MyE28.com DEV

KegCoyote wrote:[s]So, it seems after a lot of thought and looking at my costs, I'm going the turbo route on my 535i. I was originally going to do a V8 swap, I don't think I'll be able to accomplish my bodywork and suspension goals with the additional costs that come with trying to shoehorn a 5.0 or 5.7L motor and associated transmission under the hood. It’s been suggested by a local mechanic/bodyshop friend that I stick with the stock motor at this point and go with a turbo kit. Short term goals while I get my feet wet with major engine/drivetrain modification is around 250hp/ft-lbs. The TDC kit seems to be the best option at the moment. I’ve got a lot of reading to do on turbo theory before I commit fully. Things I know I need/want at this point (not in any order):

• TCD Stage 2 (What is this Stage III stuff I see?!)
• ARP Studs and a Headgasket(not sure of thickness)
• MegaSquirt 3 Pro
• New Clutch and some tranny work to be done(Do it once)
• 3.43 or 3.73 LSD
• Exhaust (Prior owner had an 528e exhaust on the car)
• Valves and timing chain
• Cam(Not sure which)
• All the sensors I can slap on the motor possible.

I’ve got lots of other plans for this car on the cosmetics and suspension side; this is just a drivetrain breakdown. When I kill this engine then I’ll build or purchase a real turbo-ready engine build. I’m curious what a professionally turbo-built engine would produce, eventually I’d like to reach mid 400’s while still being able to cruise around town. I’ve never seen any good info on Kormman M30’s, VAC race M30’s or (and I know you will roll your eyes at this) a MM 3600 Turbo Engine.

Things I’m not sure I need/want yet:
• Wasted Spark, Coil Per Ignition
• Fuel Rails, pressure regulators, pumps
• Tubular manifolds, intake options(S38 ITB’s, B32 intake, etc)
• Silicone Vacuum and coolant hoses. [/s]

I’m no engineer by any means but I have quite a few years as a technician fixing avionics systems, now fixing industrial instruments, and a bit of experience tinkering on cars. Hopefully I won’t get too many gray hairs accomplishing this project.

Not sure what I’m missing here and I’m open to suggestions.

Strike that, new direction below.

Add injectors to your list and an intercooler. Megasquirt will allow you to tune with stock fuel pressure regulator.
good luck
marc

No MAF with Megasquirt. You just use the MAP sensor that comes with the MS. I think the TCD kit comes with injectors and an intercooler.

I have an E28 turbo exhaust for sale. You'll need to have the downpipe modded to fit the TCD kit, I think. This one was made by TCDs fabricator to fit a CarTech kit, and I don't know if it is a direct bolt-up.

I'm not sure about how well the MS3 will plug up to thee 1.3 harness ( actually I'm almost positive you would need a custom harness) , but the diyautotune.com sells the DIYPNP Bosch 55 pin unit but it's MSII based. That would directly plug into the 1.3 Monotonic harness, and like moosehead said, no MAF needed.
I don't know how much you've looked into mega squirt, but if you haven't already... msextra.com diyautotune.com will help plenty on your build, whether you plan on tuning it yourself, or you plan on taking it to someone professionally.

Oh, and I approve this thread!

Regular old Motronic works perfectly well at low boost pressures. Its much easier to take one big step at a time. Get the turbo stuff in and running before you dive into Megasquirt. The turbocharger is all you really need to make a great deal of power. I would pass on the internal modifications beyond the MLS and studs. One great reason to turbocharge is because the stock engine makes great power as is, without head work and other expensive stuff.

mooseheadm5 wrote:No MAF with Megasquirt. You just use the MAP sensor that comes with the MS. I think the TCD kit comes with injectors and an intercooler.

I have an E28 turbo exhaust for sale. You'll need to have the downpipe modded to fit the TCD kit, I think. This one was made by TCDs fabricator to fit a CarTech kit, and I don't know if it is a direct bolt-up.

Yeah it comes with the water/air cooler and injectors. As for the exhaust, I guess I'd need details and to learn the needs for the TDC kit before making that decision.

turbodan wrote:Regular old Motronic works perfectly well at low boost pressures. Its much easier to take one big step at a time. Get the turbo stuff in and running before you dive into Megasquirt. The turbocharger is all you really need to make a great deal of power. I would pass on the internal modifications beyond the MLS and studs. One great reason to turbocharge is because the stock engine makes great power as is, without head work and other expensive stuff.

I'm in the instruments and industrial controls world it's not too far of a jump for me, the friend that's helping me is running megasquirt in his own track car. I'll have quite a few months before I'd be able to install either so I've got lots of time to read.

Edit: It's late(relatively) and I didn't proof read.

turbodan wrote:Regular old Motronic works perfectly well at low boost pressures. Its much easier to take one big step at a time. Get the turbo stuff in and running before you dive into Megasquirt. The turbocharger is all you really need to make a great deal of power. I would pass on the internal modifications beyond the MLS and studs. One great reason to turbocharge is because the stock engine makes great power as is, without head work and other expensive stuff.

That's true. Maybe you should take it one step at a time. It would be a lot easier to diagnose any problems you will run in too.

My bad folks, I meant MS3-Pro, not just the regular MegaSquirt 3

If you are set on going with a standalone dme I would get that up and running first with the motor NA. Dial in your tune and learn how to use tuner studio. Once it's tuned do the turbo build and re tune for boost within a hour or two of street tuning. I jumped to ms2 extra while doing a MLS and ARP's with a larger turbo and new injectors. I wasted a full day just trying to get the car to run because I was sold a set of ford 42lb injectors that turned out to be 24lb injectors. Point of the story, try to do it in steps so you don't waste $ and time chasing your tail.

MS3 pro Although instead of needing a custom harness you could just get the PNPv2

clongo wrote:If you are set on going with a standalone dme I would get that up and running first with the motor NA. Dial in your tune and learn how to use tuner studio. Once it's tuned do the turbo build and re tune for boost within a hour or two of street tuning. I jumped to ms2 extra while doing a MLS and ARP's with a larger turbo and new injectors. I wasted a full day just trying to get the car to run because I was sold a set of ford 42lb injectors that turned out to be 24lb injectors. Point of the story, try to do it in steps so you don't waste $ and time chasing your tail.

This is my intention, I'm familiar with FDR's(including the diagnostics that we get from them), FADEC and autopilot systems, so this shouldn't be too hard. Building a harness should be no big deal, I'm very tempted to get lacing tape and milspec connectors and do it all aviation style. Most of my items will be new and from verified sources, no second hand stuff so I don't have to deal with reliability issues.

I do need to find out if the M30B34 data for MS2 works with MS3x so I can get a baseline tune for a stock engine. Also still looking into the advantages of coil per plug vs wasted spark(costs aside).

Time to begin the chronicles of KegCoyote's Turbo Adventure Time 2: Electric Boogaloo.

After doing some research and discovering that the amount and locations of the rust on my current BMW were beyond what I wanted to deal with on that chassis I began looking for alternatives. I could either buy a rust free rolling chassis in various states of build or purchase a already turbo'd e28, so I put up a WTB ad. I got a few hits for a turbo setup or two and rolling chassis options, look into purchasing grey ghost's turbo car when he was still undecided on selling it. Then I got a PM out of the blue about a clean example of a turbo BMW. I was very excited and even though deployed at the time told him I was very interested in the car despite a few hiccups here and there with the condition of the car. It even came with it's own 5 page PDF file documenting dyno maps, upgrades and the care that was give to the car. I was very impressed, did my research about the car, it's history and the work done to it(even though I'm still piecing some of it together).

Once I got back from deployment and was finished with my local area R&R I took the first flight out to view the car first hand after my father was able to do a PPI for me. It was a beauty, clean, solid, euro treatment to the nines and with a very interesting drive train. It wasn't perfect, and has some running issues, some suspension problems, some wiring issues that need addressing. and a bit of rust that needs to be nipped in the bud to keep this car in great condition, but I'm very confident I can sort it out in quick order.

Unfortunately it's not in a running condition that I feel confident road-tripping it back across the US. It is missing on an unknown cylinder at the moment, and I'm in the process of replacing some burnt spark plug wires and spark plugs. Additionally the suspension in the rear definitely will be needing work, before traveling long distances. It will be shipped to my close friend's shop where we can sort those issues out so I can enjoy it during the driving season, and then pack it away for the New England winters.

There are no pics yet, I'll keep that part a mystery for the moment, unless someone else who knows which car this is wants to chime in, but I will keep you guys updated on my progress, and the direction I'm taking it now that it's in my hands.

Eagerly waiting your progress with MS, also photos of the new car!