No longer the daily: '87 zinno 325is

[quikveedb2]

Picked up some used Bilstein Sport fronts from JGood, should have some rears in the mail from Frog by Monday.



Unknown milage, but still functioning fine, and the price was good enough that I plan to run them until they blow & send them in for a rebuild. If I go that route, all told, including the Bilstein rebuild prices, I'll still be at less than the price of a new set. Also purchased new pads, rotors, and brake wear sensors, it's all waiting for the last suspension bits to show up before I get around to install. The suspension & brakes are about to get a thorough going through, with a couple more upgrades to keep her planted in the twisties!

Also added this guy to the fleet;

[quikveedb2]

Quick fall pic. I call it: Dirty Zinno e30 with Aspens.

[superboosted]

Great project! Work in a bike shop? I notice the park tools.:)

[crazy80's]

Great job, Looks like you built a solid DD. 87's look good with DB's, Looks like you tucked the front though.

[quikveedb2]

All red tails done.

Work in a bike shop? I notice the park tools.:)

Yep, professional bike mechanic for nearly 10 years now.

Great job, Looks like you built a solid DD. 87's look good with DB's, Looks like you tucked the front though.

Thanks! It's been a work of passion, and at times stressful to be DD-ing a project car, but I'm finally starting to get into the really fun stuff. The DB's are tucked, I'm on the lookout for some '88 bumper shocks to get a bit more subtle tuck, and retain functionality of the bumpers. At first I was thinking I'd switch to euro bumpers or plastics, but the '87 325is is such a unique looking e30 I think I might just run with it. We'll see.

[crazy80's]

the '87 325is is such a unique looking e30 I think I might just run with it.

So true, That front valence is awesome.

[quikveedb2]

Swapped this janky garbage;



For this;





Much better.

[quikveedb2]

Old parts out, new parts in! Today's agenda included replacing the front sway bar links, front & rear brake pads, rotors, & wear sensors with new parts, upgrading the rear shocks to Bilstein Sports (thanks, Frog!), swapping the blow rear shock mounts out, and installing a new exhaust hanger doughnut. Mission accomplished!

[quikveedb2]

Front suspension got ripped off today, about 3 hours in both sides looked like this:



Old parts off & ready to be replaced with Meyle parts from FCP, and the strut assemblies with Bilstein Sports installed (thanks to JGood for the great price & quick shipping);



And as I left it, before drinking copious whiskey gingers & having an awesome dinner with some friends in celebration: tie rods installed, and CA bushings will be pressed out & replaced with solid centered poly bushings tomorrow AM for reassembly & alignment tomorrow afternoon (in a perfect world);

[quikveedb2]

Back together, ready for an alignment, which will be immediately followed by some spirited driving to feel out the refreshed front end, suspension, and brakes! I think it might be about time to start shopping for some tires for the Borbets.

:firehop:

[quikveedb2]

Knocked this out recently;

e30 Dome Light Delay Fix

The connection at the door pillar is still jacked up though, the dome lights flicker like it's a fucking disco when I open & close the drivers side door and the central locking is wonky at times. I gotta get in there & re-solder some pins I think.

This summer, with maintenance, interior, suspension, and brakes all taken care of exterior cosmetics are coming to the top of the priorities list. I'm hoping to do some paint & trim restoration, wheels & tires, light tint, "smoked" headlights, shadow line, and, time & budget permitting, side skirts, a rear valence, and plastic bumper swap. Don't worry, the 87 'is valence will be staying, I'm hoping to end up with a slightly updated OEM+ look to the early 'is body style.

[z6ne]

good stuff. subscribin :)

[e30trooper]

Nice zinu!

[quikveedb2]

I finally got around to repairing the central locking/dome light issues with this fix;

Central Locking red/black wire modification

It took all of 30 minutes start to finish, my central locking works as it should, and the dome lights work as they should as well. No more disco. The mod I did to the relay previously is paying off now, having the light on for a few seconds after getting in at night is a really nice touch, and it's definitely a cool feeling walking away from the car & having the interior lit briefly. Now that that's all sorted I really want to get a remote locking system installed. The mod list is ever growing!

[z6ne]

how do you like those springs?