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Starion with BMW power plant


Galant turbo
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It was more then 10 years ago I bought my first Starion, I absolutely love this model from Mitsubishi. The design is like a time capsule of the 80's .

 

They are hard to find here in Sweden, only about 40 sold, and only with the 2,0 4g63 engine narrow body. There are some imports from mostly from EU-countrys. Wide bodys and 4g54 engines were sold in other countrys in Europe. I searched for several years to find one, and one came up for sale really cheap, I bought it without seeing it...

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/Knightrider.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/grymmastolar.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/rven.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/Trskelfan.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/Titthl2.jpg

 

I tried for several years to restore it.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/bytt20plc3a5t20hjulhus2.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/innerskc3a4rmhc3b6ger.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/Pc3a5bc3b6rjad20front.jpg

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/trc3b6skel.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/skrmkant3.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/nyskc3a4rmkant2.jpg

 

But I had to let this one go, I found one in a little better condition.

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To make a long story short, I bought a white Starion, and drove it this summer completely original, but the engine is in a very bad condition. Blue/grey smoke and knocks on full throttle.

 

BMW has several great engines, and I have several BMW engines just waiting for a transplant. :)

 

I tested with a V12:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M70/Prepp1_zpsa7de6bf1.jpg

 

Just put it together and install it:

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M70/Prepp2_zps78efea91.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M70/Lyft_zpsa4dd71d1.jpg

 

God damn it! It wasn´t bolt on, but it kind of fitted pretty good. :)

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M70/Starion_v12_4_zps41fedb4f.jpg

 

It might seem pretty tight, although the hood will fit right as original.

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M70/Starion_v12_3_zpse2c61659.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M70/Starion_v12_5_zps696523e1.jpg

 

You know you want it:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M70/Starion_v12_1_zpsa897ed22.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M70/Starion_v12_2_zps86326101.jpg

 

But I will be going with an other BMW engine, the V12 looks cool, but is not really good...

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As I said I will not be going with the V12, it is beautiful but that is about it! I think I have found the key to success now. :) But I can not stop thinking about how great a BMW V8 would be...

 

I will be focusing on an other BMW engine, cheap, very strong and responds extremely well on turbo charging. :D The engine is a M50/M52 with some parts modified. In line straight six cylinder engine found in BMW 325 and 525 in the 90s. I will share more details later. This is an ugly dirty engine for measuring purposes.

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Lyft_1_zpsb5af4619.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Lyft_2_zpsc083b35a.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Lifting_1_zps53f4b6bf.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Lifting_3_zps1c2d9382.jpg

 

After lifting the engine/gearbox in and out several times I got really annoyed on the "beam" between the lights, it had to go!

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Kapad_balk_1_zps0377e4e0.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Kapad_balk_2_zps2fd35c4e.jpg

 

Everything seemed to "fit" pretty good, but as always I was really dreaming here. I have ran in to some serious issues...

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

There was a blue conquest on the forum years ago with a BMW motor in it ,what happen to that car.. Good luck with your project..

 

I belive that car used the same motor with a turbo

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  • 2 weeks later...

The work is slowly progressing, -very slowly...

 

I started to clean out the engine mounts. The BMW-engine is to be mounted in a 30 degree angle, so on the right side there were some clearance issues.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Balk_1_zps5b1ccea8.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Balk_2_zpse53cb35d.jpg

 

The biggest problem right now is the transmission tunnel:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Tunnel_1_zpsd421f064.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Tunnel_2_zpsd557a910.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Tunnel_4_zpsf934dca1.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Tunnel_5_zpsafad16a5.jpg

 

This was not enough, a lot more cutting and sledgehammer work was needed...

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  • 2 weeks later...

And a lot more cutting and sledgehammer work was done!

 

It looks like crap now, but I will clean it up and put it together later on. It was a bit difficult to take pictures on it when lying on the floor with not so much space.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Kapad_tunnel1_zpstilyjb6m.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Kapad_tunnel2_zpswdhbeynk.jpg

 

The parts of the tunnel pressed upwards in the pictures above are cut of close to the firewall now and a "new" tunnel is suppose to be manufactured later on when everything is in place.

 

I bought a tool to balance the engine the right height and angle in the front, the engine is supposed to be in a 30 deg. angle:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorok_zpsxogz6n7r.jpg

 

To be able to do the same in the back, I built this from junk I found in the garage. Steel plate on wheels with two jack-screws. Adjustable in all directions :)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/P2200037_zpsa7119857.jpg

 

It looks horrible, but gets the work done!

 

And finally, -the engine is where it is supposed to be, and all angles are correct! Horizontal in length:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Varinggraumltt1_zpsp062tpqu.jpg

 

Also horizontal in width:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Balansering_vaumlxellaringda_zps8zvbvj8t.jpg

 

The correct angle on the engine is also achieved:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/30_grader1_zpsdvkmv5k4.jpg

 

Now I have to manufacture engine, and gearbox mounts. To bad I cut out everything there was to bolt anything into on the right side... :)

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  • 2 months later...

The engine choice might seem a little different, but that suits me perfect. I am often called "different" when described in a friendly way. Idiot is probably more correct though... :)

 

The BMW M50-engine is actually a really good and strong engine, very suitable for turbo-conversions. They are really cheap over here to. But to fit it in a Starion is perhaps not the smartest move ever, it is quite heavy, long and tall. And if you think it looks like crap, the engine in the pictures is only the mock up engine. I have bought an other engine in very good condition that will be the actual engine that I install.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/M50_ny_01_zpsbvexdcfz.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/M50_ny_02_zpszd8act0f.jpg

 

Engine mounts on the left side was really simple to build.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorfaumlste_vf1_zpsa4kjyjdb.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorfaumlste_vf2_zps6uh1plks.jpg

 

On the right side, it was a lot more difficult, since I had cut out all of the original mounting points. So I removed the front subframe and started building new mounting points.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Framvagnsbalk1_zpsauvthonk.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorfaumlste_houmlger_1_zpszlfo6ive.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorfaumlste_houmlger_2_zps6gffhvnp.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorfaumlste_houmlger_3_zps2a1i5a5u.jpg

 

This is not the final design, and it is only put together to try if it will work/fit.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I did some modifications on the design on the subframe, this will for sure be strong enough.

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Subframe_2_zpse6ezfngz.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/subframe_1_zpsnns0vn6v.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Subframe_3_zpssrew9t1f.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Subframe_4_zpsmnpxlvjh.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Subframe_06_zpsgnyyp64g.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Subframe_05_zpserzzkuit.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Subframe_07_zps173zlqyo.jpg

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I grew up with Lego and Tetris so the whole world is built by bricks in my eyes, you can somewhat see that in my "design" of the right side engine mount. :)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorfaumlste_houmlger_4_zps1vd7nvot.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorfaumlste_houmlger_5_zpsjc8nt2ve.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorfaumlste_houmlger_6_zps8u7dmvyy.jpg

Edited by Galant turbo
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  • 4 weeks later...

The right side engine mount turned out like this:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorfaumlste_houmlger_11_zps3odeses5.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorfaumlste_houmlger_10_zpswffrc857.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorfaumlste_houmlger_9_zpshzyq3p8y.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorfaumlste_houmlger_8_zpsw5xl64vy.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Motorfaumlste_houmlger_7_zps62lvrijl.jpg

 

There are some clearance issues still with exhaust manifolds, and there still might be some adjustments that has to be done.

Edited by Galant turbo
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For the 2JZ guys they seem to beat the tunnel wider or you have to cut it up.

I did cut my tunnel up as you can kind of see in the pictures, but I should have done it much more.

To widen the tunnel with force is easy, but I need both more height and width, cut it up and try to patch it together later is what I have to do.

 

Somewhere in this troublesome technical problems and issues, I started to realize that I am fat and old. My solution to this was of course to buy a Porsche! :D

996 Carrera 2 -00.

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Porsche%20996/v1_zpst7ubvqw9.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Porsche%20996/vb1_zpsncoekppl.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Porsche%20996/vf2_zpskotjkp62.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Porsche%20996/hf2_zpslc5f32oq.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Porsche%20996/hb2_zps7kdcqkrf.jpg

 

But it did not work out as planned, -I am still fat and old, but it is the funniest car I have ever had. :)

Edited by Galant turbo
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I did cut my tunnel up as you can kind of see in the pictures, but I should have done it much more.

To widen the tunnel with force is easy, but I need both more height and width, cut it up and try to patch it together later is what I have to do.

 

Somewhere in this troublesome technical problems and issues, I started to realize that I am fat and old. My solution to this was of course to buy a Porsche! :D

996 Carrera 2 -00.

 

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Porsche%20996/v1_zpst7ubvqw9.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Porsche%20996/vb1_zpsncoekppl.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Porsche%20996/vf2_zpskotjkp62.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Porsche%20996/hf2_zpslc5f32oq.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Porsche%20996/hb2_zps7kdcqkrf.jpg

 

But it did not work out as planned, -I am still fat and old, but it is the funniest car I have ever had. :)

 

Are these pictures of the parts car? Congrats!

 

For my "mid life crisis" I bought a dilapidated Conquest and you buy a Porsche? My wife would love for me to get a Porsche, you know to get groceries because her Rover burns too much gas....... <_<

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Mid life crisis?

Oh yes! :(

 

Are these pictures of the parts car? Congrats!

 

For my "mid life crisis" I bought a dilapidated Conquest and you buy a Porsche? My wife would love for me to get a Porsche, you know to get groceries because her Rover burns too much gas....... <_<

Luckily I am not married. ;) But the Porsche does something to the female part of of the population. I often get comments from women (often in the age of 60+) that it is a pretty car, or a cute car... :wacko: They also ask if it is brand new, -no, it is 15 years old and has more than 200 000km on it, is my answer. :) The fuel consumption on the Porsche is actually lower than on the Starion with the 4g63t-engine. I guess you guys are not so in to the metric system so I leave the numbers out. :)

 

I still have not completed the rear gearbox frame/mount. That also turned out a bit more complicated than I had anticipated. But I am working on it...

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Vaumlxellaringdsfaumlste_2_zpsfoc41ogi.jpg

 

I am not in a hurry, my plan is that this car should be finished when I retire at the age of 65, 23 years to go. :D

Edited by Galant turbo
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I continued with the construction of the gearbox bracket. One step ahead, -and sometimes two steps back... -But I will get there! :)

 

Taking measurements and taking notes where to cut and where not.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Vaumlxellaringdsfaumlste_3_zpsr4rxqbrd.jpg

 

It was not a big surprise to see that it was not a perfect fit, I had to cut it up and weld it again. The angles for the rubber mounts remains the same after this modification. But due to clearance issues with the tunnel on the right side, I needed to change the angle of the "wall" of the bracket. This would have been easier if I had chosen to go with an engine that was supposed to be mounted straight up, this engine is supposed to be in an 30 degree angle, and I am not sure if I accomplished that within tolerances that I consider OK.

 

But that does not make any difference in function or performance, it is only a few degrees off. It is more a psychological thing, - will I be able to live with the fact that the engine is in 27 or 33 degree angle when driving down the road in a Mitsubishi Starion BMW M50 2,8? :D

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h42/Galant_turbo/Mitsubishi_Starion/White%20Starion/M50B25/Vaumlxellaringdsfaumlste_4_zpsktystuq2.jpg

 

It is a bit confusing when the prop shaft tunnel is not symmetrical or centred and the height on the floor is not the same on the right side as the left either. So sometimes it fools you when it looks straight and in angle, it really is not. :wacko:

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