Hey Everyone !!
I just thought I would introduce myself to the 'community'. I'm relatively new to the E30 world. These cars weren't even on my radar until a friend loaned me his 318is last February. On the drive home that day, I suddenly realized what I'd been missing. So now, I have a lachssilber metallic hole to throw money into !!
When I bought this car 8 months ago, it needed just about everything. It started and ran, but it was rough and running rich. I was able to drive it home, but it needed a lot of 'Love' to become what it could be. It leaked from anywhere it could. I'm sure many of you have been there.
Getting my E30 to the point where I could rely on it as a DD was my first main goal. I had the AFM refurbished along with the cluster. All new suspension parts. I rebuilt the calipers. New bearings. I used OEM parts, mostly, and stock suspension just to get an idea of what a 325is was like originally. I chose to put the H&R sport springs because the springs that were on it were too low for my taste.
I bought this car with the intention of swapping an N52 in the future, but getting the rest of the car all dialed in first is the main focus. Later, when I introduce a new can of worms, the previous can will have been sorted for the most part. Hopefully.
When I did the engine work, I kept having to remind myself that I wasn't planning to keep the M20 long term. So I just tried to do the most for the least, if you know what I mean. I didn't go as far as to disassemble the short block, but I did clean the piston tops. I pressure washed the head after disassembly and cleaned the carbon out of the combustion chambers. I didn't replace the guides, because they 'felt' fine. I did replace the seals and lap the valves before putting it back together. I could have spent a lot more money, but.... So I just replaced all the gaskets and seals, timing belt, water pump, etc..... I had originally intended on powder coating the intake manifold, valve cover, and oil pan after they were chemically dipped, but financial woes during that time caused me to remember that I should save that money for the 24v swap in the future.
I guess I did all the 'standard stuff' along the way. Aluminum radiator, hoses, fan clutch, motor/trans mounts, 2.7 turn rack, shifter.... I have 20+ years experience as a machinist, so I made a DSSR as well, amongst other 'special tools'.
I could go on and on.... So here's some pics.
Luke
I just thought I would introduce myself to the 'community'. I'm relatively new to the E30 world. These cars weren't even on my radar until a friend loaned me his 318is last February. On the drive home that day, I suddenly realized what I'd been missing. So now, I have a lachssilber metallic hole to throw money into !!
When I bought this car 8 months ago, it needed just about everything. It started and ran, but it was rough and running rich. I was able to drive it home, but it needed a lot of 'Love' to become what it could be. It leaked from anywhere it could. I'm sure many of you have been there.
Getting my E30 to the point where I could rely on it as a DD was my first main goal. I had the AFM refurbished along with the cluster. All new suspension parts. I rebuilt the calipers. New bearings. I used OEM parts, mostly, and stock suspension just to get an idea of what a 325is was like originally. I chose to put the H&R sport springs because the springs that were on it were too low for my taste.
I bought this car with the intention of swapping an N52 in the future, but getting the rest of the car all dialed in first is the main focus. Later, when I introduce a new can of worms, the previous can will have been sorted for the most part. Hopefully.
When I did the engine work, I kept having to remind myself that I wasn't planning to keep the M20 long term. So I just tried to do the most for the least, if you know what I mean. I didn't go as far as to disassemble the short block, but I did clean the piston tops. I pressure washed the head after disassembly and cleaned the carbon out of the combustion chambers. I didn't replace the guides, because they 'felt' fine. I did replace the seals and lap the valves before putting it back together. I could have spent a lot more money, but.... So I just replaced all the gaskets and seals, timing belt, water pump, etc..... I had originally intended on powder coating the intake manifold, valve cover, and oil pan after they were chemically dipped, but financial woes during that time caused me to remember that I should save that money for the 24v swap in the future.
I guess I did all the 'standard stuff' along the way. Aluminum radiator, hoses, fan clutch, motor/trans mounts, 2.7 turn rack, shifter.... I have 20+ years experience as a machinist, so I made a DSSR as well, amongst other 'special tools'.
I could go on and on.... So here's some pics.
Luke
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