***Editors Note: I've been waiting to feather Kelvyn's car for a while. Then he painted it... then he turbo'd it!... Needless to say, its gotten better along the way and Im glad he finally was ready to share his build. Enjoy!***
Factory options:
Lachssilber Metallic (203)
3.73 LSD Rear Differential
1987 iS Airdam and iS trunk spoiler
14"x6.5 ET30 BBS Basketweaves
Anthracite Houndstooth Sport Interior
M-Tech I (385mm) Steering Wheel
13 Button OBC
Premium Audio
Pop Out Rear Windows
Automatic Transmission
Color:
Audi Exclusive Ipanema Brown Metallic (IPANEMABRAUN)
Interior color:
Anthracite Houndstooth Cloth
Engine modifications:
1996 M52B28 Engine Swap
Standalone ECU - Megasquirt MS3X
Custom Engine Harness
Full Sequential Spark & Fuel, Knock Sensors, Dual MAP Sensors (Altitude Compensation)
Tuned Entirely By Myself!
ARP Head studs
SCE/ATHENA Vulcan "High Boost" Cut Ring Headgasket
Precision 6062 Ball Bearing Gen2 Turbocharger. T4 Divided .84 A/R
RallyRoad Billet Fuel Rail
Injector Dynamics ID1050x
Dual TIAL MV-S Wastegates
14point7 Spartan 3 wideband O2 with LSU ADV sensor
Aeromotive Compact Fuel Pressure Regulator (13136)
Treadstone Front Mount Intercooler
TIAL Q Blow Off Valve
BMS Silicone Single Turbo Filter
Exhaust:
Level Motorsports Twin Scroll Tubular Exhaust Manifold.
Custom 3" Turboback Exhaust System.
Dynomax Super Turbo Muffler
Transmission:
5-Speed ZF320
Racehead (RHD) 7.5lb Chrome-molly steel flywheel
SPEC Stage 3+ Street/Track Clutch Kit
CRS Chassis Mount Shifter w/Delrin knob
Custom DSSR
Differential:
Refreshed 2.93 LSD
Garagistic Secondary Diff Mount
RaceGerman HD Differential Stud Kit
Revshift 80A Polyurethane Differential, Subframe, Trailing Arm Bushings.
Weld-in reinforcements for Rear Sway Bar, Differential Mount Point, Rear Shocks, Trailing Arms
HDT Automotive Upgraded Driveshaft w/1310 Spicer U-Joints
Suspension:
H&R Sport Springs (w/ 1/4 inactive coil cut from front)
Bilstein Sport Dampers (w/ cut front internal bumpstops)
AKG Front Swaybar Reinforcement Plates
E90 Drop Hats (10-15mm drop)
318i Thinner Front Spring Pads (6mm drop)
Lemförder LCAs (both sides)
Lemförder E30 M3 Offset Control Arm Bushings
Stainless shock mount reinforcement plates - made by r3v member "conway"
Turner motorsport rear shock mounts (hp aluminum/rubber)
Z3 steering rack (2.7 turns lock-to-lock)
Reinforced Chassis-side Rear Swaybar Mounts
Reinforced Front Subframe, Rear Trailing Arms
19mm ST Suspensions Rear Swaybar
22mm ST Suspensions Front Swaybar
Wheels:
15x7 BBS "Euroweaves" [et-24] w/ Dunlop Direzza dz102 (205/55r15)
Exterior modifications:
Partially Shaved & Wire Tucked Engine Bay
Hella US Ellipsoids
HID Lowbeam - Morimoto XB AMP 5000k 50W
Removable Core Support
E28 535IS Pfeba Heckspoiler
3M Ceramic IR Window Tint (70% Windshield, 50% Sides & Rear)
Repainted Euro Grilles
Kamei 3-Piece Rear Valance
Colourmatched bumper trim, cowl vents, brake booster, blower motor cover, hood latches, CAtuned rad support.
Colourmatched & smoothed rocker panels and rear sheetmetal.
LED Running, Brake, Rear Fog, Turn Signal, Side Marker Lamps
Interior modifications:
370mm M-Technic 1 Steering Wheel
Custom digital voltmeter
VDO Vision Black Water Temperature, Oil Pressure, Oil Temperature Gauges
VDO Boost Gauge (Vintage, c.1978)
Wideband Gauge. Custom Defrost Switch Mounting.
HushMat
CAtuned Black Headliner
Lloyd Mats Ultimat Floor Mats (Black) Front, Rear, & Trunk
Story behind the car:
In March 2014 I bought my first E30, an 1986 325E. Shortly thereafter I discovered frame rot and damage that was beyond repair. I decided to look for a new shell. My ideal car was a metal bumper, smaller taillight, 2-door e30, with minimal rust. This is a tall order to fill in my area.
A few months worth of searching later, a 1987 325is popped up on kijiji. The ad had no pictures, and only a few views. The price was above my budget (at this point I was looking for a shell), and it was automatic, but I sent the owner a message anyways.
We exchanged some emails, and I decided that the car was definitely worth checking out.
The first thing that piqued my interest is the specific model. The '87 325is is the only "is" model with metal bumpers, and smaller taillights. This was a one-year model.
The second was the mileage. The car has only ~160k km on it. (93k miles)
On June 5th, 2014, I borrowed my dad's TrailBlazer, hitched up my friend’s car hauler, and drove 3 hours very early on a Saturday morning to see this car. I wasn't disappointed. Took the car for a test drive, and besides the lethargic 3-speed automatic, it drove well. Although I would discover that the car was rough enough to not pass a safety inspection.
Even as a completely stock example it felt special. It’s an analog driver’s car, and my goal for the past nine years has been to build a comfortable, classic, and sporty restomod that enhances that original feeling.
The current iteration has a split personality which is an absolute riot to drive! Quiet, comfortable, and relaxing when cruising along. Your only reminder of what lurks beneath is the clink of the custom chassis-mount shifter and the challenging (but rewarding) combination of super light flywheel and aggressive clutch.
Dip into the throttle and it won’t hesitate to kick out the back end with the accompanying scream from the open wastegates. Never fails to put a huge smile on my face!
Except for the paint, I’ve done every single job on the car myself, and I’m not done yet! It’s truly a passion project and has pulled me through some tough times in life.
Thank you to R3Vlimited and the E30 community for all your help over the years.
You can see every step of my build in my 33+ page thread right here on R3Vlimited (shortlink http://e30.panici.ca).
Factory options:
Lachssilber Metallic (203)
3.73 LSD Rear Differential
1987 iS Airdam and iS trunk spoiler
14"x6.5 ET30 BBS Basketweaves
Anthracite Houndstooth Sport Interior
M-Tech I (385mm) Steering Wheel
13 Button OBC
Premium Audio
Pop Out Rear Windows
Automatic Transmission
Color:
Audi Exclusive Ipanema Brown Metallic (IPANEMABRAUN)
Interior color:
Anthracite Houndstooth Cloth
Engine modifications:
1996 M52B28 Engine Swap
Standalone ECU - Megasquirt MS3X
Custom Engine Harness
Full Sequential Spark & Fuel, Knock Sensors, Dual MAP Sensors (Altitude Compensation)
Tuned Entirely By Myself!
ARP Head studs
SCE/ATHENA Vulcan "High Boost" Cut Ring Headgasket
Precision 6062 Ball Bearing Gen2 Turbocharger. T4 Divided .84 A/R
RallyRoad Billet Fuel Rail
Injector Dynamics ID1050x
Dual TIAL MV-S Wastegates
14point7 Spartan 3 wideband O2 with LSU ADV sensor
Aeromotive Compact Fuel Pressure Regulator (13136)
Treadstone Front Mount Intercooler
TIAL Q Blow Off Valve
BMS Silicone Single Turbo Filter
Exhaust:
Level Motorsports Twin Scroll Tubular Exhaust Manifold.
Custom 3" Turboback Exhaust System.
Dynomax Super Turbo Muffler
Transmission:
5-Speed ZF320
Racehead (RHD) 7.5lb Chrome-molly steel flywheel
SPEC Stage 3+ Street/Track Clutch Kit
CRS Chassis Mount Shifter w/Delrin knob
Custom DSSR
Differential:
Refreshed 2.93 LSD
Garagistic Secondary Diff Mount
RaceGerman HD Differential Stud Kit
Revshift 80A Polyurethane Differential, Subframe, Trailing Arm Bushings.
Weld-in reinforcements for Rear Sway Bar, Differential Mount Point, Rear Shocks, Trailing Arms
HDT Automotive Upgraded Driveshaft w/1310 Spicer U-Joints
Suspension:
H&R Sport Springs (w/ 1/4 inactive coil cut from front)
Bilstein Sport Dampers (w/ cut front internal bumpstops)
AKG Front Swaybar Reinforcement Plates
E90 Drop Hats (10-15mm drop)
318i Thinner Front Spring Pads (6mm drop)
Lemförder LCAs (both sides)
Lemförder E30 M3 Offset Control Arm Bushings
Stainless shock mount reinforcement plates - made by r3v member "conway"
Turner motorsport rear shock mounts (hp aluminum/rubber)
Z3 steering rack (2.7 turns lock-to-lock)
Reinforced Chassis-side Rear Swaybar Mounts
Reinforced Front Subframe, Rear Trailing Arms
19mm ST Suspensions Rear Swaybar
22mm ST Suspensions Front Swaybar
Wheels:
15x7 BBS "Euroweaves" [et-24] w/ Dunlop Direzza dz102 (205/55r15)
Exterior modifications:
Partially Shaved & Wire Tucked Engine Bay
Hella US Ellipsoids
HID Lowbeam - Morimoto XB AMP 5000k 50W
Removable Core Support
E28 535IS Pfeba Heckspoiler
3M Ceramic IR Window Tint (70% Windshield, 50% Sides & Rear)
Repainted Euro Grilles
Kamei 3-Piece Rear Valance
Colourmatched bumper trim, cowl vents, brake booster, blower motor cover, hood latches, CAtuned rad support.
Colourmatched & smoothed rocker panels and rear sheetmetal.
LED Running, Brake, Rear Fog, Turn Signal, Side Marker Lamps
Interior modifications:
370mm M-Technic 1 Steering Wheel
Custom digital voltmeter
VDO Vision Black Water Temperature, Oil Pressure, Oil Temperature Gauges
VDO Boost Gauge (Vintage, c.1978)
Wideband Gauge. Custom Defrost Switch Mounting.
HushMat
CAtuned Black Headliner
Lloyd Mats Ultimat Floor Mats (Black) Front, Rear, & Trunk
Story behind the car:
In March 2014 I bought my first E30, an 1986 325E. Shortly thereafter I discovered frame rot and damage that was beyond repair. I decided to look for a new shell. My ideal car was a metal bumper, smaller taillight, 2-door e30, with minimal rust. This is a tall order to fill in my area.
A few months worth of searching later, a 1987 325is popped up on kijiji. The ad had no pictures, and only a few views. The price was above my budget (at this point I was looking for a shell), and it was automatic, but I sent the owner a message anyways.
We exchanged some emails, and I decided that the car was definitely worth checking out.
The first thing that piqued my interest is the specific model. The '87 325is is the only "is" model with metal bumpers, and smaller taillights. This was a one-year model.
The second was the mileage. The car has only ~160k km on it. (93k miles)
On June 5th, 2014, I borrowed my dad's TrailBlazer, hitched up my friend’s car hauler, and drove 3 hours very early on a Saturday morning to see this car. I wasn't disappointed. Took the car for a test drive, and besides the lethargic 3-speed automatic, it drove well. Although I would discover that the car was rough enough to not pass a safety inspection.
Even as a completely stock example it felt special. It’s an analog driver’s car, and my goal for the past nine years has been to build a comfortable, classic, and sporty restomod that enhances that original feeling.
The current iteration has a split personality which is an absolute riot to drive! Quiet, comfortable, and relaxing when cruising along. Your only reminder of what lurks beneath is the clink of the custom chassis-mount shifter and the challenging (but rewarding) combination of super light flywheel and aggressive clutch.
Dip into the throttle and it won’t hesitate to kick out the back end with the accompanying scream from the open wastegates. Never fails to put a huge smile on my face!
Except for the paint, I’ve done every single job on the car myself, and I’m not done yet! It’s truly a passion project and has pulled me through some tough times in life.
Thank you to R3Vlimited and the E30 community for all your help over the years.
You can see every step of my build in my 33+ page thread right here on R3Vlimited (shortlink http://e30.panici.ca).
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