M52 Swapped E30 Build - SPANNER RASH

[SPANNER RASH]

Looking really great. Occurs to me to ask, are you going with the original color, or are you reaching into the more rare colors. I was surprised at how many very rare, very beautiful colors these came in. I think mine is the rarest and I looked specifically for a violet one, but I would have loved Laguna Green, Lazerblau, Neongruen, Gletscherblau Metallic, or Zinoberrot (closest to orange). I suppose you won't choose Daytonaviolett Metallic, but if you did, I think yours would be the only coupe in violet.

https://bimmertips.com/bmw-e30-paint...color-options/

It's tempting to go with the original colour for ease, but I think I've got to grab the opportunity to paint the car in a colour that really lights my fire. The original Titian Red seems really dull, especially beside my Imola Red E46.

Those are some great suggestions! I'm a big fan but a Daytona Violet coupe could never be as cool as a touring. It's definitely on my shortlist though!

[Panici]

Looking really great. Occurs to me to ask, are you going with the original color, or are you reaching into the more rare colors.

No reason you have to stick with a BMW colour either.
I went with an "Audi exclusive" branded colour on my E30 and I'm very happy I chose it over BMW Marrakesh Brown, which was my original choice.

[benfidar]

Looking really great. Occurs to me to ask, are you going with the original color, or are you reaching into the more rare colors. I was surprised at how many very rare, very beautiful colors these came in. I think mine is the rarest and I looked specifically for a violet one, but I would have loved Laguna Green, Lazerblau, Neongruen, Gletscherblau Metallic, or Zinoberrot (closest to orange). I suppose you won't choose Daytonaviolett Metallic, but if you did, I think yours would be the only coupe in violet.

https://bimmertips.com/bmw-e30-paint...color-options/

[SPANNER RASH]

Since the removable core support, I've been very busy in the E30's engine bay, here's the latest update!

The Novol 2k Epoxy Primer delivered for me despite using the wrong spray gun and barely having enough to paint the whole bay. It's bloody amazing stuff to be fair, great to work with and feels close to a powder coat in terms of durability. I'm glad I decided to paint the whole thing rather than putting it off for the future, the engine bay looks so much better in one colour and without that flaky clear coat, even if it is just primer!

What it does mean though, is I'm going to need to decide on a paint colour for the E30 build much sooner than I thought I needed to, and it's been one of the big unknowns for me.

My brain is all over on what colour I want to go for, so if you have any good suggestions, let me know. There have been a few very interesting ones in the video comments already, but it's still all to play for. I'm quite excited by the possibilities here, it's not every day you get such a good opportunity to repaint an entire car in whatever colour you like.

[SPANNER RASH]

I think I saw you post this on facebook. I'll check it out

Yep it got shared on the FB group too, people seem to be particularly interested in the removable front core support vid.

[SPANNER RASH]

Thanks for all the links!

No worries pal, I figured it might be easier for people to catch up as I'm a bit late to the party sharing the build here. :D

[SPANNER RASH]

Brilliant! Tires next week, Nitto Neo Gen 205/50 r15, $89+$13 mounting and balancing on Amazon; Next month Bilstein B4 and H&R 50406 springs (I want a 'sporty' but OE comfortable cruiser). May, I am planning on driving to Asheville NC to attend "The Vintage". Paint, next year.

Awesome sounds like you're making it your own, the suspension should be a good upgrade especially if you're running original items currently.

[Mike36]

Thanks for all the links!

[benfidar]

Hey man, how are things going with the purple touring?

I feel like I'm getting ever closer to getting the M52B28 in, I can't wait, the engine has been sitting on a stand for far too long. I hope it's in good health, but I guess we'll find out when I properly inspect it!

Brilliant! Tires next week, Nitto Neo Gen 205/50 r15, $89+$13 mounting and balancing on Amazon; Next month Bilstein B4 and H&R 50406 springs (I want a 'sporty' but OE comfortable cruiser). May, I am planning on driving to Asheville NC to attend "The Vintage". Paint, next year.

[Northern]

I think I saw you post this on facebook. I'll check it out

[SPANNER RASH]

Feels like another big milestone on the E30 build here, I got the scary job of converting the front end to a removable core support done! I was right to be fearful of starting this job, it took way longer than I anticipated to get it to fit up just right. I know I'll be thanking myself down the line when I'm needing to take the M52 engine in and out, which is probably inevitable!

While I was at it I managed to sort out some cosmetic issues with the OE core support I had and avoid the need to buy a brand new one (which don't look that great to me). The most important thing though is it feels absolutely solid with my M10 and M8 bolts and rivnuts, and it can all be in and out with 8 bolts.

I took it upon myself to make the most detailed video on how to do an E30 removable front core support out there, hopefully it helps some fellow enthusiasts out!

[SPANNER RASH]

Well, I got the seam sealer, underseal and cavity wax on! I really rate this Dinitrol stuff, but the 447 in particular is tough to work with. I was dealing with a blocked schutz gun yet again, just like when I did the rear!

I think I'd recommend buying a second gun to switch out to while the first one sits in thinners to try and unblock it, as the stuff thickens up very quickly and has a limited working time.

Needless to say, the stuff seems mega and I'm extremely confident in the underside of this car now. As I'm not planning to drive it on salted roads ever again, I'm reckoning this being a permanent rust protection.

[SPANNER RASH]

Hey spanner , will def take a look at your vids . I started with a modest 316i with slicktop and a naughty m10 from 1988 haha , swapped the engine for a m52 with s52 cams , m50 manifold and light flywheel , with the zf and a 3.64 it goes really hard for sure hahah

Awesome that 1988 E30 must've felt much brisker after that swap! Sounds very similar to what I'm going for but you've taken a step further with the cams and manifold. The jury is out on whether I'll be able to resist those type of mods once the car is together. I usually can't help myself with these things!

I'm planning to use the 4-cyl gearbox and in theory, it should work and hold with the 24v engine, but again we'll find out for ourselves!

[QuiqueUy]

Hey spanner , will def take a look at your vids . I started with a modest 316i with slicktop and a naughty m10 from 1988 haha , swapped the engine for a m52 with s52 cams , m50 manifold and light flywheel , with the zf and a 3.64 it goes really hard for sure hahah

[SPANNER RASH]

Hey man, how are things going with the purple touring?

I feel like I'm getting ever closer to getting the M52B28 in, I can't wait, the engine has been sitting on a stand for far too long. I hope it's in good health, but I guess we'll find out when I properly inspect it!