Jake's Epic BMW 135i Build Thread! (5+ Years of Ownership)

[suspenceful]

Snap said:

I just sat and marveled at all that design and packaging for a few minutes. do you see a light at the end of the tunnel yet?

It's definitely overwhelming, and you can only see half of it. Pretty crazy how someone (probably more than one person) designed all of this.

I see a light, but it's still pretty far away.

[suspenceful]

Larger inlets and outlets are on. Coolant pipe, water pump, thermostat reinstalled with new hoses. Power steering pump and intercooler reinstalled. Downpipes attached and O2 sensors connected. Subframe secured with new motor mounts. Hoping to connect vacuum lines and tidy up some loose ends tonight. Should be able to start it after adding oil, coolant and power steering fluid.

[suspenceful]

After getting some help from my girlfriend, I was able to start the car!

I was able to put on about 200 miles this weekend without a hitch. It was a great feeling being able to start the car and drive it without a single issue. I don't have the upgraded fuel system installed yet so I'm limited to low boost, but I'm okay with that because I want to break in the clutch before cranking it up to 30PSI.

These things are loud! Constant spooling noises.

I was also able to finally weigh my car: 3260lbs with a full tank of gas. No exhaust or backseats (how I typically drive it anyways).

Here's what I've replaced (off the top of my head):

• Ceramic coated MMP turbos with all new gaskets and o-rings
• Inlets and outlets, both wrapped with heat-resistant tape
• Oil pan gasket and bolts
• Oil filter housing gaskets
• Water pump and related rubber coolant hoses
• Both motor mounts
• Downpipe v-band clamps with new gaskets
• Deleted vacuum canisters, ran new vacuum line
• Power steering fluid, coolant, oil
• SPEC Stage 3+ clutch, throwout bearing, clutch fork
• Poly transmission mounts
• Aluminum bellhousing bolts
• Rear pinion seal
• Rear differential fluid
• Shifter bushings

Stay tuned - fuel system going in soon, then dyno time.

[YoungCR]

Nice!!

[B C]

You work quickly!

I'm looking forward to hearing about how hard it pulls after the fuel system is up to snuff

[KaiserRolls]

"Stay tuned"

PUNS

[Jdesign]

Epic! What are you thinking for numbers once you get on the Dyno? 600+?

[suspenceful]

Thanks guys!

Jdesign said:

Epic! What are you thinking for numbers once you get on the Dyno? 600+? 

Yeah, hoping for 650whp. Anything more than that and I'll be very happy!

[Jdesign]

That already seems like too much. I hope you pull a wheelie and get video of it.

[suspenceful]

Jdesign said:

That already seems like too much. I hope you pull a wheelie and get video of it.

No wheelies will be had  but thanks!

[Jdesign]

suspenceful said:

No wheelies will be had  but thanks!

Boooooo. Well I rather see burnout videos anyways.

[i_love_cars]

hustle, son. I'd be taking vacation days and just driving around nonstop to finish breaking that clutch in. 

I'm going to find a good coffee shop in Appleton to do a workday at once you have everything sorted so I can see this thing with the new turbskeez.

[suspenceful]

i_love_cars said:

hustle, son. I'd be taking vacation days and just driving around nonstop to finish breaking that clutch in. 

I'm going to find a good coffee shop in Appleton to do a workday at once you have everything sorted so I can see this thing with the new turbskeez.

I'm working on it. I've got about 250 miles on the clutch so far. I think I'm going to put the fuel system in this weekend. I'm itching to see what this thing feels like at 30 PSI.

[Daggerty]

Is this going to be pure e85 then? What's the fuel setup going to be?

[Daggerty]

[patsbimmer1]

Daggerty said:

Not in an N54.  The stock internals are rock solid.  North of 600whp on these cars isn't unusual for stock internals.  The only guys looking for upgraded internals are aiming north of 900whp which I don't think has happened yet.

[suspenceful]

Daggerty said:

Is this going to be pure e85 then? What's the fuel setup going to be?

Yes. Adding six 750cc injectors with a sandwich plate between the head and intake manifold (still with direct injection). Two Walbro 450 pumps going in the fuel tank bucket. I should be able to run full E85 at all times.

As far as the high boost on stock internals... it's always a roll of the dice. Some stock N54s hold 850+whp no problem. Others blow up with stock turbos. 700whp will be pushing the envelope but with proper parts, tune and maintenance, I should be okay. Alas, I am on WIBimmers so I'll need all the luck I can get.

[GunMetalGrey]

suspenceful said:

Alas, I am on WIBimmers so I'll need all the luck I can get.

Best of luck good sir!

[Bassboy3313]

​

[suspenceful]

Tonight's sunset was incredible.