Something Something Tony G's E30 Sedan (we're using a coupe now) - S54 Swap

[Panici]

Well....If you thought this thread was getting derailed YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET.

It's to put the s54 in the race coupe.

🔥🔥🔥
Racecar looks the part that's for sure!

[2mAn]

I like the chaos... yes... yes I do

[spike68]

Only downside to the car is the cage. I found out that it's only bolted in which seems so silly to me. The front half is most likely coming out since the front bars are poorly routed in front of the dash and the door bars don't seems as needed since the doors aren't gutted or anything. It looks like the rear half was a purchased as a kit and the front half was added later, probably to meet some kind of regulation on the track. I'll rework the rear half to be welded in. I'm going to have to look up how to properly box in the connection points so they're structurally sound. Might as well take a shot at fabrication skills.

The floors aren't in great shape either. The drive side was modified to lower the seat mounting position for the previous owner. He's a tall guy.

IMG_3157 by Tony Gomez, on Flickr


As for the passenger side it just had some general bars added and drilled huge bolts through the bottom of the car. At some point one of the bolts caught the ground and crumpled the floor some. I'll just massage that side out, but some weird shit was done to get seats in this car.


In terms of everything else I've evaluated, the chassis harness was definitely modified in a few ways. Looks like theres an aftermarket ignition system that was for the m20. It was also rewired to not need a key to start the car. i'll probably undo that so I'll be keeping an eye out for a keyset (car didn't have keys).

[Panici]

I'm going to have to look up how to properly box in the connection points so they're structurally sound. Might as well take a shot at fabrication skills.

If you haven't seen it yet, Chilezen has a great thread on cage work:

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/general-forums/photoshop-media/10066751-i-build-roll-cages

[Chilezen]

Coincidentally I've also done rust repair, for another forum member here. I salute you on your brave attempts! It's not hard, just annoying lol. Absolutely get a proper mask so you don't breathe in fumes.

[spike68]

If you haven't seen it yet, Chilezen has a great thread on cage work:

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/general-forums/photoshop-media/10066751-i-build-roll-cages

Wow I didn't see this. This gives me what I need.

Chilezen I spent quite a bit of time looking at your welding porn. Love your work!

[spike68]

I'm back! Here to provide an update since not much has moved since I purchased the race car back in May.

The summary of the waiting was that I had an issue with main bearings for the build. It was a mixup and some issues with ordering that took some time, but on top of that I procrastinated some. Tbh this whole engine building process has seemed intimidating, but I'm happy to report that S54 reassembly has started!

IMG_4538 by Tony Gomez, on Flickr

IMG_4619 by Tony Gomez, on Flickr

IMG_4272 (1) by Tony Gomez, on Flickr

IMG_4620 by Tony Gomez, on Flickr

[spike68]

More recently I've been working on rebuilding the head. I decided to replace the valve stem seals and doing a valve a port clean while I was at it. I invested into a ultrasonic parts cleaner and it's been great. It's nice to be able to set some parts in and just walk away for a while and really gave me a head start on the valve cleaning.

However while cleaning the exhaust valves I noticed some pitting. I could easily get these fixed, but fuck it. Lets ball out and buy some supertech valves.

IMG_4807 by Tony Gomez, on Flickr


Here is the second part of all of this. While cleaning the exhaust ports I noticed this

IMG_4816 by Tony Gomez, on Flickr

That is indeed chipping in the port. I'm assuming that when this motor let go it may have thrown some small pieces of piston and caused this damage. Right now I'm leaning towards this isn't an issue because this isn't on the valve seat, but right above. If anything it could effect airflow, but probably isn't noticeable. This occurs on both exhaust ports of at least two cylinders.

You guys have any thoughts on this?

EDIT: I'm wrong. It's not chipping. It's just stubborn carbon buildup. I think this is just a sign that no matter how deep I go into car shit that I still have no idea what I'm doing. Just learning along the way.

[Panici]

You guys have any thoughts on this?

EDIT: I'm wrong. It's not chipping. It's just stubborn carbon buildup. I think this is just a sign that no matter how deep I go into car shit that I still have no idea what I'm doing. Just learning along the way.

You said it before I could, carbon buildup.

And those are true words.
There is always another area to learn or new challenge that comes along.

As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.
-Socrates