niks325i's M50 Vanos Holset Turbo Auto Build

**niks325i** · 03-26-2008, 11:17 AM

Ok. So everyone has their build threads going, and since spring is almost here (north of the 49th parallel) and I have accumulated a bunch of stuff, I figured I'd start mine.

The subject:

1993 325i Laguna Green, 150 000 kms, auto, Ground Control / Bilstein coilovers, K&N cold air intake, Dinan chip, H&R 28mm front sway, M3 rear sway, Hawk and Metal Master brake pads, M3 control arm bushings, fan delete.

The following is a list of things that I've purchased and are sitting in my basement.

First purchase: Holset HX35W Turbo Charger

This baby has the ability to make some incredible horsepower. 400+ on an M50 with the right settings. I'm planning on doing this project in a couple stages. Stage 1 will be quite conservative with an aim to have 300+ horse at the wheels.

I have also picked up this flange for the back of the turbo to allow me to run an external wastgate off the exhaust manifold rather than the internal one that comes with it. It also allows for easier fabrication of an exhaust system.

Picked up these charge pipes and BOV from bigsalgt. They were on his M3 before he went to ICS with his ride.

32"x 12"x 3" Front Mount Turbo Intercooler! Geno says this will fit with the stock fan. Hope he's right.

Otherwise, I will need to pick up a Spal.

XS Boost controller and Turbonetics Evolution Wastegate. I was really surprised at how physically big this wastegate is.

3.5" Mass Air Flow Meter (Porsche "803" MAF)

Need this in order to clear the 4" intake inlet going to the turbo.

WALBRO 255 LPH HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WITH BOLT-IN KIT

Stainless muffler from Avid-Speed in Germany.

Now, most of you are saying "Auto, wtf?!" Well. It's a little experiment to see what it can take and to see how well Amsoil ATF can protect a tranny.

I've also picked up the Dinan transmission software, a big Hayden tranny cooler, and a 3000 rpm stall. It should launch pretty hard with the 3.91 LSD. I am also going to be running BBS RK's with 245/45/17 Falken Azenis RT-615's.

So what do I have left to get before I can get things underway?

injectors
manifold
oil routing
silicone and clamps
Spal fan possibly
wideband
guages
management

Am I fogetting something?

Oh yeah, manaagment will be a DME tune by techno or e36n. Haven't totally decided yet.

Nik

**Geno325is** · 03-26-2008, 11:47 AM

lookin good, so what torque converter you go with? Hey you forgot to mention that the intercooler will clear the stock fan w/ an M3 bumper - so its a good time to upgrade

**niks325i** · 03-26-2008, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Geno325is

lookin good, so what torque converter you go with? Hey you forgot to mention that the intercooler will clear the stock fan w/ an M3 bumper - so its a good time to upgrade

It's a 3000 rpm convertor from http://www.edgeracingconverters.com/

I'm using an E46 style M3 bumper (pictured below) so I hope it clears.

Nik

**5mall5nail5** · 03-26-2008, 01:05 PM

Nik is your goal more of a street/strip drag car or a fun handler? Because the auto especially with a 3k stall isn't going to be very fun to drive in terms of involvement.

**niks325i** · 03-26-2008, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by 5mall5nail5

Nik is your goal more of a street/strip drag car or a fun handler? Because the auto especially with a 3k stall isn't going to be very fun to drive in terms of involvement.

Yeah, I know. I've lived with the auto for 4 years; even autocrossed it, I guess I can live with it a little longer.

Just not ready to do the whole 5 spd swap, but it will happen in the future if this tranny blows. I have a 92 325i 5 spd parts car in my garage beside my car that I could grab the tranny and everything out if I want.

Nik

**FastrTHNu** · 03-26-2008, 01:42 PM

Stop being lazy and swap that 5spd in

**niks325i** · 03-26-2008, 01:43 PM

I was hoping this thread wouldn't turn into a critique of my transmission, but I guess I should've expected it.

Nik

**5mall5nail5** · 03-26-2008, 02:09 PM

I think if we were looking at a car designed to be a drag racer with lots and lots of power we'd be singing a different tune - but even still I know the supra guys with th400's complain that the car is no longer "fun"

**///M3Augy** · 03-26-2008, 02:42 PM

What manifold do you plan on running?

**niks325i** · 03-26-2008, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by 5mall5nail5

I think if we were looking at a car designed to be a drag racer with lots and lots of power we'd be singing a different tune - but even still I know the supra guys with th400's complain that the car is no longer "fun"

I suppose. The thing is, I'm not going to an auto, I already have one.

.

BTW, if anyone has any of the items on my list of things I haven't got yet, please PM me.

Nik

**Bigsalgt** · 03-26-2008, 03:02 PM

Looking good so far Nik! Let us know how everything goes with the build!

**niks325i** · 03-26-2008, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by ///M3Augy

What manifold do you plan on running?

Right now I'm pretty open to whatever comes along. Bottom mount. I had the Ebay one, but sold it.

Originally Posted by Bigsalgt

Looking good so far Nik! Let us know how everything goes with the build!

Will do!

Nik

**BadBoostedBmwM3** · 03-26-2008, 08:33 PM

I can't wait to see some pics when it is done.

**dcvee** · 03-26-2008, 08:39 PM

I love these builds!! Keep us posted!!

Don

**525fourthew1n** · 03-26-2008, 11:30 PM

Great build idea! Definitely keep the autotragic! I have the same tranny and a lot of us at the E34 board wanna know what those things can take before sounding like a blender full of razor blades.

watching this thread closely!

**niks325i** · 03-27-2008, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by 525fourthew1n

Great build idea! Definitely keep the autotragic! I have the same tranny and a lot of us at the E34 board wanna know what those things can take before sounding like a blender full of razor blades.

watching this thread closely!

I'll document it closely. Going to start out driving nice until it's tuned properly. Once it's tuned, I'm going to do some autocrossing with it. If it holds up for autocross, I'll take it to the dragstrip to get some 1/4 mile times. At each of these stages I'll put a poll up for people to predict what will happen. Should be fun.

Nik

**niks325i** · 03-27-2008, 11:35 AM

This is in the mail.

Going to use it to connect the Porsche MAF to the elbow going to throttle body.

Question: Are people using the oem elbow there? Can it handle boost pressure of 10 to 12 ps?

Nik

**niks325i** · 04-09-2008, 01:08 PM

Look what I got!

8)

Nik

**Ichbinsobose** · 04-09-2008, 03:13 PM

what EMS are you using?

**FastrTHNu** · 04-09-2008, 03:46 PM

Nik - read a little bit about the deatsch werk injectors before you decide to use them. People have had them fail and some say they are not actually flow matched. I just sold my set for $210 and picked up some racetronix/lucas flowmatched 42lbers for $270.

**niks325i** · 04-09-2008, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by FastrTHNu

Nik - read a little bit about the deatsch werk injectors before you decide to use them. People have had them fail and some say they are not actually flow matched. I just sold my set for $210 and picked up some racetronix/lucas flowmatched 42lbers for $270.

That sucks. Well I hope they work.

Nik

**Geno325is** · 04-09-2008, 03:49 PM

i got new greentop 42s, flow matched by Marren for $275 if youre lookin-

**niks325i** · 04-09-2008, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Ichbinsobose

what EMS are you using?

I think I will get TRM or someone similar to tune the ECU. Anything affordable in standalone seems like a pain in the butt. Megasquirt sounds like a nightmare to most people on this board.

Nik

**eurotekm3** · 04-09-2008, 04:04 PM

auto ?!?!?

**a32guy** · 04-09-2008, 04:10 PM

Very cool man! I'm looking forward to this build

Does Mike do blow-thru tunes?

Thread: niks325i's M50 Vanos Holset Turbo Auto Build

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