Turbo M3 Build Thread

[m3f_BoostedMthree]

Planning on boosting my 1995 M3. It was boosted before but the set up was terrible and very sloppy. Also, the block was not taken care of AT ALL. So, I bought it and am fixing her up. Here are some photos of how she sits now. I'm in Chicago so I need to wait for the weather to warm up a bit before I bring her back to life.



I'm going to start with rebuilding the top and bottom end. I'm putting a 3.2L in her and replacing the clutch. She will be N/A until I can completely nurse the engine back to health and then will start the turbo project so don't expect some turbo pictures anytime soon! lol.



Thanks for reading.

[m3f_enderw88]

That is quite the rescue project! What is the hole in the side skirt low behind the right front wheel?

[m3f_BoostedMthree]

That is quite the rescue project! What is the hole in the side skirt low behind the right front wheel?

Im 100% determined! And thats the dump pipe exit for the waste gate

[m3f_Happy Hazard]

Wow, that looks like a huge pile of shit right now.



GL.

[m3f_BoostedMthree]

Wow, that looks like a huge pile of shit right now.



GL.

LOL Thank you for such kind words

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

lol i mean.. its harsh but its true. Car has definitely been abused, but hey! its a perfect project for a turbo **** car!

[m3f_BoostedMthree]

lol i mean.. its harsh but its true. Car has definitely been abused, but hey! its a perfect project for a turbo **** car!

I know its been abused so my mission is to nurse it back to health. I have an e30 ad my DD so this is my project car. I want EVERYTHING to be perfect on it. I understand its going to take a few summers and a lot of $$$ but like I said, I am 100% determined.

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

For sure man thats awesome! take lots of good pictures along the way! Why are you looking to do an s52 swap to boost? I plan the M52 with s52 crank and head if i go down the boosted path.

[m3f_pbonsalb]

I like the description of the project as a "rescue." It can certainly be done if you have the time, energy and money. A nicely done turbo E36 is a lot of fun -- I have been enjoying mine for several years and look forward to a few more years with it before I move on to hotrodding another car.


My advice is to enjoy it as soon as possible and not try to make the world's biggest and best and most complete project out of it. Pick one job or set of related jobs at a time, do them fast, and get the car back on the road. Enjoy it for a while and plan another job. The massive project cars seem to have a relatively low completion rate.

[Obioban]

Wow, that's going to take a lot of rescuing! Good luck, another one preserved is good for everyone!

[m3f_BoostedMthree]

I like the description of the project as a "rescue." It can certainly be done if you have the time, energy and money. A nicely done turbo E36 is a lot of fun -- I have been enjoying mine for several years and look forward to a few more years with it before I move on to hotrodding another car.



My advice is to enjoy it as soon as possible and not try to make the world's biggest and best and most complete project out of it. Pick one job or set of related jobs at a time, do them fast, and get the car back on the road. Enjoy it for a while and plan another job. The massive project cars seem to have a relatively low completion rate.

I understand the completion rate is terrible for torn apart projects but my passion is BMWs and this is literally my dream car. I say "literally" because I would (surprisingly) choose is over ANY car. I will put forth as much effort as possible into this rescue and will not stop till it's finished. Thank you for the advice!

Wow, that's going to take a lot of rescuing! Good luck, another one preserved is good for everyone!

It will take a lot of energy and time...but mostly money haha. I'm willing to take the risk.

For sure man thats awesome! take lots of good pictures along the way! Why are you looking to do an s52 swap to boost? I plan the M52 with s52 crank and head if i go down the boosted path.

Well, I've had the s52 in there orginally and don't really have the money to buy a fresh m52 even if I sell this POS s52 block. I'm just going to stick with the M for now. I'm sure there will be major changes in the future.



THANK YOU to everyone that took the time to read and reply to this thread. I appreciate it!

[m3f_pbonsalb]

I plan the M52 with s52 crank and head if i go down the boosted path.

The frankenstein motor is no longer necessary unless you are trying for really big power, like 800+ rwhp. The tuning (60, 80 and even 100 lb blow through tunes with the stock ECU) and gasket sealing (cut ring gaskets, copper spacers, wire rings, etc) of today are good enough that you do not need to give up displacement. Even with a turbo, there is no replacement for displacement. The extra displacement helps spool the turbo sooner and provides better off boost response. I had an S52 with a turbo and just built a new all forged shortblock that will support more power than the 550+ rwhp I was making, and even though I started with an M52 block, I used an S52 crank and aftermarket S52 bore pistons and aftermarket rods. I bored to 86.6 rather than 87 mm, not that it matters much. My S52 was bored to 87 mm and had no sealing issues, but had only stock rods and I was afraid they would bend if I added any more power.

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

The frankenstein motor is no longer necessary unless you are trying for really big power, like 800+ rwhp. The tuning (60, 80 and even 100 lb blow through tunes with the stock ECU) and gasket sealing (cut ring gaskets, copper spacers, wire rings, etc) of today are good enough that you do not need to give up displacement. Even with a turbo, there is no replacement for displacement. The extra displacement helps spool the turbo sooner and provides better off boost response. I had an S52 with a turbo and just built a new all forged shortblock that will support more power than the 550+ rwhp I was making, and even though I started with an M52 block, I used an S52 crank and aftermarket S52 bore pistons and aftermarket rods. I bored to 86.6 rather than 87 mm, not that it matters much. My S52 was bored to 87 mm and had no sealing issues, but had only stock rods and I was afraid they would bend if I added any more power.

good to know! thanks for the info

[m3f_BoostedMthree]

Thanks for the information man! I appreciate it.

[m3f_BoostedMthree]

My advice is to enjoy it as soon as possible and not try to make the world's biggest and best and most complete project out of it. Pick one job or set of related jobs at a time, do them fast, and get the car back on the road. Enjoy it for a while and plan another job. The massive project cars seem to have a relatively low completion rate.

Just curious..why not try to make this the best rebuild possible? I understand the main reason is the lack of completion on huge projects but I honestly feel like putting forth 100% of my time an effort into this and making it perfection. I could understand if it was just another side project and if I was looking to start a new one but I am willing to fully rescue this beauty. I want everything to be perfect.