Search for more power (turbo build)

[trackjunkie21]

I've always been into the tuning scene, always wanted to get some power out of cars and w.e else I could get my hands on. I grew pretty fond of my m42 powered e30 and love the light nimble feel of the 4 cylinder but what really bothered me was the lack of power in the lower rev range, hell, I hated the lack of power period. Getting passed by new corollas and other economy sedans really put a frown on my face. Thought about a 6 cylinder swap for a very long time and now I see that this isn't the road for me. Thought I would do something a little more out of the ordinary. I came across Danny's turbo build thread and a couple other threads on M42club and BF, and decided this would be an awesome project. Plans are to get this thing together over the winter and ready for spring. For now, aiming at a very modest 5psi to get it going and fine tuned. Once I get most of the quirks worked out, Full Standalone or a Piggyback will be in order and I will shoot for 12psi.

Acquired parts:
18x12x3 intercooler, has 3" inlet/outlet
2.5" ebay piping with silicone joints and V-bands
t3 turbo off a SAAB 9-3(not sure if I will be using this as it seems as a bit big for my application.)
Begi FMU
Parts on the way:
30lb injectors
LC-1 WB02
M50 turbo manifold.

Would it be fine if I ran the 3" intercooler with the 2.5" tubing? or should I look for a 2.5" intercooler? Any other recommendations you guys have, just let me know. Here are some pics of some of the parts.

[Bl0mgren]

it will work fine with the intercooler you have, not necessary to buy a new

[superpotter80]

i dont think the saab t3 would be to big,and would be able to cope with the higher boost later on.

[trackjunkie21]

it will work fine with the intercooler you have, not necessary to buy a new

thanks

i dont think the saab t3 would be to big,and would be able to cope with the higher boost later on.

Thanks! I'll look for one at the junkyard. Here is a small update, just bought me one of these. $5 shipped from fleabay, also ordered the 3"-2.5" coupler for the intercooler. If I get all piping and couplers by this weekend, I think a test fit will be in order.

[trackjunkie21]

Found a new job so I think I'm going full standalone sooner than expected. Talked with a couple people and I will have a Pnp Setup made in the original Motronic box. Very Stealthy . So I found my old burned out DME and will be sending this one out in the next month or so.

[dude8383]

Sweet! Don't blow all of your earnings though

[persianbmw]

can you give some more info on the tuning

[nuvolarossa]

Is gonna be VEMS from Gunni?

[trackjunkie21]

can you give some more info on the tuning

Is gonna be VEMS from Gunni?

Sorry was so long, have been caught up with college applications, financial aid and all that good stuff. Didn't get much done as I was pretty busy with school and stuff. Well I still don't know exactly what turbocharger I want to go with, therefore I can't do much but prepare the whole car for the additional stress that the car will see. Lucky enough my drivers side balljoints were on the verge of blowing up so I ordered front control arms along with new offset m3 bushings. These should be here by Friday so it will be a pretty productive weekend. Ups guy dropped off me fresh rubber, 225/50/15 Falken Ziex 912 which will be used for daily driving, the bottlecaps will receive Falken Azenis shortly.


 Now before you guys start flaming that I went with all season tires, this will be my DAILY DRIVER, it will very rarely see trackdays, maybe 2-3 during the season, and I need tires that will last(on a turbo car? yeah right.), and actually keep the car on the road when it's cold out, which is about 65% of the time around here. These appealed to me because I had them on my old 325e but only in 14" diameter, Next on the list will be some 24# injectors from a cobra along with fixing the vacuum mess under the throttlebody, actually finding the turbocharger, and start saving money for Megasquirt lol. But for now, this is what I'll be using

[trackjunkie21]

Well I got my offset bushings in and installed the new tires, Difference is night and day. The increase in Caster gives the car a more planted feel at higher speeds, but I need to adjust the toe angles, if you haven't done this yet, you really should. These tires grip much better than my old fuzions and they give the car a nice meaty look. Surprised they don't rub in the rear since I heard the Falkens are a much wider tire than every other 225/50/15 size tire.



I will end up rolling the rear fenders because I think spacers will be in order for the rear, I want it to sit a little more flush.

[trackjunkie21]

Well I'm starting to think my fuel pump is hitting the shitter, Car dies sometimes and wants to start but can't. Banged on the pump a little and now the car ran awesome until this morning when it happened again. Since I'm going with more power, I'm probably just going to go with a Walbro 255lph. Any other suggestions besides the Walbro?

[nomade30]

Make sure your connector is not worn out, I have had this happen to me multiple times, shove some copper wire in there and it fixes the problem.

I run the TRE-340 unit and it has lasted about 4 months so far, and I have a friend that has been running one for about 9 months.  No problems so far.

[trackjunkie21]

Make sure your connector is not worn out, I have had this happen to me multiple times, shove some copper wire in there and it fixes the problem.

I run the TRE-340 unit and it has lasted about 4 months so far, and I have a friend that has been running one for about 9 months.  No problems so far.

I guess it's time to pick up the tre

[wazzu70]

Is gonna be VEMS from Gunni?

Not to thread jack, but I will be getting my VEMS "PnP" harness from Gunni shortly. When I get it I will be more than happy to show some pictures and such.

[trackjunkie21]

Not to thread jack, but I will be getting my VEMS "PnP" harness from Gunni shortly. When I get it I will be more than happy to show some pictures and such.

Thanks, that will be super helpful.