be turning the dial on the controller.
1996 332IS
Built 3.2
CES/Steed TS Precision 6466, spraying a "$π!℅" load of meth.
Technique Tuning 80# tune.
1/4 mile 10.84 @ 136.72
Your 1 and only stop for all your BMW performance needs
WWW.CESMOTORSPORT.COM
Last edited by BadBoostedBmwM3; 03-20-2014 at 09:47 PM.
This is my signature....
380whp would be nice...but you'll always want more
I turn the boost controller off in the rain. When it's dry and I turn it on it feels fast again.
Sent from my GTX3582R
'97 M3, Estoril blue, 2 dr, euro 6-spd, EFR 9180 divided T4 .92 IWG, RK tuning, CP 8.5:1 pistons, Eagle rods, Schrick cams, L19 11 mm ARP studs, O-ringed block, Supertech stainless/inconel valves, Supertech springs & Ti retainers, ported head, S54 oil pump/pan, 80 lb. injectors, OBD1 intake manifold, Steedspeed twin scroll T4, 3.5" SS exhaust, eBoost2 EBC, HFS-4 W/M injection, AEM Failsafe, Zeitronix data logger, Racelogic TC, OpenOBC w. ethanol %, Ireland Eng. engine mounts, UUC black tranny mounts w. enforcers, UUC twin disc feramic, ARC-8's, MCS 2-ways, Z3 rack, Rallyroad strut bar, X brace, Eibach sway bars, Ground Control LCAB bushings, Bimmerworld RTAB's, Powerflex subframe bushings, 210 4-clutch LSD, Stoptech BBK, titainium shims, steel braided lines, brake cooling ducts.
I still need to learn about boost controllers, don't have one yet so I guess I'll just be at the mercy of the wastegate and tune. Probably need a boost gauge setup too... Oh the toys I'll be buying!
1995 325i | OBD1 S52 | S50 cams | AA Turbo TD06 20g / 42lb / Porsche maf | .140 MLS | F1 s3 clutch | Ultimate SSK | AKG 75D subframe/diff bushings | 3.23 LSD | Powerflex LCAB/RTAB | e46 fca | Raceland coils | BMP rear arms | DEPO HID | AEM Failsafe | Aeromotive FPR | Walbo 255 | 3" Magnaflow muffler/cat/res | 17x8.5/9.5" 225/45 & 255/40
Craig56 has a good boost controller, AMS-500, for sale. You can have three boost settings - off (waste gate spring), position 1 (medium boost), position 2 (high boost/kill).
I use them as off @ 13 psi (rain), position 1 @ 17 psi (track) and position 2 @ 20 psi (DD).
Sent from my GTX3582R
'97 M3, Estoril blue, 2 dr, euro 6-spd, EFR 9180 divided T4 .92 IWG, RK tuning, CP 8.5:1 pistons, Eagle rods, Schrick cams, L19 11 mm ARP studs, O-ringed block, Supertech stainless/inconel valves, Supertech springs & Ti retainers, ported head, S54 oil pump/pan, 80 lb. injectors, OBD1 intake manifold, Steedspeed twin scroll T4, 3.5" SS exhaust, eBoost2 EBC, HFS-4 W/M injection, AEM Failsafe, Zeitronix data logger, Racelogic TC, OpenOBC w. ethanol %, Ireland Eng. engine mounts, UUC black tranny mounts w. enforcers, UUC twin disc feramic, ARC-8's, MCS 2-ways, Z3 rack, Rallyroad strut bar, X brace, Eibach sway bars, Ground Control LCAB bushings, Bimmerworld RTAB's, Powerflex subframe bushings, 210 4-clutch LSD, Stoptech BBK, titainium shims, steel braided lines, brake cooling ducts.
Looks awesome Johnathan! Good luck!
It is going to be a fun car! Just a suggestion in style:
Make the centers of your wheels matte black (like your bumpers and strips) and paint the chrome lips white.
You can do that with plastidip, its cheap and easy and if you dont like it you can remove it simply. Use a normal clear coat (or the plastidip glossifier) over the white.
Stormtrooperlook ftw!
So a little progress:
Also, these bits arrived in the mail. Original AA throttle elbow and complete fuel pump assembly fitted with a Walbro 255. Used, but will save me some time and tinkering. Also have a .140 MLS on the way!
So i'm sort of at a roadblock... First I already didn't think ahead to "drain" the fuel system so had to deal with spewing gasoline when I pulled fuel line to take off the intake manifold. Not a big deal but now because I really want to remove the radiator support and everything I need to deal with draining the AC system. Not sure if there's a way to do this legitimately at this point. In the past I've debated deleting the AC system but Texas heat... sitting in traffic... I'd rather have AC even though I rarely use it.
Any tips about what to do about the 134a or a way around draining it? I'm pulling the engine+transmission and because I've never done it I want to have as much room as possible.
1995 325i | OBD1 S52 | S50 cams | AA Turbo TD06 20g / 42lb / Porsche maf | .140 MLS | F1 s3 clutch | Ultimate SSK | AKG 75D subframe/diff bushings | 3.23 LSD | Powerflex LCAB/RTAB | e46 fca | Raceland coils | BMP rear arms | DEPO HID | AEM Failsafe | Aeromotive FPR | Walbo 255 | 3" Magnaflow muffler/cat/res | 17x8.5/9.5" 225/45 & 255/40
If you can move the car still, Take it to a Firestone or somewhere of the likes, and have them extract. I believe they will do this free of charge. I could be wrong, but they have for me. I may or may not have just popped the lines and took a walk in the past, which did the job in a pinch.
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