I'm going to be investing alot of money into my E30 Cabrio. I was going to buy a newer used car, like a 325ic 330ic or a Z4, but they don't have the potential the E30 has. My parents are happy with this decision as insurance rates stay down, and my dad hates dealerships.
The car leaves for body work Friday and should be back by next saturday, it's having it's crash fixed, all dents removed, and doors painted. The front end is perfect and was painted in January. I will be keeping the diving boards, I like to keep the car looking stock, Euro swaps and plastic swaps are too common, so I figure, I'll be different and keep the diving boards.(Actually, they just protect the car well and I can bump into my friends cars)
It will be an on going project for the next 2 years, it's being supported by my job and my uncle(who gets me used OEM parts for good prices).
So I have a bunch of questions.
Money is not really an issue, but keep it resonable, nothing stupid like a S54 twin turbo swap or an S14 swap. ;)
1) Engine - The engine despite being strong right now will be going for a rebuild. I am just not happy knowing my engine has wear on it at 11x, 000 miles. A turbo project will be in the works at some point and I would like to have the motor ready. It will be running NA for about a year after rebuild, so I don't won't lower compression, 8.8 is fine for boost. I want the engine to rev very free, and would like a redline of 7,000 safely. I can think of injectors+MAF+independent engine management(I hear piggy backs don't cut it for turbos), Schrick 272 or 288 cam, and really nothing else. What other things should be done? Somebody suggested I O-Ring it with a copper head gasket for when I get the turbo, but would that be ok? The rebuild is being done by a family friend who knows M20's moderately well. (I do know some parts will need to by changed when I put a turbo on, like the aggressive cam...)
I am really not wanting a swap, I like the M20 , and view it as a very reliable, sturdy, engine that is cheap. An S50/M50 is out of the question, I do not want those motors.
2) Suspension - The car is a cabrio. It's heavy. People think I'm an idiot, but I like a very firm ride in a street car. I will be using 16 inch wheels. What springs do I buy if I want a nice drop? I do not want the car to sag in the back, a 1/2 inch of clearance between the outside of the fender and the tire all the way around is the look I want. I want very little body roll too. Could I get custom springs which are hard as hell or a ground control kit for my E30 Cabrio?
With the body roll issue, does anybody know of any kind of bracing I can do for the cabrio? I don't know of any aftermarket sway bars and such.
What other parts should I be looking at for improved cornering? I figure an E30 M3 steering rack would give me a better steering ratio, and M3 control arms. What else should I buy?
From the outside body panel part of the fender to the wheel, I want a 1/2' gap.
3) Brakes - Can I use an E28 master cylinder on a cabrio? And what rotors/pads would be good? I hear slotted is bad. A BBK not worth the price, IMO. Steel braided lines are already purchased.
4) Driveline - What's the stickiest clutch I could get for an E30? And would a 2.93 LSD be smart for an E30 pushing alot of power?
I know it sounds like a foolish project, but instead of buying a newer car, I'm rebuilding my E30. I view that as a much more fun idea.
Thanks alot!
The car leaves for body work Friday and should be back by next saturday, it's having it's crash fixed, all dents removed, and doors painted. The front end is perfect and was painted in January. I will be keeping the diving boards, I like to keep the car looking stock, Euro swaps and plastic swaps are too common, so I figure, I'll be different and keep the diving boards.(Actually, they just protect the car well and I can bump into my friends cars)
It will be an on going project for the next 2 years, it's being supported by my job and my uncle(who gets me used OEM parts for good prices).
So I have a bunch of questions.
Money is not really an issue, but keep it resonable, nothing stupid like a S54 twin turbo swap or an S14 swap. ;)
1) Engine - The engine despite being strong right now will be going for a rebuild. I am just not happy knowing my engine has wear on it at 11x, 000 miles. A turbo project will be in the works at some point and I would like to have the motor ready. It will be running NA for about a year after rebuild, so I don't won't lower compression, 8.8 is fine for boost. I want the engine to rev very free, and would like a redline of 7,000 safely. I can think of injectors+MAF+independent engine management(I hear piggy backs don't cut it for turbos), Schrick 272 or 288 cam, and really nothing else. What other things should be done? Somebody suggested I O-Ring it with a copper head gasket for when I get the turbo, but would that be ok? The rebuild is being done by a family friend who knows M20's moderately well. (I do know some parts will need to by changed when I put a turbo on, like the aggressive cam...)
I am really not wanting a swap, I like the M20 , and view it as a very reliable, sturdy, engine that is cheap. An S50/M50 is out of the question, I do not want those motors.
2) Suspension - The car is a cabrio. It's heavy. People think I'm an idiot, but I like a very firm ride in a street car. I will be using 16 inch wheels. What springs do I buy if I want a nice drop? I do not want the car to sag in the back, a 1/2 inch of clearance between the outside of the fender and the tire all the way around is the look I want. I want very little body roll too. Could I get custom springs which are hard as hell or a ground control kit for my E30 Cabrio?
With the body roll issue, does anybody know of any kind of bracing I can do for the cabrio? I don't know of any aftermarket sway bars and such.
What other parts should I be looking at for improved cornering? I figure an E30 M3 steering rack would give me a better steering ratio, and M3 control arms. What else should I buy?
From the outside body panel part of the fender to the wheel, I want a 1/2' gap. 3) Brakes - Can I use an E28 master cylinder on a cabrio? And what rotors/pads would be good? I hear slotted is bad. A BBK not worth the price, IMO. Steel braided lines are already purchased.
4) Driveline - What's the stickiest clutch I could get for an E30? And would a 2.93 LSD be smart for an E30 pushing alot of power?
I know it sounds like a foolish project, but instead of buying a newer car, I'm rebuilding my E30. I view that as a much more fun idea.
Thanks alot!
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