New to R3V: '91 325iC project in process

[Dave McLaren]

I'm new to posting here, though I've lurked and bought stuff off the classifieds (just the other day the OEM M-tech II kit from Funkmasta). I guess I jacked up the registration so I couldn't post, and just now changed my email address and it let me reactivate or something. So finally I'm in the gate.

Anyway, just wanted to say hello and if you want to see what's up with my project you can take a look at my site:

http://www.bbesound.com/bmw/E30/index.htm

Right now it's getting a full motor freshening, rebuilt driveshaft, diff swap, TCD S-2 turbo system, upgraded clutch/pp, E30 M3 5-lug hardware, and installation of staggered style 5s off an E31).

Here's are a couple of pics of it in February, just before it went in the shop for the big leg of its journey.





It's shaping up to be a pretty cool project. Once all that stuff is done, the M-tech II kit will be installed, probably in May.

My wife and I had an '89 325iC we bought in '92, but we sold it in the late '90s and I'd always wanted another. This one popped up at Coast Motor Work, and my man Ron Inchausti helped me swoop in on it from the other customer who owned it.

I've had bimmers since '91, with E28, E30, E34, E38 and E39 generations. It's great to see the projects you guys have working on, and though this is the first time I've posted here, I've already learned a lot from you guys and scored some nice buys, too.

Dave

[bimmer_E30]

nice car man.

[Hartge_H27]

looks good and keep us updated.

[funcrew]

Welcome to R3V! Keep adding updates as your project gets underway.

[CorvallisBMW]

subscribed! can't wait to see how it turns out!

[Dave McLaren]

Yeah, I'm pretty stoked. I usually suck at documenting with photos, but this time I'm going to try to do better.

The turbo should be a blast, but I can't really imagine what that'll be like. What I'm really pumped about is getting the M-tech II kit (thanks, Funkmasta), the iS spoiler (thanks, Disaster Inc), and staggered Style 5s (thanks, some-dude-on-eBay) on the car. As for appearance, I think it'll be teets.

Dave

subscribed! can't wait to see how it turns out!

[bimmer_E30]

can i have the old wheels/

[Dave McLaren]

This guy, Sveinbjörn Hrafnsson from Reykjavik Iceland, has a fantastic cabrio with an S38B38. He's got staggered Style 5s, an iS spoiler out back with an MTII rear bumper. I won't have a killer motor like that, but the turbo M20 should get it done nicely. Anyway, imagine his car with the full MTII kit, and that's pretty much how my car should end up.





After these pics, he painted the centers gold with gold bolts. I think a lighter shade would have worked better, but maybe it's just the photos. Check out the lip on the rear, and how it looks so good with the MTII bumper. This really works for me:



I don't know whose M3 cabrio this is, but his staggered Style 5s look great in this charcoal color. I'll probably stick with silver for my car, as I think it'll work better with the blue top.



So I'm getting a little inspiration here and there.

Dave

[Funkmasta]

Wow Dave... Looks good! It is going to look SWEET with the MT2 kit! :)

[Bimmerista]

Welcome!

Thats a good looking vert you have there!

[Dave McLaren]

I stopped by CMW a couple of days ago, and the motor build had slowed down. It's totally cool, though, Ron and his crew can take their time. Today he called me to ask if I want to take the 540 home this weekend (he did some work on it and I'd not been able to get around to picking it up for a couple of days), and he mentioned that the head was on the M20 and the turbo too.

FWIW, here's a few pics from Wednesday:











I'll take some pics on Monday of the motor with the head and turbo installed.

Dave

[Stevie30]

[quote=Dave McLaren;1028107]This guy, Sveinbjörn Hrafnsson from Reykjavik Iceland, has a fantastic cabrio with an S38B38.
Dave, Welcome to another beautifil vert. BTW, all e30 cabrios are fantastic.

[Dave McLaren]

I stopped by CMW today, and Brandon, the tech assembling the motor, seems pretty pumped up about how it's coming together. The head is on, as is the oil pump/pan, exhaust manifold and turbo. Well, you can see for yourself in the pics.

















Brandon says the engine bay should be cleaned up before installing the motor. I agree. I just don't think I've got the time or patience to do that. I'll try to make it happen somehow though.



That's it for today.

Dave

[Dave McLaren]

Ron sent out some parts to be powder-coated black in that wrinkle finish, and today they arrived back at CMW. The man has great taste, that's for sure. The BMW, Roundel, and ribs will be machined so they have a clean aluminum look. When we talked before, he said that the manifold and valve cover would look sweet in the finish, but he went for a whole bunch of stuff, including the timing belt cover, air-to-water intercooler, intercooler reservoir and some other little bits.

Here are some pics to get an idea, though the machining hasn't been done yet:

















That's it for today.

[Kwaaahhh]

Subscribed! Love turbo cabrio build up! :up:

Your my idol!

pm you!