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Build thread: E36 328i
- Thread starter lurendrin
- Start date
BeemerFanatic
Events Organiser
Nice
lurendrin
Member
Nice updates Boss
A good exhaust system is THE best mod for these N/A BMW’s, hope the M50 manifold gives you that extra kick you’re looking for.
I had the same near death experience with the smoke straight after the exhaust install LOL!!
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Lol how can they not tell you!!!! Ah well, all’s well that ends well I guess
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lurendrin
Member
Hello again all. Time for the next episode. So next up on the list was the M50 mainfold upgrade. Read about this on many many forums and all the comments talked about increased power from 4000/5000 RPM onward but slight detriment to the lower end. I managed to find the M50 manifold with someone I found on the FB page/forum (can't remember which one) and they offered to install it for me. Made a trip out to the lad and went ahead with the install, only to realise nearly at the end that we needed another part ( a longer pipe than what I had ).
I then started searching for the replacement parts and contacted someone I was chatting to previously from the FB page (about mods for our E36's) to see if they could help out (MYH Auto). He did have the required parts and also told me that he could do the installation for me. We chatted a bit more about what else we could look at, and he advised that an oil catch can would be a good install with the M50 intake. So sent my vehicle to him and he first did a thorough inspection to check that everything was in good running condition. I suggested we look at the Vanos seals, O-rings, head gasket, intake seal and power steering gaskets.
First things first. He took off the tappet cover and we found the worlds largest sludge supply. Pictures below:
He said that some people would just flush the engine, but he prefers clean all of the sludge off with a brush and degreaser, preventing pieces of gunk going down the small oil galleries. It also looked like the Vanos unit might be clogged up as well. Bottom of the engine was looking just as bad. Also checked power steering fluid and it was black instead of red! See below:
After all the sludge was painfully removed, the engine was flushed and reassemebled, with a final clean again. He also picked up that the timing was out and my steering rack was not bolted in on the LHS. Not sure how that happened! So intake manifold, cold air induction with heatshield and all maintenance items were completed.
Took the car for the first test drive after that and it was sluggish at the low rev range but after 5000 RPM, WOW!!! It pulled really nicely. Now I understand what the hype is about!
I previously had some oil leaking on my garage floor along with a reddish liquid. I knew that there were leaks and potentially isssues with the powersteering rack. Also notice a noise coming from the clutch that disappeared when the pedal was depressed; I knew I would eventually have to sort this out.
So a few weeks later, decided to take my 2 buddies along to get a gatsby at Cape To Curry in Lansdowne and on the way, whilst driving, we heard a loud crack. I thought I drove over something and carried on. Then, for the first time ever, I saw the engine/oil temperature go higher than the middle and then the check coolant light came on. I just got to C2C and the car just died. I called MYH Auto and luckily he is not too far from where I was. Even though it was a Sunday and lunch time, he made a plan to come out and help me. Turns out the fan somehow got dislodged and hit some cables, cracking the fan blades, coolant pipe popped off and was draining coolant. He did some McGuyvering with cable ties and filled water into the coolant tank/radiator. Drove the car very slowly back to his place and left with him to check it out.
MYH Auto gave me a shout a little later to let me know that fan was completely buggered, so we decided to do the fan delete and electric fan one time. He also found the leaks coming from the gearbox seals and steering rack itself.
He also wanted to do a compression test, water pressure and leak testing after, as well as flush the engine a final time. Unfortunately when he got down to business, he found that the radiator had been damaged and had 2 small leaks, unable to be fixed. So radiator replacement thrown in. The noise from the clutch was the clutch release bearing. Another thing added to the list. Due to time constraints, we decided to focus on the radiator, viscus fan delete, electric fan install and engine flush.
Got the car back in a few days and was running smooth again! Main thing was to get car ready for tuning.
Think thats enough for now . Next episode: Ready for the tune!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I then started searching for the replacement parts and contacted someone I was chatting to previously from the FB page (about mods for our E36's) to see if they could help out (MYH Auto). He did have the required parts and also told me that he could do the installation for me. We chatted a bit more about what else we could look at, and he advised that an oil catch can would be a good install with the M50 intake. So sent my vehicle to him and he first did a thorough inspection to check that everything was in good running condition. I suggested we look at the Vanos seals, O-rings, head gasket, intake seal and power steering gaskets.
First things first. He took off the tappet cover and we found the worlds largest sludge supply. Pictures below:
He said that some people would just flush the engine, but he prefers clean all of the sludge off with a brush and degreaser, preventing pieces of gunk going down the small oil galleries. It also looked like the Vanos unit might be clogged up as well. Bottom of the engine was looking just as bad. Also checked power steering fluid and it was black instead of red! See below:
After all the sludge was painfully removed, the engine was flushed and reassemebled, with a final clean again. He also picked up that the timing was out and my steering rack was not bolted in on the LHS. Not sure how that happened! So intake manifold, cold air induction with heatshield and all maintenance items were completed.
Took the car for the first test drive after that and it was sluggish at the low rev range but after 5000 RPM, WOW!!! It pulled really nicely. Now I understand what the hype is about!
I previously had some oil leaking on my garage floor along with a reddish liquid. I knew that there were leaks and potentially isssues with the powersteering rack. Also notice a noise coming from the clutch that disappeared when the pedal was depressed; I knew I would eventually have to sort this out.
So a few weeks later, decided to take my 2 buddies along to get a gatsby at Cape To Curry in Lansdowne and on the way, whilst driving, we heard a loud crack. I thought I drove over something and carried on. Then, for the first time ever, I saw the engine/oil temperature go higher than the middle and then the check coolant light came on. I just got to C2C and the car just died. I called MYH Auto and luckily he is not too far from where I was. Even though it was a Sunday and lunch time, he made a plan to come out and help me. Turns out the fan somehow got dislodged and hit some cables, cracking the fan blades, coolant pipe popped off and was draining coolant. He did some McGuyvering with cable ties and filled water into the coolant tank/radiator. Drove the car very slowly back to his place and left with him to check it out.
MYH Auto gave me a shout a little later to let me know that fan was completely buggered, so we decided to do the fan delete and electric fan one time. He also found the leaks coming from the gearbox seals and steering rack itself.
He also wanted to do a compression test, water pressure and leak testing after, as well as flush the engine a final time. Unfortunately when he got down to business, he found that the radiator had been damaged and had 2 small leaks, unable to be fixed. So radiator replacement thrown in. The noise from the clutch was the clutch release bearing. Another thing added to the list. Due to time constraints, we decided to focus on the radiator, viscus fan delete, electric fan install and engine flush.
Got the car back in a few days and was running smooth again! Main thing was to get car ready for tuning.
Think thats enough for now
. Next episode: Ready for the tune!!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Captain_Stealth
Well-known member
Looking good, nice build thread buddy
lurendrin
Member
I won't lie, I am still learning but seems to be doing the trick.
lurendrin
Member
I am worse at identifying anything
but mine is the M52B28, so aluminium block. I know the iron blocks are great. I am actually looking for a 325 non Vanos engine as, down the line, I plan on boosting 
Nino Anthony
Active member
Good progress and well done on bringing back a dying e36 back to former glory. Nice to have a Genie that just knows what's wrong and immediately sorts you out.
Nino Anthony
Active member
Will you be adding the M54 rods, pistons and crank?
individj
Well-known member
sorry i was speaking on behalf of OP with regard to mods im not sure of his plans. ive got those M54B30 parts stashed though.
Nino Anthony
Active member
That was actually my plan but then I ditched it and now saving up for the M54B30 instead of doing the stroker. unfortunately I already bought the pistons.
lurendrin
Member
Been having hunting issues/erratic idling with my car and my mechanic has searched high and low for the problem. He thinks it might be the MAF but can't find a cheap enough second hand one and new one is quite pricy. Does anyone have a spare one laying around that we could use to just test out if that is the issue?
E36 328i 4 pin MAF
E36 328i 4 pin MAF
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