My 88 cabrio project

[bimmerboy12]

Just wanted to show off the project so far. I replaced the door and fender after a dumb chic backed into me in the Mcdonalds parking lot. Here is what is planned:

Paint, of course (Zinno)
General Exclaim UHP's
E36 Cabrio Antenna Swap
Eurostyle rear valance
Re-upholster tan interior
New rear window (zip-in)
5-speed tranny swap

What I have done:

4.10 VC LSD
Sparco Strut brace
16" Borbets
New Shocks
Rebuilt frontend
New Guibo, Center support bearing
New rear wheel bearings
New brakes/rotors
New ebrake shoes
E34 Stock tape w/ WB
bumper swap
IS front lip
New Bosal Cat-back

[Bimmerista]

Looks like its coming along....lets see some pics after you get it painted :D

[boomer]

Hey,looking good so far.I have a couple of questions about the top;Is it possible to swap out a non zip window for one with a zip ,without changing tops?And have you ever had any problems stowing the top?My top doesn't go completly in the boot,it sits on the back of the rear seat.

[devonjordan]

Hey,looking good so far.I have a couple of questions about the top;Is it possible to swap out a non zip window for one with a zip ,without changing tops?And have you ever had any problems stowing the top?My top doesn't go completly in the boot,it sits on the back of the rear seat.

Sounds like, with your top not storing, that you arent actually putting it in all the way, if its a manual top. If it is, there is a bar that will sit on the top of your rear seats that needs to be folded back.

[bimmerboy12]

Is it possible to swap out a non zip window for one with a zip ,without changing tops?And have you ever had any problems stowing the top?My top doesn't go completly in the boot,it sits on the back of the rear seat.

No. Top must be fitted with a zip in window. These are pretty rare I guess.

I dont have problems stowing the top. You may need to replace your tension straps.

[boomer]

I've tried everything to get the top to stow,from finesse to strongarm with no luck.The top was recently replaced by p.o. and he had a lot of problems with it also.I feel I'm eventually going to have to remove the top from the frame and start all over again.I'll try pulling the bar back tomorrow.
BTW bimmerboy,sorry to hijack your thread.

[E30 Cabrio]

I've tried everything to get the top to stow,from finesse to strongarm with no luck.The top was recently replaced by p.o. and he had a lot of problems with it also.I feel I'm eventually going to have to remove the top from the frame and start all over again.I'll try pulling the bar back tomorrow.
BTW bimmerboy,sorry to hijack your thread.

There's a trick to it.

When you release the top and you are folding it back, observe the top when the front of it is pointed straight up.

At that point, there is a bar that runs the width of the top right around where the front seats would be if the top was in place.

Take that bar and fold it downwards and towards the rear of the car.

It'll make more sense once you see it, but you'll go "Ah-ha!" once you see it.

If it weren't raining out and if I had a decent camera, I'd post pics.

Also, to make the hatch close properly, you'll need to fold the top straps inside of the top, and be sure to put a towel or small pillow where the plastic window folds so the plastic surfaces don't scratch against each other .

[boomer]

Gonna give it a shot later today.Thanks.

[bimmerboy12]

Anybody know how to post pics, not links to pics?
Also, I want to install a shadowline kit. Where is the best place to purchase these?

[boomer]

Anybody know how to post pics, not links to pics?
Also, I want to install a shadowline kit. Where is the best place to purchase these?

I use photobucket.com to transfer my pics to,then copy image code,and paste in your thread.Shadowline trim is very expensive,a DIY job is cheaper,but very labor intensive.

Try these websites for shadowline pieces:

realoem.com (source of parts numbers)
pacificbmw.com (use part # to comparison shop here)

[VacMan]

Anybody know how to post pics, not links to pics?
Also, I want to install a shadowline kit. Where is the best place to purchase these?

To post pics, use photobucket and use their prebuilt links with [img] tags. There's no easier way. Just click and paste it into your posts.

Shadowline is ridiculously expensive new. Mask off and paint what you have, it's worth your time.

[E30 Cabrio]

Any luck?

Gonna give it a shot later today.Thanks.

[delatlanta1281]

Harlequin
FTW!

[boomer]

Any luck?

Still no luck.Just saw this thread on another site though.Maybe this is what I'm doing wrong.

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?p=559710&posted=1#post559710

[DaveSmed]

Anybody know how to post pics, not links to pics?
Also, I want to install a shadowline kit. Where is the best place to purchase these?

Something like this:





What I do when using attachments (like in that linked thread) is attach what I need to attach, and type out the post first, then submit it. After that, go back and open all of the links in a new window. Then I go and edit the post with the attachment URLs.