BMW E36 325i M50 Turbo Build

[AlynOwen88]

Thanks for clicking on my thread. Never made a build thread before, to be honest. Never really built a car either.

So let's start from the beginning.

Purchased a semi sorted E36 325i

M50 Non Vanos
Converted from auto to manual
Welded diff
Adjustable camber arms on rear
Adjustable top mounts on front
Strut bar
Coilovers (cheap and nasty eBay ones)
E46 lower arms with polybush lollypops
330d brake set up in front
Lock adaptors
Staggered genuine 17" style 32's which need a refurb
Full M-sport kit
Genuine ac schnitzer bootlid spoiler
De cat and de-baffled back box

The car as it stands was good fun, but looking to upgrade the power a bit and also add some cool noises between gear shifts.

 

[Bonooo]

Can't wait to see the progress of this car. Don't see many Turbo Beemers. Hope to see some pictures soon!

 

[AlynOwen88]

So this is what the car looked like when I got it about 18 months ago.

The car was on and off the road for a while, just being lazy and using my daily instead.

But recently moved into a property with a decent sized garage, and always wanted to have a go at building something so after looking at some teamARG videos, I realised I wanted a M50B25 turbo. Found out they are quite strong blocks and can withstand about 500hp with standard internals before they start melting.

 

[AlynOwen88]

So first thing on the list was was to sort out the way the car drove. The braking capability of the 330d calipers with discs will suffice for what I will be using the car for.

So then I ripped out the old smelly eBay coilovers and go for a set of HSD Monopros from the guys here at driftworks (thank you 10% sale)

Bavarian HQ then sorted me some 50mm extended lower arms and modified knuckles with E90 inner and E36 outer rods. This then with new polybush lolly pops, and new adjustable rear camber arms.

Also have shiny HSDs to fit when I get my new bearings pressed onto spindles and also once I've given my calipers a recondition because they are a bit scabby.

 

[AlynOwen88]

After having some unexpected time off from work, I thought it was a good time to get cracking pulling the engine out of the car to prep the bay and block ready for turbo parts.

So out comes the engine, pardon the gay snapchat photo, didn't take a regular one.

 

[AlynOwen88]

Now comes some more bits, after chatting to a few people, I decided against going for a megasquirt set up on this car and thought it would be best to go for a full stand alone kit. VEMS supplied me with a full plug and play system with wideband AFR, MAP sensor, EGT sensor and the ability to control things like antilag/launch control etc. (I could waffle on about this, but if you want to know more, click this link http://www.efiexpress.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=133 )

 

[AlynOwen88]

Then, when minding my own business in my cab (I drive lorries for my sins)

A very good deal came up on Facebook which o couldn't refuse.

A Walton Motorsport manifold and downpipe, built for my engine. With a Bernies Blowers turbo and Wastegate (14psi spring) came up for a price I couldn't refuse, so a quick 4 hour journey east got me this beauty.

The quality of the manifold is beautiful.

 

[AlynOwen88]

So like a child, I had to do a test fit on the engine, fits lovely and tight to block and even all of the manifold studs are blissfully easy to reach.

So yeah, lets photo whore this a bit.

 

[AlynOwen88]

Also, a quick post just to say I received my narrowed steering linkage made by Chris Arnott for a reasonable price. Just allows the downpipe to have a bit more room. Even though it is solid mounted to the block. It just makes the fitting of the downpipe easier.

So now I need to take mani set up off, service the engine, put a metal water pump in, colder plugs, Athena gasket, arp head studs......

The list goes on and on and on.

.... but as I do more, I will update.

 

[AlynOwen88]

As previously mentioned, the calipers on the car were rather gash. So a little time with a wire wheel

A quick lick of Audi silver paint

Then finally got around to fitting the lower control arms, cut knuckles and HSD's to the front. Just waiting on braided brake lines and the e90 inner and e36 outer tie rods.

I haven't set up the HSDs as of yet, so no idea how low or not this is. All I have done is set the spring so it tight but not compressed in the top locking rings. Looking to get the car corner weighted and aligned once it has wheels, and an engine, and other bits to make it move.

Have to say the quality of the HSDs are superb, can't wait to have a drive on them now.

Next items to be delivered are engine parts so expect an update soon with some more oily bits.

 

[AlynOwen88]

This may seem a little mundane to you who know your spanners, but for myself it's quite and achievement seeing as before this I'd ask for help changing coilovers.

So this is one of the pics I took at the start minus the rocker cover.

The engine had suffered quite a long leak from said rocker cover and the engine was absolutely filthy! So I thought it best to strip it down, and the. Clean/Paint everything that went back on.

The pistons show me that the engine has been running rich for some time, this maybe because of the cut O2 sensor in exhaust and the decat. But the bores weren't scored and I am yet to clean deck to see what it's like.

More evidence of over fuelling on head, so time to send that off to the machine shop for a pressure/vac test, a skim and new stem seals.

As I said, dirtier than a council house kitchen. So out came the jizer and elbow grease.

A lick of silver paint and lovely.

Quite happy with the result, soon as my head is back I'll update further with the rebuilding with thick head gasket and arp studs.

Pretty proud of myself right now seeing as everything has gone without too much of an issue. Saying that, my head maybe cracked and I don't know yet so fingers crossed.

 

[AlynOwen88]

The head came back from the machine shop, full clean bill of health. Vac and Pressure tested, skimmed and the valve lapped in again.

So after much scraping and cleaning, the block was ready for its gasket set. Two composite gaskets with a steel spacer in between which should bring the compression ratio down enough for about 14-17psi, can't remember the ratio right now but it was 8:4 something. Below you can see the spacer gasket.

So you can see the gasket sandwich from this angle, obviously this is before it's squeezed down. Installed all the ARP studs into block ready for the head.

To tighten up the head bolts, the cam gallery, lifters and cams had to come out for access.

The head was then rebuilt with cams, timed up and then put back together this far. No more progress for a few days now as I ordered the wrong rocker gasket! Also renewed gaskets and thermostat, water pump and other serviceables while doing the rebuild.

We are getting closer and closer now!

 

[AlynOwen88]

Only a small update showing the rocker cover and manifold on.

Damn I'm excited

 

[dandadude]

Looks cool, you are doing well if you haven't done much of this before. Keeping things clean and taking your time are the most important things with something like this and you seem to be doing that. Bet it will sound pretty awesome when it's all running! Good luck!

 

[AlynOwen88]

Thanks for the positive comment, yeah all I've been doing is making sure everything is clean tidy and has a place. So everything I've taken off has been labelled etc.

It's quite the learning curve but I'm really enjoying it so far, be even more fun when it's running!

 

[023ben]

look forward to following your progress on this. i have a spare engine to clean,replace any bits that are worn out. you seem to be doing as i planned apart from the spacer, so should be very helpfull to me. lots of pics please

 

[AlynOwen88]

I have loads of pictures that I havent uploaded also.

If you need any help and I'm able to advise you, I will.

 

[Bu11et]

Very nice build man! Keep up the good work and as above, I like the fact your doing everything properly and not just throwing it together to get it running quickly!

This looks like it'll be a handful and worth it!

 

[AlynOwen88]

So there hasn't really been much to update here recently. I tidied up the engine harness and refitted the inlet manifold. Fitted the plumbing to engine and attached parts of the harness up. It's now ready to be put back into the car, but I am still waiting for a clutch and flywheel set up so it won't be going back in until then.

Once engine is in I can work out what I need in regards to oil and water plumbing for turbo, intercooler and boost pipe routing.

Then plug in the new standalone and away she will hopefully go.

Just a little torn on whether I should use the engine coverings or not.

So yeah this is the point i am at, thinking in may need a heat shield on the exhaust side of rocker cover to protect coils/wiring too.

 

[AlynOwen88]

So sorry for the delay with my updates, work commitments and such have been keeping my hands away from the spanners.

But, today had a crack at putting some bits on that arrived by the postie over the last few weeks.

650cc injectors were fitted

Also fitted the skinner (and non deformable) steering linkage into the car so the Dow pipe has more room.

Also fitted the FTWL twin plate clutch and flywheel which is capable of holding 1000nm of Torque. Couple of pics to show what it looks like.

Also fitted the gearbox back on, all that it needs now is my poly bush engine mounts to be fitted and then engine can go back in so I can work out plumbing for oil, water and boost piping.

Will be updating soon when engine is back in.

Thanks for reading.