The first of two M30 swaps for the fall of '08

[euroshark]

It's been a while since I posted anything, but she starts and runs. I'm freakin' stoked... Going to get the e test and classic plates this Friday. I'll post some pictures at some point... as well as some Gtech numbers. We have one at work and I want to play with it!

[Jean]

Congrats! I wonder if I'll have to do this jumper wire if the m30 is swapped into an early 83-84 318i chassis .... time to do more research.

Is the shifter assembly on the m30 G260 (I am assuming that's what you are using? what is the part number if you have it?) the same as the early e30 sheet metal assembly? Mine is 100% new and it would be nice if I can transfer it over to m30 tranny :)

[euroshark]

The jumper wire is only necessary if the C103 plug isn't quite right. In the case of my 6 it turned out to be my OBC relay that was keeping power from the green wire in the C103. I found the correct pin on the ECU and fed power straight to that and now my main relay works as intended. It was pin 27 for what it's worth... Pin 27 needs 12 volts and then the ECU powers up pin 36 which in turn activates the main relay and lets the car start.

Next mission: Coilovers. :pimp:

[euroshark]

Woohoo! Update time.

Here's November just as I was finishing up:





The B35 runs GREAT. I don't know that its necessarily better in every way than a euro B34 but it's nice that she passed emissions on the first try (got my collector plates) and she starts and idles so damn well. I've got another euro 635CSi coming home in a few weeks and I'm trying to decide if that one is going to get a B35 too... Since I'm going to use the new one for a DD it would be nice not to have to worry about fuel and such (the euro B34s tend to ping on anything less than super delicious premium). The new one needs a 5 speed swap stat so it's an excuse to just go to town I guess.

Anyhow, I finally hooked up a bitchin set of wheels for the shark for some summer time fun. Forged staggered and polished throwing stars with 235/45s and 255/40s. She's pretty sticky now.

[euroshark]

...And needless to say, the second B35 swap didn't happen because I sold that car... :)

[JoeMadoo]

Pretty clean man, that's a beautiful car.

[Jean]

Nice job man! I can't wait to get the damn b35 in and start it up. I might have all the time in the world in a month or two if I don't find a job lol.

[RickSloan]

looking awesome man! are those 92's on the other 6er?

you do damn clean work!

[Doughnut]

Bout time this thread was updated!

The throwing stars look great on the shark, good to hear the m30b35 runs like sex.

[euroshark]

Well I finally had enough of B35 exhaust and decided to install my BavAuto headers today. I've been sitting on them for nearly a year with the intention of getting the IE catback to go with them, but a gnarly exhaust leak between the manifold and downpipe made me go ahead with the installation a bit sooner than I intended.

It was very straight forward and I am really impressed with the build quality of these headers. I sell donzens of sets of headers for Alfas that are made here in the states every year and they don't even come close in the quality department. All of the welds are beautiful and the tubing is nice and solid. BavAuto sends these out ceramic coated inside and out as an added bonus!

The only snag I ran into was that you have to drop in both halves together. It looked like the front piece should have gone on first, but with it loosely bolted in place there just wasn't room between the pipes, frame and engine to slip the other piece in.







I'll put up a couple more pictures tomorrow of the completed underside. BavAuto supplies some standard 2" U-clamps with the kit, but for the sake of being able to take everything apart easily in the future, I got some stainless band style clamps from NAPA. They are a little more expensive but they are so far superior that they are worth it.

I went for a test drive and the car seems quite a bit more eager to pull at higher rpm, even with the standard 535is rear exhaust section. Noise isn't dramatically different either. The idle is a bit deeper but it's also smoother sounding. At cruise there isn't really any noticeable difference aside from the beautiful smooth purr, and at WOT it really has a nice howl to it. Seat of the pants I definitely think it feels quicker, and throttle response is sharper and quicker now. I nailed it from a stop and had wheel spin in 1st and part of the way through second with the 255/40/17 Bridgestones! As it sits now I'm running just these headers, a Dinan chip and the close ratio gearbox and it's a hoot!

[euroshark]

I got a few shots at work with the car on the lift. It's a pretty sweet setup in that you can take it all apart pretty damn easily. And as I have said already, the quality is superb.

I am dying to get to work on the paint... I don't know how much longer I can drive a poop colored car, no matter how nice it is to drive.







...And a couple of cool shots that just sorta happened. We have a little Alfa junkyard outside the shop and I had to park in front of a couple old GTVs and a Berlina because a customer stole my regular spot.

[RickSloan]

car looks great, and man that exhaust i just can't get enough of it!

i like the shots outside a whole lot!

[LowR3V'in]

Looks rad!

The biggest problem I have with the m30 is it's air boxes.

Prone to head soak. :(

[euroshark]

Thanks Robbie! I stare it this damn car all day while I'm at work but the color still bothers me. It drives well, it's fast, and I love it to death, but if I don't change the color soon I'm gonna have to start wearing color filtering glasses so I see in black and white.

What do you think about Zinno?

[Holland]

looking awesome man! are those 92's on the other 6er?

you do damn clean work!

Nope, these are 92's.
unfortunately they came before I can lower it.