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[ScottDoom]

I haven't really been reading what you've been writing because I know absolutely nothing about cars, but I am anxiously awaiting the end result and some good pics or a video.

[Elysian]

I haven't really been reading what you've been writing because I know absolutely nothing about cars, but I am anxiously awaiting the end result and some good pics or a video.

It's gonna be a while, I'm in no hurry

[Elysian]

Purchased the trans brace/mount I need to complete this swap tonight. Guy that makes them usually charges 75, but put them on sale for 50 until tonight, so I snagged one. Basically, the new engine will change the angle the trans mounts in the car, so this mount allows for that change.

[Elysian]

The 01 is now gone It really pisses me off to no end that BMW designed the rear subframe mounts so poorly, and basically forced me to have to get rid of one of my favorite cars ever. Words can't even fully describe how pissed I've been about this...

[Elysian]

Forgot to post these yesterday, this is my 150k 330's cylinder head. Clean.

[Jasef]

Any updates?

[Elysian]

Any updates?

Nope.

[Elysian]

Picked up the oil pan today. Just by chance searched for M50 last night on CraigsList, and the oil pan I needed was the very first listing, listed 1 hour before, contacted the guy, picked it up today for $100. They cost 250-300 anywhere else. Gonna drop the engine off at the mechanic soon to have the oil pickup tube made, then the engine will be able to physically go into the car.

[jimmt]

Enjoying the thread adam. Man you are multi talented; guitars, PC's, cars, etc...

[VW_Factor]

What all happened with your Pathy there anyway? Im interested to hear about that some. Ive been doing a lot of work to ours here in the past 3 weeks.

Interested to swap pics maybe.

[Elysian]

What all happened with your Pathy there anyway? Im interested to hear about that some. Ive been doing a lot of work to ours here in the past 3 weeks.

Interested to swap pics maybe.

I've posted a lot about the Pathfinder on here Saturday the transmission decided it would rather be stuck in Drive at all times, and try to downshift to 1st gear from 45-50mph. Have to force it to work right using D1 and D2, but can't go past D2 or it'll try to downshift. Lever works fine, trans is just done for. Going to be doing a manual swap on it.

[Elysian]

Engine is at the mechanic's to have the custom oil pickup tube made and I got the transmission brace in today(swap can't use the stock brace because the trans would be at the wrong angle).

[Elysian]

Plans have evolved for this build. Engine is going to be rebuilt, and I'm going turbo. This will make the build take longer, but I'm quite alright with this, 400+ rwhp in a 2000lb car will be insanity. I'm already working out the details, but I'll either be running lower compression pistons or a thicker head gasket, we'll see. This is the turbo I'll eventually be purchasing:

http://store.forcedperformance.net/m..._Code=Turbo-FP

Based on the Garret GT30R, should be a beast. Probably going to be using this exhaust manifold as well:



Specs of the manifold:

-Manifolds are top mount and will fit any M5X/S5X based engines in our E30's.
-Made from 1/8" stainless steel.
-T3 based and designed to fit the large T04E compressor housing.
-External V band wastegate to fit up to 44mm gate.
-tig welded
-1/2" thick flanges
-will not interfere with your a/c.
-weight is 18lbs meaning that it's a heavy duty manifold and not cheaply made.
-2 year warranty against cracking

Here it is attached to an engine with a turbo bolted to it:



The engine sits at a 60 degree angle, so it will still clear the hood. Pretty excited about this build, but I'm not in a rush.

[caveman-jim]

that looks redonkulous

[VW_Factor]

I have a friend that works at FP.

I would suggest going lower compression pistons. Built right, and less to go wrong.

[fO Che -USA-]

Jesus! What the hell do you drive anyway? your pathfinders getting a new transmission and this thing is going off the deep end. Do you have like a scooter or something you use to pick up parts.

[Elysian]

Jesus! What the hell do you drive anyway? your pathfinders getting a new transmission and this thing is going off the deep end. Do you have like a scooter or something you use to pick up parts.

Right now I use my sister's car, Pathfinder can technically still drive though if I need it that badly, just nothing over 40-45mph, and it'll eat gas like mad because it can't go past 2nd gear. Pathfinder should be up and running with the 3.3l and the manual in the first weekend of September, I'll be out of town from the 13th to the 22nd anyways.

[Elysian]

I have a friend that works at FP.

I would suggest going lower compression pistons. Built right, and less to go wrong.

I'll also be looking into boring+sleeving the block, I may just bump it up to a 3.2l boring it to the same bore as the S52 from the previous generation M3... That would allow me to run pistons from that model engine as well. The engine already runs the S52 crank, the .2l displacement only comes from the bore, same stroke and such.

[Elysian]

Just got the engine back, the oil pump nut was loose, he welded it on. The pan is now attached and the oil pickup is made. I'll have to take the pan back off at some point though, I didn't get a chance to relay to him to leave the pan off it, no worries though, a gasket is cheap. I talked a lot of shop with him, threw some of my ideas out there. I'm probably going to go with a .85mm thick head gasket to bump the compression down a tad, I'll likely be going forged pistons and upgrading the rods as well. I talked to him about boring/sleeving it to 3.2, but the gains wouldn't really be worth the cost. I also talked ECU and tuning, and he's convinced I can run the MS43 without having to have all of the other stuff like EWS, meaning I wouldn't need to use the key, he's telling me there are ways to trick the ECU, so if he's correct, I'll probably still wind up running the stock ECU and tuning it for the boost. He also said it'd be a more reliable ECU than the older M50 and S50 ECU, and another benefit would be not having to hack up the wiring harness, and I could run both VANOS's that way. We'll see, I'm sure I'll be sitting down and talking with him more about this as the swap progresses. He also mentioned a cast exhaust manifold that's supposed to be excellent for these types of projects, but he couldn't remember the company name, so he's going to be looking that up for me. He seems as excited about my project as I am, and I'm not even going to be putting any money in his pocket besides the trade of the E46 shell with its torn rear subframe mounts

[Elysian]

Probably won't be using the manifold I posted earlier, my mechanic has convinced me that a cast manifold is a better way to go, although it'd mean I'd have to go internal wastegate instead of external, but that's not really a problem. The cast manifold will also allow me to mount the turbo under the engine instead of above it, meaning it'll give me more room under the hood, and will be easier to insulate.

[gamefoo21]

I don't mean to be a dink, but can't you get a tubular SS manifold with the correct orientation? Are you going for just straight up off the shelf parts or are you willing to get one custom with proper length tubing and the flange at the right angle.

Tubular manifolds are just so nice compared to cast ones, and they look even better after a good ceramic coating.

[Elysian]

I don't mean to be a dink, but can't you get a tubular SS manifold with the correct orientation? Are you going for just straight up off the shelf parts or are you willing to get one custom with proper length tubing and the flange at the right angle.

Tubular manifolds are just so nice compared to cast ones, and they look even better after a good ceramic coating.

The problem with the manifold I was going to use, and most manifolds like it is the welds at the bends, they're usually ground down and polished, causing weak points, which tend to crack. A cast manifold has a few benefits, one being it's cheaper than one of those manifolds without the welds ground down, the other being it won't crack, and yet another being it's just plain cheaper. Looks don't matter, you won't be seeing it anyways, BMW engines have a 60 degree slant, you're not going to see much of the manifold under the head. Can barely see the stock manifolds as it is.

[gamefoo21]

The problem with the manifold I was going to use, and most manifolds like it is the welds at the bends, they're usually ground down and polished, causing weak points, which tend to crack. A cast manifold has a few benefits, one being it's cheaper than one of those manifolds without the welds ground down, the other being it won't crack, and yet another being it's just plain cheaper. Looks don't matter, you won't be seeing it anyways, BMW engines have a 60 degree slant, you're not going to see much of the manifold under the head. Can barely see the stock manifolds as it is.

Bah, then get a custom one, the shop I know and deal with in Quebec doesn't grind the welds for a pretty appearance.

Yeah, cast manifolds can be stronger and are usually cheaper, but they tend to be a trade off in terms of performance, a fairly noticable one too.

[Elysian]

Bah, then get a custom one, the shop I know and deal with in Quebec doesn't grind the welds for a pretty appearance.

Yeah, cast manifolds can be stronger and are usually cheaper, but they tend to be a trade off in terms of performance, a fairly noticable one too.

Custom manifold for 1500+(for all the R&D/mockup, lots of labor involved) or a $500 cast manifold? I'll be running a big enough turbo that I'll have enough headroom to hit the #'s I want at the wheel and still not be maxxing out the turbo, so if a cast manifold means I need to run a couple psi more boost, then that's not an issue. It also really depends on how well the cast iron manifold is designed, not all manifolds are created equal, and a manifold being custom made won't guarantee it'll flow better.

[Elysian]

See, this would be similar to the manifold I'd run, I see nothing wrong with that setup, and it actually looks like it can have an external wastegate as well. That specific manifold would run me $529, I'd say that's a good value for the money.

[gamefoo21]

This is I think their most expensive manifold, it's only $900. I can see the definate cost savings of running with a cast one though.

Oh and here's the stock A4 manifold...



Just be wary, the cast ones can crack.

Oh they do make ones for I6 engines as well... 7MGTE manifold: $760



Linkie: http://turbinetech.ca/produit_detail...ab4663&lang=AN

I'd contact them and see what they can do for you. Doesn't hurt to ask atleast.

[Elysian]

This is I think their most expensive manifold, it's only $900. I can see the definate cost savings of running with a cast one though.

Oh and here's the stock A4 manifold...



Just be wary, the cast ones can crack.

Oh they do make ones for I6 engines as well... 7MGTE manifold: $760



Linkie: http://turbinetech.ca/produit_detail...ab4663&lang=AN

I'd contact them and see what they can do for you. Doesn't hurt to ask atleast.

Those are manifolds they already have the jigs for though, they don't make anything for BMW's, meaning they'd have to do the R&D, and they'd need a car on hand to do that, it'd get pretty costly in the end... Trust me, I'd love to go custom manifold, but the price-to-performance ratio just isn't there. I'll keep looking though, there might be a manifold out there I haven't seen yet.

[squid]

it's not really worth going for a fancy manifold unless you are running a really big turbo that can't fit in the space other manifolds would put it, or you are using a twin scroll turbo, or need an external gate, etc.

[Elysian]

it's not really worth going for a fancy manifold unless you are running a really big turbo that can't fit in the space other manifolds would put it, or you are using a twin scroll turbo, or need an external gate, etc.

Yeah, my goal is around 400hp at the wheels, and the turbo ill be using will easily facilitate that.

[Elysian]

http://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac-...s52-p2136.aspx

Will be installing this baffle kit into my oil pan, should be helpful. Also found a stronger oil pump for the build.

[moshpit]

http://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac-...s52-p2136.aspx

Will be installing this baffle kit into my oil pan, should be helpful. Also found a stronger oil pump for the build.

Just not feeling the stronger oil pump, man...




Just giving ya grief, don't mind me

[gamefoo21]

These guys:

http://www.crank-scrapers.com/

Awesome guys to deal with, actually mailed me some stickers after I lost the ones they supplied with the scraper I got. They do even do the M52...

http://www.crank-scrapers.com/bmw.html

Chuck Taylor, racer and owner of Factory 3 Performance writes:

This is what I know about crank scrapers:

Don't install an oil pressure gauge if you aren't planning to also install a crank scraper.



The factory oil pressure warning light is set to come on at around 7-8psi. Your warning light probably never illuminates while driving.

Once I installed an oil pressure gauge, I found that in the fast left hand corners (like T3 at Roebling) the car was dropping from 50PSI to around 16. Not good. Especially at 5000+ RPM. Even running a quart over full didn't help. Talk about too much information!

We installed one of the crank scrapers over the winter, and now the car holds full pressure everywhere on track.

Yeah, it's $60, and I probably seem like a walking advert but meh, these things do what they say they do, and it gets you lower oil temps and more power. So... Win/Win and cheap too!

[Elysian]

M52 won't do me any good, my engine is an M54.....

[gamefoo21]

M52 won't do me any good, my engine is an M54.....

We will try to keep this list updated but if you do not see your engine listed here please ask! We can do custom stroker or knife-edge crank designs. We can provide plastic templates for initial fitting and adjustment.

[Cowzrul]

Never heard of a crank scraper before, I learned something today.

The concept certainly makes sense to me.

[Elysian]

It'd be tough to adapt to the M54 for another reason, the M54 has individual bracing for each bolt for the crank bearings, each bolt anchors to two points on the side of the engine, it's a virtual fortress down there of supports.

[caveman-jim]

Never heard of a crank scraper before, I learned something today.

The concept certainly makes sense to me.

yeah, I just went WTF? Highlight - Right click - Google

[Elysian]

Did some more research on the M54, and the M54 doesn't even need that crank scraper, check this out:





And here's the support brackets I was referencing:

[Elysian]

Another thing that makes this engine ideal for my plans:


Oil squirters for the underside of each pistons, makes for a very well lubricated and properly cooled piston.

[gamefoo21]

Just saying... Worst that happens, they need you or your mechanic to make a paper dummy copy, then to test fit a plastic draft copy...

Never heard of a crank scraper before, I learned something today.

The concept certainly makes sense to me.

Yeah, I'd never heard of it before either, but then I did some reading and saw some actual dyno sheets showing it even makes a difference on the dyno.