Rajicase's First Turbo Build, Ballin' On A (Nonexistent) Budget

[rajicase]

I like the body work! You just jump right in there and do it. I’d like to do some on my car — probably as part of rust repair and in preparation for a repaint. I need more time and energy than I have right now, but you are inspiring.

Thanks for the kind words!

[armenh7]

Quick question: What exhaust manifold gasket do you guys recommend? I've read to avoid using the ones that come with the manifold since they aren't that good. Should I just get an OE one? I wanted to avoid that because it has the heat shield built in and I thought that may cause issues

[et89]

Quick question: What exhaust manifold gasket do you guys recommend? I've read to avoid using the ones that come with the manifold since they aren't that good. Should I just get an OE one? I wanted to avoid that because it has the heat shield built in and I thought that may cause issues

He man, I see you posting a lot of questions in other peoples threads non related to their builds. (also known as thread jacking)
Maybe start your own buildthread where you can post all of your questions of which I am sure people are happy to answer for you.
I say this in the nicest way possible, no harm done by you asking questions! maybe just ask them in your own thread!

as a response to your question, since most manifolds are the same for M54 and M52 engines, I think you could use the gaskets for the M52,
OEM number:11621744252

Thanks for the kind words!

I too appreciate the ballseyness in the way you go at it, you get shit done.
I take a lot of info/motivation from this thread. gets me going!

[armenh7]

He man, I see you posting a lot of questions in other peoples threads non related to their builds. (also known as thread jacking)
Maybe start your own buildthread where you can post all of your questions of which I am sure people are happy to answer for you.
I say this in the nicest way possible, no harm done by you asking questions! maybe just ask them in your own thread!

as a response to your question, since most manifolds are the same for M54 and M52 engines, I think you could use the gaskets for the M52,
OEM number:11621744252



I too appreciate the ballseyness in the way you go at it, you get shit done.
I take a lot of info/motivation from this thread. gets me going!

I'm aware of threadjacking, just wanted to get these few questions asked in order to finish gathering up all my parts for my build. I didn't want to start a build thread until I have everything so I could post it all at once vs posting for a year with tiny updates
By the way thanks for the part number. I looked in realoem last night and only found a gasket that came in pieces of two versus what you posted which is exactly what I was looking for.

[rajicase]

FWIW I have been running OEM exhaust manifold gaskets on my turbo build without issue. I have used both the OBD1 and OBD2 gaskets. Neither gave me an issue.

[armenh7]

FWIW I have been running OEM exhaust manifold gaskets on my turbo build without issue. I have used both the OBD1 and OBD2 gaskets. Neither gave me an issue.

I just needed the right part number The E46 one has a heat shield around the gasket built in so I felt like it would hit the manifold or something. I ordered two of the E36 ones

[davidmsn01]

Where did you buy the rear panel from? I need one for my sedan. Thanks


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[rajicase]

Where did you buy the rear panel from? I need one for my sedan. Thanks


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Got it from the dealer. Was around $200.

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[davidmsn01]

Thanks man, that's pretty cheap especially coming from the dealer.

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[rajicase]

Thanks man, that's pretty cheap especially coming from the dealer.

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Agreed I was expecting something like $500 lol.

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[davidmsn01]

Haha I know that's right. How long did it take to get it btw

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[rajicase]

Like 2 or 3 days.

[davidmsn01]

Like 2 or 3 days.

Not bad, last questions n I'll leave ya be. What tools/methods that you used to remove it and how did did it take. Thanks again man. I have a bad rust spot that can't be patched so I need to do exactly what you did.

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[rajicase]

Not bad, last questions n I'll leave ya be. What tools/methods that you used to remove it and how did did it take. Thanks again man. I have a bad rust spot that can't be patched so I need to do exactly what you did.

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No prob. I used a drill with an assortment if small drill bits for pilot holes and a spot weld cutter. Also used an angle grinder with a flap disc and wire wheel to remove seam sealer as well as a cutting wheel and grinding wheel to grind some of the welds along the corners of the tail panel. And a sawzall to cut into the corners of the tail panel to help me get better access to some of the brazed sections. Finally a dremel to cut away some of the brazed sections under the tail lights. And then a welder to spot weld the new panel in.

Me and my friend worked at it for about 6 hours to get the old panel out and new one in. I have yet to do any body work, filler, or paint. So I figure another 6 hours or so for that.

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[davidmsn01]

No prob. I used a drill with an assortment if small drill bits for pilot holes and a spot weld cutter. Also used an angle grinder with a flap disc and wire wheel to remove seam sealer as well as a cutting wheel and grinding wheel to grind some of the welds along the corners of the tail panel. And a sawzall to cut into the corners of the tail panel to help me get better access to some of the brazed sections. Finally a dremel to cut away some of the brazed sections under the tail lights. And then a welder to spot weld the new panel in.

Me and my friend worked at it for about 6 hours to get the old panel out and new one in. I have yet to do any body work, filler, or paint. So I figure another 6 hours or so for that.

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Damn man now that's what I call determination ha. Looks like I have quite a job ahead of me. Do you have any disassembly pictures other then what you posted. My sedan isn't an m3 or anything but it has extreme sentimental value to me. I'm doing a full restore/boost modifications with some tasteful tid bits. All done the right way of corse. I'm sure a body shop could repair with enough money but I hate bondo. It's a good product don't get me wrong but only when used correctly.


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[bmw328m52]

Great progress OP. Can't wait to see it back on the road causing sadness.

[rajicase]

Great progress OP. Can't wait to see it back on the road causing sadness.

Oh its 'on the road' if someone calls me out itll be out that night to gap that ass with a primed tail panel IDGAF lol

[rajicase]

So I drove my clap trap an hour away for a car meet and some races. Had a few decent cars to run;
Sorry for the crap videos but you get the idea...
I raced a handful of cars, best runs were with an 800whp hellcat and a 650-700whp Coyote. I don't know the full mod list on hellcat, but I know its pullied, tuned, injectors, exhaust, etc.
Coyote is a FBO running E85 and a 150 shot of nitrous on a tire. I had one passenger for all runs.

Me vs hellcat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M3FXyR4Lgc
Me vs FBO nitrous Coyote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBJp-I-rs5U

[328iFun]

those are slocars

[GG///M3]

Sub’d

[somebody5788]

I beat a Coyote with a 100 shot in mine at 14 psi on the HX35 and that was the day I killed the clutch (was slipping all day). He was a very unhappy person after that.

[rajicase]

I beat a Coyote with a 100 shot in mine at 14 psi on the HX35 and that was the day I killed the clutch (was slipping all day). He was a very unhappy person after that.

I bet. Most people are unhappy after losing to a 20+ year old bimmer.

[chikinhed]

What whp and etc do you think you are putting down? What boost? What turbo?

[rajicase]

What whp and etc do you think you are putting down? What boost? What turbo?

You may know better than me. I plan to dyno soon.
Currently though it is a 9.2:1 S52 with a Borg Warner S366sxe (66/74) running 21-23psi on E85.\
I always tell people I THINK I am around 650, but I don't really have a clue. The car works really well. Dead hooks from any roll. And is currently 29xx lbs.

[doktor b]

I know you street racer types like HP and traction than anything else, but every 100lbs you take out of the car is =~25hp and will make your driveline that much more durable as it's under less strain to accelerate less mass.