'87 Vert For Her

[m2d2]

I wasn’t really feeling like spending time in the garage last night, but a few parts showed up late, and, well, necessity is the mother of kitchen mechanics. So, there I was, doing transmission work at the kitchen counter. I replaced all the seals and installed some Garagistic shifter parts—because who needs a charcuterie board when you’ve got precision components laid out instead? Everything turned out great, and I’m pretty sure this setup is going to feel amazing when it’s all back in the car. (Bonus: my kitchen now has the faint scent of gear oil. Very classy.)

On Friday night, a friend stopped by for some car work, but the real highlight was the BMW M-inspired coaster set he 3D printed for me. It’s wild what people are doing with 3D printing these days—functional, creative, and just nerdy enough to make me wonder why I don’t own a printer yet.

Oh, and speaking of wild tech, we also tried out his new Quest 3 VR headset. After a few minutes of stumbling around and flailing like I was being attacked by invisible ninjas, I’ve decided that maybe VR isn’t my calling. But hey, at least the headset survived, unlike my dignity.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFXH-lrOa3G/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

[m2d2]

Put the rotating assembly together a few nights ago. Here are a couple pics and video of the shenanigans:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFl4rUPMVp6/

[m2d2]

A few updates on the build. Oil pan and a few accessories installed. New intake and exhaust studs installed in head. Swaybar and front strut housings painted, new wheel bearings installed and struts assembled. Realized *after* installing the wheel bearings I had forgotten to install the new dust shields... So, I think I'm going to run without them (thoughts?), or cut a slit in them in order to install.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGAHpImMx34/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DF8WDNeRKri/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[m2d2]

After searching for over a year, I finally found a set of IE long tubes pop up on ebay, so I wasted no time submitting an offer and securing them. I received and got them cleaned up yesterday. Excited to have finally found a set and hope they fit well!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGCXL-2M3Ea/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[m2d2]

I got the head assembled yesterday and wanted to share a quick warning for anyone replacing their rocker shafts, like I had to. The Ireland Engineering shafts seem to be slightly misaligned compared to OEM. The retainer grooves are just a bit off, which causes the rockers to sit slightly off-center on the springs and cam lobes.

We were able to make it work by carefully bending the retaining clip, but it’s definitely not ideal. What’s odd is that when looking at the shafts directly, they appear to align, but it’s almost as if they’re not quite long enough, which shifts the retainer groove positions.

I think everything will be fine, but I wasn’t thrilled with the fitment. Just something to keep in mind if you’re planning to install these!

Sepcs are:
IE HD rockers
IE 272* cam
Upgraded Intake and Exhaust studs / nuts
Machine shop cut the valves
New seals
Reused stock springs and collets
New freeze plug in the head
New cam seal and o-ring

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGJ92C_sj3S/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[m2d2]

Build is really coming together. I got my valve cover back from powdercoating and got head installed last night. The IE headers were nearly a perfect fit (so far), just needed to enlarge 2 of the manifold stud holes since I had replaced them. Really happy with how everything is going so far!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGQzBHfOWym/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[zwill23]

Pushing so close to a first start! That's going to feel great. The E30 was a great distraction for me as well going through a difficult break up. One day at a time, things will get better!

How do you like that radio? I've been using a perfectly fine Alpine unit for the last decade, the look alone of those blaupunkt radios has me yearning for something more period correct but reviews seem hit and miss on functionality.

[m2d2]

Pushing so close to a first start! That's going to feel great. The E30 was a great distraction for me as well going through a difficult break up. One day at a time, things will get better!

How do you like that radio? I've been using a perfectly fine Alpine unit for the last decade, the look alone of those blaupunkt radios has me yearning for something more period correct but reviews seem hit and miss on functionality.

Hey friend, thanks for the kind words. I really appreciate it. Things are starting to get easier, or less-hard, I should say. The e30 project has really helped, even though there have been days where I can't even drag myself out there to work on it because I'm feeling down. But it helps keeping my mind occupied! I'm very excited for the first start up, but also a bit nervous! Fingers crossed.

I really like the radio. I'd like to do the flush mount kit for a better aesthetic, but functionality wise I think it's great. I have no complaints. I'm really happy with it, though it is quite expensive!! Let me know if you decide to pull the trigger... I recommend :)

[m2d2]

No video today but a few pictures. I got the intake manifold and strut bar back from powder coating. I went simple with a slight textured black, but like how it turned out. I am getting pretty close! I think I'll be ready and waiting on ECS tuning to get the Turner flywheel back in stock. My order is in, so I'm just waiting for it to ship at this point!

Timing cover is painted and Ireland Engineering sent me the correct freeze plugs after originally sending the wrong set.

I have the intake manifold and headers mocked up for the pics, but not permanently installed yet.

Getting close!

[Northern]

Those stamped intermediate gears are known to fail. They updated them to a sintered setup later on but there is a dowel or something you also need if you convert IIRC.

[Dj Buttchug]

Sorry to hear about the split up. Theres always a reason for everything that happens even though you may not see it yet. Better things to come. Very nice attention to detail on the build.

[m2d2]

Those stamped intermediate gears are known to fail. They updated them to a sintered setup later on but there is a dowel or something you also need if you convert IIRC.

would you mind elaborating? Are you referring to the Intermediate shaft gear? Replacing anything right now is much easier than after the install, so I'd love to do some research on what you are referencing!

edit* Found some info here: https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/for...e-gear-failure

It looks like the updated gear is physically larger, or maybe that's just an illusion. Is the same size timing belt used with the updated gear?

edit again - looks like same size, same teeth. UGH!! I guess I need to consider upgrading while I'm at this point. Just don't want to tear everything apart to get to it :(

[m2d2]

Ok so looking at this picture, it appears I have the newer style sintered cam gear, but the stamped IMS gear. The IMS gear would be fairly easy to replace, just requires ripping the front off and retiming everything. Not that bad. I'm reading there are mixed reviews about reusing the stock washer since there isn't a dowel on the upgraded sintered gear for the washer hole, and it requires a shorter bolt. Is that correct? Reuse old washer as a spacer with a shorter bolt?

[Northern]

The cam gear was superseded early in production, but for some reason the intermediate gear was later.
There are probably a bunch of cars that are surviving just fine with it, but for the cost of a rebuild I think it's worth swapping out.

I guess it's the bolt that's different? I did it for my iX a long time ago but have no memory of doing it - I don't think I changed the bolt and just flipped the washer.

https://www.rtsauto.com/e30-m20-often-missed-important-part-of-a-timing-belt-job-intermediate-shaft-sprocket-gear/

[m2d2]

The cam gear was superseded early in production, but for some reason the intermediate gear was later.
There are probably a bunch of cars that are surviving just fine with it, but for the cost of a rebuild I think it's worth swapping out.

I guess it's the bolt that's different? I did it for my iX a long time ago but have no memory of doing it - I don't think I changed the bolt and just flipped the washer.

https://www.rtsauto.com/e30-m20-ofte...sprocket-gear/

Thank you for the advice. I tore the front apart yesterday (it actually only took about 10 minutes, give or take) to get to the IMS gear. It seems to be in good condition, with no rust, but for a $30 part and a week's wait, it is not worth risking a new build on a stupid failure point. I did a ton of research yesterday about reusing the washer and the different length bolts.

*EDIT* The current bolt is approx. 35mm (approx. 1 3/8"), which is longer than the recommended and NLA bolt for the new sintered gear. So I need to source a shorter bolt for this, though I've read both bolts can be used successfully? From my understanding, I use the new sintered gear's dimple into the IMS hub, and reuse the washer, which now just floats between the bolt head and the gear. I'm glad this was pointed out now, versus later, even though I think the old stamped gear would have been fine for at least a while. I appreciate the peace of mind knowing it is no longer a weak/failure point.