Official Introduction

[88Sedan]

Hi guys I wanted to make a late introduction of my e30 as I now have it in semi presentable shape finally. I just completed a front suspension rebuild which was pretty extensive. This included:


Reinforced front subframe
New offset CA bushings with new CA arms
H&R OE sport springs
Koni Yellows
Ground Control Sport Strut Mounts
M3 style endlink mounts
New sway bar bushings
Self-rebuilt and installed Z3 Rack conversion
Chase Bays PS hose and cooler setup
Rebuilt Front Calipers
Braided brake hoses
RaceSkids skid plate
StrutbarWorks Strut Brace
StrutbarWorks Under Chassis Brace
Baffled Oil Pan
12.5mm front wheel spacers for the new wheels that aren’t on yet
Wheel stud conversion



I just got my first drive in it after doing all this work so I am happy as a clam right now. The only
“issue” I haven’t figured out is an intermittent steering creak that only happens in a specific range of wheel travel on the left side and only at slow speed or no speed. I checked for rubbing, strut nuts retorqued appropriately etc.

This was all done after doing a gasket refresh on the motor. Nothing in the rear of the car has been touched, it’s riding on saggy OE springs back there for the moment and bottlecaps until the rear is rebuilt. Unfortunately I have head gasket oil weeping in the front of the cylinder head, but the motor doesn’t burn oil and runs really well. Once I complete the rear end work I will begin an m20 stroker build to drop in the car. Before all this work the car had an awful reverse rake ride height hence my late introduction. The plans for the rear are:


Same springs/shocks as above
Subframe reinforcement
Brace which triangulates the subframe diff mount to the rear shock towers for fatigue prevention
Trailing arm reinforcement
Poly bushings
Caliper rebuild and new hoses

And other things that will be done but are not yet underway are:
Figure out a seat setup that works for my 6'5 frame
Keyless Entry
Antenna Replacement
DSSR/housing bushing/selector joint (car already has z3 shift lever, not sure which one)




*Note: PS cooler is not mounted where pictures show, I just didn’t have another photo on hand besides ones taken during mock up. My vision for this car is to make a highly streetable fun car that still has creature comforts but can also be whipped around at the autocross.

Car is equipped with 5 speed manual and 3.73LSD. I also am running a digitized AFM and has a modern 2.5" catalytic converter fitted into stock exhaust.

[2mAn]

Welcome to R3V, as is customary here we need more pics

[88Sedan]

Thanks, I will work on taking more pictures. I have tons of hours in this car to try to make it a clean example that I'm not afraid to drive, but still plenty more to do. The entire car was caked in grease and oil when I got it. I rebuilt the throttle body entirely and gasket matched the intake (not ported just made ports equal). Almost every hose was replaced, every seal except HG replaced. I plan on updating this thread throughout the build process.

[88Sedan]

I'm no photographer, quite bad actually, but here's a few more snaps I took recently before discovering the master cylinder was failing. Luckily this happened on an empty road and the brakes worked enough to get me home safe.

[88Sedan]

Uploading one picture for the archive. H&R OE Sport springs sitting too low in the rear. I didn't realize this has happened to others until doing a search to compare. At least this lets me see how I feel about the spring/shock combo. I definitely want to firm up the rear shocks for body roll control but it rides nicely.

[mike.bmw]

Uploading one picture for the archive. H&R OE Sport springs sitting too low in the rear. I didn't realize this has happened to others until doing a search to compare. At least this lets me see how I feel about the spring/shock combo. I definitely want to firm up the rear shocks for body roll control but it rides nicely.

You can use the thicker upper E46 rear spring pads (direct swap, in place of the E30's rear lower spring pads) to raise the rear a bit. I had to do this on my 318is. There are also aftermarket adjustable/stackable rear spring pads for this very reason.

[88Sedan]

Current lower spring pads are 7.5mm and I have 15mm ones that will be installed later. This should result in roughly 12mm/.5" raise which might be enough. Do you know the thickness of the mentioned e46 upper pads? My normal DD needs some maintenance so I won't get to it for a while.

[mike.bmw]

Current lower spring pads are 7.5mm and I have 15mm ones that will be installed later. This should result in roughly 12mm/.5" raise which might be enough. Do you know the thickness of the mentioned e46 upper pads? My normal DD needs some maintenance so I won't get to it for a while.

Here's an old post with some info: https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/for...84#post7081484