1SLWM3's Low Displacement - High Compression E85 Turbo Build

[1SLWM3]

I think after almost 4 years, Emma the Gold Digger deserves a build thread. I bought this car from another forum member September 1st of 2011. It was originally built by Max PSI with a TRM stage 2 turbo kit.


















Over the last few years the car has been stripped of its drivetrain 3 times. The first was to replace a ruined S50 block after a failed head gasket install, followed by a replacement s50. That didn't last long... After several bad overheats and crazy low clutch pedal engagement, I pulled everything again and sold most of the turbo kit. I decided to refresh an s52 and build a street driven N/A track car/weekend cruiser. 50 miles in I experienced a loud knocking around the Vanos area. Countless attempts to figure out the problem lead to pulling the head, again. What followed was sadness and despair. Detonation in cylinder #1 exposed the issue. At this point I'm beyond frustrated with the car. So I cut my losses and parted out the motor and everything else I could think of to start over.

Fast forward to the summer of 2014. Money and time allowed for a push on the car. After countless hours of research and conversations with a friend who owns a local race shop I decided to take a risk on something totally different. Instead of running a low compression pump gas motor, I chose to go with a slight bump in compression over stock (11:1) feed it e85 and 20+lbs of boost and see what happens. On my search for pistons and motor configuration I wanted to go with I came across a fully built 2.5L M50 race motor assembled by a reputable builder and high quality parts. I knew the lower displacement would be a limitation, but remain hopeful that this will not be a disappointment.

The following list of parts grew quickly, but progress has remained slow. I injured my right forearm in January which has completely halted any wrenching, lifting or use of my arm when it comes to working on the car. It has been a long road and Im still dealing with it daily. Fortunately the "heavy lifting" is over and most of the things left are doable in my current state.

Whats left before the first startup.......

-Waiting on a few small items from Jordan like a MAF flange to finish fabricating my charge piping etc.
(The dude's on vacation out of the country and still takes the time to help out and get what I need to move forward as fast as possible)
-install OBD2 wiring harness and sensors
-Mount FPR
-Finish (clean up) oil cooler bracket and IC brackets
-Roll front and rear fenders
-Install adjustable rear control arms
-Install shift kit
-Install driveshaft
-Install Down pipe and exhaust
-Run vacuum lines
-Fill with Oil, Coolant, E85
-Bleed Hydraulic system
-Swap out AEM Wideband and replace it with Innovative Wideband
-Final checks and diag testing
-Start a Hoe
-Boost a Hoe




How about a list of parts and some pictures?

Bottom End:

-2.5L M50 block bored to 85mm
-Race prepped and Gas Nitrided M50 Crankshaft by Armondo at Custom Crankshaft Repair
-CP Pistons sourced from VAC Motorsports - 85mm, 11:1 Compression
-Pauter Rods, 140mm center to center
-OEM Main & Rod Bearings set clearance to factory specs
-New Oil Squirters
-ARP Main Studs
-ARP Rod Bolts
-ARP Head Studs
-85.5mm cutting head gasket
-ATI Harmonic Damper, OBD1 with trigger wheel and AC pulley


Cylinder Head:
-S52 Cams
-Dr. Vanos Unit with less than 50miles
-Supertech Dual Valve Spring kit, 80lbs @ 35.70mm
-Supertech +1mm Oversized intake valves
-Supertech standard size exhaust valves
-Head work performed at Plano Machine and Supply here in Texas


Oiling System:
-S54 dual pickup oil pump, rebuilt and upgraded by VAC
-S54 oil pan with welded -10AN bung for turbo oil return
-Champion billet aluminum oil cooler spacer/plate
-Mishimoto 12 row oil cooler mounted in kidney grills -10AN
-Mishimoto remote mounted Oil cooler thermostat -10AN


Fuel System:
-Rally Road Fuel Rail -8AN feed/return
-Rally Road Dual fuel pump holder
-Eaton Aeroquip reusable fittings and lines -8AN
-Hybrid Racing Fuel Pressure Regulator
-Aeromotive Stainless Fuel Filter
-Single Walbro 485 wired in with relay and fuse from Racetronix


Turbo Kit:
-SPA T4 manifold (Ceramic Coated)
-Comp Turbo CT-4 Billet Triplex Ceramic BB 6065 with .81 T4 V-band exit (Ceramic Coated Exhaust Housing)
-38mm Tial Wastegate
-Synapse BOV
-2.5” hot side charge piping (Ceramic Coated)
-3.5” Garrett Core Intercooler
-3” Cold side charge piping
-3” Downpipe with Wastegate dump integrated
-3” Vband catalytic to dual 2.5” outlet to accept catback exhaust
-integrated Engineering Catch Can vented to Atmosphere


Tuning:
RK Tunes OBD2 E85 tune package
1300cc ID Injectors


Drive Train:
-ZF transmission with ~100K
-UUC Twin Disk Organic Clutch package
-Brand new clutch fork, stainless pivot pin, TOB
-UUC Evo 3 ssk
-ZHP shift knob
-Braided clutch line
-Brand new OEM Guibo
-Brand new OEM Slave cylinder
-AKG tranny mounts w/enforcer cups



Wheels/Tires/Suspension/Brakes:
-APEX ARC-8 17x9 in satin Black
-255/40/17 Hancock RS3’s
-12.5mm spacer in front
-90mm front wheel studs
-75mm rear wheel studs
-D/A KW V3 Clubsports with less than 5k miles, passenger strut is brand new replaced under warranty
-UUC rear subframe and traiing arm bushings
-AKG Engine mounts
-AKG reinforcements for front subframe
-Front and rear strut braces
-Stock Sway bar front & rear
-Turner Motorsports rear control arms
-Stainless Brake lines
-crossed drilled/slotted rotors


Interior:
-Black, power, non-heated, Vaders 9/10
-Black door cards, 9/10
-Bavarian Soundwerkes front speakers
-Micro Suede recovered headliner, sunroof and A pillars
-AEM digital Wideband, Boost (Steering column mounted) Water temp, oil temp and oil pressure gauges (sunglass holder mounted)

[Russell042]

You failed to mention a few things, sir.
1. You ruined your fresh N/A S52 swap attempting to race my Automatic M3 and lost both the race and motor.
2. My M3 is now Manual
3. My M3 runs
4. My M3 has given your M3 comfort in the garage for months now and I still haven't gotten a thank you.
5. You have no excuse not to finish this ASAP due to the pile of parts and beer we've equipped.
6. Nice build thread
7. Holy shit do you see my old black 540i in one of your pictures? That was over three years ago.
8. My M3 runs.

[Russell042]

Also forgot to mention.
9. I told you that gas station had E85

[1SLWM3]

You failed to mention a few things, sir.
1. You ruined your fresh N/A S52 swap attempting to race my Automatic M3 and lost both the race and motor.
2. My M3 is now Manual
3. My M3 runs
4. My M3 has given your M3 comfort in the garage for months now and I still haven't gotten a thank you.
5. You have no excuse not to finish this ASAP due to the pile of parts and beer we've equipped.
6. Nice build thread
7. Holy shit do you see my old black 540i in one of your pictures? That was over three years ago.
8. My M3 runs.

Also forgot to mention.
9. I told you that gas station had E85

I also forgot to highlight your male body part drawing skills, seen above

[NY98M3]

Dont take this the wrong way but I didnt know your car was this nice! lol

BTW, the rest of your OBDII parts on their way!

[Keith1054]

I really like that Champion oil plate, surprised more guys don't use them

[1SLWM3]

Dont take this the wrong way but I didnt know your car was this nice! lol

BTW, the rest of your OBDII parts on their way!

Haha, no offense taken. I think once she's all cleaned up and breathing fire I'll be happier looking at it. Your help is greatly appreciated as well!

I really like that Champion oil plate, surprised more guys don't use them

This is the second one I've installed. They're super compact and easy to install. I wont own an e36 without one now.

This reminds me, I need a new belt too. The list just keeps growing.

[Russell042]

I also forgot to highlight your male body part drawing skills, seen above

A neglected M3 only deserves to have male parts drawn on them. Besides, I think everyone who's walked past that car has personally drawn one.

[Russell042]

Dont take this the wrong way but I didnt know your car was this crappy! lol

Fixed.

[1SLWM3]

A neglected M3 only deserves to have male parts drawn on them. Besides, I think everyone who's walked past that car has personally drawn one.

Fixed.

Fellow FI junkies, please meet my best friend and roommate. He's a hoot.

[Russell042]

Fellow FI junkies, please meet my best friend and roommate. He's a hoot.

He also has a running M3.

[Jaze]

I really like that Champion oil plate, surprised more guys don't use them

They aren't made anymore, I'd have one right now =(

[1SLWM3]

They aren't made anymore, I'd have one right now =(

Are you sure? That's going to suck if its true.

[Jaze]

Yeah, from what i gather they were not that popular when they were available and champion motorsport went under.

I hope I'm mistaken, but I can't seem to find them or that part anywhere.

[jjjjjjj]

Awesome stuff man, been waiting on this for a while lol! I think you may just be building the fastest 2.5L BMW, period.

Oh and that old broken S52 is still alive and kicking, 5k and counting

[1SLWM3]

I really like that Champion oil plate, surprised more guys don't use them

Yeah, from what i gather they were not that popular when they were available and champion motorsport went under.

I hope I'm mistaken, but I can't seem to find them or that part anywhere.

I was able to find the emails I exchanged with David Weaver, who manufactures this plate. I gave him a call and thankfully he still makes them and I'm sure he'll chime in here shortly.

- - - Updated - - -

Awesome stuff man, been waiting on this for a while lol! I think you may just be building the fastest 2.5L BMW, period.

Oh and that old broken S52 is still alive and kicking, 5k and counting

I've been following along with your build as well man, great job! I was happy to see you were able to save that motor. Easily one of my more frustrating parts of this build so far.

[m3weaver]

Hey Guys,

The EconoMotorsports Champion oil cooler / Gauge plate is still available.. I still make and sell them everyday

Drop me a line and I'll get one sent out to anyone who wants...

our cage / roll bar building business has been going gangbusters, and promoting these has taken a bit of a back seat.

Thanks,

David
EconoMotorsports
M3weaver@gmail.com

[hsvturbo]

OP, I love the color you painted the block. Reminds me of Pontiac Engine paint..

11:1 CR. Awesome sauce.

[vollosso]

I havent heard from you in a while man, it reads like progress! Nice!

[E36 HateR]

Your conna love the compression, engine looks great!

cant wait for videos and results.

[Jaze]

I was able to find the emails I exchanged with David Weaver, who manufactures this plate. I gave him a call and thankfully he still makes them and I'm sure he'll chime in here shortly.

I've been following along with your build as well man, great job! I was happy to see you were able to save that motor. Easily one of my more frustrating parts of this build so far.

Hey Guys,

The EconoMotorsports Champion oil cooler / Gauge plate is still available.. I still make and sell them everyday

Drop me a line and I'll get one sent out to anyone who wants...

our cage / roll bar building business has been going gangbusters, and promoting these has taken a bit of a back seat.

Thanks,

David
EconoMotorsports
M3weaver@gmail.com

This seriously made my friday, Emailed! Thank you for doing the leg work OP, I was searching under champion and not economotorsports,.

Great build man, looking forward to the progress! So you will be running an obd2 harness and DME on the obd1? I am doing the same, glad to see someone I can check on if I run in to an issue. You are 2/2 with me lol.

[1SLWM3]

Hey Guys,

The EconoMotorsports Champion oil cooler / Gauge plate is still available.. I still make and sell them everyday

Drop me a line and I'll get one sent out to anyone who wants...

our cage / roll bar building business has been going gangbusters, and promoting these has taken a bit of a back seat.

Thanks,

David
EconoMotorsports
M3weaver@gmail.com

Thank you David!

OP, I love the color you painted the block. Reminds me of Pontiac Engine paint..

11:1 CR. Awesome sauce.

I can't take the credit for the blue, but I can say in person it looks super clean and pops. For as much time as we spend looking at this part of the motor, it's a shame it gets covered up almost completely once everything is buttoned up.

I havent heard from you in a while man, it reads like progress! Nice!

Hoping to keep the momentum I have now. Finally choosing to buy a tune package from Jordan and abandon the ViPec plan really lit a fire under my ass. Are you still in Germany?

Your conna love the compression, engine looks great!

cant wait for videos and results.

Your build has kept me at ease about sticking with an m50. Now I just hope to have as much fun as you seem to be having. I even bought a GoPro for this build so I could flood Bfc with cool video. Unfortunately, Ive only used it to film hunting so far...

This seriously made my friday, Emailed! Thank you for doing the leg work OP, I was searching under champion and not economotorsports,.

Great build man, looking forward to the progress!

I thought you might get a kick out of that. Great guy to deal with.

[beeasy]

Glad to see a build thread Casey! And you beat me to it! Car looks great. Can't wait to see some go pro videos.

[Keith1054]

Hey Guys,

The EconoMotorsports Champion oil cooler / Gauge plate is still available.. I still make and sell them everyday

Drop me a line and I'll get one sent out to anyone who wants...

our cage / roll bar building business has been going gangbusters, and promoting these has taken a bit of a back seat.

Thanks,

David
EconoMotorsports
M3weaver@gmail.com

Any potential for a group buy?

[vollosso]

C, whats your timeframe for completion?

im back from Germany, survived haha.