AlphaTeam Presents: Chocolate Thunder and the 24v expedition!

[ak-]

Yeah, I'd be proud of that. Nice work!

[spiDmang]

Update Time!;D

So in the previous update, I had visited AAA325iS's epic man cave, and he was able to fab up some awesome stuff for me.

Since then, I have received a plethora of parts and began assembling...

Getrag 260 with Garagistic Delrin bushings. Shits TIGHT.


The fitment is so tight, that you could literally have the shifter carrier suspend itself! ALSO IMPORTANT NOTE!!! If you are utilizing an Early model Getrag 260, but you opt to use the late model provisions like shown below, MAKE SURE that when you thread the carrier bolt in back into the transmission (You need to seal the the driver side carrier hole where the sheet metal carrier attaches to because oil will leak out of there if you DONT!) MAKE SURE THE BOLT IS SHORTENED! I CAN NOT stress that enough. I didn't do that, and it locked my early model getrag in gear. I now have to tear it apart and fix the detents and possibly repair a bent shifter fork...Luckily i have great friends. AAA325iS came to my aid YET AGAIN and had a spare late model getrag 260 for me. So I picked that up, tore off the old getrag and installed the new one with no issues!



motor finally made its way in. I had Robert @ Kadunza make my harness! made it sooooo simple for install, and it looks beautiful!



Almost there!


and Finally back on the ground after a long 2 months!



Interior shot with the new carpet, and converted 5 speed!




After getting everything somewhat dialed in, I had an appointment with the exhaust shop. The route i took was this ...

OBD2 maniolds > Custom Made downpipes to clear subframe/swaybar (each downpipe was 2inches in diameter) > Y-pipe > 2.5inch straight piping > Vibrant ultra quiet resonator > Vibrant 1040 street muffler.

I'll post videos soon as well. The sound is great! Vibrant makes killer stuff and would totally recommend this setup for anyone that wants something louder than a catback exhaust but nothing tooo obnoxious. To fellow car enthusiasts, it has a great mellow idle. Around town, its very tolerable and passes the girlfriend test. And at WOT....:devil:
I'll snap pictures of the finished goods later. I didnt want to get in the way of my buddy haha!







and the finished product!





More updates to come as i get everything else dialed in!

[hankolerd]

I see, I didn't think about the fact that the Evo 3 does not come with its own carrier, I will check out those delrin bushings. Thanks for the recommendations!

[spiDmang]

Are the garagistic delrin bushings something that only applies to the stock carrier? Or do you recommend then on an Evo 3 as well?

UUC through the end of day tomorrow has a deal, buy an Evo 3 and get the DSSR for free. Now that I saw that deal I am thinking of buying it.

The stock carrier (the aluminum arm) has a bushing at the front of the carrier (where the bitch clip attaches) and one in the rear carrier that you must burn out, and then press in/hammer in the new one.

for a better idea:

http://garagistic.com/index.php?page=garagistic-delrin-shifter-bushings-instructions

If youre going to go thru all of the trouble of swapping out shifters/selector rods, I highly recommend those bushings. And thats a solid deal on the UUC stuff. I say pull the trigger and enjoy :up:

[hankolerd]

Are the garagistic delrin bushings something that only applies to the stock carrier? Or do you recommend then on an Evo 3 as well?

UUC through the end of day tomorrow has a deal, buy an Evo 3 and get the DSSR for free. Now that I saw that deal I am thinking of buying it.

[spiDmang]

Would love to hear your thoughts on the UUC Evo 3 + DSSR when you get it installed. I have been considering it for a few months, but that is a spendy piece of kit. Trying to decide between just an OEM bushing rebuild, an OEM rebuild + DSSR, or the full Evo 3 SSK + DSSR.

Hey Dan!
Thanks again for the ZHP shift knob. Can't wait to put it to use!
As for the Evo 3+ DSSR, it really is a killer setup. I've driven a 318iS and 325iS E30 with this setup, and its very tight, and precise. Aaron (the guy shown in the pics) has had first hand experience with the UUC stuff in an E30 M3, and he states that the shifter just sits too high for his preference. It might be ok for others, but when comparing it to the Getrag 260 UUC stuff, the shifter sits lower. Just an FYI.

I personally got all the UUC stuff for a deal, so i cant complain. I've noticed though that the biggest difference in my shifter rebuild were these items...

-new foam behind the selector joint
-garagistic Delrin front and rear bushing inserts (they are sooooooo tight and precise, that the shift carrier (the part that holds the shifter in place) has ZERO wiggle room and if you lifted the carrier (without the dssr attached to the shifter) up vertically, it'll literally suspend there!
- $5.50 shifter bushing cup (if you're using an OEM shift lever)
-DSSR (i like the idea of a dual sheer selector rod. and it really kills the wiggle room.

[hankolerd]

Would love to hear your thoughts on the UUC Evo 3 + DSSR when you get it installed. I have been considering it for a few months, but that is a spendy piece of kit. Trying to decide between just an OEM bushing rebuild, an OEM rebuild + DSSR, or the full Evo 3 SSK + DSSR.

[spiDmang]

Ahhh hell yes! In for cupcakes!


EDIT: Is "Chocolate Thunder" the name of the project, or just something you blurt out upon climax?

HAHA! both..

[IronJoe]

Ahhh hell yes! In for cupcakes!


EDIT: Is "Chocolate Thunder" the name of the project, or just something you blurt out upon climax?

[spiDmang]

Awesome job so far, looks like it will be a very clean build. I've always had a soft spot for an '87 325is.

Thanks a ton! I personally love the DB's and early iS valance, but coming across the late model stuff, i just had to pull the trigger. Plus i love Catuned's Miss blue build.

I miss that guy! Give him a high5 next time you see him

haha will do

The more Triumph Speed Triples I see the more they grow on me.

Nice progress.

the speed triple is a super awesome bike. I wouldnt say its under rated, but alot of guys want a cbr 600/r6/gsxr before considering a speed triple or even a daytona. But thats ok with me because i got my speed triple for a steal.

and thanks!

[TroyShark]

AlphaTeam Presents: Chocolate Thunder and the 24v expedition!:ST1G:


The E30 along side my 2006 Triumph Speed Triple

The more Triumph Speed Triples I see the more they grow on me.

Nice progress.

[2mAn]

I miss that guy! Give him a high5 next time you see him

[ChubbWubWub]

My jaw dropped after seeing that garage/shop.....the jealousy is real...

[spiDmang]

A pretty worthy update!

So I've been in contact with Steve over at blunttech for all of my swap goodies and questions. Great guy, great service, killer prices, and just an overall staple to the E30 community. With that said, that stinky butthole sent me a wrong aluminum carrier for my Getrag 260! haha. jk buddy

Luckily, I have great friends all over the place! My good buddy Aaron (AAA325iS), had a spare laying around, and gifted it to me, along with some other stuff haha!

Aaron is an ACE fabricator and has graced his talents upon me and other members of the community. He currently makes rear strut bars and other items (not allowed to disclose lol).

said mad man!


his killer man cave




With Aaron at the wheel, we were able to accomplish a few things...
- Welding the CCV drain onto the E34 dipstick
- Cutting, twisting and rewelding my 187 UUC DSSR (since they've been backed up for a few months)
- Open up the mounting points on the G260 trans and 24v swap brace for the beefier E21 trans mounts




I didnt snap any photos of the rewelded Dipstick, but I will update that once I have it on the motor so you guys can get a clear view of placement.
As for the DSSR, it was a pretty simple job. We didnt want to fully cut thru the entire rod. We were able to cut a groves around the entire rod, leaving a little bit of material in the middle to heat up, and twist, to achieve the 10' degree twist needed for the 24v+Getrag260 combo









not the final angle, but we were able to achieve the 10' degree twist needed, and welded that sucker back up!

[spiDmang]

This is slick Brad, glad some of my purchases could help out the build.

What are you doing with the old motor? I'm getting tired of the M20.

Thanks Scott! Heck ya dude. Those headrest brackets definitely came in handy ;)

I unfortunately sold the M20b25 with the quickness!! If I come across a deal (or if i buy another parts car with a solid motor) you'll be the first to know. Maybe I'm crazy, but i literally sell complete drivetrains for so cheap because i cant afford them to take up space!