97 e36 m3 turbo build

[bmw328m52]

I like the part where you said 'My procedure'.
Its almost word for word out of the BMW ISTA/D, lol.

Haha I don't even know what that is. But I'm glad I'm not wrong lls!

[cdmbmw]

Haha I don't even know what that is. But I'm glad I'm not wrong lls!

Its the new version of BMW TIS (BMW's factory instructions)

[jjjjjjj]

Nice! This was the "scariest" part for me and it sounded like it went smoothly for you. I was also very concerned it wasn't timed right... The best info I found was to find TDC, fit the cam blocks and then remove them and do 2 full rotations of the crank pulley back around to TDC again and the blocks should fit still. As for the vanos, mine fit together perfectly first try so I just went with it. 2k and counting so I'm just thinking it will get fine tuned down the road if needed as the idle is perfect and revs are smooth.

That TRM ccv to exhaust solution seems pretty nice, I have one of their older cans and it was smoking from the breather when the car was cold, not a lot but enough that I could smell it in the cabin. Ended up running a 3' hose off the can and mounted the breather down by the transmission... so pretty much the same amount if work that would have been for the exhaust location lol. Haven't found much info on this but then again it seems not everyone daily drives their turbo projects or just isn't bothered with it idk.

Forgot you had the AA manifold, I have the same and am extremely curious to see how well that gt3582 fits. My tiny 20g that came in the original AA kit nearly touches my vorshlag motor mount so I'll be staying tuned!

[fletcher0780]

My understanding is AA ended up shipping a GT35 with their stage 2 kit, so I expect the turbo to fit OK. I will verify this tomorrow and let you know. My big headache is going to be fitting my giant vibrant IC and keep the AC, I will need to get a bit creative.

[jjjjjjj]

Great, in for more pics. Yeah really wish I had the 35r already! I turned and modified the stock motor mount heat shield a little so I'm sure there's still some room to accommodate. Oh and the under-the-subframe pipe hasn't been great so hopefully you'll get that figured out too.

[fletcher0780]

Test fit time, that is a TRM mount. I'm thinking I may keep the turbo clocked this way, cut off a bit on charge port, weld on a 90° and go with hard pipe below exhaust manifold and snake around compressor out to IC. anyone see a problem with routing this way?

[bmw328m52]

I'm using a rally road mount but they look pretty similar. You'll most likely have to cut the 90 degree elbow and the compressor housing to fit 2.5" piping. It also gets hot under there so you may want to run a wired oil resistant coupler that will attach the eblow to the piping.

[fletcher0780]

I'm using a rally road mount but they look pretty similar. You'll most likely have to cut the 90 degree elbow and the compressor housing to fit 2.5" piping. It also gets hot under there so you may want to run a wired oil resistant coupler that will attach the eblow to the piping.

I plan to cut the housing and weld a 90° to the outlet of the turbo and either a v-band or high temp coupler to the rest of the 2.5" plumbing to IC. It seams to me this is the best way to route the IC pipe, no way I could get away wit under subframe with the coilovers.


Do you have any pics of your plumbing?

[bmw328m52]

Not my pic but it gets the point across. 2.5" piping going to the intake mani. 4" to 3" coupler with 3" piping for the intake. A/C lines will have to bent..

[fletcher0780]

Awesome pic, that's exactly what I was thinking. That coupler just below the exhaust manifold makes me a bit nervous though, perhaps there is room for a v-band there?

[MarkyMark1]

Great project

[bry195]

looks nice. I had to oval the compressor inlet with a similar setup but yours looks beautiful.

[jjjjjjj]

Great pic, that's the best view of that I've ever seen! Yeah, that's not happening at all for me unless the engine is out of the car again. F - it, I'm going top mount next year lol.

Good luck, looks like there should be plenty of room for a similar setup with the AA manifold.

[flyfishvt]

Nice build thread. Very similar to what I'll be installing soon. Similar goals too. I want it to spool quick and spool at the lowest rpm I can get. Most of my driving is around town. Right now the plan is to go with a GT3040, cutting 140, arp studs and meth injection. It's nice to see all those pics. Helps me visualize my build.

Sub'd

[bmw328m52]

Great pic, that's the best view of that I've ever seen! Yeah, that's not happening at all for me unless the engine is out of the car again. F - it, I'm going top mount next year lol.

Good luck, looks like there should be plenty of room for a similar setup with the AA manifold.

I'll be going above the subframe for sure since I don't want to compromise my ride height. Doesn't look to hard to do but I'll found out shortly lol.

[fletcher0780]

I ordered materials to run my plumbing, http://www.siliconeintakes.com/ has good prices on mandrel bent aluminum pipe, v-bands, couplers, etc. I'm going to run mine similar to the picture you posted, but I'm going to use a v-band instead of the silicone coupler that close to the exhaust manifold. I'll get everything set up and have my friend TIG it all together. I just want to stub the pipe out below the compressor for now, install the engine, then deal with the connection to the IC. I have cold side plumbing that came with my IC, so hopefully I won't need to mess with that too much.

I received my RK tuned DME and MAF today, should see injectors within the next few days. The next purchase I need to make is an EBC, and I think I've decided on the Daytona Sensors TC1. It has VSS, TPS, and RPM input for closed loop boost control, has WBO2 input and display, can control WMI, and can datalog. Does anyone have any other EBC suggestions that provide similar features?

[flyfishvt]

EBoost2. Runs around $550. Im starting with manual boost control. When I get EBC it will probably be Innovates system. Not as many features as eBoost2 but it data logs, has built-in AFR and it's only $300. I chose these 2 because I like the idea of boost control and gauge all in one. Cockpits can get cluttered pretty fast with all these electronic toys.

[fletcher0780]

Eboost2 looks nice, but it's missing the VSS and TPS inputs that make closed loop boost control really nice and improve drivability. I also like that the TC1 can display boost and AFR all in one unit.

[bry195]

its interesting that all the manufacturers use mac valves. such a small company that has really dominated this niche market. dont get me wrong. they are the ak47 of valves. just weird how they have taken over. you usually see one company use brand x because of some technical advantage and brand y because of another advantage. Mac is everywhere.

[fletcher0780]

I received my mandrel bends and v-bands for my intake and hot side plumbing, I just need the cast elbow for my turbo and I can fab that stuff up. I installed my new metal impeller water pump, 75°C t-stat, and new t-stat housing.

I still need to bolt on my oil pan and valve cover, I also need to figure out how to handle the oil feed, and water cooling on the turbo. I'm leaning toward deleting the throttle body coolant lines and repurposing them to the turbo. I think I may use that modified vanos banjo and feed oil to the turbo that way.

Thoughts?

[graphite9]

nice progress! Glad to see someone taking the time, to pull the motor and do the prep work correctly. Also the TRM is an ebay catch can, with their logo on it, for three times the price. I called them out on it awhile back, and they beat around the bush. I run the moroso. It was around $90. simple and works. As far as a boost controller, the ams500 is a rockstar. Also I tried both the trm, and vibrant fittings, neither worked. The trm one actually caused me to blow my oil pan seal. It was a massive restriction. Be careful with that.

[chikinhed]

I have a compressor housing with the elbow already welded on for sale if you are interested.

[Eizzy 91]

Nice build! Sub'd looking forward to this one!

[fletcher0780]

Quick question on the FX stage 3 clutch. I know the kit is full of chinesium grade parts, and most have had good luck with pressure plate, disc, and flywheel durability, but what about the pilot and throw out bearings? I'm not sure how much confidence I have in the bearing quality.

I'm still waiting on my cast 90°, so no meaningful progress yet.

[vollosso]

Get an oem tob.