Beginners Cheap Turbo Setup Help

[finsky]

First, the answer is no

There are 2 ways you can prepare the motor.

a. Cutring gasket, spacer, and arp studs
Will lower compression to 9:0:1 which is why you don't need to gap the rings. With a good tune and that compression the engines are good for up to 550whp. Its been proven, dont listen to the random dude who posted pics of pos rods and his build. Something was wrong or went wrong with his build that caused his shittiness
b. You can build the motor and gap the rings in the process.

But its been proven so many times that you can make good power out of the e36 engines and previous I6 engines without major modification. As long as you use quality components and an excellent tune you'll be okay.

That doesn't mean go chasing waterfalls of power, the motor is stock. But I can say first hand on a base-tune and about 7-12 psi the cars are an absolute blast. If I can keep it in this power range I'm sure the engine would last as long as I wanted it too. Everything else, rear end, trans, etc... Is what you need to worry about. Unfortunately Mr. Rods didn't make it to that point :-(

oh and if you have e85... strap a turbo on it, have it tuned, and drive it. Skip all the nonsense

Yeah I'm excited for the whole process, and we have e85 here so I need to do some research on making it both e85 and pump gas compatible. Also hoping the car I buy is a 328is, just for the Zf tranny.

[328iFun]

Yeah I'm excited for the whole process, and we have e85 here so I need to do some research on making it both e85 and pump gas compatible. Also hoping the car I buy is a 328is, just for the Zf tranny.

Get the 328IS and boost via the E85 route

[pbonsalb]

E85 is great for turbo cars and eliminates need to lower compression but you can’t run pump gas on an E85 tune so make sure you have E85 wherever you will be going.

[finsky]

E85 is great for turbo cars and eliminates need to lower compression but you can’t run pump gas on an E85 tune so make sure you have E85 wherever you will be going.

Yeah, I'll probably just need to pick up a low micron fuel filter along with my Walbro 255 pump and Siemens 60lb injectors. Other than that its just a tune and you're good to go right?

[finsky]

Also, I'll probably be picking up a welder like this:
( https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Weld-299...ds=welder&th=1 )

so I can learn how to weld and help save some money later. I want to be able to make the exhaust and downpipe and save some money there. Does anyone have an recommendations for a 2-3 inch exhaust for a top mount turbo? Also the downpipe?

[someguy2800]

Flux core is a no no. You will need a MIG with a gas tank, or a friend with one. 60 lb injectors would be a waste of money with E85. You would want 80's at a minimum and you'll max out that 255 pretty quickly as well. In most cases your tune will come with injectors. Be aware if you only have an E85 tune the car will not even run if you put gas in it. If your only going for moderate power E85 would be a waste except that it saves you from having to lower compression.

[finsky]

Flux core is a no no. You will need a MIG with a gas tank, or a friend with one. 60 lb injectors would be a waste of money with E85. You would want 80's at a minimum and you'll max out that 255 pretty quickly as well. In most cases your tune will come with injectors. Be aware if you only have an E85 tune the car will not even run if you put gas in it. If your only going for moderate power E85 would be a waste except that it saves you from having to lower compression.

Sorry for sounding like an amateur with most of this, but I'm pretty knew to anything of this level (been working on cars for a bit), so I appreciate all the help. I don't happen to know anyone with any welding experience, so I'll have to settle with already made parts then. I'm not trying to push anymore than 450 whp, but e85 is readily available in my area so it's not an issue. I'll decide later down the road on my exact fuel setup. Did you fab your own exhaust?

[someguy2800]

I've fabbed my own everything.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-with-a-9-inch

A mig welder is a good investment and workable units start at $300 + gas tank. It will provide a lifetime of usefulness and pay for itself many times over. Don't be afraid to learn, lots of good info and tutorials on the web.

[finsky]

I've fabbed my own everything.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-with-a-9-inch

A mig welder is a good investment and workable units start at $300 + gas tank. It will provide a lifetime of usefulness and pay for itself many times over. Don't be afraid to learn, lots of good info and tutorials on the web.

You have an incredible car man, I'll try looking around for people that can help me welding, it'll definitely help save some money off the exhaust.

[finsky]

Alright guys I think I might have finally found a car. It's not a 328is like I wanted, but hes willing to trade for my current car of probably little bit equal or less value (07 Civic EX 217,000 miles 5 speed). How's boosting on the M50B25TU that this has? Same procedure and more or less same horsepower and reliability? Here's the link to it on Craigslist, let me know what you guys think https://fortwayne.craigslist.org/cto...411468545.html
Also I'm posting the link but I have dibs so no one better be stealing this from under me lol

[328iFun]

Flux core is a no no. You will need a MIG with a gas tank, or a friend with one. 60 lb injectors would be a waste of money with E85. You would want 80's at a minimum and you'll max out that 255 pretty quickly as well. In most cases your tune will come with injectors. Be aware if you only have an E85 tune the car will not even run if you put gas in it. If your only going for moderate power E85 would be a waste except that it saves you from having to lower compression.

I picked up a MIG at home depot for like $600 bucks, pretty decent.

I didn't have gas when I made the exhaust so I used flux on everything except the v bolt flange that connects directly to turbo housing. Since I went with 2.5" I had to use a 3" to 2.5 reducer and it was stainless. Flux kept burning through so I had that part welded for me. But other than that my entire exhaust is flux, it doesn't leak and didn't cost much. I would have spent well over $600 paying someone to fab and the weld it for me.

Do I recommend doing the same? Hell no. Flux works but looks terrible. And you really have to take your time.

With that said,

Get a decent mig some gas and learn to do the right way from the beginning. Ill be re-doing my exhaust as soon I as can spring for a tank

[finsky]

Alright guys I think I might have finally found a car. It's not a 328is like I wanted, but hes willing to trade for my current car of probably little bit equal or less value (07 Civic EX 217,000 miles 5 speed). How's boosting on the M50B25TU that this has? Same procedure and more or less same horsepower and reliability? Here's the link to it on Craigslist, let me know what you guys think https://fortwayne.craigslist.org/cto...411468545.html
Also I'm posting the link but I have dibs so no one better be stealing this from under me lol

Quoting my own comment here just so more people see it because I need some advice relatively quickly. Just if the car looks decent and if the boosting is any different on the M50. Thanks guys!

Edit: Its also appealing due to the low miles, but I'm still waiting for him to send me the VIN and interior pictures.

[drstuess]

Quoting my own comment here just so more people see it because I need some advice relatively quickly. Just if the car looks decent and if the boosting is any different on the M50. Thanks guys!

Edit: Its also appealing due to the low miles, but I'm still waiting for him to send me the VIN and interior pictures.

M50 is really no different besides the weaker trans and a little less displacement. They are both the same block, just different bore.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[pbonsalb]

I’d wait and buy a newer car if you have the patience and maybe the money. With the 92-95 you will have to change the transmission before long and you get less displacement in the engine.

[finsky]

I’d wait and buy a newer car if you have the patience and maybe the money. With the 92-95 you will have to change the transmission before long and you get less displacement in the engine.

Is the Getrag 250 really that bad for boost?

[wazzu70]

Yes, the G250 is really crappy compared to the ZF. Its a significant difference.

[pbonsalb]

The getrag will break and you will have to replace it. A used ZF with linkage might cost $300-400 but occasionally a lucky scrounger finds one for less. But sometimes you have to do your build in stages if that is the only way you can afford it. I started with a used stage 1 supercharger in 2006.

[someguy2800]

I would try to find a 328 for the extra 10% displacement and better trans and bigger clutch. The 328 also needs an m50 manifold swap so that offsets some. M52 is 84 mm bore, 84 stroke and an m50 is 84 bore 75 stroke. Both make power just fine but the m52 will make a good bit more midrange.

[finsky]

Guess I'm still on the look then boys, im sure it will come though, just gotta keep looking

[tptrsn]

The 328 also needs an m50 manifold swap so that offsets some.

At what point does that become true with a modest power turbo M52 build? I have been super happy with my budget M52 turbo build with the M52 intake manifold on it.

Maybe this relates to our conversation about exhaust port versus intake port flows since I'm looking at this intake manifold thing the same way as I was looking at intake ports (need more power add a little boost). I guess I could see the value in the M50 intake manifold a lot more in a higher power build.

[jakermac]

So what is the cut off for the Getrag 250? 250ft/lbs? 300? 350? As far as shifting I’m perfectly happy with my Getrag and it has survived just fine for a while on 240ft/lbs of NA power. I know FI will push the trans harder.

[pbonsalb]

Probably 250 lbs. Turbo torque can hit hard. Gradual small displacement naturally aspirated torque seems easier on motors and trans.

[Thompson501]

M50 has been good for me
e85 , arp head studs, plenty of fuel, and good tune!
getrag lasted 5 months but 15 psi with new diff blew 2nd gear
these other guys are on a different level but M50 with vanos is doing me well

[finsky]

Where would be the best place to get oil feed and return lines for this build, like what site or store? I'm probably doing oil feed from the banjo bolt and oil return into the oil pan.

[chikinhed]

ATP Turbo is a candy store for turbo builds. They have everything.

Where would be the best place to get oil feed and return lines for this build, like what site or store? I'm probably doing oil feed from the banjo bolt and oil return into the oil pan.