JP's E21 DD

[Hermes]

So I wanted a cheap car to use as a DD, ended up finding this sweet 320i for $1600.

1982 320i, 5MT, non-LSD, Opalgrün Metallic, black interior, faded black cloth, diving board bumpers, crappy 13x5.5 turbine alloys, Bosch K-Jetronic (mechanical fuel injection), but...

1 owner, 154k miles, service documented up to 14k miles ago

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1050728.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1050730.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1050734.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1050744.jpg

stupid 80mph speedo...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1050759.jpg

hahaha, period tape deck
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1050761.jpg

driver's seat is torn and tilt is broken, I'm gonna probably try to find some E30 sport seats because E21 Recaro's are $$$$
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1050750.jpg

these goodies came with the car, unfortunately the Owner's Manual was missing
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1050763.jpg


service log
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1050766.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1050767.jpg

I've already bought some Castrol 20W-50, Redline 75W90, Mahle oil filter, NGK plugs, brakes and suspension will probably be next. Need this to be reliable, hopefully I don't go overboard on this car.

[Ryans323i]

Beautiful find. Very jealous! Congrats.

[Hermes]

thank you, ma'am

[GSEN820]

Service records are crazy!!!!!! I dont even have receipt for last oil change......Score JP

[Oli77]

Looks like a collection is starting up. Nice cars!

[bcleaver]

cool pickup

[gr330zhp]

Awesome! Love seeing the documentation and old paperwork!

[Hermes]

Thanks everybody.

Gary, I actually have one of those for my ZHP but I think there's only one mark in it. Too old school for people at the service dept to even think about

[Hermes]

check this news out...

So I was at Carl's picking up a few things and also picking his brain when I mentioned 5 lug conversion so I can run different selection of wheels. He then took me to the back and showed me a straightened/refinished/powdercoated set of real BBS Mahle's in 15x7, 4x100, E21 offset that he has no use for. He have me a smoking deal, will be back for them soon once other issues are worked out with the car (suspension) and I have money for them and new tires.

[Hornung418]

Dude, nice find on the wheels!

Needs Euro Bumpers, BBS air dam Zender rear skirt and euro smileys. Interior needs Recaros...desperately. Then an M20 to complete the transformation. Keep the color. it's cool and original.

Body kits are lame unless it's gonna be a GR5 replica...which would be bad ass.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkNtDZmvApw

Because legendary racecar.

[Hermes]

Justin, you're thinking is very close to mine. It would be that, or...

Motorsport replica
http://dtmfiberwerkz.com/access/images/e21frnt.jpg

but the only reason for that would be prohibitive cost of Euro bumpers and a real BBS front, same goes with Recaro's. If I bought some they would probably go in the 02 anyway. Ian (das boots' son) thinks he may have found some black E30 sport seats for me.



as for a Gr.5 replica... find me a M12/13 to put in it and we'll talk

[Hornung418]

You gotta make that yourself. I heard you can't even buy them whole, you have to buy the parts lot and assemble it!!

Glad we're on the same page, but for now, drive it for the badass OG it is :)

[Hermes]

how the hell am I supposed to find that backwards head?


fyi - just left West Marine with $80 of SS nuts, bolts, and washers

[johnrando]

Pics of said wheels? And, who is Carl?

[toddness]

I've got a set of black vinyl sports from a 318is I have been holding on to (for something?) that show only minimal wear on the drivers side.

[Hermes]

http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimages/259510/Mahle715.jpg

Carl Nelson owns La Jolla Independent BMW Repair and Restoration, where I go for 2002 parts all the time. There are always cool cars at his shop.

Todd, I'm definitely interested but let me see what Ian comes up with locally. I would rather not have to deal with shipping something that big. I'll let you know if I want them. Thanks bud

[toddness]

There is a lot of e30 parts activity on r3vlimited.com - if you weren't aware. While the classified forum offers a lot, the SoCal (and NorCal) general chat forums seem to have a lot more postings than the classified section for those of us on the West coast. I hope I am not in violation of any rules for propping another forum.

[Hermes]

Since I am currently working on my car I decided it was time to update this thread.

Progress since I bought it:

AFE drop in filter, some new vacuum lines to replace the rock hard ones, new radiator cap (stock opposed to the nasty parts store one on the car when I bought it), ATE Super Blue
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/E30E64CF-B46B-4DEC-AE50-192F84663EEA-4113-000005A2B50DD33C.jpg


LED bulbs for the instrument cluster
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/IMG_4199.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1060153.jpg


120mph speedo from an early E21 and orange needles, unfortunately I had to go back to my 85mph one because early cars had a 3.64 diff and it reads wrong with my 3.91 :(
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/E8925181-2233-4478-8FD9-7828F057785C-5122-0000070DFFB15A4B.jpg


E30 sport seats. I didn't run them for long because I was gangsta leaning. I sold them to my buddy because his eta has blue vinyl interior and he can't find a set of blue sport seats anywhere
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/C8289CE9-4DB1-49BD-AF46-4AF89205A6A6-2785-00000374A324D748.jpg


pre-86 ///M steering wheel from an E24
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/D902279D-902C-461C-A73B-C3261E4F5166-7608-00000AE43CC40088.jpg


picked up a euro plate in the opposite colors to my 70s/80s blue/yellow plate
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/1C589710-76EC-427C-86D2-6E88DE47978D-9435-00000D34B2F475D9.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/8B185674-728C-41F2-B61A-D9E8070ABCFC-241-0000002239A59CE3.jpg


swapped my 320i turbines for 320is BBS's
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/FA4DA920-6E4A-4466-8B63-D7D217D8D39D-2137-00000311BA6BC02C.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/6F89DDC6-92EB-4149-8E37-5E358498D4CC-2137-000003496E772CFC.jpg

AC delete started, partial center console, and swapped Carl my early ///M wheel for a 320is sport wheel so I could have the right wheel and he can have a spare for his 1985 ///M538i
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null-4.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null_zpsc82f79ae.jpg


Carl found a working antenna in his pile of stuff, so I no longer had to have one that was stuck permanently up
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null-6.jpg


Picked up some parts for a stereo upgrade, hidden stuff will be more modern but the head unit is a sweet 1991 Alpine pull out deck. Not gonna use the a/d/s/ 2 channel, but will use the Alpine 4 channel amp. I have yet to install these as I've been waiting to do rear strut brace with battery relocate first.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/4507983E-F23E-4310-9E06-BD6B81039E31-4044-00000599D0656C6E.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null-7.jpg


Plastidipped my window trim, but I didn't like it so I peeled it off
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null-15.jpg


pulled off my front diving board, it was step 1 of the long term plan
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null-20.jpg


Bilstein's & 2nd gen Suspension Technique springs
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null-31.jpg


finally bought and refinished the Mahle's I mentioned last October
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null-41.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null-42.jpg


wired my rear fogs as extra brake lamps
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null-49.jpg


E12 chrome door handles, they match my polished lips and chrome window trim better ;)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null-52.jpg


I had taken the E30 seats out last summer and put the stock seats back in. I think it was late August when I found the Recaro's for the 2002 so I took the 911 seats out of that and put them in the 320
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null_zpse4e2e18d.jpg


pulled off the front fogs (better aero) and went to autocross. Took 2nd in 4cyl class
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/LG_DSC_1105.jpg


ordered a NOS windshield
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null_zpsdb49d55b.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null_zpsc0655dfc.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/95B5D7AB-DCD6-45D8-BC05-8A763CCCD0EC.jpg


found a W123 diesel at the junkyard and picked up the Bosch fogs, now both 3er's have yellow inner beams
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null_zps4672c7ce.jpg


step 2 of the front end plan, pre-facelift Euro front valence Carl gave me w/lip spoiler I found on a '78 at the junkyard the same day as the yellow lights
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/null_zps7652541b.jpg


Hella H4 low beam conversion and made a license plate bracket so it sits on the side and doesn't block my radiator
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/F32FA08C-6EEC-405E-8CCC-057BE8632C52.jpg


I also picked up a spare set of headlight frames from the junkyard that I prepped and painted, I will put the H4's and H1's in those and install but first I need to bake the H1's and paint the reflector yellow
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/1F0248CD-0D8A-4961-8EA6-8DACFE88DFBB.jpg


Finally, I located the missing pieces of the non-AC center console
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/1330CD1C-A131-466B-9497-BDCBBDA9F92A.jpg


I have now reached the point of my current project and will explain that in my next post

[Hermes]

It began with occasional starting issues, so I decided to replace my starter. That was the plan...


pulled her into the garage
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/A327C9C1-51CE-42A2-B0E4-14F79CE3D186.jpg


shop supervisor making sure everything is going fine
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/348C98E1-03D2-4EDC-9562-5BF24E9186CC.jpg


pulled the battery and airbox, began labeling wires, then I decided that I should do my cooling system that I've been putting off at the same time...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/5637B291-28DE-4365-91E3-0BFEF1AC735F.jpg


Pulled the condenser so my AC delete was finally finished. I'll order an electric fan so I can wire it in as a supplementary one, not gonna use that one because it's small and heavy
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/DB281269-A4B0-490C-84CD-B84F5AABFCDA.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/351D49D9-0A0C-4F81-A020-30929291C0DA.jpg


finding vacuum leaks and terrible hoses that need replacement
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/6445493F-A2C2-41D8-AAE2-06FE327062FB.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/44C5756E-45C2-409F-B7B8-AC3911466030.jpg


apparently some mechanic over the last 30 years decided to be lazy and not find the correct size bolts
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/AEFB117A-EC86-4F4D-BA37-5478B9737577.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/311F5E4D-0605-4924-8E32-AF7F54CDF72C.jpg


took me a few days but I finally got the starter out
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/98D1B86F-4904-4083-B2D1-A8BF3E874EBF.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/6F830715-B4EE-4468-821E-9CB97D533256.jpg


cleaned the screen on the warm up regulator
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/E862C03A-CCAB-42BE-B95D-4F68A65DC084.jpg


I hate exhaust gas recirculation systems...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/9E4BB41D-8EB1-4E06-A965-F8396C02A858.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/E0A5133E-7FB9-4D7D-A598-6B1C65FEBD33.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/398BB43F-95AD-45BA-9813-C7853305C6E5.jpg


The bowl was easy enough to clean, the insides of the AFM took nearly a whole can of carb cleaner and I think there's still some junk in it. Will try some more tomorrow
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/568960ED-C211-4621-A42F-C8B71E54385C.jpg


Throttle body was easy enough to clean
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/70EF5BCB-570D-474F-A4FB-1FF83499C5F8.jpg


Pulled the intake manifold and injectors off
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/50591C0D-1B41-41BA-9C66-6467247893FB.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/5B01BC06-EDD1-4ABD-B348-D7CC6E8FDD36.jpg


My alternator bracket broke and needs replacement, already picked one up
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/19D24639-DAC7-4130-A49A-A33ED0BCCE0C.jpg


Unfortunately it seems one of the bracket bolts decided to break off into the block... this is gonna be a PITA to get out. I'll deal with it tomorrow
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/AC073C24-A6C1-4C01-8BD3-BDF72C0D9A0B.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/3F11C989-CF85-45A8-8F53-494662D918C5.jpg

[johnrando]

Just wow.

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

[Hermes]

Yeah, lots of stuff going on in here.

I forgot to mention on my update post that I also installed an E21 LSD.

[Avetiso]

Good luck with the bolt.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

Thanks bud, I didn't have time today so I'll try to do it tomorrow

[Johnmadd]

Good stuff JP!

[alexandre]

I had an OFHG bolt snap on me in the block when I did the job. Thank god these are low-torque and I had a enough clearance for a drill. Good luck extracting it.

[brettbimmer]

Nice progress with her JP. Great to see you making headway!

[Hermes]

Thanks guys, just trying to get it reliable enough until I get around to a 6 cyl swap. Maybe next year

[Avetiso]

Gotta say, great thing about CA is that weather is rarely, if ever, cause for delay of a project. Usually, anything I want to do car-related can be done year round. It's awesome. What are your plans over winter for it?

[Hermes]

New (old) all metal radiator from a 77 arrived today, will drop it off to get re-cored in a few days. I will never have to worry about heat cycles with plastic end caps again!

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/865AC045-2FCA-462D-A6F0-3CA70514AC56.jpg

[Newjack]

Fantastic work JP! This was awesome to read.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

Thanks bud!

[Hermes]

Finally...

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/0F44A9FA-4446-44F3-86C8-93F5101206EE.jpg

In case any of you need to get a broken bolt out spend the money on this kit, well worth it in my opinion. I broke 4 of the shitty Harbor Freight LHD bits before I gave up on them and spent the money on quality bits

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/AB0A3AD8-269D-460C-AAD5-525442AF5A45.jpg

Also, make sure to get mechanic's length as the 'normal' ones may possibly be too short for all applications you will need them for

[Avetiso]

Nice. My brother just broke a bolt in his suspension on his civic, going to be using something similar.

[Hermes]

Yesterday I picked up my re-cored radiator. I now have a racing core in a stock housing. If I need to swap in a expansion tank style radiator when I do the engine swap I can just use this for the 2002

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/E03215CB-8040-4379-A401-AC4045A5BF99.jpg

[Hermes]

My buddy called me today to let me know he had some stuff in that I've been asking him about, so I went to his shop to pick them up

E28 manual seat e-brake surround
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/83E4574B-271E-49FB-950A-0A1341310FB1.jpg

Correct glovebox flashlight
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/F5CF8E99-EACF-4B9B-AB08-332EEE0727C5.jpg

...but he neglected to tell me he had an E21 in, I just happened to see it in the corner. It happened to be an is so I grabbed the interior!
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/A836A73E-11DC-420B-9B6B-0A13DCC1C67D.jpg

[Hornung418]

Sweet update!

Sent from my GS3.

[toddness]

just loving your efforts and scores!

[Hermes]

Thanks guys! The seats are in ok shape, I need to find some new straps for the seat bottom and 4 of the tilt levers as all of mine are either missing or about to break. I think Varco has spares so I'll call him tomorrow. At least I didn't have to spend $1k on Recaro's from him, but just $28 for the levers and $40 for straps

in case anybody else has Recaro's they need parts for: Aardvarc Racing (http://www.2002parts.com/bmw/recaro-seat-parts.html)

[johnrando]

Looking good! Those are nice seats.

[Hermes]

Thanks John!

[Hermes]

Ordered straps and tilt knobs today, $85 after tax and shipping

[PKR]

I'm really enjoying your project ... it takes me back to one of my most beloved BMWs: a gray-market E21 I imported back in the mid-80s. My '81 323i came from Switzerland, via a dealer I already knew. When traded in there it needed a new head so I arranged for a new Hartge head/cam to be installed before shipping it to the US. One of the most balanced cars I've ever owned. You'll enjoy yours, I'm sure.
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb440/GSP51/GSP1981BMW323iRoyOak2.jpg

[Hermes]

Nice 323! Is that a Zender spoiler you had on it? I'm definitely going to put a 6 cylinder in at some point, but still debating which engine. Although I know M20 is the easy choice because that's what the 323 had, I really don't want an iron block engine. I'm thinking probably M52B28 all alloy from a 97-99 Z3, but possibly a M54. Honestly I would prefer a non-VANOS engine but they all have iron blocks

[PKR]

Thanks ... and yes, it was a Zender rear lip. In addition it also had Bilstein/springs/bars, 14" replica Style 32s (15s were way too $$ back then!), a Recaro drivers seat (which I kept when I sold the car - nope, its not for sale), Stahl header, LSD (OEM, though built up to a 40% lock from the standard 25%), and an Alpina auxiliary fuel tank . "Stupid" is the only word for my decision to sell it.
As to which Six to use I'd only say that with the M20 this car had Perfect Balance ... consider that when you're investigating the choices. Others might make it quicker but .... . If I were to replicate this car I'd stay with the M20 but it'd be balanced, have a sweet head/cam/valves, lightweight flywheel, and more up-to-date fuel injection than the E21 had. Having driven a couple of other 323s back in the day I can say that the Hartge head/cam is what really woke this car up, though without the better breathing header it would have suffered.
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb440/GSP51/GSP1981BMW323iRoyOak1.jpg

[Hermes]

Beautiful car! Do I see the stops for headlight wipers (can't actually see the wipers)? I'm currently running Bilstein struts/shocks w/Suspension Technique springs and bars (25mm front/19mm rear).

I know what you're saying about the M20 being the great fit, especially if you upgrade to Motronic vs Jetronic, but my main issues are:

1 - iron block vs alloy block

2 - SOHC/12 valve vs DOHC/24 valve

3 - weight distribution due to that heavy lump in front. It's already nose heavy with the M10, M20 won't help anything in that regards.

I have a friend here in town with a 1978 320 w/M50B25 (he bought it that way, he would've done a different swap) and it's a beast at autocross. We keep planning together what we are going to do with our cars. His is gutted and on coilovers, while mine is still a daily so our goals are not exactly the same but many things are shared between what we want to accomplish.

The main problem is what can I legally accomplish in with the Air Resources Board hovering over my shoulder. Whatever I decide to do I have to swap everything from the air filter to the tailpipe to comply with the car that the engine is coming from. I will then be required to pass smog for whatever car the engine is from (so if I decide to go the Z3 route, I will have to pass smog for a 97-99 Z3).

Main problem is weight. M20 short engine weighs 117kg dry, M52 alloy version weighs 118kg dry.

dressed engines on the other hand weigh quite a bit more

M20 - 180kg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d63/Drew325iS/M20weighIn.jpg

M52 alloy - 149kg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d63/Drew325iS/M52weigh_in.jpg

mine would actually weigh less because I would delete the AC and power steering, so maybe 130-140 kg?

The problem I see with the M20 is how much will it cost me to build and engine with comparable performance on top of the fact that it weighs more. With the M52 I can swap in S52 parts to get bigger displacement for cheap, M20 is much more expensive to match power levels.

Anyways, this is all still in the planning stages. Right now I just need to put my car back together and drive it some more.


EDIT: M10 is around 85kg, so nothing else is gonna be that light :(

...maybe a M42/M44 but I want more cylinders

[PKR]

Hmmm... complicated issues. Certainly more complicated than I had to deal with back then! But I'm afraid that I'm utterly unfamiliar with ARB issues.
Have you driven an E30-M20 or an E30-M52? If not then that's where to start. But drive it the way you'll use yours. Power solves alot of problems in an autocross setting - but only if you're a genuinely competent driver, since (usually) the car's limits are higher than the driver's. On the other hand for a DD the extra power in the lower RPMs would be fun - and actually practical! Either way good luck with the project ... I'll be enjoying it along with you.
Oh, and yes, my car did have headlight wipers ... until I removed 'em - too much hassle.

[Hermes]

Thanks! Yeah, the California Air Resource Board is a huge pain to deal with. Even after I do all my swap I have to take it to a "referee" to then approve my swap before I'm given what they call a BAR tag basically stating that it's a legal swap.

I have in fact driven many M20 E30's, specifically I love my buddy's 2.7 stroker
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QiZM1N3z-P8/Ulm-pKa6fVI/AAAAAAAAYdE/M9lM0GhAolo/w1190-h796-no/LG_DSC_2421.jpg

His car is pushing around 200hp, but his engine probably cost him over $4k to build. The M52 comes out of the box at 189hp and I can probably make that difference up significantly cheaper

I've never driven a M52 E30, but Ryan's car approximates it close enough I think.

My thinking is the extra power will be nice at autocross, but mainly it will help just driving around town. I'm currently getting 27mpg and hopefully with that much extra power in such a light shell (around 2300lbs) I can be easy on the gas and get into the 30-40mpg range

[Hermes]

Well, I have come to the conclusion that the original owner must have rear ended somebody over his 30 year period with the car. Decided to pull the hood off and do some persuasion to the core support

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/C05B3176-0A67-4B30-9BB9-441CD7BC8D82.jpg

You just need the right tools and anything is possible

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/BBE67F9F-78C6-42C9-AE6E-68C7351CDACB.jpg

[derbo]

Brute persuasion seem to fair well all the time :)

[Hermes]

So Matt and I did some brainstorming last night and have come up with an idea for solving out terrible suspension/low strength diff/general driveline stuff.

E28 rear and and E36 front end swap. We're thinking about using a 3.25 medium case LSD rated at 440 ft/lbs vs our current small case 3.91 at 240 ft/lbs.

He already has a ZF 5 speed from an E36 M3 in his '78 M50 non-VANOS swapped car, but we're thinking of maybe doing a Getrag 420G 6 speed (368 ft/lbs)... but supposedly can handle more torque than that

[Hermes]

Today while I was at work I had my brother pick up the rest of the stuff I bought from that 320is which I got the Recaro's from (surprisingly I managed to get both Recaro's and the rear bench IN my ZHP, thank you folding rear seats!)

Replacement carpet - mine is tore up in a few spots, this one may be dirty but at least has no rips. I'll start shampooing it tomorrow
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/5A59A3F2-A90C-4AA6-A38A-B1EB1A5CD154.jpg

Door cards to match the Recaro's (will have to clean those up too)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/49960B79-392F-49F2-A5FC-EA0331E4109D.jpg

Large tool kit to replace my small one
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/166D9908-AEAF-446B-B663-A2FBFEE76FD6.jpg

After I took that pic I realized only the spark plug wrench fits correctly, I'll order the correct tools
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/6E7FE053-2CE8-439F-9285-44B2D5F62F28.jpg

Tools and new foam cost $167 from ECS, I'll call Carl and see if he has any in stock at his shop since he gives me way better pricing

I now have all the 320is items with the exception of the front lip spoiler and leather shift boot which I don't want. I have Recaro's, 3 spoke sport steering wheel, large tool kit, front and rear swaybars (mine are actually Suspension Technique oversized bars), but most importantly a 3.91 LSD!

I have also made a deal for a Zender 1.170.03.3 trunk lip spoiler!
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/jjgbmw323/09%20Car%20Shows/PIC-0222.jpg

I have a friend attempting to find me the BBS front lip spoiler, Euro bumpers, Euro turn signals, and the filler plate between the taillights in order to basically have the full M-Tech kit!

http://www.bmwe21.net/E21_editionM.jpg

...well technically I am supposed to use the BBS 21.11.002 spoiler but the Zender one looks almost exactly the same. I am also supposed to have body colored mirrors, but that's easy enough to deal with.

[johnrando]

:like

[PKR]

JP - Nice updates! I had the opportunity to compare the Zender and BBS lips back in the day; you won't be disappointed with the Zender. The Euro bumpers make a huge difference, aesthetically and weight-wise. I'll poke around and see if I have any leftover stuff, but don't hold your breath.

[Hermes]

Thanks guys!

well my original plan of merely replacing my starter is a distant memory

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/F776AFB5-5DD9-4561-88AA-7AAF3D7E1A83.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/4762AF7B-5438-4B08-9721-7D686B7924E4.jpg

I'll update some more later, need to get back to the car

[ELCID86]

What the heck!?! Go for it (I guess you already are!)

[Hermes]

So I pulled up the carpet, pulled the sound deadening foam

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/7D673D3C-8756-4AAD-9B6D-FB653EA7B779.jpg

Began removal of the tar shit (super annoying)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/54E496BD-10DE-4EBB-9773-E2CC6887D728.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/98419A5B-FC6E-4B6E-901F-A4E32D82DAE8.jpg

Finally got that done last night

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/1CE10A42-531F-423E-BE33-09927B4641BF.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/C27BCA20-C94C-4E80-BDF1-A113959F3E95.jpg

I'll be prepping this with a layer of Rustoleum to be safe, then this stuff will be installed

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/BA067993-3EAD-4FC2-AB26-101404744C3A.jpg

[johnrando]

Good stuff.

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

[PirateZHP]

Awesome, JP

[Hermes]

Thanks!

[Hermes]

Today I finished cleanup of the interior

Got rid of all the surface rust

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/6A6CEDF6-CAE4-4AF5-88DE-30E956DC218E.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/DF7A58D1-F676-494A-87E8-39912F6E907D.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/5E582A61-8FFD-4C55-A7D8-72F85C45758D.jpg

Then came Krylon Rust Tough Enamel

primer
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/54C265A7-144B-424A-896A-FCED496651F4.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/BC98725E-4F93-4C22-B2DF-8BD8B1DF378F.jpg

1st layer of paint
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/0FD9AE15-40A0-4490-9163-CFF0610D46C7.jpg

I'm gonna let it sit for an hour before I spray another layer, then I'll start with the sound deadening

[Avetiso]

Nice work, JP! Looks much better.

[Hermes]

Thanks bud!

Right now I'm sealing these back up before I spray another layer of paint

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/EACED6C0-8D18-4581-98D5-6A85BE840213.jpg

And in case anybody wants to buy some, this is by far the best RTV around

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/8BD8539C-A7AE-45B1-A6A7-046A3A99214C.jpg

Just go to your local Toyota dealer and ask for that pn

[Avetiso]

What's special about it?

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[kayger12]

This is such a great thread. Looking good, Jp.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[cakM3]

Awesome progress JP!!! Can't wait to see more :)

[johnrando]

Plus one

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

[brettbimmer]

JP, really looks great. When are you opening up your BMW restoration shop? :p

[Hermes]

Thanks guys!

Dario, it's a special formulation of Permatex made for Toyota. I've never had any issues with it so I keep using it. Basically years ago I needed to do something with RTV and Carl told me that's the only stuff he uses. If after 40 years of working on BMW's he decided on this it's good enough for me.

Brett, soon my friend. Do you need some work done on your ti? ;)

[derbo]

Looking good JP! Modern BMWs have too much wiring underneath the carpet..

[Hermes]

Thanks Derek! I still need to wire in my stereo so there will be some more going in there before the carpet is installed

[brettbimmer]

Thanks guys!

Brett, soon my friend. Do you need some work done on your ti? ;)

Haha, it's an older BMW JP, so they ALL need work! :rofl Keep up the good work with your fleet.

[Hermes]

Haha, it's an older BMW JP, so they ALL need work! :rofl Keep up the good work with your fleet.

True, but that M4x is probably as much if not more bulletproof than my M10. Plus, you have 16v DOHC!

[brettbimmer]

True, but that M4x is probably as much if not more bulletproof than my M10. Plus, you have 16v DOHC!

Haha, well ironically it normally isn't the M44 engine which needs attention, just all of the other bits that bolt to it. Also it is part E36, so that means that the interior keeps me busy too.

I'm enjoying your project threads bud. Keep up the Bimmer love!

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

yesterday I picked up some random parts I needed

non-cracked grills (mine had some slight issues, replacing because I might as well do it now)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/F69C33D2-7C1C-40FB-872E-CC5F412F61E9.jpg

NOS VW K-Jetronic braided fuel lines to replace those nasty 30+ year old plastic ones BMW used (got them cheap since nobody buys them, they were at a local VW shop)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/28F06196-880B-434F-8A50-642122BCF49E.jpg

E30 M10 8 blade fan w/clutch to replace my 5 blade static fan
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/DBDC4C1D-8261-43D1-8620-EBAEB5A2CAFB.jpg

same 400mm size
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/960435F1-59FD-4E05-827C-904F56F49149.jpg

If any 2002 guys on here want my 5 blade fan to replace their 4 blade one let me know, otherwise I would definitely recommend the E30 wp/fan upgrade as you free up some horsepower at RPM's when the clutch disconnects and the fan spins freely

[Hornung418]

Is that red fan some kind of defective one? No way that thing is balanced properly...the angles are completely wrong LOL!!

[Hermes]

Hahaha, 1970s tech bro...

Made with crayons and a slide rule while drinking beer ;)

[Hornung418]

So it's really crooked and not an illusion? That's ridiculous.

Sent from my GS3.

[Hermes]

So it's really crooked and not an illusion? That's ridiculous.

Sent from my GS3.

It's fine, that's actually well designed for the tech available at the time. Here's a Mercedes patent that explains it better:


The unequal spacing angles minimize noise produced by the fan assembly. The blades are positioned at a radial location along a blade span by unequal setting angles which increase the efficiency of the fan assembly.

US Patent # 5,681,145 (http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5681145.PN.&OS=PN/5681145&RS=PN/5681145)

Here's a less understandable explanation from Hitachi:


A wheel or rotor with a plurality of blades arranged at irregular or unequal pitch angles circumferentially of a disk, a hub or the like, wherein the characteristic level e.sub.k representative of the order-of-harmonic characteristic of blade pitch is defined by where ##EQU1## Z=a number of blades k=1,2, . . . and n; n.gtoreq.Z .theta..sub.j =the angular position of the tip or root of each blade defined in terms of a central angle subtended at the center of a circle, which is the axis of said wheel or rotor, by an arc extended from a reference point on said circle to said tip or root of each blade on said circle, j=1,2, . . . and Z; and the characteristic level e.sub.k satisfies the following conditions ##EQU2## where e=-13.14 log.sub.10 Z+99.70 k=2,3, . . . n.

US Patent # 4,253,800 (http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F4253800)

[Hornung418]

Woah... Never would have guessed it lol.

Sent from my GS3.

[Hermes]

Dynamat installed

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/5A8DB2B1-9BBC-475C-A650-58FE7E1015FD.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/0C6AD77D-2325-49CF-97BA-5EB3EC6554ED.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/8ADC72E9-F444-4728-9C01-7404080F53FA.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/1C74FA32-1B58-4AAD-A9A4-5C53EF101CB7.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/89C02D26-EC9C-4443-A36E-57105E3B26F6.jpg

I need a few more sheets, I should've probably bought the mega pack instead of the bulk pack (72 sq ft vs 36 sq ft). Not sure if I want to buy the bigger pack and use what's left on my 2002, or just stop at a car audio place in town and pick up a few sheets.

Next step is Dynaliner and Dynapad.

[brettbimmer]

Dynamat looks dynamite! :swiss

[johnrando]

Nice. Looks like a swarm of bees.

[Hermes]

Hahahaha, thanks guys!

[wertyu78]

How am I just now finding this thread? As if my want for an E21 weren't high enough..... now I really am going to hunt one down! Beautiful car. I will buy one before the prices shoot up like E30's.

[Hermes]

How am I just now finding this thread? As if my want for an E21 weren't high enough..... now I really am going to hunt one down! Beautiful car. I will buy one before the prices shoot up like E30's.

I found one for you, just figure out shipping. It looks to be a real 320is despite what the guy thinks is just a 320i. Also, it doesn't need a camshaft - likely just a broken rocker

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/mau/pts/4282094631.html

Edit: if it is a 320is don't say anything... $300 is the steal of the century. A mere part out for the desirable 320is parts is $1000-1500

[wertyu78]

I found one for you, just figure out shipping. It looks to be a real 320is despite what the guy thinks is just a 320i. Also, it doesn't need a camshaft - likely just a broken rocker

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/mau/pts/4282094631.html

Edit: if it is a 320is don't say anything... $300 is the steal of the century. A mere part out for the desirable 320is parts is $1000-1500



I wonder what shipping to the east coast would be. Though I'd rather somehow store it in SoCal for when I move there in April.

[Hermes]

If you can get it to San Diego I have a place to store it for you

Edit: if you are moving here you need to make sure it's a 50 state car and not a 49 state version or it's gonna be a huge PITA to pass emissions. Send me a message and I'll help you out

[wertyu78]

If you can get it to San Diego I have a place to store it for you

Edit: if you are moving here you need to make sure it's a 50 state car and not a 49 state version or it's gonna be a huge PITA to pass emissions. Send me a message and I'll help you out

That's quite an offer! I appreciate that greatly.

First I have to figure out how I am going to get the ZHP to pass emissions.

[Hermes]

No problem. ZHP should be fine as long as you haven't done any crazy mods

[Hermes]

Next layer done. I just need to finish with the carpet and put it back in

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/13DE091C-DEF5-4C73-BC6D-CF20EFBBC075.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/D121FA3A-02BC-4CA4-B950-1E080B86514A.jpg

Backseat reinstalled
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/54333D6B-9133-4262-B085-890268066E5D.jpg

and I dropped off my old school Alpine to be tested, capacitors replaced, but also have all the LED's changed from green to orange
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/04410257-5C87-4CED-BB2F-75C770C77C8C.jpg

[johnrando]

:like

[PirateZHP]

Great job, JP!

[Hermes]

Thanks!

[ELCID86]

Looking great. I had no idea you could have a HU like that fixed. Where'd you take it?


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[Hermes]

Looking great. I had no idea you could have a HU like that fixed. Where'd you take it?

These guys are great, Scott told me that he did that same thing with another Alpine once for a customer with an 80s Porsche (even wired in Bluetooth), so I decided to give it a shot. He's testing it and will let me know later today if it's worth fixing it or not

http://www.lajollaaudio.com/

[Hornung418]

A Porsche w/o a BlauPunkt Radio is sacrilege!

JP the car is looking nice. Will you have added weight or lost weight after the deadening replacement?

Sent from my GS3.

[Hermes]

Hahaha, so do I have to source one of the shitty period correct BMW radios?

I added 4lbs, but I would've lost weight if I replicated the factory sound deadening. The added weight was the stuff I put under the backseat.

---

I replaced the straps on the Recaro's
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/22A30636-351E-4D1A-A42D-A413B94CE436.jpg

Recovered the parcel shelf, but with canvas instead of the carpet style original stuff
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/46CB726D-A551-4BC1-81C9-C2DBEC6E6DBF.jpg

Put 95% of the interior back together
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/F131A283-A370-4A34-8DE8-6E159862B455.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/F8354BA6-0437-4D27-9D62-26409296A7C0.jpg

[danewilson77]

Looking good JP.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[ELCID86]

Lookin awesome. I know you are psyched!

[Hermes]

Thanks!

[danewilson77]

De nada

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[toddness]

Loving all of it!

[cakM3]

Awesome job JP! Thanks for sending me a few text pics showing your awesome progress! :thumbsup Amazing work!

[Hermes]

Thanks gents!

[derbo]

I love the interior!

[Hermes]

Thanks Derek! I'm so happy I happened to stop by my buddies shop before anybody else saw that 320is, otherwise he probably would've forgot to tell me about it and it would've been sold

[derbo]

Wish we could always order cloth in BMW.. the .000001% of us who love it.

[Hornung418]

Haha the radio comment was funny. My 944 had one. The 928 had the equalizer right on the dash. I loved that.

JP, the car is looking phenomenal.

Sent from my GS3.

[Hermes]

Derek, I completely agree. If anything the herringbone is a super rare option and I was surprised to even find it. Usually you see either the Recaro's in black or brown vinyl, or a boring cloth.

Justin, thanks! It looks like I'm finally getting around to all the stuff we talked about when I first got the car and didn't want to spend the money on. Hahahaha...

[Hornung418]

Waiting for the coil over install pics...

Sent from my GS3.

[Hermes]

Hahaha, that's gonna have to wait until engine swap. The only E21 coilovers worth my time are GAZ out of England and I'm not gonna spend the money to have them shipped here when I plan on ditching the E21 suspension geometry altogether at some point in the future.

I will probably end up having TC Kline make me a custom setup as I will have E36 running gear up front and E28 in the back

[Hornung418]

E38s came with LSD? That's nice news. Still looking forward to the GAZ install.

Sent from my GS3.

[Hermes]

Hahaha

[Hermes]

Painted the throttle bracket
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/F1AEE556-9681-41D5-A805-B5D8DE872A71.jpg

I'm thinking about painting my mirrors... maybe just gloss black for now
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/A8ACC44E-2761-4E62-B7EE-3F9AD7608D9F.jpg

[Hermes]

I think Group 2 box flares might be necessary when I do the motor swap ;)

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o581/dumbclub/e21-bimmerforums/Bimmerforums-other/ScreenShot2013-05-24at95236AM_zps04b42801.png

Edit: this E30 M3 style box flare looks better!

http://imageshack.com/a/img376/4361/e21m3fc1.jpg

[johnrando]

:like

[cakM3]

I think Group 2 box flares might be necessary when I do the motor swap ;)

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o581/dumbclub/e21-bimmerforums/Bimmerforums-other/ScreenShot2013-05-24at95236AM_zps04b42801.png

JP I saw this and instantly liked it!
:like

[Hermes]

Thanks guys! I'm definitely favoring the bigger box flares but all this is still coming in the future

[derbo]

wow, that looks incredible.

I can't find any pics of my old boss' 320i he was planning to boost...besides this ugly pic.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t2KY5glJ40U/TiC3vTA2V2I/AAAAAAAABPw/5AX-7_XOpT4/w2552-h1440-no/2011-07-15_14-56-35_670.jpg

[Hermes]

wow, that looks incredible.

I can't find any pics of my old boss' 320i he was planning to boost...besides this ugly pic.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t2KY5glJ40U/TiC3vTA2V2I/AAAAAAAABPw/5AX-7_XOpT4/w2552-h1440-no/2011-07-15_14-56-35_670.jpg

Dude... freaking IMSA M12 powered car with Group 5 flares :drool

BTW, that should have a twin cam M12 pushing over 300hp if its the version I think it is (since you say it wasn't boosted)

Edit: Batmobile and E30 are dope as well!

[derbo]

I'm honestly not sure what the information on that 320i is because I rarely see it. It's usually overshadowed by the 3.0CSL and the E30 M3s and the M1 he has.. Well the M1 usually overshadows everything and I drool over that more than anything. If I recall, there is a motor he was building for boost but I am unsure of the details. The flares you posted reminded me of that car. :drool


edit:

another pic with barely a part of the front fender.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8IEW8PzycB4/Th3_4HKQ9WI/AAAAAAAABOg/UdQ95TcxkbQ/w2150-h1212-no/2011-07-13_13-27-42_567.jpg

[328ioc]

Omg box flares ftw.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

I'm honestly not sure what the information on that 320i is because I rarely see it. It's usually overshadowed by the 3.0CSL and the E30 M3s and the M1 he has.. Well the M1 usually overshadows everything and I drool over that more than anything. If I recall, there is a motor he was building for boost but I am unsure of the details. The flares you posted reminded me of that car. :drool


edit:

another pic with barely a part of the front fender.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8IEW8PzycB4/Th3_4HKQ9WI/AAAAAAAABOg/UdQ95TcxkbQ/w2150-h1212-no/2011-07-13_13-27-42_567.jpg

I actually know where to get a M12/7 - $15,000


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd-Oz3o2NHg
fast forward to 0:59 for gorgeous audio, but he does grenade his gearbox after the first few turns :(
The M1's fly by since they are pushing between 700 and 1000 hp depending on NA/FI

http://silodrome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/bmw320imsaturbo01gk5-1.jpg

some info about the E21's in racing
http://www.bmwe21.net/?page_id=496

[derbo]

:drool

Basically that project was never ending cause the M1 pro car showed up midway and it got left on the back burner to get the M1 setup..

[Hermes]

So I got a call from the stereo shop today... all the capacitors are worn out. Apparently Alpine used to have fish oil based caps back in the day that would eventually leak and destroy the board. It actually powered up but the audio quality was garbage. He will be replacing all the capacitors and converting all the lights to orange. He also said there might be a possibility of wiring in a module that tricks the head into thinking a CD changer is installed. This module will allow me to have aux in and Bluetooth functionality from my 23 year old head unit!

Cost will be $300 for capacitor replacement, $175 for light conversion, $275 for module ($750 total). This will cost me more to repair than the head unit cost new!

Well, technically if you count inflation in I'm in the black still. Alpine 7390 was over $600 in 1991, that equates to over $1000 today. If you don't count the "cd changer" module it actually only will cost me $575

[Avetiso]

So I got a call from the stereo shop today... all the capacitors are worn out. Apparently Alpine used to have fish oil based caps back in the day that would eventually leak and destroy the board. It actually powered up but the audio quality was garbage. He will be replacing all the capacitors and converting all the lights to orange. He also said there might be a possibility of wiring in a module that tricks the head into thinking a CD changer is installed. This module will allow me to have aux in and Bluetooth functionality from my 23 year old head unit!

Cost will be $300 for capacitor replacement, $175 for light conversion, $275 for module ($750 total). This will cost me more to repair than the head unit cost new!

Well, technically if you count inflation in I'm in the black still. Alpine 7390 was over $600 in 1991, that equates to over $1000 today. If you don't count the "cd changer" module it actually only will cost me $575
Dude, find an engineering student who knows amplifiers. He'll fix your stereo for much cheaper and can find you some of the best caps for audio quality. He can do all that other work as well. You'd save a boat load and you'd get a better product in the end.

[Hermes]

Dude, find an engineering student who knows amplifiers. He'll fix your stereo for much cheaper and can find you some of the best caps for audio quality. He can do all that other work as well. You'd save a boat load and you'd get a better product in the end.

No way, these are too rare to give it to an engineering student to see if he can figure it out for me. This guy is an official Alpine dealer and has been working on these since they were brand new. Sometimes it's worth paying for the quality that you get in the end.

This was the top of the line unit at the time, and in perfect shape mine will be worth more than $1000 to the right buyer... but I'm not selling.

[Avetiso]

No way, these are too rare to give it to an engineering student to see if he can figure it out for me. This guy is an official Alpine dealer and has been working on these since they were brand new. Sometimes it's worth paying for the quality that you get in the end.
At least have him upgrade the caps? It'd be a shame to waste an opportunity to upgrade.

[Hermes]

At least have him upgrade the caps? It'd be a shame to waste an opportunity to upgrade.

They are being upgraded, I'm not paying $300 for stock capacitors. He won't even do that. His reputation is for top of the line quality, so that's all he does.

It's like Maaco single stage paint vs top of the line 30 layer paint

[Avetiso]

They are being upgraded, I'm not paying $300 for stock capacitors. He won't even do that. His reputation is for top of the line quality, so that's all he does.

It's like Maaco single stage paint vs top of the line 30 layer paint
Oh, okay. I thought he was just rebuilding it to stock.

On another note, about that video of the Gruppe 5 320i... what did he do to his gearbox? Didn't exactly see a bad shift... maybe it was hard to see.

[Hermes]

The syncro's on those early boxes are extremely fragile

[derbo]

man I can't even imagine how those caps look from back in the day! What kind of capacitors are they putting in?

[Hermes]

I don't even want to see a pic, but supposedly they weren't too bad looking and didn't mess up the board.

I don't know what caps they put in, I guess I can ask when he calls me in a few days to tell me it's done

[derbo]

I'm curious. The inner EE in me wants to know haha. Thanks JP.

[Hermes]

I'll ask them when they call me ;)

[cakM3]

No way, these are too rare to give it to an engineering student to see if he can figure it out for me. This guy is an official Alpine dealer and has been working on these since they were brand new. Sometimes it's worth paying for the quality that you get in the end.

This was the top of the line unit at the time, and in perfect shape mine will be worth more than $1000 to the right buyer... but I'm not selling.

So true....can't wait to see the results JP! :thumbsup

[Hermes]

Thanks Charlie!

Well, looks like my E30 water pump/fan idea isn't gonna work. I'll just use the stock fan until I get around to engine swap

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/7286AA29-6CAF-4FE6-924F-FFCE3C9BB8D3.jpg

[Hermes]

Derek, I asked him today about your question. The stock capacitors were Elna "red sleeve" as he called them. He is replacing them with Panasonic capacitors as supposedly the units of that same time period that had those caps installed have no issues.

Also, the $300 is not only for replacing the caps but also to rebuild the tape deck.

[derbo]

thats not bad of a price!

http://www.hificollective.co.uk/components/elna_capacitors.html

They are probably the older version of these. * Red gloss sleeve with gold markings (non-ROHS)

[Hermes]

Spoiler arrived

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/A1376743-E29C-4DEA-9214-D492EE025237.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/8AAD5478-5BD8-4FB4-93EC-F4CA92AB5295_1.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/A09DB5F5-7CA8-45C2-A380-0C4CBDE58B4B_1.jpg

Bought Top End Performance rear brace/battery box & intake

http://www.racetep.com/zuche21.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/6BE2B565-944F-4A0E-AE0D-43D1F39A6A60.jpg

Bought period Ground Control front brace

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/08FB5C9A-CC26-4267-85AD-1B90F289E373.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/869099BB-238F-4ADC-94EF-4F25CCA7801D.jpg

Bought NOS Koni's, #86-1957 front and #80-2330 rear (should arrive tomorrow, pics later)

;)

[derbo]

I can't believe it somehow ended up with you anyways! (GC Bar)

[Hermes]

I can't believe it somehow ended up with you anyways! (GC Bar)

Me too, LOL!


(So everybody understands, this was on CL up by Derek. I sent him a message to see if he would grab and ship it to me, but it sold before the guy responded to him. Seems like it was meant to be mine!)

[johnrando]

Whoa, nice!

[Hermes]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/09123FAC-4E53-41D6-8674-0C9EAEEF3851.jpg

[JupiterBMW]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/6BE2B565-944F-4A0E-AE0D-43D1F39A6A60.jpg


Original BMW accessories poster in the background... Showing the strut bar for our car... How do I get you to ship that to me? What's it gonna take?? :biggrin


Oh, car and parts look good too. :thumbsup

[Hermes]

Original BMW accessories poster in the background... Showing the strut bar for our car... How do I get you to ship that to me? What's it gonna take?? :biggrin


Oh, car and parts look good too. :thumbsup

Not gonna happen :p

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/CCB263F4-255A-4EF5-9712-8AF0EFB449F3-555-00000049D90C3FBB.jpg

I have both parts, and the car in the poster is blue...


Thanks!

[JupiterBMW]

Not gonna happen :p

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/CCB263F4-255A-4EF5-9712-8AF0EFB449F3-555-00000049D90C3FBB.jpg

I have both parts, and the car in the poster is blue...


Thanks!

Eh, its all lighting... The car is actually alpine white. Maybe your monitor settings are off??

I can haz?? One miiiiillliiiiooooonnn dollars!!!

[Hermes]

Eh, its all lighting... The car is actually alpine white. Maybe your monitor settings are off??

I can haz?? One miiiiillliiiiooooonnn dollars!!!

I looked up the VIN (it's clear in person), car is Le Mans IIRC


BTW, your buddy has the sister poster with the wheels

[gmurphy]

Eh, its all lighting... The car is actually alpine white. Maybe your monitor settings are off??

I can haz?? One miiiiillliiiiooooonnn dollars!!!

I'll pay double that :rofl


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JupiterBMW]

I looked up the VIN (it's clear in person), car is Le Mans IIRC


BTW, your buddy has the sister poster with the wheels

Yeah, I like the engine one better... And only guys like us would VIN search a poster... :rofl

[Hermes]

This is my favorite E46 poster I have

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/AFE6FF81-3353-4BE7-9E2E-D9D2F3FA34EB.jpg

[JupiterBMW]

Then you should definitely send the other one to me.

[Hermes]

Still not happening, make friends at the dealer and ask to look at their old posters ;)


That reminds me... I need to stop at the dealer soon


Edit: I have >3000 views on a project that is generally considered the bastard child of the marquee, hahahahaha...

[328ioc]

Edit: I have >3000 views on a project that is generally considered the bastard child of the marquee, hahahahaha...

Because you are actually making it awesome.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[johnrando]

That's pretty cool. BTW, since you're not sending it to Joop, you can send the poster to me. :biggrin. I'll definitely stop by the dealer to see what they have, good idea.

[cakM3]

Still not happening, make friends at the dealer and ask to look at their old posters ;)

I'll have to stop over at my dealers and ask if they have any old E46 posters they want to get rid of......great idea JP! In fact, I'll do just that today after work ;)

[gmurphy]

I'll have to stop over at my dealers and ask if they have any old E46 posters they want to get rid of......great idea JP! In fact, I'll do just that today after work ;)

Ha I sent my parts guy an email asking the same thing. Hope they find some stuff!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

Getting there...

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/84E650E1-5445-49F4-8694-0CF86BE22A58.jpg

[Hermes]

A side conversation regarding my ZHP has helped me complete the tool kit for this car. See the blue polishing cloth from my E32?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/330Ci%20Mysticblau/0E5D97CF-8828-4013-899F-7DBDD04FFD66.jpg

my new to me E21 big tool kit (still no tools yet)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/6E7FE053-2CE8-439F-9285-44B2D5F62F28.jpg

pic of a complete kit (see bottom right)

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/tt267/5280JB/M6ToolKit.jpg

My buddy thinks he might have a full set of tools, he's gonna check for me.

I also picked up a pair of strut tubes from my dismantler buddy so I can build my front suspension beforehand and just swap the old school Suspension Technique springs over.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/AFE8B1BD-46BE-4E31-AD3D-E0EA31C71691.jpg

Will disassemble, strip and repaint. After that step I will be installing new hub, new wheel bearings, new rotors, new dust discs, new upper mounts, new spring pads, E21 Koni's, new bump stops, and new dust boots. I will only have to unbolt the other strut tube, transfer the ST springs, and then bolt everything back together.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/033FF6BE-0686-4249-AA39-90E889CB87C3.jpg

New motor mounts

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/06DA744E-7E57-43B4-99ED-EECB58528BF0.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/2A4D4FD9-62F2-41E4-B7F7-0D6A707BF713.jpg

new water pump and hardware

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/D2ADCD5E-5293-4F45-8722-AFA15888AE8E.jpg

new alternator bracket and hardware

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/F9D1D816-8159-4DBA-871D-B5FD7322B18C.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/CE4BDD83-D713-4E64-987B-0848FD3C3DA9.jpg

Current progress : cap/rotor/plugs, starter, WUR, WP, coolant pipe, oil filter housing, alternator bracket installed, and test fit of Ground Control Strut brace

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/27BE83F2-893D-458F-9874-68BC33AA82B1.jpg

Still need to do some stuff to get it on the road...

[Hornung418]

12898

Nice updates, JP!

[danewilson77]

Apparently the gif master tonight :)

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

hahahahaha!!!

Thanks! If you couldn't tell yet from my assorted projects, my philosophy is that it's better to do it right than not do it at all.

I really want this to be one of the nicest E21's around as they are the kinda hated bastard child of the 3 series. Everybody just glosses over them and jumps to E30 :(

Time will tell how it turns out, but I think the E21 is gonna be the next car people want to start collecting. If that's the case I will have already horded a bunch of dope old school parts that will just appreciate in value :)

[Hornung418]

You just provided an opportunity for me to post it. It was from today's earthquake. They were doing the news. That was his initial reaction. It's just too perfect, his charisma is unique.

[Hermes]

Sourced 323i front calipers

[johnrando]

Noice!

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

[derbo]

Frankenstein is awesome

[Hermes]

Thanks gents!

[az3579]

Sorry JP but if the E30 is already starting to appreciate in value as a collector car but the E21 hasn't yet, I don't think it's going to. lol

Regardless, yours will be one of the nicest ones around when you're done with it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

They actually have started to appreciate, but going from $1000 to $2000 is not as exciting to see as M3's ridiculous prices despite similar percentage increase ;)

[Hermes]

I'm tired...

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/D5FF9172-1CF6-4A07-A190-7D5D0550AB74.png

[Hermes]

Euro bumpers ;)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/B0BCB3B6-F0B7-43F5-9112-B6C10D3E45B6.jpg

[cakM3]

creen that rust JP........

[Hermes]

They'll get rechromed, finding them at a reasonable price was the bigger issue

[Hermes]

Got the carrying case for my Alpine

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/4D00C6D7-8B37-4C6A-9C73-16DDB2F04409.jpg

[derbo]

JP,

I just went to GMCC open house this morning and had a brief glance again at my old boss' 320i.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7nFMMu1Yik8/Uy3hlpUuKNI/AAAAAAAAHBY/_iH19i_K_xU/w1264-h1686-no/2014-03-22

I love this one..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JNIZO8U6RAo/Uy3bbxAOtPI/AAAAAAAAHAs/lt0TLYz_ZnQ/w2248-h1686-no/2014-03-22

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RDKzJYMBqOU/Uy3aNn_j2UI/AAAAAAAAHBo/zXng_EUQ8ws/w2248-h1686-no/IMG_0016.JPG


end photobomb.

[Hermes]

Are those Ronal's on the turbo?

[derbo]

Unsure.

https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t31.0-8/10003724_10203454555781809_1716208536_o.jpg

https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/1973520_10203454556101817_19838029_o.jpg

[Hermes]

Jesus, I couldn't see in the other pic but those are rare as hell... those look to be the 3 piece magnesium Ronal Racing Turbo's

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/12601941244_761f776f4e_b.jpg

[Hermes]

Decided to clean up the core support before putting it back together. You can see the 'persuading' I had to do in order to make the early euro valence fit.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/66CACD57-903B-4F82-98CC-DBAEE1374AB5.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/8382B019-5690-4ADE-9AD7-E248062D21BD.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/2725E838-C93B-4947-98BB-FCC536BF8D9D.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/144EA9EA-9CFF-4FEB-AAAC-245303B6AEFD.jpg

^lighting provided by E46 AL Bi-Xenon (I was aiming them while the paint dried between coats)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/18C0FD60-B7B6-4E61-A4E8-7253D2371214.jpg

It's fine for now, I just wanted to clean up the surface rust and have some measure of rust prevention until I actually paint the car.

[Avetiso]

Looks good

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[danewilson77]

Looks great.

[Hermes]

Thanks guys!

[derbo]

Great work JP.

[wertyu78]

Keep up the good work. I'd love to see the car in person. I'll be in SoCal permanently next month.


Sent from my iPhone

[derbo]

Time for some donuts with JP! ;)

[Hermes]

^hahaha... needs more power first (or shittier tires)

Almost done
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/55E8B199-9A11-4835-AF06-80301BC9FFC3.jpg

Edit: rearranged the injector lines, #4 was blocking the mixture adjustment

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/305FA2C8-8B7A-4B7E-9F01-D5B2710BBB09.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/BC598D2B-593E-414C-A922-A85DF7D73C95.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/29A7876D-1D01-4843-A27C-6EE8999A6A6A.jpg

better, but not perfect (that's #3)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/DDBEDE16-AE0E-4177-B1BD-F3C9FE873377.jpg

In case you're wondering what the old sticker on the cover over the blower is, it's bolt torquing order

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/DFF20514-C8C2-405E-BCEC-ACDB0CAE2986.jpg

[Hermes]

She's back...

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/FBCD2687-E3E5-44A4-B535-510968214DB9.jpg

[PirateZHP]

NICE! Looks great!

[Hermes]

Thanks!

---

323i calipers/vented discs

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/BAAF3F05-0C8A-485C-B69E-8F289294438D_1.jpg

Passenger mirror delete plate

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/41346C95-CD0C-4E40-AB9B-38111B238923.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/5F7F168D-AFE6-46F1-A58C-890EDD51651F.jpg

[Hermes]

Well, the Zender isn't for E21... it's too wide. I walked up and tested it on the M5, fits perfect. I guess I need to sell it to an E24 or E28 guy

[johnrando]

Awesome. What's next?

[Hermes]

I need to find a BBS spoiler I guess

[Hermes]

Suspension still needs to be done http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/5378A78D-F940-46FB-9C52-1038BA07DC97.jpg

New squirter pump
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/09DAF438-0025-48FD-8306-E4F9576F6F47.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/F8E719C9-A4B1-4BF6-AE7C-FAB75DD24F1C.jpg

New vapor barrier
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/2C3357F8-EBF9-4B4F-81EF-EB0F2EE09E7C_1.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/7718375D-0A6A-4BB1-8B9D-3DA0DBCF2151_1.jpg

Euro wide angle lens
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/87E9602E-5EB1-41AB-9C45-F43A57A2DDB5.jpg

Passenger mirror delete
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/C77CAA18-7BC8-4B29-9C68-35A0C676043F.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/617969F8-94F4-4B8A-9E46-BCD913564C58.jpg

Drivers side mirror delete
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/E8E2318A-7691-4D01-A1AC-ADA64BA028F5.jpg

Euro turn signals
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/8301E9D5-2D11-489A-9DA7-32FF46E189CB.jpg

[328ioc]

Pictures don't work.....it says you exceeded your bandwidth. Lol

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Hornung418]

Tons of cool updates!!

[Hermes]

Pictures don't work.....it says you exceeded your bandwidth. Lol

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Yeah, I'm popular apparently. I upgraded to unlimited bandwidth so they should work now


Tons of cool updates!!

Thanks!

[328ioc]

Yeah, I'm popular apparently. I upgraded to unlimited bandwidth so they should work now



Thanks!

No go yet...and I wanna see! Lol


Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Avetiso]

Nice, JP! Whipping that car into shape.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

No go yet...and I wanna see! Lol


Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Clear your cache


Nice, JP! Whipping that car into shape.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

Thanks!

[328ioc]

Excellence. Car looks great.

I will admit I never really liked E21s till I saw this project.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

Excellence. Car looks great.

I will admit I never really liked E21s till I saw this project.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Thanks!

Most people don't because they look like this:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1050726.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1050744.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/P1050730.jpg

But I knew its potential...

http://www.bmwe21.net/E21_editionM.jpg

or

http://files.bmwclassic.nl/E21/JPS/jps2.jpg

http://www.bmwe21fansclub.it/public/upload/E21bis/323JPS.jpg

or

http://www.bmwe21fansclub.it/public/upload/E21/320procarAtaant.jpg

http://www.bmwe21fansclub.it/public/upload/E21/320procarAtapost.jpg

http://www.bmwe21fansclub.it/public/upload/E21/320procar3.jpg

[328ioc]

Yes exactly!!!

You also make me very tempted to buy a project E30.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

Turn signals installed

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/4C3DEBC3-8E0B-4A0E-B4E1-D48CF748B248.jpg

[gmurphy]

Turn signals installed

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/4C3DEBC3-8E0B-4A0E-B4E1-D48CF748B248.jpg

Awesome work! But let's get that US bumper on! It looks so much better. Just kidding.. :) :roundel


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[brettbimmer]

Looks great JP!

Devlin, any older BMW project car can be pricey. My former E30 project got just a little out of control.

Sent from my pineapple under the sea.

[Hermes]

Awesome work! But let's get that US bumper on! It looks so much better. Just kidding.. :) :roundel


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! I'll pass on the US bumper, it's busy right now doing something else and can't be bothered. Now I just need to find some time to make brackets and order the bolts for the corners...

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/774F0A2A-AA95-470D-97A7-E78D7A549F91.jpg


Looks great JP!

Devlin, any older BMW project car can be pricey. My former E30 project got just a little out of control.

Sent from my pineapple under the sea.

Thanks Brett!

I have to say I totally agree with the comment of how expensive an older Bimmer can be. I have easily spent hundreds of percent more on both old cars than they initially cost me to buy. Spend more at the start for a project where somebody has either got bored or ran out of money, but did it right. Personally I like working from a clean slate so I can modify how I want... but that means more work and $$$ in the long run

[Hermes]

See, the front bumper has the very important job of holding the tarp down on the 75

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/A3016A86-CDD5-4F5F-8A5E-0234E234CD90.jpg

E46 battery cable

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/D3D86BF4-A145-420C-AD4D-4FD8148BB4F4.jpg

I still need to install the rear brace and weld in a ground point

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/4A673FAF-3D67-45B3-8D28-C02454C884D5.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/EFFDD09B-A094-4517-936C-AFA5EEF13E48.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/213187DB-A668-423A-97EC-423A7707E167.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/5FF1D90E-F04D-4A2E-8E22-FF3E7849DB17.jpg

Some pics

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/D0905495-D952-4BC3-BBB6-8C6A63B9298D.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/BFE4BB6B-9B5E-4B27-ACAA-B11173FF7E47.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/55D5732E-0BBE-45DD-BB4B-543F1A1095A9.jpg

[Hermes]

Euro tach finally arrived from Germany

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/7ACFB307-CE0D-421C-BA9A-E8493C24B344.jpg

[328ioc]

:like

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

Car wouldn't pass smog, so I have to tinker with it but here are some updates:

Front euro bumper
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/GOPR2435.jpg

Magnaflow muffler, ANSA tip
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/FE6ED5F2-5960-4D15-AC2F-18FAAC35CC37.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/EDD8338A-3A4E-4A42-A140-68C6291F8A70.jpg

Relocated plate, painted lower valence black
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/72CF988F-A144-42EE-BA3B-B693FB11BA9F.jpg

Rear euro bumper
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/F7650162-F899-460A-B366-62D15472C862.jpg

323i rear trailing arms complete with disc conversion, rebuilt the calipers
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/ED5C8BBE-F732-4A61-96DA-274B8480ECD5.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/FAE47D30-3ACA-49D5-A92C-68FF5CAF1E84.jpg

BBS front spoiler
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/5E8B2A87-84EC-4104-ADE5-DB43ECDF3826.jpg

heckblende
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/E4137195-5BD9-4B8D-AC02-D9337492F614.jpg

bought the rest of the BBS body kit, should arrive soon so I can get it painted
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/49CAED23-6053-4A58-AD90-86FB7948E97C.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/86F0D528-F35D-43B2-A6EA-8E7FBB612A3C.jpg


323i AFM for when I rebuild it as a 9.3:1 2012cc powerplant, still need to find an E12 throttle body to pair it with
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/CB076C8F-5F7A-4E81-B66D-C737DFD4495E.jpg

[Avetiso]

Must be a ton of fun sourcing all these parts from different places.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

It actually is great, it's part of the game you play when you own old cars. The hunt is very fun!

[derbo]

It was ridiculous for that rear trunk piece!

[Hermes]

Yeah, that one was stressful

[Hermes]

Well, I figured out what's wrong with my afm...

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/2F553A09-E052-4473-81F5-489447B92799.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/F1BCCC24-9F4A-4E3E-9DCC-5BB20E3A8399.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/62DC6125-642C-48F1-8D39-2B8E31CE1740.jpg

since one side is broken the arm has shifted and therefore isn't sitting correct. I'll have to see if I can get a new one

edit: this is a Volvo AFM, but to give you an idea of how they work

http://www.k-jet.org/img/articles/diagrams/airflowsensor3.jpg

I need #6

http://www.k-jet.org/img/articles/diagrams/airflowsensor4.jpg

[Hermes]

Just got a text from Carl, he has a brand new afm for me!

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/9A108441-E5B7-4DC4-9EF5-7F04EDEB87C0.jpg

[Hermes]

Still running funny, will try to adjust the valves. Thinking seriously about converting to E30 L-Jetronic (EFI) so I can be done with all these performance restrictions that come with the E21 setup

Also, today I received the body kit. I assumed it was BBS but it in fact is an old school Zender, not a copy. Not sure what the spoiler is, looks slightly different than is/es

14742

[Hermes]

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/8791F4BC-A328-4F05-A1DC-A8199770D361.jpg

[Hornung418]

Is the bumper supposed to have a dip in it? And what color is everything going to be painted?

Sent from my GS3.

[Hermes]

No, the bumper is damaged. I have to reshape it but I just haven't had time to play with it. Kit will be painted opalgrun

[Hornung418]

No, the bumper is damaged. I have to reshape it but I just haven't had time to play with it. Kit will be painted opalgrun

:like

Sent from my GS3.

[Hermes]

Well, I decided to give up on K-Jet

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/2673BF45-F221-4813-B86B-AD9FE1669F1B.jpg

E30 M10B18 L-Jetronic, from 84-85 318i

I am also going to modify the engine before I install: 2012cc, 284 Schrick, 9.5:1, Volvo MAF and ECU, M50 injectors

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/BB9171FD-25EB-4B42-8BEB-8DE328F6F339.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/93255890-F55B-47AA-B1C3-085DE9B4CD45.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/7AB31B40-617E-4C0E-B3C8-AB7B6A3B6DEB.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/86A938AF-1A80-430F-AF92-124685713F4E.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/144839F5-A165-4537-81B1-42AA7F908159.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/21B12302-4445-4214-8B52-046F07CB9948.jpg

It's not pretty, but I've seen worse

[Avetiso]

I love how all of these parts from different manufacturers work together.

[Hermes]

Yeah, but Volvo is the only other company that really works since they also ran Bosch fuel injection with a 4cyl.

The MAF and ECU came from a 1987 740 GLE (8v head), but I theoretically can get the stuff from a 16v car if I wanted to use a S14 head, or I can get the stuff from a 740 Turbo if I wanted to go FI.

I'll just stay with the low key, yet more efficient setup that I am planning. If only I could find a 1975 320 that I can go crazy on :(

[Hermes]

Found a 318 at the junkyard... engine harness, fuel rail, and some assorted crap (not pictured) = $20

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/FDD2DD29-9D45-467E-820F-6FEE00463F66.jpg

[Hornung418]

Nice haul!!

Sent from my GS3.

[Johnmadd]

E30 318is late model?

[Johnmadd]

E30 318is late model?

If so that is probably the perfect engine for that car :thumbsup

[Hermes]

No. 84-85 318i. M4x requires quite a bit of work, and I would need approval for the swap. If I'm gonna do that much work I'll wait until I get around to the Z3 M52 swap.

If I wanted a 16v I would rather do this:

14904

...but I don't want to deal with the rebuild costs.

My M10B18 2.0 will have more than enough performance (prob nearly the same as a stock M42) until I buy a Z3 donor and mess around with that engine

[Johnmadd]

No. 84-85 318i. M4x requires quite a bit of work, and I would need approval for the swap. If I'm gonna do that much work I'll wait until I get around to the Z3 M52 swap.

If I wanted a 16v I would rather do this:

14904

...but I don't want to deal with the rebuild costs.

My M10B18 2.0 will have more than enough performance (prob nearly the same as a stock M42) until I buy a Z3 donor and mess around with that engine

Understood. So no m20 either huh?

[Hermes]

Nah, M20 is too heavy (and I don't like timing belts). I briefly thought of that since the E21 came with a 2.0 or 2.3 M20 but quickly decided it was not for me.

If you scroll back through the thread you will see pics of M20 vs M52 alloy block on scales. The weight and performance are both in favor of the Z3 engine.

Edit: I briefly thought of using my a S38B38 that my buddy has, but decided that is WAY too heavy

[wertyu78]

Nah, M20 is too heavy (and I don't like timing belts). I briefly thought of that since the E21 came with a 2.0 or 2.3 M20 but quickly decided it was not for me.

If you scroll back through the thread you will see pics of M20 vs M52 alloy block on scales. The weight and performance are both in favor of the Z3 engine.

Edit: I briefly thought of using my a S38B38 that my buddy has, but decided that is WAY too heavy

K20 w/ K24 bottom end. Done!

[Hermes]

K20 w/ K24 bottom end. Done!

No VTEC

Edit: I don't really even like VANOS

[Hermes]

I hate when I see something that makes me want to spend ungodly amounts of money

15228

Maybe after the next smog cycle ;)

[cakM3]

I hate when I see something that makes me want to spend ungodly amounts of money

15228

Maybe after the next smog cycle ;)

:drool

[Hermes]

Bought

15272

[Hornung418]

Bought

15272

Sealed H4s? Can you get clears for the indicators?

Sent from my GS3.

[Hermes]

Not sealed, euro 7" H4 w/city lights. I like my ambers, and I will now have 3 sets of euro turn signals

http://www.bbsrszone.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Green_BMW_E21_Gold_BBS_RS.jpg

Edit:

http://www.bmwe21register.com/bmwimages/772_5.jpg

http://files.bmwclassic.nl/E21/JPS/jps4.jpg

[Hornung418]

Lol thats the same diameter of the 944 pop ups. I will be upgrading them if I get one. Still waiting for the seller to email...sent three of them!

RE: indicators, did they offer a clear option? Or is that a custom job?

That JPS looks scary. Those rear wheels are massive!

Sent from my GS3.

[Hermes]

Yeah, 7" is the the standard size for a lot of cars back in the day, 02 is the same.

I have seen clears, but I think it's something that has been produced recently. I don't remember seeing cars with clears in any 80s pictures.

The turbo cars were definitely interesting and I love them for how scary they really are. That JPS car has 16" fronts and 17" rears and boost hit at 5000rpm (actually, that car might have 15" fronts, hard to tell)

[derbo]

stay amber JP. :)

[328ioc]

Love it JP.

Love the JPS as well. Probably one of the top 5 liveries.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Hermes]

^Thanks guys.

Headlights arrived today, I'll try to deal with them tomorrow. Gonna try to drive the car to Big SoCal Euro on Sunday. I think I'm just gonna put them in for now as they will work right away as headlights, I will just need to wire up the city lights at some point. I think I'm gonna try to find some SEV Marchal's also but that's gonna be interesting as they have long been gone (the current company with their name is not the same).

I have decided also to finally deal with my speedometer. I have procured another 85 mph one to temporarily use. I will be sending the original one from my car and the pre-facelift 120 mph one I have (but is for a 3.64 diff) to North Hollywood Speedometer to be recalibrated for the pre-facelift face and my different from stock tire/wheel size.

The 85mph one is about 10% optimistic at the moment, but that keeps me out of trouble. This modification will not only allow me to accurately know my speed, but I will actually be able to know speeds over 80 mph (actual) as anything over 80 is usually pegged at the top of the gauge.

Unfortunately for me, Carl actually found on a shelf a brand new 220 kph gauge that I can't use it as it's for a 4.11 diff car. Oh well, my accurate and reconditioned 120 mph 3.91 diff speedo will be more than fine.

[johnrando]

looks great JP!

[Hermes]

Thanks John!

I guess I should update:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/320i/280AA1E5-0EDD-4F7C-8EAA-2BDD48D58325.jpg

[Johnmadd]

:drool

[danewilson77]

:drool

+1

The friendliest forum on the planet.

[Hermes]

My plan for this weekend is hopefully doing 323 brake conversion. I merely need to:

*paint strut tubes and trailing arms
*rebuild all 4 wheel bearings
*remove stock struts and trailing arms complete
*take ST springs off current suspension and install onto the new Koni setup
*build Koni/ST suspension including 5/8 degree fixed camber plates up front
*hopefully Koni's are set right because Specials have to be adjusted at full compression
*install everything
*do complete brake job with installation of new hoses, rebuilt calipers, rotors
*install ebrake cables & adjust
*bleed everything
*test and adjust as needed

[Hornung418]

Busy Friday!

Sent from my GS3.

[derbo]

Good luck JP. That is one big list! I hate adjusting the dampening on specials. Lol

sent from Moto X Dev Edition