Well it is about time i introduce myself and my new E30. My name is Evan and I like many others Love BMWs. Previous lineup includes E36, 840ci, 740i sport black on black. I choose to go down the E30 route because i wanted a four door i could tinker on that was fun and sexy.
Previous lineup
I also wanted to create this thread as journal and history of my E30
But enough about me. I picked up a 1988 325i sedan 5 speed with sunroof and a broken T-belt for $700 thanksgiving 2010. It had 225,000 on the inop ODO, reviewed the records that he had and it worked until late 2004. He only put about 8000 a year on it.The PO was a high school student who used to commute 2 miles to high school. The timing belt broke when he was getting the mail in front of his house, he towed into his yard and it sat there tell i picked it up. I wanted to buy a E30 in this shape so i could go thru everything with new and know exactly where and what the condition the car was in.
Here it is when i picked it up, good paint and a little cancer under the license plate.
First order of business was going shopping.
Removed the head and sent out for check and rebuild. Head was good just 2 bent bent valves and 2 broken rockers. replaced rockers and put in all new valves.
While the head was out i replaced the following so i would have a good starting point and reduce the down time for troubleshooting in the future.
Timing belt
Tensioner
Water pump
Thermostat
All belts
Cooling hoses
Induction elbow and corresponding hoses
Air filter
oil and filter
Spark plugs
Plug wire set
Coil
rotor
Distributor
Coolant
Tranny fluid
Diff fluid (this weekend)
Fuel Filter
ECU upgrade and a 91 chip
Swapped out injectors from my E36 that was just totaled (rage)
On to the Pics
Right off the bat i thought i was in trouble when i pulled the lever to pop the hood and it broke in my hand.
My little helper, i had to go get her own tool set as mine started to disappear
The PO live in the country on a dirt road so everything was dirty.
Cleaning time
I used aircraft stripper i had laying around to clean the cosmolean off
All back together
Moment of truth
Rolled it out of the garage and had the wife on duty with a fire extinguisher and bucket of water just in case.
Cranked it over....for about 10 seconds. nothing.
Sat there for a second and then started to curse at myself. :hitler:
I then went and put some gas in it. Fired right up. I then drove it like i stole it for a little bit with the hood off. Checked for leaks periodically, once everything was snugged up and the ECU learned its range it was running good.
I now have a good running E30, Phase 1 complete.
I now have bugs to work out that any 20 some year old car has. Brake light, flashing check light, ABS light, water leaks ect. Bug chasing will always be there as long as i own the E30 so for now i call Phase 2 complete
I now turned to some cosmetics.
Front valance and fogs were broken and no lip was to be found. And Cancer :-x
Rebuilt the cluster and set the mileage appropriately, also put some cluster rings in for ascetics.
I also went ahead and tucked my bumpers while i was in there. Very easy.
Put on a new shift boot (thanks Matt-B) and addressed the cancer and covered with Euro plate holder
Took off the bottle caps and replaced with some 17x7 ADRs
Phase 3 cosmetics hopes to be wrapped up this weekend. Still need to put on my sport pedals and IS decklid spoiler.
It is now spring and warm enough for a good wash and wax
I cleaned the engine first (still need to upload pics of engine) then washed the car. I attacked with a clay bar then another wash. Then came a cleaner wax. About this time the temp began to climb so i didn't get as a good wax job as i wanted to do.
Before
After
Fam all loaded up heading out to the first meet of the year
Yes i know i need a drop and IS lip. I would have a hard time getting into my driveway if it is dropped. So for know i just replaced the suspension with stock and went thru the front end with the following kit. and brakes were done as well.
This is my daily driver now so i will not get to extreme with it, just love to tinker on it.
Phase 4 will be this fall and that will be interior based with a sport seat upgrade and complete interior recovering.
Phase 5 will be centered around the power plant.
Previous lineup
I also wanted to create this thread as journal and history of my E30
But enough about me. I picked up a 1988 325i sedan 5 speed with sunroof and a broken T-belt for $700 thanksgiving 2010. It had 225,000 on the inop ODO, reviewed the records that he had and it worked until late 2004. He only put about 8000 a year on it.The PO was a high school student who used to commute 2 miles to high school. The timing belt broke when he was getting the mail in front of his house, he towed into his yard and it sat there tell i picked it up. I wanted to buy a E30 in this shape so i could go thru everything with new and know exactly where and what the condition the car was in.
Here it is when i picked it up, good paint and a little cancer under the license plate.
First order of business was going shopping.
Removed the head and sent out for check and rebuild. Head was good just 2 bent bent valves and 2 broken rockers. replaced rockers and put in all new valves.
While the head was out i replaced the following so i would have a good starting point and reduce the down time for troubleshooting in the future.
Timing belt
Tensioner
Water pump
Thermostat
All belts
Cooling hoses
Induction elbow and corresponding hoses
Air filter
oil and filter
Spark plugs
Plug wire set
Coil
rotor
Distributor
Coolant
Tranny fluid
Diff fluid (this weekend)
Fuel Filter
ECU upgrade and a 91 chip
Swapped out injectors from my E36 that was just totaled (rage)
On to the Pics
Right off the bat i thought i was in trouble when i pulled the lever to pop the hood and it broke in my hand.
My little helper, i had to go get her own tool set as mine started to disappear
The PO live in the country on a dirt road so everything was dirty.
Cleaning time
I used aircraft stripper i had laying around to clean the cosmolean off
All back together
Moment of truth
Rolled it out of the garage and had the wife on duty with a fire extinguisher and bucket of water just in case.
Cranked it over....for about 10 seconds. nothing.
Sat there for a second and then started to curse at myself. :hitler:
I then went and put some gas in it. Fired right up. I then drove it like i stole it for a little bit with the hood off. Checked for leaks periodically, once everything was snugged up and the ECU learned its range it was running good.
I now have a good running E30, Phase 1 complete.
I now have bugs to work out that any 20 some year old car has. Brake light, flashing check light, ABS light, water leaks ect. Bug chasing will always be there as long as i own the E30 so for now i call Phase 2 complete
I now turned to some cosmetics.
Front valance and fogs were broken and no lip was to be found. And Cancer :-x
Rebuilt the cluster and set the mileage appropriately, also put some cluster rings in for ascetics.
I also went ahead and tucked my bumpers while i was in there. Very easy.
Put on a new shift boot (thanks Matt-B) and addressed the cancer and covered with Euro plate holder
Took off the bottle caps and replaced with some 17x7 ADRs
Phase 3 cosmetics hopes to be wrapped up this weekend. Still need to put on my sport pedals and IS decklid spoiler.
It is now spring and warm enough for a good wash and wax
I cleaned the engine first (still need to upload pics of engine) then washed the car. I attacked with a clay bar then another wash. Then came a cleaner wax. About this time the temp began to climb so i didn't get as a good wax job as i wanted to do.
Before
After
Fam all loaded up heading out to the first meet of the year
Yes i know i need a drop and IS lip. I would have a hard time getting into my driveway if it is dropped. So for know i just replaced the suspension with stock and went thru the front end with the following kit. and brakes were done as well.
This is my daily driver now so i will not get to extreme with it, just love to tinker on it.
Phase 4 will be this fall and that will be interior based with a sport seat upgrade and complete interior recovering.
Phase 5 will be centered around the power plant.
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