Uggh...tuning options

[cracker red]

Coming from a mitsubishi background, we had tons of mostly low cost options to tune the cars. You could use DSM-link, a rom based realtime datalogger with a MAF and run into the 10's in the 1/4. Some hit mid 9's running the link, and it was nice.....factory driveability, WOT tunability.

DSMlink cost $650

If you wanted to go faster, you stepped up to a stand-alone. AEM EMS was what I used. Plugged into the car, cost me $1100. Already had the wide band, and away I went. Steep learning curve, but SOOO many options.

AEM $1100

Now I"m looking at tuning options for the 318. First plans are to get a M50 in it, and then boost it. I don't think I'd be satisfied with a s50 or even s52 really, and if I'm going to boost it there isn't any point (IMHO) in paying more money for a S motor when I can run a few psi more and get the same power.

CHEAPEST option to tune that I've found is $700 +dyno time? AEM for a 3 series is $2300?

Is this country club tax or something?

I don't have the electronic background or software/hardware to tune the car, but $1000 for a car to be tuned is retarded. At most the most experienced tuners were getting $500 to fully tune an AEM...

This whole pay someone 1000 for 2-3 hours of there time is making me reconsider the M50 + boost option all together. By the time I rebuild the motor, build the turbo bits and tune it, I can buy a ls6 motor and trans, weld up some mounts and fab a set of headers, and drop it in the car.

I'm figuring:

$1000 M50 motor
$500 to freshen (lower end bearings, rings, gaskets
$1500 ish for turbo, manifold, IC....I have tons of aluminum and stainless pipe around already.
$1000 tune

$4K already, and I'm sure I'm missing a few things.

$3k will buy a LS6 w/trans complete swap,
$500 custom driveshaft
$200 foam dummy block to facilitate making the mounts
$300 VR steering shaft
$50 scrap steel plate I have laying around for the actual mounts


Heck, you could just buy a 5.3 ls1 truck engine that makes 350hp/370ft-lbs for $1000 if you don't wanna pony up for the 6.0L.

End thought.

[Bluebimma]

engine, less than 500, rebuild at your costs, turbo setup can be had for much cheaper than that, and if you can "learn" you can build a megaquirt system or buy a complete, ready to go one for 800 with all kinds of maps already in the database. If im not mistaken, they offer up to 10 presets and "on the go" mapping via a laptop. At most, 2500 IMO. Building a megasquirt, top-notch, setup is around 400, the low end with add-ons is about 300. Thats what i was doing, still a thought if i get another turbo in my possession and restart the build.

[cracker red]

:BANGHEADONWALL:

My dumbass forgot all about the squirt. Heck, even a prebuilt kit for the MS2 is $450 or something.

+1 to you man. The LS swap thing seems cool, but I LOVED the sound of a customers single turbo supra we built.....and the bimmer ought to sound the same.

I must be looking in the wrong spot for M50's if I can get one for 5 bills....

[Bluebimma]

I drove to wisconsin to get one for 300$, one here in toledo for 400, another for 500, and our junkyard has about 4 or 5 more swaps for under 500 with everything.

There are E30 guys who run squirt for their m50 swaps+turbo and post up basemaps and help. Im sure you can do this easily and cheaply.

[cracker red]

I'm so new to the newer bimmer thing....

The pull it yard nearby says (online) they have a 93 and 94 525 and 325 in the yard.

Is there a particular M50 that I want (or dont want)?

I'm going to head there this weekend and see what I can find. I also need a e30 medium case back plate to swap that e28 diff I've got laying around in my car (when it gets here mon/tues). Hopefully I can get a pedal cluster and a few other bits I need for the manual conversion as well.

[Bluebimma]

Get the one from the 3, the oil pan/baffle designs are different on the 5.

[spidertri]

I have read that the most desirable M50 to boost is the 1992 version which was non-vanos, I don't know if that is still true but hopefully someone with more knowledge can jump in and say something.

I would also like to give you a link to this pretty awesome build using the early M50 motor.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ighlight=Build

[hatchgrafix]

Originally Posted by spidertri

I have read that the most desirable M50 to boost is the 1992 version which was non-vanos, I don't know if that is still true but hopefully someone with more knowledge can jump in and say something.

I would also like to give you a link to this pretty awesome build using the early M50 motor.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ighlight=Build

True story!

M50 non vanos, thats what i'm running, solid as can be

Don't forget about the AEM F/IC that is what i'm running! Haven't gotten the ignition side worked yet, but the fuel side of things are under control.

E85 - my secret drink!

I'm well over 5g into the project, but I'm thinking it will be worth it!

I have a thread on here about my project, I'm alot farther along than it says on that thread, i'll update it soon enough.

[cracker red]

That build thread is awesome, but waaaay over my budget. I used to have a gt40r powered AWD talon running 40psi and n20 blah blah blah. Got to a point where the car was to serious to have fun with, and I parted it out....still have the chassis/tub if anyone is interested

400hp will be fine in the ti to keep me interested without spiraling out of control in the chassis department.

If I'm leaning towards boosting it, there isn't much point in the s50/52 is there?

Found a plug in harness for megasquirt, MS2 is the way to go (for me).