A few questions - getting ready for an S52 in a TI

[erikerikerik]

yeah.. I'm going to go ahead and have to use your closeness and the fact you have more actual wrench time to help me with my conversion.

And I'll (we?) will figure out a just compensation.

[Artem]

Sounds good bro, I've been lacking time though… Can barely work on my own car.. :-/ Just end up mostly overseeing someone else's work… But let me know when you are getting all the pieces and I can respond whenever I have time.

[Artem]

A little more progress… Headers and accessories on, just need to fix the damn thread in the head and were in business!

[erikerikerik]

Its so clean... now this makes me add 1 more step to my project.

Originally Posted by Artem

A little more progress… Headers and accessories on, just need to fix the damn thread in the head and were in business!

[Artem]

More progress + pics

These guys do really good work, if anyone needs anything done in the north bay - I can hook you up. - The shop is called DNA automotive in San Rafael

Cheers,
Artem

[Artem]

more pics

[Artem]

Another question raised recently... Im almost ready to start it, but...


I decided to throw in the Master Brake cylinder and booster off an M3, because people say the pedal feel is better with that. The part I got did not come with a brake reservoir, what reservior can I use? Does it have to be an M3 based one? Or can I reuse a stock TI one?


Thank you all!

Cheers,
Artem

[jca]

Can't wait to get a performance report when the car is up and running. With that much engine I would invest in a strut tower brace. Good luck. John

[Artem]

Thanks dudes! I cant wait myself!

BUT......


RAN INTO A BIG PROBLEM

We went to start the motor, first it was difficult to move, but not impossible. The shop deemed it was an electrical issue - it seemed like one. Then, I came by, we hooked everything up, and got a nice Snap-On starter on it. It went to crank over, slowly, faster, a bit faster, one normal pop, then the full six, it ran for a second and thats it. The engine (with all new pieces - timing gear, oil pump, tensioners, etc) will not move upon me applying any amount of force to the front of it.

The cams were installed properly (I believe) and even then, they can be installed out of phase 90 or 180 degrees and they will still cause no issues, from what I am understanding. The cam sprockets and VaNoS was tightened up and torqued up properly, I saw to it myself. I am not sure what the hell it can be! Anyone have any ideas?

The troubleshooting path went as follows: car clicks, will not turn over --> wiring harness, turned over with difficulty, almost started --> shorted starter, will not turn with a wrench --> incorrect timing?

We got the valve cover off, spark plugs out and it still will not move when trying it with a wrench on a cam. Cam maybe moves ± 2° and that is it. I was present the only time when it almost started, and I know there were no abnormal metal-on-metal noises or anything of the sort when it almost ran.


Thanks guys! I will post a full report as soon as I get it started which will hopefully be soon!

[Dadofour]

Any update?

[Artem]

Oh Yea we had started the engine and it seems to be running good, but the transmission is being weird at shifting, missing the first/second gate for some reason...

Got a new detent kit, so I can potentially redo that and see if that helps...

I'm in between jobs right now so work is on hold temporarily.

[BlackBMWs]

Sooooo looking forward to see this beast rolling at our next Norcal meet. Good luck in locating your next role!

[Artem]

Thanks guys! I'll hopefully try to sort it all out shortly, fingers crossed Will definitely make it out to the next meet, hoping that the car will be in one piece by then.

I'll keep this thread populated as soon as the tranny issue is sorted out!

[Artem]

Alright, tranny is back in now its shifting well.... Those detents are such a PITA!! UGH!

Turns out it was either the case the one was stuck or possibly not rotated properly, and nobody mentions how to orient those things in the on-line DIYs! I think the best way to do it was what we ended up doing, which was we popped all of them and pushed them in by hand while someone moved the shifter around.

Anyway, now on to exhaust and sorting out engine bits here and there, got a few codes in the works. Engine is first.


Cheers,
Artem

[Artem]

Oh god! I got the car running with a supersprint m3 exhaust, straight pipes to that, sorted out other crap... And wow! That thing is tight!

The one unnerving thing I noticed is just how much my the back end gives when you give it an aggressive start, is that normal?i got bilstein sports and m-roadster springs in the back. Other than that, I got a few things to get rid of and it's good to go. But yea, wheels want to give out early, and these are brand new tires! Awesome awesome car! I only drove it a little bit since I need to take it to the ref still and work the registration stuff out, but I just wanted to say - it's good to be back!

Now to sell my z4... :-p


Ps - the sway bar, not the same on the it as the m3! It will not clear the engine! A fair warning to others doing the same...