Project Unicorn - The Touring

[DEV0 E30]

Not even bump worthy but I took out the engine, to actually start getting things moving forward. The car has been in a state of purgatory since moving and focusing on new house stuffs.

Unfortunately I ripped the rubber firewall material like a noob (I used to be able to pull engines like a pro, wtf happened?)

It wasn't perfect but now I may need to tear off the rest and replace it with something not OEM... because $500+ for a new one seems like a waste.



So now to attach flywheel, clutch, seals and stuffs in a bin, and buy lots of things I should have bought years ago.

Hoping to run by 2027 but actually have progress on a more consistent schedule starting in a month or so?

[DEV0 E30]

Damn you. *Looks at signature links...*





Here ya go:



Progress? No, but by end of year I'll turn a wrench on it, that's what I'll promise. lol

[2mAn]

[DEV0 E30]

Figured I'd post a few in this thread.

I didn't update this main thread, but I did add a link in the first post:

The car is receiving an N52 and 6 speed manual, along with a ton of random updates along the way, and after it's running right.

I wouldn't be doing this swap if I didn't have help from some people making this possible, but I'm very excited to get it running.

Air ride setup has taken a back seat until the car moves under it's own power. Front struts are welded and done.

I've bought and sold some items to offset swap costs.

Also decided to let go of my gorgeous BBS RS's from Paul at EWW to offset swap costs a little bit more.

Still have the euroweaves that are on it and a spicy set of JDM wheels for this thing I'll rotate. Trying to not slip into wheel whoring tendencies.


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N52 Engine Swap Thread:

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/for...at-have-i-done


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Headers are done, and at ceramic coating.

Oil pan is nearly done from fabrication.

Still constantly ordering parts.

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Progress has been happening, not as quickly as I was hoping, but life happens. Lots of other things made E30 lower priority from time to time.

Since summer is here, I've moved things around to get the E30 in the garage, and made everything fit so a temporary workspace can happen as necessary.

We almost bought a house with a 3 car garage with 10 foot ceilings... but the market here is nuts along with rates. Cheaper bills are a good thing for the next few years. Making do.

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I'm really trying to document the swap and make it easy for myself when I forget what goes where down the line, so I got these labels off of amazon, a white pack, and a multi-color pack, they say they are automotive grade, we shall see.

I'm actually starting to understand the many different harnesses and modules which is neat.





Helper, helping. She gets bored pretty quickly when she realizes the car isn't taking her somewhere, but that's ok.



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More N52 focused updates will happen in that thread:

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/24v-engine-swaps/n54-n52-swap-forum/10074163-n52-into-touring-what-have-i-done

[Sledgehammer_01]

Sub'd love the Touring!

[Panici]

Ooo excited to see the airlift stuff go on!
Always thought air suspension would be a good match to a touring.

[DEV0 E30]

Thanks for the idea Panici, the car is rust free and very clean underneath.
I've searched high and low but still haven't found the source - going to hopefully get the carpet up and check the top of the fuel tank this weekend.

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Maintenance parts have been slowly arriving for fuel lines, fuel filter, etc.
I don't want to put to much money towards the M40b18 since I'd love it gone sooner rather than later...
... but figured I should erase the possibility that any of the rubber fuel injector o-rings or lines are the cause in the engine bay or elsewhere.

I should be receiving more replacement parts by Friday, so I'm hoping I can find some time this weekend to search more for the leak and replace anything it could be.

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But what's this? Extra struts?



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And other stuff has arrived. Full Airlift 3P setup for E30s. Spare struts above are already being cut and airlift struts welded on.

Tank and compressors arrive tomorrow. Hoping to fit it all in the spare tire well to not lose the practicality of this being a touring and all.

Would love to get all of the suspension parts powder-coated and freshened up before they go on the car.

Still need to get new hubs/bearings and trying to decide what else will happen at the same time... buggbrakes? no buggbrakes?

[Panici]

Beautiful touring, the colour really makes it! Following for updates.

How is the rust situation under the car? Reason I ask is that my EVAP line to the charcoal canister was rusted through. This was my main source of fuel smell when parked inside. It was still available new and pre-bent from BMW in 2018.

FWIW I changed all the hardlines and soft lines, and haven't smelt fuel since. Still using the original EVAP canister and purge valve with my M52 swap and standalone ECU.

[twright]

It is pretty full. I had forgotten about the pump o-ring. I think tourings still have the access panel like most, but I've not checked since owning this. Another area to check and probably just replace to for sure. Thank you.

I'm sure there is an access panel. I just don't know how to pull up the carpet to get to it.

[DEV0 E30]

Is the fuel tank full? If it is, I'd be tempted to look at the top of the fuel tank to see if the o'ring is leaking where the fuel pump fits. I know this area is harder to get to on the Touring, but you might have to do it.

It is pretty full. I had forgotten about the pump o-ring. I think tourings still have the access panel like most, but I've not checked since owning this. Another area to check and probably just replace to for sure. Thank you.

[twright]

Is the fuel tank full? If it is, I'd be tempted to look at the top of the fuel tank to see if the o'ring is leaking where the fuel pump fits. I know this area is harder to get to on the Touring, but you might have to do it.

[DEV0 E30]

If it's not too hot, which I'm sure it is.. I'd pinch off the line going to the canister to rule it out.

With a liquid fuel leak, there should be visible evidence of a leak, even after drying from my experience

Edit;

My 2 cents- M20 swap :)

Haha, yeah it's pretty hot. 110 currently. I could do that, so run it, park it in the garage, and pinch the line with some tool? Not a bad idea.

That's the the thing, I wasn't sure where the leak was (pretty much present since I bought the car) if it sits in a confined area.

After it sitting outside under a cover, what I thought was the only leak showed itself, one of the main lines was leaking.

Replaced all 3, no visible leaks. Remained outside overnight, rechecked for leaks, nothing. Drove it to work and back. Parked in garage, after about an hour gas smell returned and my wife smelled it through the door.

As posted above - I've ordered the injector o-rings, and the rare m40 intake gaskets, and other things - so I'll do those all at once, along with the short 2" lines under the intake. Hoping these solve it.

[MrBurgundy]

If it's not too hot, which I'm sure it is.. I'd pinch off the line going to the canister to rule it out.

With a liquid fuel leak, there should be visible evidence of a leak, even after drying from my experience

Edit;

My 2 cents- M20 swap :)

[DEV0 E30]

Well after being distracted by just driving the Si every day, I sold it to not stretch my time between 3 cars for myself, down to just two now. E30 and LX.


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Spreadsheet, a little bit of service booklet + wishlist.

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[Glaede]

I don't have any experience with the hubs Timm sells, but I do have these myself:

Wheel Hub Set for BMW E30 Conversion Kit Hole Circle conversion from 4x100 to 5x120 Plug & Play | eBay

I haven't tested them yet since my car is in a million parts right now (rust repairs and respray). But, with that said, I'm going to run E30 M3 280 mm brake discs in the front with Ford Focus calipers, which is almost bolt on. Bolt pattern is nearly identical.
Mapco even produces a 5x120 brake disc now, så you can just run the stock E30 caliper.

Above hub is 5x120 only and not as sketchy as the hubs with both patterns.

@e30797 at instragram is running with the Mapco hubs.