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Thread: e30 m50 turbo build

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    2 e30's and an e34

    e30 m50 turbo build

    So i figured since the cars running and about 98% complete its about time to post this.

    So I started with a non-vanos m50 e30. I did the swap almost two years ago. I have a e46 zf320. New s52 clutch and flywheel. Bla bla bla. Now is time for turbo.

    Major parts:
    Holset Hx35
    Turbonetics Deltagate
    Audi bosch DV
    Custom charge piping
    Semi Custom manifold
    Custom 3" exhaust
    BEGI FMU for the time being
    AEM UEGO wideband controler
    Prosport gauges: oil temp, oil pres, water temp

    I have built a bunch of MS stuff too

    I guess its picture time:



    First incarnation of hack job manifold


    Charge pipe


    Exhaust






    Stealth!


    Second manifold


    Down pipe


    Intake set up


    Oil manifold


    Yes it all clears the hood


    Thanks Jon Volk!


    Gauges with car lights on


    ...
    -Chris

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    2 e30's and an e34
    Gauges with car lights off


    Painted the bay: Semi gloss


    The only M50 in the world with a oil pump chain tensioner


    found this half of it in the oil pan: (next to a timing chain tensioner for reference)




    Pressure testing stuff


    I left my camera at school so i dont have any pictures from this weekend

    Basically it looks like that but everything is installed. The turbo is bolted down, the charge pipes are painted krinkle black. The valve cover is painted low gloss black. All the oil plumbing is hooked up.

    The car runs AEM is busting my balls though. Its not reading anything right now the display shows --- and thats it.

    Well see. Tomorrow im going to do some trouble shooting and hopefully drive it around some.

    Before you reply... I know im not a good welder and i know the manifold design kinda sucks. It looked a lot better in my head. I had a t3/t4 and it fit nice on the first manifold. Then i decided to get the holset and it was above the hood line by about two inches. The latter manifold is all i could do with the stock obd2 manis. A new manifold is in order though. I have access to a tig machine when my shop instructor comes back so we'll see. Im determined to buy a decent tig welder this summer to make aluminum charge pipes and another manifold if i cant get it done at school.

    Enjoy...
    -Chris

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    1993 325i Turbo, 1990 M3
    HX35. Great! Are you going to hit a dyno once it's done? I'm always interested in what other Holset guys are getting for #'s.

    Nik
    1993 325i, M3 ZF tranny, laguna grun, Holset HX35 bottom mount .

  4. #4
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    For sure. i plan on getting the car dynoed on the wg spring with the BEGI and then again when MS is up and running at around 15psi
    -Chris

  5. #5
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    TRM Stage 1.34
    Clever manifold design.
    No PMs. Email through forum please.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
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    Toronto
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    My Cars
    S54/E36 ; E30 ; Saab
    great build.
    subscribed!
    #E36-S54 #CSLWannabe

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Thanks guys.

    I thought so too Matt. Theres no room to put the waste gate nicely and the hood clearance isnt there and i had to beat up the poor fender to get the turbo low enough. Im disappointed after the fact. I guess itll get the job done for now..
    -Chris

  8. #8
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    Gets me so excited to start my E30 M50 60-1 build
    "If you can leave black marks from the time you exit a corner till the time you brake for the next turn, then you have enough horsepower." --Mark Donohue

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    I just looked at you pics again. Clever where the filter and MAF are. Are you worried about water getting into the filter there though. Noticed the MAF is before the turbo. Which MAF are you using and what is your reasoning for doing it that way as opposed to after the intercooler?

    Nik
    1993 325i, M3 ZF tranny, laguna grun, Holset HX35 bottom mount .

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
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    E36 332i Compact
    Nice build ...
    you will need to find a different cilinderhead cover , thought ..
    how about the CR of the engine - did you decompressed ?
    ' 99 E36 316i Compact, 83kw

  11. #11
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    Thanks!

    Why do i need a new valve cover? Im not going to run the plastic thing.

    Engine is 100% stock. The head gasket and bolts are about 5k miles old so its all fresh. The 5k mile S52 clutch should be good for some abuse too.

    Nik, from all the reading ive done, the draw through set up seems to work a little better with the stock dme. Its the stock maf. Look at other set ups with the DME, most use the maf before the turbo.

    Not really worried about water. I dont plan on driving it much like this. I cant have my car at school and i plan on tinkering with MS while im there.

    The Maf + BEGI is temporary untill im confident MS is ready and i think i have a decent knowledge of how to use it.
    -Chris

  12. #12
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    the plastic thing will be melted at first run ... and without any protection there - the coils will be overheated ... in a previous top mount setup I've used a aluminium cover and worked fine ..
    you can also use that textile band to cover the wastegate pipe/ downpipe
    15 psi for stock engine is a delicate thing ... i've seen people running this pressure on M50, but not for long ... even with a very rich mixture and 98CO gas ...
    MAF + BEGI will give you confidence to run max 3-4psi
    don't worry about the filter position - I have'it there for years and i've drove hundreds of miles on the rain without any problem ... it will be like a small water injection ))
    btw: all M50 build in early 90 have that oil pump chain tensioner (i have 2 blocks with that) .. the bad think is that the tensioner is not produced anymor, and you will not find a replacement ( - at least i didn't ..
    let us know about your project update
    ' 99 E36 316i Compact, 83kw

  13. #13
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    Wow on the oil pump tensioner. thats nuts. All the real oem diagrams show nothing for that. I used a ensioner from a m30 engine and it fit perfectly.

    lol for the water injection!!

    I plan on wraping the manifold and the wastegate piping and the downpipe so hopefully thatll help.

    The BEGI will only be used with the waste gate spring no higher.

    15PSI will be with megasquirt at a later date.
    -Chris

  14. #14
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    Nice Chris! I love DIY builds like this! Keep us posted then.... you know, video time

  15. #15
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    Thanks Chris!! Ill get real pics and a vid or two when it all works right





    Drove it around a little. had the BEGI as rich as it goes AFR still doesnt work. drove it for about 5-10 minutes. Boost feels great i only saw about 3 psi cause im afraid of what the afr looks like and i dont want to break anything this early.

    Sorry for the cell phone pics but thats as good as its getting unless my dad gets home from ny before i leave.
    -Chris

  16. #16
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    e46 m3, e28 m5
    alwlays fond of e30 turbos

  17. #17
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    Turbo M50 E30, 95 M3
    TURBO M50 E30s!! Nice work!
    85' Turbo M50 E30 | 95' M3 Nitrous, Coilovers, DJ Autos, UUC SSK


  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by So Live View Post
    Wow on the oil pump tensioner. thats nuts. All the real oem diagrams show nothing for that. I used a ensioner from a m30 engine and it fit perfectly.
    lol for the water injection!!
    I plan on wraping the manifold and the wastegate piping and the downpipe so hopefully thatll help.
    The BEGI will only be used with the waste gate spring no higher.
    15PSI will be with megasquirt at a later date.
    I didn't think about to use a M30 tensioner (actually i didn't know that M30 have chain distribution ..)
    even with MS and rich enough mixture - will be a little to much boost for 10:1 stock CR ... you should ask for other opinions, but i think that will be the same ..
    on the other hand, your setup looks great, congratulation ... anyway, even at 8psi, that low weight car will be a beast on the road .. take a look on my buddy's car :
    http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54853
    ' 99 E36 316i Compact, 83kw

  19. #19
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    I was looking at his build a few weeks ago. Great inspiration!!!!

    Thanks for the compliments.

    I was looking on google search, bmw m50 oil pump chain, and got a link to some parts place. They listed some m50 parts and later on the list was the m30 chain tensioner. It looked very similar so i decided to order one up and it fit perfectly!
    -Chris

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by So Live View Post
    I was looking at his build a few weeks ago. Great inspiration!!!!
    on that engine - the cylinder head is a masterpiece ... all ports enlarged and perfectly polished + ITB ... it was a 2 months to work on that, but the result is awesome : 225hp and 207lb of torque from a N/A M50 - with stock internals (no even camshaft changed) - that is not a easy task .. even at 11:1 CR
    let us know your figures ,when dyno'ed
    ' 99 E36 316i Compact, 83kw

  21. #21
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  22. #22
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    It just really makes me smile when i open my "garage" and see this:



    Its going to be another big weekend i hope. Im borrowing one of my fathers friends Innovate LM-1 units so i can get the car running and driving for real. Im hoping to get it all squared away enough for me to go drive it for more than 5 minutes.
    -Chris

  23. #23
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    2000 E39 M5
    I love the stealth intercooler.


  24. #24
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    Thanks dude! wait till i get pics from more than 2 feet away its friggin awesome!! I was driving it around for a week or so with the "interfooler" and nobody said anything it was awesome.

    I cant wait to get home this weekend to DO WORK
    -Chris

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by So Live View Post


    It just really makes me smile when i open my "garage" and see this:

    You need more stuff in that garage. I think you can still walk past your car if you shuffle sideways and suck in your gut.

    Nik
    1993 325i, M3 ZF tranny, laguna grun, Holset HX35 bottom mount .

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