Lifted E30 V2

[GunMetalGrey]

Went the Husky route, and need to find an air reel (when did those get so expensive?!) 
Conveniently the whack schedule sizing works out well for the inlet of the turbo (60mm) to use a 2" rubber coupler to a 2" Sch. 40 cap with a pressure regulator on it. 

Now to take it out of the box and figure out where my boost is going!
Then after that I need to find where my brake fluid is going....

[GunMetalGrey]

I realize now that I never really drove it hard after doing the intercooler, and I had recently taken it out. Turns out many clamps were not tight enough.

Got those taken care of and still had air going somewhere, and at decent volume. Started feeling around and felt it coming out of the external wastegate dump. 
It leaks out of the stem seal, which apparently is normal to some degree, but I am not sure if it's within that range. 

Ran it on the internal gate and felt the boost come on quicker for sure, and surge a bit more on throttle let off.
The external gate is fantastic for top end of the motor, so I'll likely just keep bleeding boost out of my $50 external wastegate for awhile

Made up some holders for front marker / turn signal lights. Need to tack those in and then wire up the lights. 

I don't know if it ever showed up in pictures here, but a friend made a new front bumper for it.
This one is a bit sturdier (not made of exhaust tubing lol) and was all properly bent which is nice.

Currently on a massive internal debate of what to do with this thing / this engine

[straight6pwr]

GunMetalGrey said:

Got those taken care of and still had air going somewhere, and at decent volume. Started feeling around and felt it coming out of the external wastegate dump. 
It leaks out of the stem seal, which apparently is normal to some degree, but I am not sure if it's within that range. 

 

as a new turbo owner and a turbo noob i'm curious, can you explain this more? it doesnt look like the valve stem is actually between where boost pressure originates and the wastegate dump. it looks like if the valve stem was letting boost past, it would get into one of the ports or past the 'lower O-ring' in that diagram.

[GunMetalGrey]

straight6pwr said:

as a new turbo owner and a turbo noob i'm curious, can you explain this more? it doesnt look like the valve stem is actually between where boost pressure originates and the wastegate dump. it looks like if the valve stem was letting boost past, it would get into one of the ports or past the 'lower O-ring' in that diagram.

What they have labeled as the "Decrease" port is the pressure reference, and is put on the "open" side of the wastegate diaphragm. 
The bottom side of that diaphragm also houses the stem seal for the wastegate valve itself.
This leak is actually a "regulated" percentage of boost (10% usually) as the design inherently leaks.

I do believe mine is leaking significantly more than the one in this video, but with an undecided fate I cannot justify the $230 for a name brand gate

[GunMetalGrey]

Marker lights / turn signals are done


All of the lights!

General cleanup is next.

[HipMF]

FYI, Datsun 620s still exist where you live.

Not that an m21 would fit in there... Just that you should find one for me because none exist here.

[HipMF]

Realistically though, a nice square body would be more practical for doing actual truck things. They exist here, but are either made of rust or gold.

[Bassboy3313]

HipMF said:

FYI, Datsun 620s still exist where you live.

Not that an m21 would fit in there... Just that you should find one for me because none exist here.

I will take one as well, thanks!

[m42b32]

HipMF said:

Realistically though, a nice square body would be more practical for doing actual truck things. They exist here, but are either made of rust or gold.

That makes me miss my old 1st gen Ram

[GunMetalGrey]

[GunMetalGrey]

I do also have a line on another complete engine, new head, 324TD wiring harness and cluster, along with other various parts. 
As always, torn on what to do. 

This has been my random rambling for the evening.

[Jdesign]

GunMetalGrey said:

I do also have a line on another complete engine, new head, 324TD wiring harness and cluster, along with other various parts. 
 

Do this.

[straight6pwr]

whats the reason you wont let the project go? rarity/cool factor? sheer will "I'm gonna finish this thing"?  attachment to the car?

[GunMetalGrey]

straight6pwr said:

whats the reason you wont let the project go? rarity/cool factor? sheer will "I'm gonna finish this thing"?  attachment to the car?

I have been looking at buying an E92 M3 the past few months, and was working on figuring out how to make it happen. 
One night I was working on making a wiring harness for the front bumper on the diesel, and realized that's what I like about cars, making things, hacking things apart, and just general tomfoolery. Buying an M3 will not satisfy those desires at all, as anything other than bolt on modifications tank value (and that costs a bit more than I care to lose resale on).
There is also the cool factor. An M3 will be just like everyone else's, which just doesn't feel like a viable replacement for me at this time. 
I do also struggle to give up on things lol. Especially considering it is running right now and in theory I could not touch it and drive it daily. 
 

Jdesign said:

Do this. (Buy all other M21 parts, some E30 specific)

 

[GunMetalGrey]

Also worth noting, these engines are really good at cracking the head between the valves.

[Jdesign]

Maybe it would be worthwhile to consider a more modern BMW diesel? N47 or N57?

[HipMF]

M41

[GunMetalGrey]

Well it's the end of this story.
A guy messaged me a few times on facebook, said when he would be there, 3 russian dudes rolled up (none of them were the guy I was talking to) and the guys looked it over, chatted with the other guy on the phone (in South Carolina at the time) and got my agreed upon price and they left. 
From what I gather a couple of the guys recently started up a diesel BMW shop about 2 hours south of me, so this was an interesting car for them. 

It was amusing when I started it up because they all grabbed their phones and started chuckling and taking videos, and thoroughly enjoyed the drive we went on. 

I was slightly sad to see it go, but it really has been a pain lately and wasn't seeing the use it deserved, so it's better it went elsewhere. 
Onward!

[B C]

You put some good work in to this thing. A learning experience about diesels if nothing else. Sad we never got to see it steal the show at the e30 picnic

[GunMetalGrey]

It was certainly a learning experience! 
I may play with an M21 in the future, but I will be able to do it so much better with all that is known! Also, it will not be in a lifted car lol.