My E30: an LS3 Powered 1991 318iS

[kristov]

Any news here?

[OldDrunkenSailor]

Ha, nothing major. Mechanically the car is completely and utterly sound. Just changed the oil on it, it came out to a whopping 4 quarts before being at the dipstick.

Other than that, I've done this to it:
10" Lukebox w/ amprack
AudioControl Three.2 EQ
New MTech2 wheel
8.2" removable tablet in the dashboard
-To control audio, GPS, and get engine stats
HVAC relocate (in progress)
e46 armrest (in progress)
HUD system (in progress)

And then next year I'd like to get the interior redone in quilted leather. That's still a while out though.

The car's still averaging about 20-25mpg. It idles at 35mph and sits at 1k at 60mph when cruising. I sold my DD because this car was just too good, so now my daily ride is a little more sensible.

[jaywood]

I wish I had enough money for that engine. I bet it's so fun!

[ButtJuice]

daaayumn honey!

[MR 325]

I still want this car... BAD!

[idanity]

i would really like to see this again...and maybe a ride along, especially if / when at the track...monroe speedway anytime...or just a local cruise. as i am pondering a v8 swap (m60, or ls1,3,) and want to ask...what is the ballpark cost you went through for eng, tran, steering alone (if you care to tell)

i saw another ls3 being built with a porsche rear end....4 door, and havent seen it since.

[OldDrunkenSailor]

i would really like to see this again...and maybe a ride along, especially if / when at the track...monroe speedway anytime...or just a local cruise. as i am pondering a v8 swap (m60, or ls1,3,) and want to ask...what is the ballpark cost you went through for eng, tran, steering alone (if you care to tell)

i saw another ls3 being built with a porsche rear end....4 door, and havent seen it since.

I would love to take it out to the track, just need the time/money to do it. If you wanted to do a ridealong just let me know when next you'll be at one of our meets. We get burgers and beer almost every Tuesday (an always shifting, semi-consistent group of r3v fellows....and Sparkle).

As for cost, there's about a thousand ways that you can do it for less than I did, I went new for almost everything but I know that most people don't care that much. We can talk about your budget and what you can do when next we're around the car.

[Vegas227]

Now I want to move to Washington. Such a beautiful car.

[F34R]

Nice dude! But you should have AT LEAST went with 235s, can easily make them fit with right wheel/offset :)

Also, this car NEEDS better suspension and brakes!!!

All of this^

LS3 and you went with 215

Don't take it as me bashing you OP, just it is well...dumb to have 215/40 in a LS3 e30. The Corvette has 245front and 285 rear...HAS to have wide tires to put that power into traction ;)

UUC sells a great BBK that is direct fit and has plenty of stopping power for that monster. Granted it is just more bite since your car e30 did not gain a lot of weight.

How do you like the Touring springs? The Race springs by H&R are fantastic fyi.

Just like Mr. 325 is saying "give me you car" ;)

[OldDrunkenSailor]

All of this^

LS3 and you went with 215

Don't take it as me bashing you OP, just it is well...dumb to have 215/40 in a LS3 e30. The Corvette has 245front and 285 rear...HAS to have wide tires to put that power into traction ;)

UUC sells a great BBK that is direct fit and has plenty of stopping power for that monster. Granted it is just more bite since your car e30 did not gain a lot of weight.

How do you like the Touring springs? The Race springs by H&R are fantastic fyi.

Just like Mr. 325 is saying "give me you car" ;)

You'd actually be surprised at how well the 215s stick, it's pretty great. You can burn in 1st-3rd but only on launch or extremely hard acceleration on a crappy road. More or less they somehow stick. If I was doing a lot of corners however, those extra 2cm of grip would probably be worthwhile.

I was going to do a BBK as well, Ireland sells a Willwood one that I was going to go for. At $3k for front/rear however, I decided to hold off and do that after my interior.

The Touring Cup Kit is actually really nice. Sometimes I tell myself that I want it a little firmer but that would probably not do so well with normal, everyday driving, which is really what the car excels at.

Just come to the e30 picnic one of these years guys, we need more non-PNW blood out there!

[markseven]

You'd actually be surprised at how well the 215s stick, it's pretty great. You can burn in 1st-3rd but only on launch or extremely hard acceleration on a crappy road. More or less they somehow stick. If I was doing a lot of corners however, those extra 2cm of grip would probably be worthwhile.

I was going to do a BBK as well, Ireland sells a Willwood one that I was going to go for. At $3k for front/rear however, I decided to hold off and do that after my interior.

The Touring Cup Kit is actually really nice. Sometimes I tell myself that I want it a little firmer but that would probably not do so well with normal, everyday driving, which is really what the car excels at.

Just come to the e30 picnic one of these years guys, we need more non-PNW blood out there!

Like F34R said, the UUC kit is light, strong and effective... and an awesome deal at less than $800. I have H&R Race on my daily, and my wife and daughter do not complain, if that is any indication.

Any plans to bring the car to Bimmerfest?

[OldDrunkenSailor]

Oh wow, I wouldn't have expected it to be that cheap. Also good to know about the suspension. If/when I ever need to replace the Touring I'll look into it.

When is Bimmerfest? That's the one in CA somewhere, right? I wouldn't mind going but I'd want to close out most-all of my current projects first.

[markseven]

Oh wow, I wouldn't have expected it to be that cheap. Also good to know about the suspension. If/when I ever need to replace the Touring I'll look into it.

When is Bimmerfest? That's the one in CA somewhere, right? I wouldn't mind going but I'd want to close out most-all of my current projects first.

Yep. Calipers, rotors, hats, pads, and SS brake lines.

Bimmerfest will be in early May of 2013, most probably at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. You should bring it.

[OldDrunkenSailor]

Hmmm Well shoot me a line next feb and we'll see what's going on in May :)

[iansane]

What shifter assembly did you use and where is it located relative to the center console? Aka, does it need the setback of the GTO remote-ish shifter?