https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/ en Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:16:43 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/images/misc/R3V.jpg https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/ https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/transmission-driveline/10167524-twin-ear-diff-options Tue, 29 Sep 2026 22:10:53 GMT Is there a proven integrated twin ear factory cast diff cover (or billet aftermarket) for a 325i 188 diff ? or do i need to use one of those separate bolt on billet pieces? if so which is the goto brand? Can people share their experiences with attaching the mounting brackets to the body and any traps to be aware of?
or do i need to use one of those separate bolt on billet pieces? if so which is the goto brand?

Can people share their experiences with attaching the mounting brackets to the body and any traps to be aware of?]]> digger https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/transmission-driveline/10167524-twin-ear-diff-options https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/suspension-unsprung/wheels-tires/10167433-mst-te37-reps-bronze-on-bronze-lip-turning-green Mon, 28 Sep 2026 20:33:57 GMT ]]> digitalrelay https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/suspension-unsprung/wheels-tires/10167433-mst-te37-reps-bronze-on-bronze-lip-turning-green https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/exhaust/10167427-exhaust-diameter-2x45-or-2x50 Mon, 28 Sep 2026 18:57:02 GMT As many people know the standard exhaust system for a 325i m20b25 is 2x45mm. While this diameter is sufficiënt for a bone stock engine, producing around 175 hp there is a point where it would choke the engine. Most of the time NA builds with up to around 200 hp will not consider larger diameters, i’ve seen 2.9 stroker builds with around 230 hp running 2x45mm. I’m now at the point where I have a m20b27 stroker producing 201 hp. The exhaust fitted is a standard 3-piece system in a rough state, so I’m looking to upgrade this one in the near future. I’m now researching what would be the best option, should I go 2x45 mm or 2x50 mm for this build. So a full system with equal length headers, probably supersprint full system. Future upgrades will be a standalone ecu, to het rid of the stock LMM, and CoP or wasted spark. Cam is a schrick 272, so mild street upgrade, I’d like to keep the torque because it’s a street car. 2x45mm will keep the torque, maybe a bit more and will add around 10 hp I suspect. 2x50mm will probably drop the low end torque bit will add it later in the rev range, I suspect. Does anyone have an idea what the best option will be, and at what point it is best to switch to a larger diameter exhaust, are we talking around 200 hp, or more in the range of 230 hp? looking forward to reading your views and experiences. While this diameter is sufficiënt for a bone stock engine, producing around 175 hp there is a point where it would choke the engine.
Most of the time NA builds with up to around 200 hp will not consider larger diameters, i’ve seen 2.9 stroker builds with around 230 hp running 2x45mm.

I’m now at the point where I have a m20b27 stroker producing 201 hp. The exhaust fitted is a standard 3-piece system in a rough state, so I’m looking to upgrade this one in the near future.
I’m now researching what would be the best option, should I go 2x45 mm or 2x50 mm for this build.
So a full system with equal length headers, probably supersprint full system.
Future upgrades will be a standalone ecu, to het rid of the stock LMM, and CoP or wasted spark.
Cam is a schrick 272, so mild street upgrade, I’d like to keep the torque because it’s a street car.

2x45mm will keep the torque, maybe a bit more and will add around 10 hp I suspect.
2x50mm will probably drop the low end torque bit will add it later in the rev range, I suspect.

Does anyone have an idea what the best option will be, and at what point it is best to switch to a larger diameter exhaust, are we talking around 200 hp, or more in the range of 230 hp?

looking forward to reading your views and experiences.]]> Exhaust MWe https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/exhaust/10167427-exhaust-diameter-2x45-or-2x50 https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/24v-engine-swaps/10167381-e46-vanos-rebuild-options Sun, 27 Sep 2026 20:49:34 GMT

No idea how long it's been like that, surprised it hasn't grenaded itself with one of the bolts sitting in the bottom of the head and the rest way too close to the upper timing chain. I was looking at this kit (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-race-ger.../rgdvnsdk~rgm/) as well as some replacement hardware and an upper timing chain. Probably adding lower timing chain and all the front case seals while i'm in there.

Is that a good kit for the VANOS rebuild, or should I stick to OEM?]]> 24V Engine Swaps 4bangerfury https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/24v-engine-swaps/10167381-e46-vanos-rebuild-options https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/suspension-unsprung/brakes-subframe-arms/10167354-caliper-hose-thread-repair Sat, 26 Sep 2026 17:35:20 GMT
I am sure I accidentally diminished the thread teeth while cleaning rust with vinegar. The vinegar didn't cause harm anywhere else (bore and bleeder threads are perfect) but I guess the hose threads got a bit eaten. Lesson learned the hard way, I will sandblast after masking from now on.

Since the threads are there I am not sure which method of thread repair to try. I want to make clear that while the threads look intact by eye, the brake hose fitting wiggles around until the end when it holds a little pressure before beginning loosening.

Does this sound like I could have luck with a thread repair bit? I have never used one and I understand they are different from taps, which I have used plenty of. My brain can't see how loose/diminished threads could be made whole again with this method.

I have had some luck with helicoils before but never used one on a hose thread. I have not used timeserts and in this application I am unsure they would work. Timeserts might prevent the brake hose from going deep enough in caliper to mate with the caliper flare area.

I did a full cleaning, epoxy paint job and rebuild on these before realizing the hose threads were no good. If I can I want to salvage them instead of getting new ones.

What do you think?]]> 88Sedan https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/suspension-unsprung/brakes-subframe-arms/10167354-caliper-hose-thread-repair https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/325ix-technical-and-discussion/10167306-325ix-steering-rack-reseal-rebuild Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:59:22 GMT Been having a decent size leak from the driver side of my steering rack. Have been trying to find information on resealing it and every site says something different. Some say the normal reseal kit will be fine but I know the racks themselves are different so was looking to see whether or not someone on here has already done it and what they found. Also, I saw another forum where someone said they had a leak that sounds similar to mine and when they took it apart to reseal it was pretty much toast. Not sure if anyone else has dealt with something similar but any info would be appreciated. Been having a decent size leak from the driver side of my steering rack. Have been trying to find information on resealing it and every site says something different. Some say the normal reseal kit will be fine but I know the racks themselves are different so was looking to see whether or not someone on here has already done it and what they found. Also, I saw another forum where someone said they had a leak that sounds similar to mine and when they took it apart to reseal it was pretty much toast. Not sure if anyone else has dealt with something similar but any info would be appreciated. 325iX Technical and Discussion 325ix_STI https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/325ix-technical-and-discussion/10167306-325ix-steering-rack-reseal-rebuild https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10167127-m20-885-valve-guide-suppliers-sizes Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:42:19 GMT
I see they are no longer available from BMW.

Bimmerheads do them https://bimmerheads.com/products/m20-st-guides with 13.25 mm OD.

VAC do them https://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac...m20-p1659.aspx with a choice of sizes.

ECStuning seem to do two sizes https://www.ecstuning.com/b-canyon-e...121267676~cae/

Where do you usually get guides from, and how can Bimmerheads only sell one size? Which is 0.25mm oversize going by RealOEM https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_4377]]> M20 14thirty https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10167127-m20-885-valve-guide-suppliers-sizes https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10166925-m20-fine-tuning-the-fueling Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:41:34 GMT The only issue I've been having - it was a little jumpy after the deceleration fuel cut aka overrun and the moment you go back on the throttle. My logs showed it was getting a little rich after the overrun


For those of you who use overrun or logged stock Motronic for educational reasons, what your AFR is doing right after the overrun? Do you see it goes from super lean/all air during the overrun (as it should) to momentary rich spike for a bit and then back on target? Do you see it's going from all lean to the target afr without a rich spike? I found out what my issue was and corrected it: basically I had post decel enrichment setup to wet runner walls as it all gets dried out during the overrun and at the same time I had too short of the delay for STFT (short term fuel trim) so it was dumping fuel too early, trying to correct normal lean conditions out of decel cut. I have STFT all figured out and pushing STFT post decel delay further into more meaningful AFR event when it's closer to target. So that took care of the issue of the overfueling.

My question is about fuel enrichment setting and what is better for the engine. Should I got from decel super lean event back to target AFR or should I let it go a little rich before AFR levels off?
It's an open loop event, STFT is out of the picture and not correcting anything yet in this event. Basically enrichment event right after the throttle is applied again and I can dial in how much I want that enrichment.
What's your thoughts, theoretically speaking...
]]> M20 zaq123 https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10166925-m20-fine-tuning-the-fueling https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10166805-front-engine-lift-hook-install-question Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:24:08 GMT
My question is how much do I have to remove in order to have the room to install it? Most DIYs on the upper timing case cover a full removal as part of a timing belt and water pump replacement. I had a shop do that two years ago (not sure if they left off the hook for some reason?? or if it was missing prior...don't remember).

Anyway, if I want to just install the lift hook is there enough room to pull the upper timing cover away from the block just enough to insert and get the lift hook over the locating dowels on the block if I just remove the distributor cap, rotor, dust shield and the two upper timing case bolts? Or are there other things I need to remove (e.g., belts, water pulley, hoses, etc.) to get enough access.

A related while I'm in there question does the black plastic dust shield behind the rotor have anything that holds it in place in the upper timing case aside from the distributor cap once installed? I see no o-ring on Real OEM. Just curious.

Insights welcomed! ]]> M20 Boris3 https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10166805-front-engine-lift-hook-install-question https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/body-paint/10166642-rear-bumper-install-tips-late-model Thu, 10 Sep 2026 19:19:28 GMT MasterD78 https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/body-paint/10166642-rear-bumper-install-tips-late-model https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10166594-m20-with-284-272-idle-afr Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:35:02 GMT M20 zaq123 https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10166594-m20-with-284-272-idle-afr https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/general-technical/10166478-dyno-strapping-points Mon, 07 Sep 2026 11:44:50 GMT
The last time I had it on the dyno, tunner did front wheels but the rear he was talking about taking the muffler off. Luckily we didn't have to do it and he strapped at the rear subframe. Was a pain sort of and took awhile to find good points as the rear control arms were on the way a little. Left control arm paint got scratched a little from the hook after the run, which isn't a big deal but still.

Are those towing tie down brackets that go between rear shock and the control arm good enough to hold the car down? What do you guys normally do?

garagistic steel tow tie downs

]]> General Technical zaq123 https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/general-technical/10166478-dyno-strapping-points https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/interior/10166435-why-the-interior-door-handles-break Sat, 05 Sep 2026 22:34:57 GMT
522082389999




The top/left one attaches to the door handle.
]]> Interior reelizmpro https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/interior/10166435-why-the-interior-door-handles-break https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/general-technical/10166389-plug-identification-for-crank-position-sensor-spark-plug-leads-under-diagnostic-port Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:56:19 GMT
]]> General Technical zinc https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/general-technical/10166389-plug-identification-for-crank-position-sensor-spark-plug-leads-under-diagnostic-port https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/body-paint/10166253-help-e30-touring-c-pillar-base-rust-repair Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:25:42 GMT
Is it possible to access the other side of this rust hole? I'd like to clean this area out from the other side and weld the hole with the aid of a copper backing plate.

Any tips on access would be greatly appreciated.
]]> arrestedthread https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/body-paint/10166253-help-e30-touring-c-pillar-base-rust-repair