E30 Project Stage 2!

[MikekiM]

As many of you guys read, we had a blast building up our E30 project car. In case you missed it before, here's a link to the buildup thread.

http://socaleuro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16106


We finished that stage of the build around March, and ran it successfully at a number of BMW Club and Audi Club events this year in SoCal.

Around September, we added some Schrick cams to the otherwise bone stock 2.3L S14.

http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7112.jpg

Power bump was noticeably at the upper 5k RPM band, but we were already scheming for the next big mod, a 2.5L conversion.
Well, last October however at Fontana with the BMW CCA, one of our radiator mounts broke and slammed the radiator into the cooling fan.
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7160.jpg

We caught the problem too late, and by the time we had coasted to a safe place on the track, the damage was done. Detonation from overheating.

http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7161.jpg
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7166.jpg

We had a complete spare motor as a backup, so our time frame got pushed way up as a result of the blown motor.

We started with the same block, had it magnafluxed, and sonic tested, then had it bored out to accomodate our 95mm pistons.

http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7221-1.jpg
New block came back from the machinist looking great. They even threw on a nice paint job to finish the look.

First set of pistons we obtained unfortunately didn't quite work out. These were supposed to be an 11.5:1 CR, but calculations after installing them had it upwards of more like 15:1 CR which was completely unacceptable.
These pistons look great however!
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7222-1.jpg

Another setback, the head studs we obtained weren't even close!
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7234.jpg

Gotta love people who sell crap online!

We got the new pistons from Wiseco and got them in. Fortunately they are the correct ones.
New EVO crank extended the stroke from 84mm to 87mm. We retained the factory rods.
New crank has a neat blue hue to it for some reason.
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7273.jpg
New EVO oil pump, chain and sprocket
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7272.jpg

Our head was sent out to the machinist as well for some work.
List includes new +1.5mm intake valves, stock exhaust valves, EVO springs, stock retainers and keepers, new valve stems, and some port work. He performed a valve job, and cleaned up the head as well.

[MikekiM]

http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7276.jpg
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7288.jpg
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7281.jpg

With the new EVO gasket
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7283.jpg
Compared to the stock ports
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7286.jpg

That's all the photos for now. Stay tuned for more as we wrap the engine build up!

[318daily]

That looks fun. I wish I could do stuff like that.

Thanks for sharing.

[Brk4Euros]

Woohooo! Thats great Mike . . . I cannot wait to see that car back in action. It wasn't just a few weeks back you dropped the blown motor out before my eyes. That was the first time I had seen the process. Mike has some skillzzzz!!!


Purems rocks!

[Nefarious]

As always, keep up the amazing work!!!

[bugzy]

Nice !!

next time you need pistons, hit me up if you'd like to try some JE's

[NaKoRuRu]

w00t! hey mike when can I drive it huhhuhhuh?

[ChriS4]

I'm definitely subscribing to this.

[Tom (aka Godzilla)]

That head looks pretty good....mind if I stop by to check it out tomorrow?

[MikekiM]

Hehe.. I have some more pics of some of the cool accessories going on the motor. .I'll update it as we progress.. Hoping to have it all back together before the New Year.
Tom, stop by anytime!

[MikekiM]

Just finished getting the motor assembled. Should be ready to go back in the car shortly!
50/50 Header
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7354.jpg

48mm Throttle Bodies
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7355.jpg

Engine all ready to go in
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7356.jpg

Still to come are the LWFW, clutch, new Fiberglass intake plenum, and some other goodies.

[MikekiM]

Motor Specs 2.5L
Bore: 95mm
Stroke: 87mm
Wiseco Pistons
Stock Rods
Evo3 Crank
VAC Motorsport 38mm Intake Valves
Stock Exhaust Valves
Evo3 Valve Springs
48mm Throttle Bodies
Evo3 Air Mass Sensor
50/50 Header
Turner Motorsport DME
Aasco 10# LWFW
Sachs HD Clutch

[Brk4Euros]

woohooo! I cannot wait to see this car back in action

[STATUS]

oooo when is it going to be done

[JETTAone420]

i love motors

[Agent Orange]

Damn, this thing's gonna be sweet. Nice work Mike :tup:

[MikekiM]

Motor's back in! Got it started last night. Idled and no leaks. Starts like a champ. Woot!
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7370.jpg

It goes in tomorrow to the dyno for some nice break in!

[RollinInGreenz]

oh noes! :)

[super b5.5]

nice:tup2:

[SoCalglxVR6]

when is your next track day? we need video of this thing on the track!

[SYNYSTAGLI]

WOW....just WOW!!!

[MikekiM]

Our first scheduled event is Apr 5th weekend in Vegas.
I think we're going to try to squeeze in a closer event beforehand for a little shakedown.

[S4Life]

Nice work Mike!!

Are you going to dyno it now?? Thinking upwards of 230whp??

[MikekiM]

Just back from the dyno. Followed a recommended guideline of an aggressive breakin, hopefully it'll pay off. Afterwards did a few dyno runs.
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7375.jpg

I'll admit, the runs were a tiny bit lower than I was hoping for. Translated we're around the 245chp range. Really was shooting for 250+. May need just a little fine tuning.

http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/pure2.jpg

[lbvr6]

dam nice project, you're giving me the inspiration I need to get my project started

[JETninja]

Hey Mike, cant say I know didly about S-14's, but why a Cooling on the Race Track? A Track's a Track, you should have plenty of airflow (long as the cooling system is robust) to keep it cool without a fan.

Heck, I dumped mine almost 2 years ago on my DD M3. 2 summers of 100 degree days stuck in 405 frwy traffic and never a hiccup. Normal FDM mod but added the 3 row rad from the MZ3 Coupe....

If anything, quite often Cars get too much cooling on the Track, though not often in Fontana. :D

[MikekiM]

We tried running without the cooling fan at first, but when we'd come to the pits to talk to an instructor, or switch drivers the car would overheat from just idling. So we went and put the cooling fan back on

We're going to go with a electric fan at some point.

Got some gauges in finally! Pod's fresh off the epoxy, so just needs to cure, some sanding and paint.

http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7394.jpg

[Rezie@Genesis]

Man Mike...looking good bro...
*bow down*

[MikekiM]

http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7398.jpg

[Nefarious]

So where do I buy a ticket for a ride???? ;) That's a beast you got there!

[Damon]

http://www.recklessts.com/images/dowork400.jpg

[MikekiM]

Just managed to get 2 shots of the car on the track this weekend. Performed flawless, woot!

http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7409.jpg

[bugzy]

new wheels?

enkei's?

[MikekiM]

Yeah, Enkei NT03's I think is the model #.. Lightweight, 17x8's.
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_6714.jpg

[MikekiM]

Here's just the latest installment!
We started on a new lightweight diet for the car.
Pulled out the rear parcel shelf and seat back and replaced it with some lightweight panels.
Saved nearly 20lbs
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7841.jpg

Gutted the front and rear bumper reinforcements, saving over 15lbs.
Pulled excess wiring, and ebrake setup, saving over 10lbs.
Pulled rear and side glass in favor of polycarbonate (lexan), saved over 20lbs.
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7943.jpg
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7944.jpg

New fiberglass hood replaced our CF hood, dropped 13lbs.
http://www.vagworld.com/pics/gal/E30%20318is/IMG_7941.jpg

Total savings of over 70lbs so far!

[Southpaw]

zomggg doooooo want

[DaRedRocket]

Couldn't have chosen a better power plant. Love it.

[MikekiM]

Pics from this past weekend.
http://studio2321.com/gallery/d/12045-2/_DDW0038.jpg
http://studio2321.com/gallery/d/12059-2/_DDW0041.jpg
http://studio2321.com/gallery/d/12441-2/_DDW0139.jpg
WHEEE!
http://studio2321.com/gallery/d/12445-2/_DDW0140.jpg

[satakal]

I'm thinking to myself "why does the turn in the first pic not look familiar?" Then I remember monday was an infield day. So awesome.

What's the infield like? Did you get more seat time on Monday than you got on Sunda? Also, what was the difference in top speed?

[MikekiM]

Yeah the pics were from Monday's infield. Infield was incredibly dusty and dirty the first session. In the morning we had 2 drills. 1st we ran ran side by side throughout the lap, we'd alternate sides, but ran the entire session with your partner right next to you. Let you get the feeling of feeling the turns completely offline, and with someone right next to you.
2nd, we ran lead/follow. Idea was to follow the lead car (at a reduced pace) to help you learn to drive the course with someone blocking some of your visuals. Lead driver was allowed to miss his apexes, while the follower was not. Idea was to drive your car, and the track, and ignore the car in front.

In the afternoon we had a couple sessions, with the last one being an hour long. :) Lots of track time, and definitely worth the experience. Speeds were lower, since we didn't have the oval, but it's more technical, and at least in our E30 a lot more fun.