Ulrich's E30 Vert Project

[UlrichFennec]

So, the dash finally got put back together. The only issue is with the Depo smileys that I have them installing. They're saying that they're having issues installing them. I would install it myself, but I'm far too afraid to mess with the electrical systems in bae with such little hands on experience.

I suggested that they splice it in, as it shouldn't be that hard to install headlights and fiddle with the wires. I have no use for the city lights, as I bought the smileys for the look, not the function. I don't really see the point in city lights in the US, so I'm not having them mess with the connectors for them.

The oil leak seems to be coming from my pan/drain plug, as the PO likely bottomed it a bit when putting on the lowering springs. That's a bullet dodged. I'd die if it were my cam seals or head gasket, and my wallet would get a thorough plowing.

I'll have it back at some point. I can only play the waiting game right now.

In other news, I bought a nice metric tool set so I can wrench on a few things myself!

[UlrichFennec]

I figured I'd clean my summer wheels up before I get them put on. Got all the nastiness off and found a little bit of curb rash, but I can deal with it. Also picked up some new roundels to put on them instead of the PO's tacky Decepticon logos that were on.

OEM Springs were just installed, the foglights are in, and the last thing they need to tackle are the headlights and the M3 clock. That, and they fixed my little oil leak. Turns out it was the oil drain plug as I suspected. They're currently inspecting a little transmission fluid leak, and I have a feeling that it's coming from the trans pan or one of the cooling lines. If not, TIME FOR A MANUAL SWAP. EEEE~

I should hopefully have bae finished by next week. Here's some potato cam pictures of my little wheels spruced up a bit:

[UlrichFennec]

Okay, so the wheels just got put on to check the fitment, but here's the problem:

DAT GAP. DEAR GOD.

The tires the PO has on these are waaay too tiny for me, and they were rubbing on the fender when it was lowered. If I wanted the car low, I'd keep the tires, but I can't have that hideous massive gap. It's about 4-5 inches. I'm fine with 2-3 inch gaps, but this is just ghetto looking imo. The size of the tires that are on now are 195/40/r16, I believe.

I'll be getting 205/50/r16 tires to replace these. Here are the wheels in question:

[UlrichFennec]

I also got my Tachometer in today! The SI Board is going to be repaired and brought back to its former, orange glowing glory! I decided to order a set of adapters for the smileys that are getting put on, so they don't have to splice anything in. This is good. My car is making progress. The biggest hurdle is the transmission seals, and then she'll be as good as new!

A little more information on the short, though. Apparently, the wires were touching part of the trunk lid, so it created a ground and that's been all fixed. I guess it was rubbing on the metal. I don't know, I'm no expert at wiring, lol. That, and that picture of the gauge cluster with that hole in the side? Yeah, that's a jury-rigged job. The PO apparently didn't want to go through taking the gauge cluster apart to replace the SI batteries (which is a common thing that needs to be done) so he had it ghetto wired to some flashlight batteries or something. My mechanic will be showing me how everything works and taking it apart to replace the batteries.

Here's the new tach!

[UlrichFennec]

Just ordered a new Level 2 Performance Ultimate Timing Belt Kit from ECS Tuning and a set of new Kumho tires in 205/50/R16 so they'll sit more square with the wheels.

The adapters for the smileys also came in!

[DIIRTY-30]

clean start!

[UlrichFennec]

So, after a bit of deliberation, I decided to go a little thicker with the tires. I've upsized to 215/55/R16 to fill up that wheel well some more. I just couldn't stand that gap.

[cWalk3r]

It looks good! And since it's a cruiser the extra bit of sidewall and width should make it more comfortable. You'll notice some flex in the tires on hard turns but with oem suspension it should be good.

Mine has a 14" tire that's a little taller than oem so tire is taller than yours. I can feel all the flex but my car is lowered.

You've got a lot done with the car now!

[UlrichFennec]

I figured I'd go balls deep if I'm gonna make this my daily. Money is no object.

[UlrichFennec]

[ATTACH]96304[/ATTACH]

I smell new shooooes. Brand new rubber all around. Falken ProG4 A/S tires in 215/55/R16. Not a performance tire, but they'll sure as hell fill that hideous gap and make the ride more comfy!

[UlrichFennec]

Further progress has been made, but a bit of bad news.

Thanks to the previous owner, when he dropped the front, he cracked the oil pan. If I had a nickel...

I'll be replacing the oil pan post-haste. Now that I've gotten the new wheels and tires on, there's a little bit of rub from the tire on the inside, but I can deal with that for a bit. I can always go to the tire shop I got them from and get just a smaller size in case things go to hell or I get too paranoid.

The SI board will have new batteries, and thanks to my short being gone, HALLELUJAH ALL MY LIGHTS WILL WORK, even the gauge cluster lights! The smileys have been installed without a hitch, all adjusted and ready to drive at night along with the yellow fogs, the analog clock replacement for the OBC works, and it's almost ready to be broken out for the Summer! Gonna break out the Lamin-X and put some yellow film on the highs because I think it looks cool.

Last piece of preventative maintenance I really need to do is replace the timing belt and water pump, but thanks to that kit I bought from ECS, I won't need to worry about it just yet. I gotta save a little bit more before I can do that just yet, but it'll be like I have a completely new car once all that's done!

[UlrichFennec]

Looks like there's a lot more rub then I thought. I'll have to get shorter tires again! Whoopsie~ There's not much room for them to clear, and the fronts are rubbin preeeetty bad.



At least all my lights work now. Smileys went in without a problem and they look nice and bright. c:




The only thing I need to do is source an oil pan at this point and get smaller tires. The transmission leak is gone, though. The last mechanic I had give it a transmission fluid change HAND TIGHTENED everything and that's why my tranny was leaking. The seals are fine now that all the bolts been torqued to spec. That's a bullet dodged. ;D

[ST1G]

Looks like there's a lot more rub then I thought. I'll have to get shorter tires again!

What suspension is on the car?

[UlrichFennec]

What suspension is on the car?

I'm running stock all around. Can't really run the Vogtlands I had before out here.

[Shangsta]

whats the offset on the wheels?