Going away from my roots

[dinanm3atl]

After 2 different E36 builds over the course of almost a decade of BMW ownership I lucked into an E30. Luck struck twice since my first E30 was stupid cheap(free) but I simply wasn't in the place to 'build' a car. Well this time when I found a 2 owner California car I jumped on it. So... onto the E30 action!

*Warning* Bunch of build photos in thread. If you want to fast forward the pics from today in a 'done' state are at the end. There are some fun pictures and commentary along the way and I put a lot of time/work into the build so far so if you have the time... enjoy the read/photos.


Massive Build Thread if you want to do LOTS of reading:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=152909

Seller Photos:




1988 325iS. 145,000 miles. Clean. Low Miles. I had to have it. Off to Mississippi in the vert(now gone). Quick day trip and we brought here home... The plan was a 24v swap and basic shocks/springs, plastic bumpers and some euro goodies. I started stockpiling parts to get this thing up to speed:





Decided that it would be good to prep for audio install and get those parts:





Fun parts started to arrive and I picked up a local deal that was unplanned(this is where the budget was adjusted and dumb stuff started happening). I realized the IE3 and Bilstein Sport just wasn't going to work for me. Handled/felt great but the front just wasn't at the proper height. Needed more spring rate as well...

[dinanm3atl]

And the motor came out... and more parts...






Local 24v swap heros from here on the forums really helped with the actual swap. With work and my limited garage space and horrible driveway they knocked out the physical swap... progress photos...





Enjoy the time lapse...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9iA8uyxMyk

And she runs... and drives... And what would be the BEST thing to do? Drive her home and rip the whole thing apart right? Totally... best idea ever. So we did work. Also all trim was removed for cleaning... 48 hour this thing must get back together:






It all got back together. And all was well. Except I sold my suspension so it sits and waits. More things get cleaned. Awaiting the new suspension. Did some minor upgrades:







Since the car was down waiting on suspension I dove into the Audio:

[dinanm3atl]

Cleaned/Painted to make it look nice!







And we have goodies!







And we start the install...







Final cleaning...







So it is together and 'finished' so I took it on a break in run...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N86CaamuNlQ

But she really isn't finished yet... MORE goodies and the final touch:

[dinanm3atl]

And there you have it. Finished. It runs great. It drives great. It stops great. It slides great. It is just so much damn fun. The final touches are still in the works. A couple more things to make it a little more different and a little personal input. Also the real kicker will come when a supercharger kit deal pops up... :shifty


For now... enjoy! I know I am! Before someone says anything. The front is down a LITTLE bit from the first set of photos. 2nd set shows current height. Total mileage is ~200 miles. Waiting for them to settle. Then they will come down just a little more.


Basic Rundown:

1988 325iS
OBD1 M52 - TRM 93 Octane Tune
ZF320 Trans
UUC flywheel/segmented Kevlar Clutch
Cardinal Interior Swap
Ground Control(550/750) w/ Koni Race Inserts/Shocks
Rota Slipstream 16x8 et20 w/ 225.45.16 KDW2
UUC Bike Brake Kit

[Ray Smoodiver]

iLike

[eur04lif3]

that is sooo sick!!! :)

[e30e]

Great pictures, awesome build!

[Farbin Kaiber]

I like too, and I know you have a plan with the bumpers, but I think blacked out plastics with euro trim would look awesome.

[dinanm3atl]

Thanks guys. I want to try something with the diving boards. If it sucks... plastics.

[bimma360]

Ugh thats just great man. I love everything about this car! Just spray the doors to match those beautiful seats and it'll be 100%.

[rabbitude]

I love you're car, what shifter are you running and where did you get those boots?

[dinanm3atl]

I love you're car, what shifter are you running and where did you get those boots?

Z4 2.5 w/ ZHP Knob.

Matt-B on the forums makes them :)

Ugh thats just great man. I love everything about this car! Just spray the doors to match those beautiful seats and it'll be 100%.

Little different... black cards with MTech inserts?

[ak-]

Love it. Not feeling the headunit, but that's irrelevant.
Everything looks sick.

Don't get Euro bumpers, these have more attitude and fit the car well.

edit: How do you like the chosen spring rate? Specifically.

[bimma360]

Z4 2.5 w/ ZHP Knob.

Matt-B on the forums makes them :)


Little different... black cards with MTech inserts?

I have that same shifter setup, just with a stock leather knob. I love the z4 shifter!

As far as the cards go, I love that idea. If the cloth is similar or the same as your shift boot, that will go very well with the seats. Black seat back panels would match the doors nicely as well, but def not necessary and more of a personal preference thing. I cant wait to see it!

Dave

[msportr430]

What kind of exhaust are you running. It looks tits