My bad idea build thread.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 06, 2016 6:03 PM

So, ive been lurking for a while learning everything i can about m30's thanks to you guys.

Ive built turbo hondas, owned turbo subarus so wrenching is nothing new to me.

So much so that i have begun an oddball swap involving one. A M30b34 to be exact.

Quick break down.

I own a 1978 chevy nova/omega equipped with a horrible small block chevy.

I purchased an 87' 535i ex rally car with 5spd trans. (Floors were rotted so dont yell at me for what ive done to it)

After driving in a friends turbo e32 i fell in love with the m30. So I decided the m30b34 would and should fit in my nova.

So i have a motor. A rather large turbo, megasquirt ecu and wasted spark planned m30 in a classic chevy.

Pics

The nova

The e28

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 06, 2016 6:07 PM

More pics

No more v8

M30 before the motronic 1 to 1.3 swap

First trial fit

The b34 oil pan's sump was in the middle. So the motor sat high as hell. After swapping to a b35 pan and oil pick up tube, all got better.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 06, 2016 6:12 PM

Motor and trans are now in thier final resting spot.

Manifolds flipped for fabbing a mule manifold to get me througj the summer. Next winter i plan to build a full tubular.

E28 rad was the perfect width and thickness.

Now hiding a larger intercooler behind the factory grille. 4 inch core.

Hardly noticable.

Gm 3 coil wasted spark thanks to an e28 writeup.

Hopefully where i will mount the snail.

Thats all ive got so far. Any ideas or tips, lets hear em!

jboy2 · Post by **jboy2** » Feb 06, 2016 6:39 PM

I don't know what to say about this....

I doubt it will spin the tires at all!

Kyle in NO · Post by **Kyle in NO** » Feb 06, 2016 7:40 PM

Badass!!!!!

Shouldn't the engine be mounted much farther rearward though? You could use an engine driven can that way.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 06, 2016 9:03 PM

Jboye. I think your right lol

Kyle, the motor is where it is because i am firmly against cutting any crossmembers. The car will be driveable with the position easily, just need the custom driveshaft made longer.

The trans fits perfect. The m30 is much longer than the chevy motor was.

mitch5 · Post by **mitch5** » Feb 06, 2016 9:10 PM

That's awesome, I'm sure that will confuse some Chevy guys.

totheredline · Post by **totheredline** » Feb 06, 2016 10:07 PM

Unique, thats for sure!!! How much does the nova weigh??

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 06, 2016 10:27 PM

With the bmw motor, 2750lbs. Best guess.

Started at 3100lbs. Bmw motor and trans is 200lbs lighter than the old iron block and turbo 300 trans.

Then heater core delete and other luxury items scratched.

2700-2800lbs is my best guess.

daniels635turbo · Post by **daniels635turbo** » Feb 07, 2016 12:01 PM

Love it!!!
Any updates?

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Feb 07, 2016 1:02 PM

Wow, creative and I love it. And at that weight it ought to scream even in N/A form let alone with a snail attached.

Post by **Shawn D.** » Feb 07, 2016 2:47 PM

Neato! Looking forward to seeing it completed!

Mark 88/M5 Houston · Post by **Mark 88/M5 Houston** » Feb 07, 2016 7:57 PM

Nice to see someone stuffing a turbo M30 in a GM rather than the other way around.

davintosh · Post by **davintosh** » Feb 08, 2016 4:06 AM

So where's the bad idea?

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Feb 08, 2016 12:37 PM

Have you thought about using a b35 pan. Maybe it could have you more room to back it in more.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 08, 2016 1:09 PM

If you scroll up you will see that i have swapped to a b35 pan and oil pick up tube already.

The only way to set it back would be cutting the subframe. Which i am firmly against. This motor can literally be unbolted and i can bolt another small block in, or go LS later down the road.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 11, 2016 2:47 PM

Been making very slow progesss. Between a really cold snap of weather and the low canadian dollar, ive been holding off on ordering more parts.

Going to hopefully start fabbing the exhaust mani with a spare head we have laying around.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 11, 2016 2:54 PM

Double post

Das_Prachtstrasse · Post by **Das_Prachtstrasse** » Feb 11, 2016 6:06 PM

This is fantastic.

Post by **tig** » Feb 12, 2016 3:41 AM

cek Likes this.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 12, 2016 11:36 AM

Making some free part progress lol.

I needed a 4" to 3" exhaust reducer. The turbo has a 4" vband.

So Jboye had a brullen 4" gutted cat laying around. So we cut one end open and now have a 4" to 3" downpipe.

Just have to weld a v band flange to the open end a vola. Free downpipe. Lol

rmiddendorf · Post by **rmiddendorf** » Feb 25, 2016 10:43 AM

Subscribed. Don't get me wrong the S5x swaps are really cool, but this one's gonna be really unique to watch!

You're nuts like us. Cool.

sir_taamy · Post by **sir_taamy** » Feb 25, 2016 4:30 PM

Whatisthat wrote: Gm 3 coil wasted spark thanks to an e28 writeup.

Very cool build!
What are the coils off of, are they stock GM parts? I've been debating doing a wasted spark conversion but I'm hesitant to spend $200-$300 on MSD coils.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 25, 2016 4:56 PM

I pulled these coils off a supercharged 3800 series v6 buick.

Junkyard special. Msd coils will happen if and when these fail.

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Feb 29, 2016 9:46 PM

Have you looked at this one?
less wiring.

https://www.diyautotune.com/product/ign ... coil-pack/

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Feb 29, 2016 10:32 PM

I have. But the GM coil is only 3 or 4 wires once you strip out all of the extra mess in it.

Plus it was free... Lol

darbyhood · Post by **darbyhood** » Feb 29, 2016 10:40 PM

Did the exhaust manifolds still fit nicely flipped upside down or was there further modifications to that?

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Mar 01, 2016 6:34 AM

Manifolds actually fit fine flipped. Ill get some pics once i start fabbing it up some more.

My only clearance issue is the height of the motor. Ill probably have to cowl the hood 2-3 inches to clear the intake manifold/throttle body.

zjfreak · Post by **zjfreak** » Mar 01, 2016 6:41 PM

Subscribed! This is gonna be sweet!

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Mar 08, 2016 7:50 PM

Im still alive guys. With the warm weather approaching i will finally be able to start making some more progress on the car.

a · Post by a » Mar 08, 2016 11:11 PM

Just a dumb question or 2. In the states that would be an Olds Omega. In the mid 70s you could get a 4 door with a 350 SBC. I Would a V*acht ( sic) fit better ? Do the Novas have a front sub frame that was bolted to the firewall? Like the Chevelles or the E 28? Or a E 34?

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Mar 09, 2016 6:47 AM

The front sub frame is actually identical to the 2nd gen f body cars. (Camaro, Firebird and trans am)

The rear subframe is taken from the 1st gen F body platform.

So yes, front crossmembered chasis.

totheredline · Post by **totheredline** » Mar 14, 2016 11:44 PM

Moar!!!!!

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Mar 15, 2016 10:30 AM

Soon i promise. Cant find any time away from work and husbandly duties to get any work done. Sooooooon.

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Mar 19, 2016 1:20 AM

Anyone else other then whatisthat had this dream of a project?
But I would do it in a more classic car like a old el camino or classic mustang, then just show up to some muscle car meet up.
See what those die hard domestic guys think.

turbo honda k engine in a 69 camero or something.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Mar 19, 2016 12:58 PM

I already get "spit at" by chevy purists lol.

My Generation of nova is actually gaining popularity quickly up here. Ive pissed off quite a few old dudes who walk by the house while im working.

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Mar 19, 2016 7:12 PM

Whatisthat wrote:I already get "spit at" by chevy purists lol.

My Generation of nova is actually gaining popularity quickly up here. Ive pissed off quite a few old dudes who walk by the house while im working.

GOOD. Fuck those guys.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Mar 20, 2016 9:55 PM

Alright. Finally some progress. Jboye32 and i got to work on the manifold.

http://i.imgur.com/M9W6Jkx.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/tj9sekO.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/rSEMxZE.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hfJBmtk.jpg

98% of the welding done by jboye32. 98% of the bitch work done my me lol.

All of that resulted in the first ever "1974-79 chevy nova M30 turbo manifold".

Needs some finish welding, grinding and we will figure out the wastegate location.

Then paint and heat wrap.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Mar 26, 2016 7:57 PM

More updates!

Ran the final portion of my fuel system. Bmw fuel filter and heat wrapped line.

Mounted and started plumming the e28 coolant res.

Sorted out my turbo oil feed with some copper 3/16 line

More to come tmw!

rmiddendorf · Post by **rmiddendorf** » Mar 26, 2016 8:56 PM

This thread just got interesting...

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Mar 27, 2016 8:20 PM

More updates today!

Turbo and wastegate mounted. Downpipe mocked up. Fuel lines run and fuel system purged. No leaks!

rmiddendorf · Post by **rmiddendorf** » Mar 27, 2016 8:24 PM

You're going to bring this to The Vintage this year so we can all drive it, right?

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Mar 27, 2016 8:30 PM

I dont even know what the vintage is lol.

rmiddendorf · Post by **rmiddendorf** » Mar 27, 2016 8:46 PM

Whatisthat wrote:I dont even know what the vintage is lol.

Only the best car show ever!

Its in Ashville, NC usually around Memorial Day, this time 5/20-22. If you're curious there's a sticky at the top of General Conversation.

You have a very weird but very cool build going on here. I can't speak to the handling, but a 300+ hp car is surely going to be fun.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Mar 27, 2016 8:57 PM

Im up in Toronto ON, Canada lol. Probably wont make it.

And im aiming to finish the car @ roughly 450-550whp. Lol. Handling will happen later haha

rmiddendorf · Post by **rmiddendorf** » Mar 27, 2016 10:58 PM

Whatisthat wrote:Im up in Toronto ON, Canada lol. Probably wont make it.

And im aiming to finish the car @ roughly 450-550whp. Lol. Handling will happen later haha

Then you need to hit up TedFest. There's also a sticky for that. Near or in Toronto.

T_C_D · Post by **T_C_D** » Mar 27, 2016 11:23 PM

Cool, but huge engine bay and you decide to the position the turbo in such a way that you can't install a filter?

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Mar 28, 2016 6:52 AM

^^ Dont worry, i have a plan for that.

Whatisthat · Post by **Whatisthat** » Apr 05, 2016 12:19 PM

Ive got a few updated shots of the engine bay!

Hello mr snail

Soco · Post by **Soco** » Apr 21, 2016 10:25 AM

ahh, a perfect setup for ingesting small birds and spiders!

Just use some pantyhose over that hole, you'll be fine