Bay Area E30S52: No More Slush Box + More Horsepower

[bernzpeed]

It is not the first time I've owned an E30. I had an 84 318i that I had someone install a turbocharger. Kept the badge and kick some Honda Civic's ass when the light turned green. Unfortunately, a move forced me to sell that car and I sold it to a friend of mine who restores cars and does car shows. So that's where it ended up in... a winner.

Fast forward 2010, I finally got myself to get another E30, this time an 89 325i. The car is Alpine White. The body, interior and exterior is in great shape. No major dents, actually, I didn't even notice a single ding on it. Unfortunately, the engine is no good. So off to my journey, in search of the right engine. I contemplated on sticking with the M20 or swapping M50. I spoke to someone about doing the swap completely for 5K and I was not going to spend that amount of money on this car. I don't think I want to go through the project of swapping it out because its just too much work for me.

Thanks to E30is90, I got a new dash top to install over the existing dash to cover the crack. He also gave me a good price on the trunk spoiler.

The speedometer does not work so I was forever in search of that, that was close to my mileage which was 176K.

Let's cut to the chase, January 12, 2011. I found an engine on craigslist. It's whole 1987 325i part out with 63,290 miles on it. I got the VIN and verified through carfax. BINGO! Jackpot!. GOOD THINGS COME TO ALL THOSE WHO WAIT!!! I went to Sonoma and paid her a deposit and the final payment comes when she gets the tree-hugging car towed to my shop. Easy transaction. It was meant to be.

I came home and UPS had left a note for the delivery of my front lip spoiler. Everything is coming together I am so excited.

More updates soon.

[tak7]

I cant see the pic, your excitement is jumping off the page though! Pretty cool, all the best!

[bernzpeed]

The links attached to the posting will lead you there. Youtube and cardomain.

[ColdAccord]

so you will be putting an early model m20 in a late model?

[RainierHooker]

Well an '87 325i M20B25 is the same motor as what is in his. Motronic 1.3 and all...

[ColdAccord]

ah, i thought it switched in 88

[RainierHooker]

'87 was the first year of the updated drivetrain. Although some early '87 production etas still had the Motronic 1.1 DME. '88 was the first year of the updated body.

[bernzpeed]

Finally, after 4 months, my car fired up and passed smog. As i get ready to get her home, AC decides to give out. I noticed that the power steering was not working either. But oh, she sits so low I am loving her now. All she needs are new shoes.

Engine swapped.
Suspensions swapped.
AC fixed
Power steeringDONE
Starter whines upon start (but maybe because it has been sitting for awhile)
OBC retrofit kit, shows "UHR" I love it. DONE
Bought tan sport seats for $75 and I've having them redone in black since I got them so cheap.

Next in line, new shoes, DONE
black interior swap. DONE
Install IS Lip, and find the splitter that matches it. I already painted it black. DONE
IS Side skirt install DONE (Click to see how to install)
Remove tint.
Install stereo. DONE
Replace speakers. DONE
Swap lock cylinders so all keys matched, DONE
keyless entry installed.
Swap map light rear view mirrors, thanks to my Silver Bullet donor car. DONE
Install HIDs on ellipsoid and fog lamps. DONE
Fog lamps replacement or just the lens. DONE
Get all red tail lights.
Carbon fiber hood
Whole car respray
Die carpet black DONE
Oil pan gasket replacement (Desperately need to do this soon.)
Black valve cover and replace gasket DONE
Black intake manifold w/ 17lbs injectors DONE
Oil filter housing o-ring replacement DONE
Power steering pump replacement DONE
Smoked smileys w/ HIDs and LED city lights DONE
LED interior lightsDONE
Dual trunk lights w/ LEDs DONE
Suspension and trailing arm bushings replacement.
Massive brakes upgrade
Chip and 17# injectors DONE
M30 MAF Pending, waiting for adapter and cold air intake
Dashboard replacementDONE
Replace windshield with brand spanking new one.
Brake wear sensor replacementDONE
ABS relay replacementDONE

and maybe finally, S5X swap with 5 speed conversion and massive brakes. ON GOING AS OF 4/07/2013

Update:
Car is up running on S52 but still missing a catalytic c0nverter.
Looking for 3.73 LSD

[Holland]

Silver, for sure.

[bernzpeed]

I've arranged for a group buy for the XXR 521 16x8 in silver 4x100.

[Mikhail Bakunin]

Great video. I watched all 14 mins of it. I'm going to watch it again as soon as I forward it to all my friends. I love the snapshots of a stock car. And it was set to really great music too.

[bernzpeed]

When I got my car back from the shop after an engine transplant and installing the new suspension.

Photo soon.

Original miles of the engine.

[bernzpeed]

More things that needed my attention.

[bernzpeed]

Things I Like Black



New Clips for the New IS Lip, wish I painted the valance first.


How do you clean the lens completely, I mean remove the pitting?


Looking good already. Black and White is really working for me.


Finally installed. Replaced my ellipsoid with my spare that had shiny chrome rings.


Here's how she sits now.

[broke30]

That video was 13minutes of pictures with crappy(emo) music.... Car looks decent though


Max