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  4. Any turbo E36's?

Any turbo E36's?

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  • jc43089J
    jc43089J
    jc43089
    wrote on last edited by
    #4

    I am tempted to get squirty when i put my e36 back together, I have built the engine and done all the mechanicals/reinforcements etc, and will probably do a low boost setup at some point so I might do megasquirt over the winter and make the turbo install quicker in a couple years.  (My wife will love this plan ;) )

    2/94 325i Sedan, Arctic Gray: UUC LTW FW, EVO 3 and DSSR, +.020 Maxsil pistons, ASC delete, Eibach shocks/springs, 16" contour reps 238k
    3/93 325i Coupe, Schwarz 2, Sketchy stance action, ebay turbo, 300k
    '89 325i Vert, Alpine White: 5spd swapped, sold.

    '04 Toyota Sienna: 24V to 24V swap in progress

    '05 Volvo V70R, 6spd.  200k
    '85 Toyota LandCruiser: Lifted, gas hog. 205k
    '99 Nissan Maxima: 5spd, Rusty but trusty winter beater. 252k RIP.

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    • B
      B
      B C
      wrote on last edited by
      #5

      Its a bit like bodywork, if you take the time to learn how to do it and get things setup properly you will have incredible results. It is not hard at all. You are welcome to come check mine out and see how it works any time

      I think the exhaust cutout is a great idea. I wanted to do one on mine if it was too sterile sounding but luckily its a nice balance

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      • B
        B
        B C
        wrote on last edited by
        #6

        jc43089 said:

        I am tempted to get squirty when i put my e36 back together, I have built the engine and done all the mechanicals/reinforcements etc, and will probably do a low boost setup at some point so I might do megasquirt over the winter and make the turbo install quicker in a couple years. (My wife will love this plan ;) )

        I was glad that i ran megasquirt NA and learned to tune it before throwing a snail at it.

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          S
          shaneomac1602
          wrote on last edited by
          #7

          I have no experience with adjusting tunes. I have an open port 2.0 on my subaru, so I am used to looking at tune tables, data logging, and learning views on there. I've just never had experience making my own adjustments. That would be my only hesitation.

          What does megasquirt 3 cost?

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          • B
            B
            B C
            wrote on last edited by
            #8

            Check out diyautotune.com. I believe the prebuilt ms3 is about $575

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            • JeffJ
              JeffJ
              Jeff
              wrote on last edited by
              #9

              All I have to say is stay away from the war chip. Unless you like useless excel sheets and fantasy land values.

              1976 530i e12
              1990 325ix e30
              1992 325i e36
              1995 740il e38
              2001 330xi e46
              ^More to come :)

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                S
                shaneomac1602
                wrote on last edited by
                #10

                I'll have to really read up on megasquirt. I'm not really looking forward to a rats nest worth of wires, but if it's a mich better system I would go with that.

                Btw, yes my motor does have vanos.

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                  shaneomac1602
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #11

                  Do you guys think I should track down a set of s50/S52 cams for it as well right away? I was thinking the turbo would be plenty of power up front, so I shouldn't need to worry about them. Plus that would save me another $400 I could put towards my turbo budget. I figured once I had to rebuild or install a new head gasket, I would install new cams at that point.

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                  • jc43089J
                    jc43089J
                    jc43089
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #12

                    Look into the m54b30 intake cam upgrade, they are very cheap.  I have one installed but my car is far from driveable now.  They are not quite as aggressive as an s5x cam but should be good for the money.

                    2/94 325i Sedan, Arctic Gray: UUC LTW FW, EVO 3 and DSSR, +.020 Maxsil pistons, ASC delete, Eibach shocks/springs, 16" contour reps 238k
                    3/93 325i Coupe, Schwarz 2, Sketchy stance action, ebay turbo, 300k
                    '89 325i Vert, Alpine White: 5spd swapped, sold.

                    '04 Toyota Sienna: 24V to 24V swap in progress

                    '05 Volvo V70R, 6spd.  200k
                    '85 Toyota LandCruiser: Lifted, gas hog. 205k
                    '99 Nissan Maxima: 5spd, Rusty but trusty winter beater. 252k RIP.

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                    • R
                      R
                      Rowleym
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #13

                      I put a turbo kit on my e36 this winter. Using an obx top mount manifold, Tial 44mm, and an hx40. With the obx manifold, and a t4 exhaust housing, You will be able to clear the stock hood. 101048310202649682275972326306265n.jp

                      Just use megasquirt from the start. If I were you, That would be the first thing I would do. Learn how to tune( ITS EXTREMELY EASY WITH MEGASQUIRT) and then tackle the turbo hardware install. Thats the easy part. Anyone can install a turbo kit... its very easy. 

                      I would suggest an intercooler with around a 3" thick core and 18" wide core. 

                      By the way I have that OBX manifold if you would like to buy it. Also have a cast bottom mount in a t3 footprint. 

                      I have an h1c(hx35 compressor wheel with an 18cm t3 divided) if you want it as well?

                      You can buy the tial from me as well haha. 

                      I recently bought my first shop(house included) so my personal projects are pushed to the side for a while.

                      96.jpg96.jpg96.jpg96.jpg

                      sk8 or die

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                      • R
                        R
                        Rowleym
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #14

                        And really don't waste your time with cams. A much better upgrade for the money would be putting that money into your fuel system. If their is anyway to run e85, DO IT. Its like gods fuel with these motors. 10.5:1 and you can run 25lbs of boost(on stock bottom end) no problem with the proper head sealing. 

                        Meth works wonders too. But really your first limitation is detonation with pump gas. which happens pretty quick. I wouldn't boost with pump gas only on that high of compression to be honest.

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                        sk8 or die

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                          shaneomac1602
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #15

                          Well I don't think i could put my intercooler right between the radiator and engine. Too tight of a fit. I haven't really given much thought to a t3 vs t4 manifold. Suggestions?

                          I think I'll pass on the h1c, I'm thinking it'll spool too slow for what I'm looking for. I just might be interested in the manifold and wastegate, pm me asking prices. One i finish my sti swap on my forester xt, then I'll start getting parts for the 325i.

                          Once my head gasket goes I was planning a .140 mls to lower the compression ratio a little.

                          I may look into getting megasquirt first, installing it, and seeing what I can do with my stock motor first. I'll have to do some reading on the install and how to make adjustments

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                            R
                            Rowleym
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #16

                            Personally I would go t3, but I would also never buy a garret or precision or whatever, but a gt35 and this obx with a .8-1 ar t4 open would be dandy.

                            T4 holsluts are big.

                            And yea that's a 4" core and I was doing remote mount radiator... Nothing fit up front.

                            I was just suggesting a nice size core that fits with e36

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                            sk8 or die

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                              shaneomac1602
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #17

                              Yea I was leaning towards a t3 manifold. Most likely going with an hx35 or an eBay gt35 until I get the extra funds together for the real deal.

                              I have been reading on E85 on a FI application on our motors and do see positive things. How much mileage decrease do you expect while being tuned on E85? I love my 29mpg hwy. Haha.

                              I'm thinking a t3 obx top mount manifold, hx35, 6-8psi, with 42lb injectors, to start and get it running good. Aim for 325-350hp. Then when I have to replace the head gasket or rebuild the motor, I'll switch to an E85 setup to run higher boost safer. Also adding an enormous amount of power. If I'm not mistaken, a stock 10.5:1 motor with an hx35, about 15psi boost, 1000cc injectors, walboro 255, and E85 should get me in the 450-500hp range. Am I correct in that estimation?

                              Also for anyone running E85, what kind of O rings, hoses, and seals do you guys run?

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                              • DrLeadFootD
                                DrLeadFootD
                                DrLeadFoot
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #18

                                I have a turbo S52 in my e30.  It's on jack stands right now so you can see up her skirt. :)

                                I can also tell you what needs attention to make it a reliable daily driver since I have broken hopefully all of the weak points of the M5X/S5X platform.

                                Located in Whitefish Bay.

                                15924991875a64c599885m.jpg

                                     @DrLeadFoot

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                                  S
                                  shaneomac1602
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #19

                                  Yea Drleadfoot, any advice is appreciated. I'm leaning towards the hx35 for a turbo, not set on tuning, but I've started looking into megasquirt 3. Until something breaks, I plan to run low boost. Then I'll rebuild and put some money into making it a reliable street car.

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                                  • R
                                    R
                                    Rowleym
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #20

                                    So you want the h1c or not? It's the same as the hx35 except it's externally wastegated(good for you).

                                    What t3 manifold are you looking at? There is no t3 top mount from obx I believe. Bottom mount spa I think is the best option for a street car.

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                                    sk8 or die

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                                      Rowleym
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #21

                                      Also if you have a washer and dryer I am accepting trades :) hahah

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                                      sk8 or die

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                                      • DrLeadFootD
                                        DrLeadFootD
                                        DrLeadFoot
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #22

                                        The number 1 thing is to weld or safety wire your oil pump nut.

                                        15924991875a64c599885m.jpg

                                             @DrLeadFoot

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                                          shaneomac1602
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #23

                                          I'll look into safety wiring the nut.

                                          I'll pass on the h1c. From what ive read it has a very slow/late spool. Hx35 is supposed to be much faster

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