1991 318is from California on wide 15's

grippymonkey · 08-28-2011, 09:00 PM

current look:

I've wanted to start a thread for a little bit now, but I told myself I'd hold off until I installed a few parts to have the car looking decent. I started this project beginning of the summer, and my goal was to have it at least lowered on some wheels by the end of the summer. This is my third E30 so I knew right off what I needed to start in on. This is my first 318is though. All the work so far has been done in my own garage. I have a lot more I want to do, but this is how things are currently going!

When it first showed up. The paint was stained and dirty, but otherwise a clean stock base to work with.

Chemical Guys products to get things started.

Now this is how it should look. I had to work pretty hard on the paint since it has never really been detailed or cleaned the way it should.

Ricer mod that actually made a little difference. I used to have to shift back and forth between 4th and 5th to make it up the California grapevine pass into LA county. After the intake I could cruise in 5th the whole way. I am going to extend the piping close to the front grill maybe this week and remove the box.

Factory brake ducts are a plus

from a R3V member

Oh my... what do we have here? Soon soon

Some of the suspension parts here. There's even Camaro stuff in there haha.

Bought a new "i" lip since there was no factory lip when I got the car. I'd love an "is" lip but there is now way I could clear my driveway with one.

fenders all rolled with a slight pull

last look at the wheels before they go to E30 heaven

The first drive after I installed the suspension, wheels and tires.

Really heavy grimy oem style battery

Lightweight battery installed which saved somewhere close to 30lbs.

A few snaps from today....

yobless · 08-28-2011, 09:26 PM

Nice work...car looks great.

Teaguer · 08-28-2011, 09:38 PM

Looking good and great progress so far.

Not a fan of the black (gunmetal?) wheels personally but thats just my personal taste.
Are they Rota RB's?

freeride53 · 08-28-2011, 11:27 PM

Great progress.
I want these wheels now, in polished finish.

///digitalme · 08-28-2011, 11:36 PM

Nice to see more 318is's

grippymonkey · 08-29-2011, 08:47 AM

Thanks guys!

Kershaw · 08-29-2011, 08:56 AM

looks great!

gverelli · 08-29-2011, 12:12 PM

Clean, I need to get me one of those lightweight batteries

Pantless Spency · 08-29-2011, 01:47 PM

wow great work that thing is aggressive looking

more please!!! haha.

grippymonkey · 08-30-2011, 07:27 AM

^ Thanks! Hopefully soon I can get some more shots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gverelli

Clean, I need to get me one of those lightweight batteries

Do it! It'll cost you like $70-80 for the battery and $15 for the nice terminals to make it work on a car. I just used a cheap $5 mount with some double sided 3m on the bottom of the battery, and a little drilling in the old battery tray to make it stay put. I just happened to have a brand new one off a Buell I was riding that happens to be the one all the track guys use for their cars.

x17x · 08-30-2011, 07:43 AM

Looking good mate...

---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-32.036687,115.998562

grippymonkey · 08-30-2011, 07:40 PM

^ thanks man! wish you could make it to cali for the WFC meet next month

Mr Mpower · 08-31-2011, 01:45 PM

your battery is from buell motorcycle?
i need to find one of those!
like this?
http://cgi.ebay.es/Bateria-battery-B...item2eb2b05697

blunttech · 08-31-2011, 02:12 PM

love it Nice work

grippymonkey · 08-31-2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Mpower

your battery is from buell motorcycle?
i need to find one of those!
like this?
http://cgi.ebay.es/Bateria-battery-B...item2eb2b05697

I don't know about that one. Mine is from Deka. They make Braille racing batteries for cars also. If you do not start your car often or if you leave it out in the cold weather chances are you will have starting issues with a lightweight battery over time. Just think of how weak a motorcycle battery can get after a short while of not riding. Now think that the same battery that was in the motorcycle has to crank your car motor.

08-28-2011, 09:00 PM	#1
grippymonkey Mod Crazy Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Inglewood Posts: 757	1991 318is from California on wide 15's current look: I've wanted to start a thread for a little bit now, but I told myself I'd hold off until I installed a few parts to have the car looking decent. I started this project beginning of the summer, and my goal was to have it at least lowered on some wheels by the end of the summer. This is my third E30 so I knew right off what I needed to start in on. This is my first 318is though. All the work so far has been done in my own garage. I have a lot more I want to do, but this is how things are currently going! When it first showed up. The paint was stained and dirty, but otherwise a clean stock base to work with. Chemical Guys products to get things started. Now this is how it should look. I had to work pretty hard on the paint since it has never really been detailed or cleaned the way it should. Ricer mod that actually made a little difference. I used to have to shift back and forth between 4th and 5th to make it up the California grapevine pass into LA county. After the intake I could cruise in 5th the whole way. I am going to extend the piping close to the front grill maybe this week and remove the box. Factory brake ducts are a plus from a R3V member Oh my... what do we have here? Soon soon Some of the suspension parts here. There's even Camaro stuff in there haha. Bought a new "i" lip since there was no factory lip when I got the car. I'd love an "is" lip but there is now way I could clear my driveway with one. fenders all rolled with a slight pull last look at the wheels before they go to E30 heaven The first drive after I installed the suspension, wheels and tires. Really heavy grimy oem style battery Lightweight battery installed which saved somewhere close to 30lbs. A few snaps from today.... __________________ GRIPPY'SGARAGE Last edited by grippymonkey; 06-12-2012 at 02:45 PM.. Reason: title*

08-28-2011, 09:26 PM	#2
yobless Grease Monkey Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Griffith Park Posts: 363	Nice work...car looks great. __________________

08-28-2011, 09:38 PM	#3
Teaguer R3V OG Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dallas , TX Posts: 6,177 Images: 365	Looking good and great progress so far. Not a fan of the black (gunmetal?) wheels personally but thats just my personal taste. Are they Rota RB's? __________________ E30 M3 / E30 325is / E34 525iT / E34 535i

08-28-2011, 11:27 PM	#4
freeride53 R3V OG Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: La Jolla, CA (school) & SF Bay, CA (home) Posts: 9,607 Images: 72	Great progress. I want these wheels now, in polished finish. __________________ //M42 GOON-SQUAD - while the rich kids' drivin' benz, i'm just tryna hold onto my surviving friends.

08-28-2011, 11:36 PM	#5
///digitalme E30 Mastermind Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: santa ana ca Posts: 1,949	Nice to see more 318is's __________________ 91 318is......(current dd)

08-29-2011, 08:47 AM	#6
grippymonkey Mod Crazy Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Inglewood Posts: 757	Thanks guys! __________________ GRIPPY'S*GARAGE

08-29-2011, 08:56 AM	#7
Kershaw R3V OG Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: MD Posts: 8,756	looks great! __________________ “In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.” -- Carl Sagan

08-29-2011, 12:12 PM	#8
gverelli Mod Crazy Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada. Posts: 765	Clean, I need to get me one of those lightweight batteries __________________ G.Verelli

08-30-2011, 07:43 AM	#11
x17x Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: australia Posts: 131	Looking good mate... --- I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-32.036687,115.998562

08-30-2011, 07:40 PM	#12
grippymonkey Mod Crazy Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Inglewood Posts: 757	^ thanks man! wish you could make it to cali for the WFC meet next month __________________ GRIPPY'S*GARAGE

08-31-2011, 01:45 PM	#13
Mr Mpower Noobie Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: spain Posts: 16	your battery is from buell motorcycle? i need to find one of those! like this? http://cgi.ebay.es/Bateria-battery-B...item2eb2b05697

08-31-2011, 02:12 PM	#14
blunttech Forum Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Freedom Bunker Posts: 11,548	love it Nice work __________________ We can serve you better through Email sales@blunttech.com www.blunttech.com E30 24V M50/M52 S50/S52 Turbo manifolds on Temporary back order Like us on Facebook