Complete SUB-$3,000 Single Turbo Swap!

BlueN54

Lurker
Jan 2, 2018
15
17
0
Ride
e90 335i
How is the kit holding up? How many miles have you done and what boost are you at now?
5k miles so far, everything running perfect. Currently on a conservative 20.5psi. I need the 3.5bar sensor to push above 21.5 I believe. I’m content with where I am at the moment, but I will definitely up the boost when I come back from vacation. Currently, my dad is driving it and having a blast, haha.
 

Snowman

Specialist
May 20, 2018
69
11
0
Ride
BMW 335 -07
5k miles so far, everything running perfect. Currently on a conservative 20.5psi. I need the 3.5bar sensor to push above 21.5 I believe. I’m content with where I am at the moment, but I will definitely up the boost when I come back from vacation. Currently, my dad is driving it and having a blast, haha.
Sounds great! Please do update once you are back from vacation and start dialing up the boost :)
Were you running JB4 or MHD?
Please post a couple of logs also on like a 3 gear pull, would be interesting to see the spool.
 

boostE92d

Corporal
Jan 9, 2018
150
86
0
Houston TX
Ride
12 335is
Sounds great! Please do update once you are back from vacation and start dialing up the boost :)
Were you running JB4 or MHD?
Please post a couple of logs also on like a 3 gear pull, would be interesting to see the spool.
He said he's flash only, that's why the motive boost box and mac solenoid.
 

Panzerfaust

Lieutenant
Jul 3, 2018
637
438
0
Chicago
Ride
E92 335i
It's cool seeing a build and post like this for sure considering most "budget builds" are far more hacked together, but I'm inclined to agree with doublespaces' sentiment about it still being a ~$4k build.

One of the things I'm most hopeful for is that the single turbo kit VTT is working on will come in closer to an actual $3k setup considering their connections and experience with the platform. Regardless of the fact that it'll be a bottom-mount instead of top, having single turbo conversions being more easily available will hopefully allow more and quicker forward movement with the platform.
 

JimboFresh206

Sergeant
Jan 29, 2018
289
152
0
Ride
335/635/535/533/633
5k miles so far, everything running perfect. Currently on a conservative 20.5psi. I need the 3.5bar sensor to push above 21.5 I believe. I’m content with where I am at the moment, but I will definitely up the boost when I come back from vacation. Currently, my dad is driving it and having a blast, haha.


Any update?
 

BlueN54

Lurker
Jan 2, 2018
15
17
0
Ride
e90 335i
Update: @JimboFresh206 I’ve been home for the past 2 weeks and the car is running great, no hiccups or anything. I checked the oil return line per somebodys advice, and it looks to be in perfect condition, it still has its rigidity (@Itsbrokeagain). No leaks or anything, the compressor wheel has no wiggle or play in it. I haven’t dialed up any boost yet, as I haven’t upgraded my TMAP sensor yet.

I changed the oil today and noticed something interesting. On my stock turbos at 4k miles, the oil will be quite black. I changed it at 5k a few days ago with this single build and noticed that the oil is still a bit golden. This makes me think that the reduction in overall heat from the previous twins gives the oil a slightly longer life (I’m not expert on this, just an assumption).
Oil used is Liquimoly 5w-40 LL-01.

Currently, I’m working with my tuner fiddle around with spool time to see how quickly we can get it to max boost. As of right now, it looks like peak boost is around 4300, which isn’t that terrible for a cheap turbo!

@Snowman, here is a 3rd gear log I took a few days ago. https://datazap.me/u/bluen54/115?log=0&data=3-23
 

BlueN54

Lurker
Jan 2, 2018
15
17
0
Ride
e90 335i
It should also be noted that I have had ZERO heat issues, and remember, I do not have the manifold wrapped, just the downpipe. I am still using rubber vacuum lines for the wastegate, but I have them routed in a way that they never get close to any of the hot pipes.
 
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BlueN54

Lurker
Jan 2, 2018
15
17
0
Ride
e90 335i
how are your 02's doing? do you have sinks?
I replaced all 4 o2s because:

1. When the stock turbo turbine broke and went through my exhaust, it destroyed a post cat o2.
2. One of my front o2 sensors was on its way out before the turbo swap. It would sometimes be pegged at a random AFR.
3. Our o2s tend to go around 100k miles anyway

No, I do not have heat sinks, and they are all NTK o2 sensors. I personally know a guy that has way more miles than me with all 4 NTK o2s without heatsinks, on the same manifold with an upgraded 6266 at 30psi. He hasn't had an issue with o2s.
 

Ask92

Lurker
Apr 26, 2018
13
3
0
Sacramento
Ride
335i, Supra, zx6r, f250.
Awesome write up! Planning to go single in the next year or so(or until I am forced haha) and this is worth its weight in gold! Will watch and like the youtube videos tonight.
 

BlueN54

Lurker
Jan 2, 2018
15
17
0
Ride
e90 335i
Awesome write up! Planning to go single in the next year or so(or until I am forced haha) and this is worth its weight in gold! Will watch and like the youtube videos tonight.
thanks for the support! if you have any questions, ask! here to help the community any way I can.
 

Tony Vu

Lurker
Dec 15, 2016
21
4
0
any updates?
Unfortunately he sold the car, I think because he was moving out of the country for schooling. But I was the one who sold him the kit. I have their t4 kit with 67mm turbo, with over 10k miles on the kit and the turbo and its awesome! If you have any other inquiries you can PM me.
 

Vdkk

Private
Sep 3, 2018
34
24
0
Ride
335 e92
Can confirm, 13k miles on my 67mm t4 kit and the thing is awesome. Totally worth it.
 

Vdkk

Private
Sep 3, 2018
34
24
0
Ride
335 e92
What's spool like with 67mm t4 kit?
It spools pretty damn fast for the size, by 3500-3700~ I make 25psi easily

It happens so fast hard to keep track. I'll post a log next day I'm with the car.
 

Maniac0908

Corporal
Mar 22, 2018
109
6
0
Ride
07 335xi
Unfortunately he sold the car, I think because he was moving out of the country for schooling. But I was the one who sold him the kit. I have their t4 kit with 67mm turbo, with over 10k miles on the kit and the turbo and its awesome! If you have any other inquiries you can PM me.
Sent you a pm