Kato's Mtech 2 Vert Project Alpine White

[Kato]

Nice car and I see it's up for sale again.

I have to say, not a fan of Castro's. He quoted me $750 for a timing on a '84 eta. I didn't even bother to ask him whether it included a tensioner. The timing belt service was worth more than what I paid for the car! For a "non dealer", local shop mechanic, I expected more, lots more. This wasn't custom work, just routine service.

Of course I passed having been around e30s for two decades and knowing various mechanics. Went to a local certified BMW mechanic who has been working on e30s since the 80s and had the work done for $250. I am sure the work would have been done top notch at Castro's but in this economy, you really need to shop around at those prices especially if you want to preserve these cars and keep them. They can add up to some $$$ rather quickly.

Stunning car Kato.

Javier

Thanks for your feedback, Javier! I must say that I'm surprised to hear of your experience with Castro's. There had to be some sort of miscommunication on what you were asking for (???). I shopped around many times and Chris Castro always took great care of me each step of the way... I've since brought in two Lexus', my RX7, friends' trucks, etc... He's consistently done great work at a more than fair price and I've been in the car game and know mechanics all over town...

Maybe give him another try if you feel it's worth it. However, if you have a good mechanic that you know and trust, I'd stick with them! In my experience, building a relationship with your mechanic (like anyone else in business) is key...

[Javier h]

Nice car and I see it's up for sale again.

I have to say, not a fan of Castro's. He quoted me $750 for a timing on a '84 eta. I didn't even bother to ask him whether it included a tensioner. The timing belt service was worth more than what I paid for the car! For a "non dealer", local shop mechanic, I expected more, lots more. This wasn't custom work, just routine service.

Of course I passed having been around e30s for two decades and knowing various mechanics. Went to a local certified BMW mechanic who has been working on e30s since the 80s and had the work done for $250. I am sure the work would have been done top notch at Castro's but in this economy, you really need to shop around at those prices especially if you want to preserve these cars and keep them. They can add up to some $$$ rather quickly.

Stunning car Kato.

Javier

[Kato]

Sick!

Making power on the 13brew is quite easy. Tuning is the key. I made 320rwhp on my stock twins with supporting mods. Best piece of investment is a boost gauge and an egt/wide band.

I remember when I bought my FD back in Jan 2004, a swap for an LSx was costing $10k+ and now it's litterally half the cost.

If I had to do it all over again, I got 2jzgte, much more potential in power but the LSx motors will put you near the stock 50/50 distribution and the LSx motors weighs about roughly 50 to 100lbs, give or take, than the stock 13b.

For a mid 90's car, the styling is still so SEX-C.

Mike

Got a boost Gauge (Defi) and have Apexi FC Power Commander thinga mabobber (so i can view AFR's live and check tune). I'm going to take car down to Neptune Speed in Cali to maybe do a full tuning session to maximize my setup and keep it all safe. May swap out tranny as a little grinding occurring in a few gears (synchros). Then, we shall see. Maybe run her for awhile as is and then look into swap in the future. 2JZ would be pretty ridiculous (I love it). Something about the sound of the LS motors is intoxicating to me, however. It just trips people out to hear that Vette motor in something like an FD...

[kitsune]

Mike-thanks for the heads up. After the Porsche turbo I built, it all seems "inexpensive". I do like the 80's Porsches but I want something retarded fast and they don't work well in that category. I may do a LS Swap with forced induction on the FD or maybe sell my current one and buy one already done... I've got my eye on a few. I really like the handling/weight of the platform but agree that the 13B and drivetrain can be a bit finicky and hard to really push to extremes. I'm running about 300whp+ right now with Effini turbos, Y pipe, standalone, downpipe, catback exhaust, etc... on a factory rebuilt motor with only 14K on it. I am going to do a power tune and try and pull another 30-50 out and maybe remove the cats completely in the process (I have the midpipe)...

Sick!

Making power on the 13brew is quite easy. Tuning is the key. I made 320rwhp on my stock twins with supporting mods. Best piece of investment is a boost gauge and an egt/wide band.

I remember when I bought my FD back in Jan 2004, a swap for an LSx was costing $10k+ and now it's litterally half the cost.

If I had to do it all over again, I got 2jzgte, much more potential in power but the LSx motors will put you near the stock 50/50 distribution and the LSx motors weighs about roughly 50 to 100lbs, give or take, than the stock 13b.

For a mid 90's car, the styling is still so SEX-C.

Mike

[Zinno_e30]

Interior pics? Looks great!

[Kato]

Mike-thanks for the heads up. After the Porsche turbo I built, it all seems "inexpensive". I do like the 80's Porsches but I want something retarded fast and they don't work well in that category. I may do a LS Swap with forced induction on the FD or maybe sell my current one and buy one already done... I've got my eye on a few. I really like the handling/weight of the platform but agree that the 13B and drivetrain can be a bit finicky and hard to really push to extremes. I'm running about 300whp+ right now with Effini turbos, Y pipe, standalone, downpipe, catback exhaust, etc... on a factory rebuilt motor with only 14K on it. I am going to do a power tune and try and pull another 30-50 out and maybe remove the cats completely in the process (I have the midpipe)...

Azael-more boost is always good. It's never enough, trust me!!! Add some more or do a bigger turbo to keep yourself interested. I actually have a pretty monsterous intercooler that I picked up that I may not use anymore if you need bigger to keep temps down with a bigger turbo! :) I may also boost the Race/Track car to make it really fun! We shall see. I'm kind of tired of doing the Lemons and Chump racing as the actual driving portion fun is limited with the excessive crowds out there... Feels like a parade sometimes. May race VARA or run a Lotus in NASA that my buddy is building. Need more time and money, LOL!!!

Hope to see you guys soon!

[azael325i]

I'm great my friend.. Thanks for asking. Been busy with work. My car is doing good. Want more boost!! Lol I haven't been at the shop either. :( Hope to see u get that e30 m3 mister. I know you, you like to do big things...

[kitsune]

Thanks, mang! I now have a '95 RX-7 FD Twin Turbo that I am playing with for awhile until I can replenish my funds and do something positively MAD again like the Porsche (but nuttier)... Maybe do an e30 M3 with something retarded under the hood. :)

What are you playing with these days??? I haven't seen you in awhile, my friend! I miss hanging at Castro's on Saturdays and playing with cars! I hope that you are doing great!

I can tell you that a FD3S will zap your money more than your e30 and will cost you x3 more than your e30.

I have owned one and dang, waste of money especially on the 13brew.

However, a Porsche is a good investment especially the 930's and mid to late 80's.

My next adventure after I finish my e30 vert and m3 :D

Good luck on the FD.

Mike

[Kato]

Happy for you sir. Can't wait to see what is your next money pit!!

Thanks, mang! I now have a '95 RX-7 FD Twin Turbo that I am playing with for awhile until I can replenish my funds and do something positively MAD again like the Porsche (but nuttier)... Maybe do an e30 M3 with something retarded under the hood. :)

What are you playing with these days??? I haven't seen you in awhile, my friend! I miss hanging at Castro's on Saturdays and playing with cars! I hope that you are doing great!

[azael325i]

Happy for you sir. Can't wait to see what is your next money pit!!

[Kato]

Sorry, no shots. You can try and reach out to Castro's to see if they might be able to help you. I was not there when it was done. All that I can say is that mine are on there with stop calipers (unsure as to which I had) and everything works great with no rubbing, issues and excellent stopping power. Castro may have some additional tricks up his sleeve that I'm unaware of but that is what I was told. My car was sold/traded and the new owner continues to drive it without issue.

Good luck!

[E30FTW]

There is no slight about it. The amount of material that would need to be removed from a Girling caliper would render it very very unfit for use. Do you have any pictures of what was done to / left of the calipers?

Wish I had known this before I bought the wheels...

[Kato]

Do you have any idea what front calipers you had on the car? The Girlings won't clear the hub part of the wheel in a million years, and the ATE's hit as well. Even with the rattle clip removed they still hit. Something tells me the calipers had to be ground down...

Stockers and yes, some slight grinding was involved... Castro's made it all fit with out spacers which was great because the front didn't protrude out past the rear line which looks horrible to me! Get out the grinder!

[E30FTW]

Do you have any idea what front calipers you had on the car? The Girlings won't clear the hub part of the wheel in a million years, and the ATE's hit as well. Even with the rattle clip removed they still hit. Something tells me the calipers had to be ground down...

[Kato]

Yes, had to use tuner lugs...

Car has been traded this weekend. I'll miss her but I really enjoyed building and driving her!!!