1993 Vert Build Progress - bagged and 5 spd swapped

[mcgillaguddy]

Hello,

I've been on the forum for a while now, never been overly active though. I just picked up a another e30, so I wanted to re-introduce myself and introduce the new project. You can see my list of previous BMW's in the signature - picked up a cadillac ats to DD a few months ago and have been dying to have something to mess with again. So I picked up this:

1993 325i Convertible (She is young: 11/1992 build date)
Schwarz 2
Black leather sport interior
Automatic
66k original miles
fully documented repair history from 1995 to 2015
hardtop, less a headliner
crack free dash
factory option 3.73 LSD
original radio (I love this!)
A/C still works! Never even been recharged
almost zero rust (small bit attacking the rear valance)
cut springs (it is the worst riding e30 I have ever been in)
soft top is a good portion duct tape
Everything in the car works, with the exception of the electric soft top

The car has a pretty interesting story.. in 1994 the car was being used to smuggle diamonds between Canada and New York; NY police ended up impounding it. The smugglers had stripped some of the VINs off (most noticeable ones) of the car when the police got it. So New York assigned a new VIN to the car and auctioned it off. All of the VINs that are present and legible on the car match. It appears to be almost completely original.

The family (mother's weekend car, so I hear) I purchased it from, had owned it from the time of the auction until now. They purchased the car in 1995 with 7k miles on it. It was eventually sold to the son in 2013 and immediately blew a timing belt (the factory original one!). It's amazing that it lasted 20 years! The son had the engine professionally gone through, partially rebuilt, and now it runs beautifully.

The day I picked it up:


and here is the title with the odd VIN:


I've never really tracked a project before, but I plan to keep this thread as a build progress thread. I don't have a garage, so it will be stored through winter.

Finished as of 8/14/16:

5 speed swap
new shaft seals
new clutch
new pilot bearing
new slave cyliner
new master cylinder
new guibo
lightened flywheel
B&M SSK
stainless clutch line
Aero sport bags over Ksport adjustable coilover shocks up front
Slam specialties RE-7 rear bags
Stance coilover adjustable rear shocks
Viair 480c compressor
accuair vu4
pressuryte auto level system
Poly Subframe bushings
Poly Rear Trailing Arm bushings
Delrin offset Control Arm Bushings
stainless brake lines
New Transmission mounts (OEM)
Poly Diff bushing
Diff reseal
rear seat repaired (was separating at one seam)
new tie rod ends
Garagistic RSM reinforcements
New Valve cover gasket
New fluids everywhere
New fuel filter
Walbro 255 fuel pump
Rear Seat Headrest kit
Rear seat headrests
momo steering wheel refinished
ZHP shift knob
New rear brakes (crossed drilled)
Bav auto plug wires
Bav auto SS cat-back
Catless mid-pipe with dual resonators
new spark plugs
valve adjustment
New control arms
Relocate Battery to trunk
new cap & rotor
new intake manifold gaskets
Air management cubby built
19lb injectors + SSSquid chip + m30 AFM
Brand New soft top & tension straps
Lloyd ultimats
US ellipsoids with 55W 5000k HIDs
35W 3000k HID fog lights
Custom center console gauge panel
New 18" leader hoses up front

Future items:
16x9 Borbet BS - almost done.
205/50/16 Kumho Ecsta ASTs
skid plate
Fix power top (needs linkages)
install coupe trunk lid
Paint (over winter)

[mcgillaguddy]

So turns out the car was originally a 5 speed. Why it was ever changed to an automatic, I have no idea. I saw that it stated manual on bmwarchive, but I was hesitant to believe.. It is definitely correct though.

[2mAn]

Should make the swap back to manual a little easier. Car looks nice

[mcgillaguddy]

Thanks, it's not too shabby. Picked up the parts car..



Complete tear down of the parts car starts tomorrow. Let me know if anyone needs anything. I'll be starting a part out thread soon enough.

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[R1dd1ck913]

I need a trunk lock. Hopfuly with a key.

[mcgillaguddy]

Sounds do-able. I've never looked into how it's mounted but I'll check it out and let you know. I can always make a key copy so you have that too.

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[mcgillaguddy]

Progress.









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[steve68]

hows the blower fan in the parts car??

[mcgillaguddy]

Not sure on the blower. I will check tomorrow and get back to you.

Riddick, I'll get back to you on the lock after tomorrow as well.


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[steve68]

thanks,

[mcgillaguddy]

Sorry, blower is no good.

Riddick, sent you a pm on the trunk lock.

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[steve68]

oh well, thanks for checking for me,

Like your vert, looks good,

[TimKninja]

If your on Facebook, go on NE30. Its a local E30 enthusiast forum. Thatll get the parts car par out moving along.

Whats the matter with the parts car?

Really weird the car being converted to auto.

[mcgillaguddy]

If your on Facebook, go on NE30. Its a local E30 enthusiast forum. Thatll get the parts car par out moving along.

Whats the matter with the parts car?

Really weird the car being converted to auto.

Thanks for the advice. Tear down is almost complete and I've got lots of good parts to get rid of; including e30 m3 rear seats. Just need to take the time to take pictures and make a complete list.

I believe it had spun a rod bearing, but I'm not positive. Engine was already taken apart, which is great for me, and everything there appears to be in pretty great shape. Head was previously rebuilt and he was planning on rebuilding the rest, but the car is not worth the time/money - lots of rust issues.

[613EDRTY]

Nice vert! and dam that parts car looks pretty clean..