e30 318i c 1992

[TheArchitect]

Hello All,

I have a laguna metallic green e30, that's a 318i convertible with a m42 engine that's stock and rebuilt. Id like to turbo this car. I'm not looking to race it, just cruse and a daily driver. I want around 200+ hp and run around 6-8 psi.

I've looked around and seen the ebay kits and I kinda don't want to risk putting junk in it. So I'm going to build as much as i can or recycle as much as I can. keep in mind i am looking for quality and I don't care for name brands. I just want good quality for a great price.

I found mishimoto for most of my items this intercooler
http://www.mishimoto.com/mishimoto-universal-intercooler-small.html

need a rad so I thought this
http://www.mishimoto.com/bmw-e36-aluminum-performance-radiator-92-99.html

and I'll need a fan
http://www.mishimoto.com/mishimoto-accessories-16-inch-fan.html

Im not sure how this all works or how to size things.

I know I want a oil cooled turbo, and I like what i hear about garret but they seem overly expensive.

Thoughts and experiences will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[DesktopDave]

Welcome to the 'club! I have almost the same car you do, just in M20 guise.

Unfortunately I have little info about turbo kits, but I'm in for the build when you get to it!

[Darky]

Hi

Id use oem parts as much as possible, 6 cylinder radiator and fan from a air con equiped e30, as you know they will fit.

Also when choosing a inter cooler go as large as possible, better for engine and power.

Regards Rohan

[Tgoode318]

Darky do you have any more info on the 6 to 4 cyl rad swap? I was going to attempt this conversion next weekend, When i called mishi and told them i planed to convert it they said it shouldnt be a prob just figure a mounting spot for the expansion tank and the rest should be pretty much the same besides the top hose will go directly to the rad instead of the expansion tank which is what i was thinking.

[Darky]

Hi tgoode

Yes I've done the swap myself, it all bolted up no problems except radiator overflow bottle.
You have to get a little creative there as there are no mounts in our cars.

I had to do it as I have done some driving in 45 deg c, and these cars don't like that much so I up sized plus dropped 10 deg with the fans in front of condenser coil. By changing the thermostat on the side of the radiator as well. Have not had a problem since.

Cheers Rohan

[TheArchitect]

Hello all and thank you for commenting. I was busy all week.

I thought the m42 rad was larger or more volume then the m20?

Also makes sense on the inter cooler makes it harder to get a decent priced inter cooler.

[Darky]

Hi

The m42/m40 radiator is the same size but not the same cooling capacity as it has the radiator bottle included in it.
The m20 radiator requires a external overflow bottle.

Cheers

[Tgoode318]

Darky where did you mount your expansion tank? Were you able to use the stock length hoses or did you need longer ones? Also the top hose from the engine (right side of thermostat housing) that's connected to the neck of the expansion tank (m42) did you just connect that directly to the 6 cyl rad?

[TheArchitect]

Darky where did you mount your expansion tank? Were you able to use the stock length hoses or did you need longer ones? Also the top hose from the engine (right side of thermostat housing) that's connected to the neck of the expansion tank (m42) did you just connect that directly to the 6 cyl rad?

I see what you mean now. The only problem I have is your rad is for euro spec cars mines north american. also the hosing would have to be re worked to fit. I guess Id need to get a custom one then and solves my problem, big rad and big expansion tank.

[TheArchitect]

shot sorry about that I just noticed the picture was upside down. so yeah it would fit perfect just need to change how its mounted. but thats easy. thank you.

[Darky]

Hi guys

The 2 inch (roughly) hose from the thermostat goes to the radiator, but you will need a new one due to it being required to attach to the radiator 3 inches across to the left.
The over flow goes to the expansion tank.
I used a e36 overflow bottle. Looks like a dozen clear tennis balls together mounted it to left hand guard.
The m20 oval overflow bottle cracks due to its shape.
The hose from the engine (1 inch) goes to the overflow as well.
Also there's a overflow from expansion tank out of engine bay 1/4 inch.

Cheers Rohan

[Nick_318is]

In regards to the original question, there is a guy Jake, who has developed a m42 kit. He posts as JakeB on r3v and his website is http://www.classicdaily.net/ here is his thread, he has some dyno results etc. seems like it's well built and well reviewed, it would probably meet your goals.

Here is the R3v thread: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=259174

[Tgoode318]

Thanks darky pretty much exactly what i was thinking !! Awesome.
When i saw almost no one makes an upgraded m42 rad i figured why not use a 6 cyl rad which is basically the same design. Its great to know some one else had this idea and has done it already with success!
Thanks again. To OP how is your swap coming along? 

[TheArchitect]

In regards to the original question, there is a guy Jake, who has developed a m42 kit. He posts as JakeB on r3v and his website is http://www.classicdaily.net/ here is his thread, he has some dyno results etc. seems like it's well built and well reviewed, it would probably meet your goals.

Here is the R3v thread: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=259174

Thank you Nick I will have to look and read up more on it.

[TheArchitect]

Ok, I hope I make this clear enough so that people get the idea what I'm trying to do. hear goes.

So I have My m42 finally pulled out from the other car. I'd like to start building a turbo system for my car.  Keep in mind its getting a tuck and shave. Everything around the fenders are moving to other places. Timing has been replaced on this engine, and i'm going to get new larger fuel injectors, ideally I was thinking i'd want 100-200 hp. is this possible with a stock clean engine.

I was wondering can I use the existing brake duct as my fresh air in, then have it merge with my return inter cooler line then through my air filter to my intake?

I am also wondering does anyone know of a decent air filter that is compact enough that would fit this 2" diameter piping that id be assembling. stock is to large and bulky. I also want it to connect to my maf sensor i think it is.

Also is there any rad inter cooler combos that have been built? or does everyone just fits each component on?

Another thing id like is the air intake for my turbo to get its air from the rain screen. which between the screen and the turbo will be this nice, compact and clean air filter. Has anyone done this? 

Also what is a good turbo that's reliable low maintenance and least amount of moving parts. This is where i think i will be spending the bulk of the money but I don't want to buy brand new garret for $3000

Budget is about 1000 give or take based on how much a good turbo will cost.

I was thinking Mishimoto for rad inter cooler and fan. Anyone used these before?

Any thoughts pointers and wisdom is in need.

Thank you.