Must-Do E30 Projects

[ClayW]

What are the "Must-Do" projects for every E30?

I got my first E30 about a month ago and I've been taking care of a lot of small issues (and I've found a lot of great guidance here). So, what projects should be done on all E30s, regardless of personal taste.

So far, I've done the following:

Red/Black Wire Fix

Replaced Driver Door Lock Cylinder

Odometer Gear Replacement

I plan on doing:

E36/Z3 Rack and Pinion Swap

Short Shift Kit Installation

What else should be done to every E30?

[lambo]

Bushing refresh

R-134a Conversion

E36 Window Switches

[tak7]

Clutch stop

[Roysneon]

Subframe bushings

iS lip and a drop.

[Raxe]

Remove power steering belt.

[mrcheezle19]

maintenance. Other than that IS lip

[dougie30]

turbo

[mrcheezle19]

s54 supercharged

[bastianshaw]

lukebox

[Wh33lhop]

Bushing refresh

R-134a Conversion

E36 Window Switches

Don't do an R134 conversion if you can still source R12.

[Vivek]

Short shifter, coilovers or springs+dampers, every suspension bushing, rack swap. No matter what you're going for these are good mods on every e30. The rest will depend on your goals for the car.

[Mike30e]

What is the purpose of removing the power steering belt?

[jlevie]

Unless you have acquired a meticulously maintained very low mileage E30 my list of Must-Do tasks looks a bit different. And it would be:

O2 sensor
New distributor, ignition wires, & NGK ZGR5A plugs
Timing belt, tensioner, and cam seal
Belts
Air & fuel filters
Radiator, expansion tank, cap, waterpump, hoses, & fan clutch
Shocks
Control arms, bushings, and tie rods
Subframe, trailing arm, and differential bushings
Motor & transmission mounts
Guibo
Shifter bushings
Rebuild calipers, replace soft lines, and flush
Check the fuel tank for rust and if so replace or acid clean and seal
Replace all bulbs in the car
New half shaft boots
SI board batteries
Odometer gears

That only covers the things that have a finite service life and/or a scheduled replacement interval. Other things fall under the check and possibly replace, like:

Wheel bearings
Transmission seals
Differential seals
Engine seals
Clutch
Door locks
HVAC system
Wipers

Some things can be dropped from the list if you have proof of their recent replacement.

[glucklich21]

Don't do an R134 conversion if you can still source R12.

Missing the point really. 20+year old AC components are most likely shot regardless of what freon you use.

[CrusherCurtis]

^My a/c still works.

s50 swap!