my $500 project

[McGyver]

Wow two year later update. I've never seen a dash cracked that bad ever lol. It was oddly creepy to look at, I have no clue why but it made my skin crawl. How's the car been to you?

Well shit. I guess it's been another 2 years. Where does the time go? Yeah, the whole car was super fucking gross. The GF at the time wouldn't even sit in it. Let's see, what have I done in the past two years? I guess just a few minor things and a 5-speed swap? It took me about 1-2 months for the swap since I was taking my time and only working for an hour or so in the evenings after work and the occasional saturday/sunday.

Gathered some parts:


So it turned out that I had a terrible leak at my intake manifold because the gasket failed. So that was the first thing to do.

TB off:


Intake off:



Closeup of the problem:


The jobsite:


Got 3 out of 4 jack stands under when the jack gave out. I ran to the corner store, found some power steering fluid and filled up the jack with that. Work ok?


Exhaust unbolted and off:



Drive shaft and guibo off:



Ripped the tranny off, the torque converter stayed :/ :


Time to use my new toy (impact wrench) on the flywheel bolts!!!


New 4:10 lsd diff to replace the old open diff (no more 1 tire fire!!!):


All packed up after working, it's amazing how much can fit in the trunk!


My attempt for putting in a tranny by myself on my back. It worked great for the diff, but i just couldn't get this bitch in place. So I yelled for my neighbor (massive marine) to come help. He held it up and we wrestled with it for a while before he got tired of holding it and just slammed it in place. I was much impressed.


Re-gasketed 5-speed in (had to borrow said neighbor's big-boy impact wrench to get the output flange off):


I destroyed the oil pan gasket replacing the horseshoe seal. Then the store gave me an m5x gasket for my m20. Finally got the right one, and here is my solution for lifting the engine to get the pan past the pump/subframe:


jackstands vs. no-jackstands:


got some new engine mounts:


Considering a skidplate...


lightened flywheel:


used clutch:


pressure plate on:


Let the car down for the night so neighbors/landlord wouldn't know the extent of my work since I was renting an apartment. Well, the damn thing slid forward off the last stand since I was working on a slope. So, time to borrow the marine's chain and use Scotty to two Luna to a good spot for more work (also, notice my dog with glowing eyes in the door):


I know I have more pics. I just have to find them. Project is all done and Luna (coupe) has been my daily since I fractured the oil pan in Scotty (vert). The only issue is that I have a rhythmic clunk that starts around 10mph and increases in frequency as I drive faster. It's super fucking annoying, but I'm also super fucking lazy so I've just been dealing with it. It's probably an axle or drive shaft. I also think some front ball joints/shock mounts have given up due to the thunks I get when going over bumps. This bitch will never be done...

[Vivek]

Wow two year later update. I've never seen a dash cracked that bad ever lol. It was oddly creepy to look at, I have no clue why but it made my skin crawl. How's the car been to you?

[ANDRÜ]

Polish usually does the trick. Nice work so far

[Pantless Spency]

niceeeeeee me gusta.

[XW70]

Nice transformation! good work

[agent]

Nice progress; looking good!

[McGyver]

so MASSIVE update. I got a job working at Bimmer Rescue in Richmond, so if you need work done come by because i dont get to work or get paid if we have no cars. (tell Patrick I referred you) He motivated me to do all the work I have been putting off for over a year to get ready for the Vintage.

I fixed the rust holes:











(first time welding)







trans mounts, CSB, and guibo were beyond shot...

















cut, polished, and waxed the paint!



shadow lined the trim to make the pop out windows match



and now i have water that will bead and no green rubs off when you touch it!



interior pics with the installed carpet and trim soon! also straightened the valence out. overall a crazy amount of work for one week, but im am thoroughly impressed and completely in love again. its come so far since i bought it.

[Pac1373]

Nice pick up for 500 bones, I would pay that for that car W/O drivetrain.(can't find rust free e30's here at all)
good for you man.
cheers

[threlevenguy]

good luck, text me if you need help dude

[LuckyHenriksen]

sweet project

[slammin.e28]

Man.....I need to get on CL more often....

Maybe not....I've got enough e30-ness to last me a while

nice find! Have fun! Gotta be better than restoring a swamp rescue:roll:

[McGyver]

good call, i guess that should make it pass inspection till i fix the problem. PO left alot of stuff half done.

[Danny]

Unplug the last one so it matches.

[McGyver]

I just put in the new windshield today and got headlights and fuel pump working. it looks like the brakes weren't leaking, but it was 1.25 gallons low on antifreeze.

now the only thing left is to get the last 3 side markers working. they have new bulbs and one is lighting up, but the rears and front passenger side wont do anything. any ideas?

[McGyver]

Brake - a device for slowing or stopping a vehicle or other moving mechanism by the absorption or transfer of the energy of momentum, usually by means of friction.

Break - to smash, split, or divide into parts violently; reduce to pieces or fragments

i just realized what you said when google corrected me. :|