Engine Bay Makeovers

[Pino]

Hey guys,

I thought it would be cool to get some before/after or progress pictures of everyones' engine bay.

Right now I'm in the 'before' stage. I've decided to completely reorganize and design what's under my hood. I built this car in highschool with the help of many friends and it's an ingrained part of who I am now. It's been messed up a bunch of times and I've had HORRIBLE luck with e30s, but that's what bonds us. There's just something inherently human with a car that makes mistakes and breaks all the time. Anywho, I'm confident when I say that i'll never sell the thing. And I wanna have some fun, so I'm thinking of painting the inside of the engine bay in matte black or even textured bed liner. That'll match pretty much whatever I plan to paint the outside, it'll be very tough, hide imperfections, and look unique. I've stuck with genuine OE BMW for too long. Now I need to try something else. Matte black with lime green accents has been calling me :)


So post up any pics of inspiration, advice, or ideas!

Positive things I've already done:
- A/C Removal
- Cruise control removal
- Windshield washer removal

Here's what I need to do:
- Remove remote start
- Relocate alarm horn
- Remove HID fogs (ballasts and everything) and install covers.
- Somehow hide my other ballasts.
- Shave useless brackets
- Remove drivers side high beam
- Paint engine bay
- Paint valve cover and various metal pieces.
- Paint satin black all the faded plastic pieces

[ubernasty]

previous car

[StereoInstaller1]

[george graves]

^That was like 10 pounds of dirt.

[Pino]

Veryyy nice...

And sorry guys, just noticed that there's an engine bay thread stickied here. My bad.

Can anyone help me figure out what the orange electrical modules are by the fender walls, near the strut housing? Can I remove them?

[Stevie30]

This is the before of my latest 318is.
The car has been sitting for six years.

[Jparkr]

to

[Jparkr]

Clients 318i:


to


Not done, just current.

[schtozo]

Veryyy nice...

And sorry guys, just noticed that there's an engine bay thread stickied here. My bad.

Can anyone help me figure out what the orange electrical modules are by the fender walls, near the strut housing? Can I remove them?

Orange stuff = air bag stuff. Be careful before removing any airbag shit. Disconnect battery first and wait 20 minutes or so before you start unplugging

[Anguz]

mr jparkr. where did you get the headers for the m20?

[Jparkr]

I got them off of a parts car and had them ceramic coated. They are Stahl headers.

[u3b3rg33k]

Orange stuff = air bag stuff. Be careful before removing any airbag shit. Disconnect battery first and wait 20 minutes or so before you start unplugging

Or whack them with a hammer. That way there are no surprises (meaning the explosives go boom).

[Pino]

Orange stuff = air bag stuff. Be careful before removing any airbag shit. Disconnect battery first and wait 20 minutes or so before you start unplugging

Sweet, thanks! I've been trying to figure this out for a while now.

I removed my airbag years ago and disconnected the SRS light. I'm just gunna cut the wires and unscrew the module. That'll be OK, right? My car wont explode or anything?

[White325is]

I LOVE THESE THREADS!! HaHaHa..

My 87 325e. No engine.



New engine and alot of cleaning.



My 90 325is.







Then my 91 318is.













I had other photos of some of my other e30s. But I cant seem to find them.
That should hold you over though. :)

[6gen91]

How did ya all paint the bay? rattle cans or spray em? And what primors/paint