When 'restoring' your E30...order process..

[Eviltwin]

Did you...do the bodywork 1st?
or the engine work?


I'm at a standstill...I KNOW exactly what I want for the body...and it's basically ready to go...

yet, I'm still tossed up on which swap

M30 vs M50 vs Stroker M20 (2.7)

would you...get the body work done WHILE sorting out which engine swap to do?

or get the engine work done 1st, THAN do body last.

insight here folks...

[blunttech]

depends on how far youre taking it. heres how i did my 02. i assembled the driveline and made all cuts and modifications before any body work. then took it all back apart and sent the shell out. then i went thru the motor while the body was getting done. then you dont have to cut or tweak anything once its painted. if your idea of restoring is different you can wrap the motor in paper and spray around it if its just a nice driver. it just depends on how much work youre willing to do. you may want to consult kenrika for paint tips before starting

[delatlanta1281]

Blunt, you left out a MAJOR part of the equation. My tool in your hand!

[blunttech]

Blunt, you left out a MAJOR part of the equation. My tool in your hand!

dude, i left that part out to save you the embarrassment. i was perfectly fine giving you a reach around as you requested while i pummeled your barnhole

[James Crivellone]

Step 1: Locate large amounts of money, don't be a cheapass. These cars are not inexpensive to restore, never (at any point) think they are!

Step 2: Do it right, or don't do it at all! Going to remove the engine? Look at EVERY seal, rubber hose, clip, belt, etc that is going to be in front of you and replace them.

Step 3: Make a part list, follow it, and LIVE in realoem.. Make a list and determine order from there.

Step 4: It will take longer then you have planned, deal with it.

I can go into pages and pages of detail if you want.

[Jand3rson]

/\ /\ /\

This is the man you talk to about restoring an E30 from the ground up.

[Lurker27]

If the car is in driving condition, I'd do the small things first. That way you start to bring out the pride/modding bug, and it makes it more special when you do the swap...Or something.

[Eviltwin]

I was clever with the fonts.

Step 1: Locate large amounts of money, don't be a cheapass. These cars are not inexpensive to restore, never (at any point) think they are!

I'm on that allready- took me over 2 yrs to find the 'right' E30 to tackle...I've owned 2 allready...this one is the champ'een candidate.
I've got a little more than $4000 just for body alone..I'm not putting any gawdy body kits or add ons...apart from mtech 1 valance/rear apron.
Otherwise I want a quality OEM 'look'. even going with the same color.

My current roadblock is to find the RIGHT shop to do it...

Step 2: Do it right, or don't do it at all! Going to remove the engine? Look at EVERY seal, rubber hose, clip, belt, etc that is going to be in front of you and replace them.

Doing it right is the challenge I'm up to- I'm being absolutely anal about everything...I'm generally not a patient person, but i'll learn to be with this one...I owe it to myself.

Step 3: Make a part list, follow it, and LIVE in realoem.. Make a list and determine order from there.

This is where the 2.7 stroker has more of an appeal over the m30/m50...whereas it doesn't produce as much power as either of these powerplants, I think it'd be the most "workable" engines for me, in terms of reliability and stability.

Step 4: It will take longer then you have planned, deal with it.

My goal isn't this summer...it's the Summer of 2009 for complettion.
Not looking for any shortcuts, i'm looking to do this right, and as best as I can.

my father in law does a few carshows a year with his '71 454 Cutlass...theres always a couple euro-guys in the show with some nice 2002's and a few 635 CSI's...I think it'd be nice to have a nice example of a 24 year old fresh E30 in the lineup;)



I can go into pages and pages of detail if you want.

[StereoInstaller1]

1. Swap parts until happy with drivetrain and suspension.

2. Remove said drivetrain, paint under hood, pretty up wiring (as possible) etc.

3. Now, the big question: Lots of shops won't do body/paint if the car won't move under its own power...so, drop drivetrain back in (if necessary) and do exterior.

4. New glass

5. New interior.

[kenika65]

you may want to consult kenrika for paint tips before starting

Hey Klunt its KENIKA.

[Turf1600]

Hey Klunt its KENIKA.

You need to be banned from threads with "Restore" in the title.

[Jon325i]

In addition to James' points, I would say to keep a flexible budget. Chances are that along the way something will be discovered or a process may be more involved than you originally thought. Come to think of it, chuck the whole budget idea out the window. This is a labor of love, not a money making venture.

Jon

[Farbin Kaiber]

Just add 20% to begining budget. And whatever is left over out of that chunk in the end is what you pay yourself for labor. I'd bet you'll be left with 5-7% at the end. Nuts and bolts add up.

On the cars I "restored" at my old shop, I'd budget in 20% and inform the customer as such. At the end of the project, the customer would be happy to either write me a smaller check, or get one back from me at the end.

[blunttech]

Hey Klunt its KENIKA.

i dont care enough to get it right. eat a warm can of blunt cum

[smonkbmw]

I was clever with the fonts.

i disagree with the engine choice. reliability, power wise you cannot go wrong with a basic unmodded m50. and for the price you would pay for a properly built m20 you could have one serious m50. theres a member on here with a s50 swap and has logged 30000 miles in the last year with not one issue yet.

but if youre speaking of car shows etc and originality, keeping the m20 obviously would work better.