Looks like I'll take poeples advice and won't both twin charging and go straight to turbo only

Tommorws job is remove bumper and measure up for a front mount

And remove the down pipe and start cutting to make a turbo manifold using the old parts


My goals are not huge for now, get the turbo and intercooler fitted and working, aim for 15/18psi

 

Take a little look at the 1320 jobs, their turbo location looks the best, the location you have shown has been known to cause oil supply issues in the past.
Good luck, I think a turbo conversion should be quite easy for a lower power system. I often thought I just getting a turbo but I still think the R53 should be supercharged...

 

I have seen there conversions.. Why would turbo location cause oil surply problems unless they take the oil surply from else where?

 

I am not sure, I have never really looked into it but I can tell you that over 10 years nearly all the turbos mounted there have failed. I believe most were oil related. However I can't give a good enough explanation to why. I believe that 1320 are currently making the most reliable conversions and if I was going to make one I would look towards them. Also with a little longer runner you will reduce some of the immediate heat which could have been part of the issue

Making a manifold and bolting a turbo is the easy part, and it will be good to see how you tackle this build but my only advice is look at those who are having success

 

I have never liked superchargers and now I own one I like them even less, I'm a turbo person

 

Admire your enthusiasm but why not start off with an R56 turbo and take it from there

 

I prefer the r53 and it's more about enjoying the project and building the car than anything else

I find the r53 more raw more character and less refined which is what I want

And it's a cheap little project car ( I have 2 other cars)

 

Not a great fan of ihi turbo's blew a couple Vf34's on my 1.8t years back although they do spool nicely.

 

I went for this turbo td04l as they seem common as muck and cheap and if I want more power the bigger turbos will bolt straight on

 

I think I read somewhere about the old Honda b16 turbo manifold being perfect fit for the R53 have a look that would save making one.

 

B series looks like it has 3 bolts per cylinder but k series might fit just looking at pics


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I'd probably just buy a Honda manifold gasket off ebay and line it up with my spare mini gaskets

 

There you go [emoji14] and a mani is £15 on eBay


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Although doesn't look like it from these pics


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And here's the b series

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I'll keep an open mind for now but I'm not convinced that option is any easier than my idea at the moment

 

Has anyone ever boosted a mini using the r50 plastic manifold ?

Just curious .....

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I dno why you would want to do that when you can just weld a throttle body flange on the r53 manifold

 

I don't intend too I have a spare r53 manifold and thottle body to play with, but just curious as many cars use plastic manifold these days

 

they crack without pressure. don't think i have seen it done. its easy enough to weld a plate to the plenum any you will have less issues

 

Yes I have allready bought spares to make a manifold up ( actually bought an almost full engine and box complete this evening)

 

How come you need a engine and box?

 

It was cheap, I went to buy just the manifold and throttle body and injection rail for £40 but picked up an almost complete engine and box for £200 so I'll have a spare head to port, and loads of other parts cheaply

 

My template to make an adapter to plate from 12mm alloy to bolt between the manifold and the throttle body

 

Will be keeping a close eye on this project bud cause if it's anything like your 1 series it will be epic :thumbup:

 

Will be keeping a close eye on this project bud cause if it's anything like your 1 series it will be epic [emoji106]

Don't expect too much this is a budget toy compared to the bmw, this has a fraction of the budget

 

My throttle plate adapter so far

 

 

 

Drill and tap 4 m6 holes now for thottle body and trim off the excess alloy and job done

 

[emoji7]


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Nice. Keep the updates coming! [emoji106]

 

Really happy with it so far., reused the old studs and nuts but they were m7? An odd size really