A junky e36 m3 gets a makeover.

[BeemerBuyer]

Looks like a great project! I wish I had the know how to piece together AND fab my own turbo kit like your doing.

Its very inspiring knowing that your under $2,000.

'looks like you have an E46 M3 badge.

[Logan]

^You got it man!

So it's been a rough week for the ///M.

We had a an ice storm down here, and I was stuck at work until 11PM.

The streets were nice and frozen as I left work. 255 summer tires don't cut it

Well I pretty much knew I was going to go off-roading at one point on my way home so I did 10pmh the whole way.

Well, I was preparing for a downhill and let off the throttle, and the engine brake spun me out.

No damage as I was doing maybe 5mph as I slid in the ditch.



A quick shot of the roads:



Check out the carnage further down the hill!




Anyways, after that episode, my sister backs into my car and smashes in the grill and breaks my new grill surrounds.

So a new nose panel and OEM chrome grills will be here soon.

Here is how the car sits now:


Got these in the mail today:


Corners will be installed along with new headlights. OEM looks best on cosmos IMO.

Car is dirty, but it's freezing outside!

Before:


During:


After:


Light output is a lot better, and it's nice to see some contrast.

Until next time

[mpower5266]

Looking good man, Im going to need a ride in it when you are done.

[Logan]

Sounds great. I've been contemplating selling my m3 to get something cheaper to turbo, but you've inspired me :-D.

There's actually a 1600 AA s/c kit on craigslist I'm thinking about picking up, but I'm not sure about that yet.

There is a definite satisfaction of piecing the kit together, but I'm just ready to be done with it

should be a fun project.

Thank you sir.

Wow, that is sick. How much did you originally pick the car up for?

And I'm interested in a custom shift boot, how did you make yours?

I traded my old 540i for it. I had it for 3 years and I lost motivation on it. I clipped a curb with it that messed up the steering box, and I was just done after that




I actually took my stock ratty boot and wrapped it in the material I wanted. MUCH easier than making it 1 off.

[Atlantian]

Wow, that is sick. How much did you originally pick the car up for?

And I'm interested in a custom shift boot, how did you make yours?

[the dingo]

should be a fun project.

[Morbid]

Sounds great. I've been contemplating selling my m3 to get something cheaper to turbo, but you've inspired me :-D.

There's actually a 1600 AA s/c kit on craigslist I'm thinking about picking up, but I'm not sure about that yet.

[Logan]

Damn dude looks good.. I really considered this car before you got it, but after talking to the guy a bit I decided against it, haha. I'm definitely going to have to come check that thing out sometime soon, when do you think you'll have it running?

Yea the PO was not all that bright...Luckily he didn't own the car for too long

It's not nearly as clean as your standards though trust me

It's a surprisingly solid car, but it has a TON of little shit that needs to be done.

Should be running on low boost in 3 weeks or so. Just ordered the manifold

I was just yoking. Should be a fun build to follow.

How much is the turbo setup running you, if you don't mind me asking?

Well. Since I am a full time college student and I work maybe 4 days a week...This is how I did it...

I bought these Southern Ways Epsilon locally off ebay for $150. 17x9.5 et53 with very good 275/40 tires.








I then sold the tires for $120.

Once the tires were sold, I ended up trading the wheels for a TRM turbo tune.

So I essentially got the tune for $30.

Next, I hounded ebay for a decent intercooler. I really am trying to stay away from no name parts, so I bought an S-max intercooler. They retail for over $800 new.

I purchased mine new from ebay (display model) for $220 shipped.

Nitrous will be used to cool the intake charge once I get all the quirks out of the complete setup.



I then went and bought some IC piping and a HKS SSQV for $80



I went locally to Z1 for couplers/t bolt clamps. $100



I purchased an OBX top mount from ebay for $360.



I purchased a godspeed 44mm wastegate locally for $50 I would've really liked a tial or turbosmart, but the 44mm ones usually go for around $400+

I purchased a Hyperdrive MBC for $26 shipped thanks to ebay. These retail for $150.

I bought a 50 trim AiResearch (Garrett) T4 .58 exhaust housing turbo NEW from ebay for $100 shipped.



Oil feed/return lines purchased for $50.

Downpipe will be fabricated in the $100 range. Exhaust will be another $100 or so. So $200 there.

60lb Siemens Deka injectors were purchased new for $230 shipped.

I have yet to purchase the MAF, but it will be around $200.

Let's factor in another $100 for random shit that will come up.

Keep in mind, this is not including ARP head studs which I have not ordered yet. A.140 head gasket is a possibility in the future, but there have been plenty of 400+whp stock compression s50's. All the way up to 520whp on a 100% stock motor on pump gas!

So once we add up all the orange, I should be in the $1750 range.

Not bad!

Updates coming soon..

[Morbid]

How much is the turbo setup running you, if you don't mind me asking?

[B Rod]

Looking for 450whp.

Actually, the car very easy to maneuver. It had just rained. The car was very low for the tire profile I was running, and the tire grabbed the fender mid-slide and that was that. It destroyed the passenger fender and cut the tire. Luckily, that was the only damage.

But this is the internet, so people will talk

I was just yoking. Should be a fun build to follow.

[jcbe34]

Damn dude looks good.. I really considered this car before you got it, but after talking to the guy a bit I decided against it, haha. I'm definitely going to have to come check that thing out sometime soon, when do you think you'll have it running?

[Logan]

Oh man. How much power are you looking at get? And I hope you've gotten that rear end a little more under control considering the addition of that turbo.

Looking for 450whp.

Actually, the car very easy to maneuver. It had just rained. The car was very low for the tire profile I was running, and the tire grabbed the fender mid-slide and that was that. It destroyed the passenger fender and cut the tire. Luckily, that was the only damage.

But this is the internet, so people will talk

Hahaha, first thing i thought was "shoulda spent that money on a driving course."

Hardee har. Cause you were there and knew the circumstances and all

[kramerbuccs24]

Interesting! keep us posted

[SeanDub]

Oh man. How much power are you looking at get? And I hope you've gotten that rear end a little more under control considering the addition of that turbo.

Hahaha, first thing i thought was "shoulda spent that money on a driving course."

[primerdimer]

Oh man. How much power are you looking at get? And I hope you've gotten that rear end a little more under control considering the addition of that turbo.

Exactly my thoughts... lol