Project #30 - Make This E30 Great Again: Brilliantrot1990 325iS

[2mAn]

Funny that this is like the one time someone buys an e30 with no known timing belt interval and it doesn't look like it would instantly snap if you started the engine one more time.

Thats the joy of not knowing how old the Timing Belt was... and wouldn't you know it!?... the belt looked good when I removed it. Oh well, we carry on and keep moving.



As if that wasnt enough good news, I removed the camshaft seal and its flange... in 2 pieces!





Once I calmed down realizing all of this headache could've been avoided if the PO had kept receipts, I decided I needed to focus on adding back the new parts. But first, that broken stud. Panici I had a few ideas, and decided to merge two. The obvious one was to heat the area where the broken piece goes into the head, but then actually removing it needed something good to clamp to the stud. Luckily I had enough threads to be able to double-nut onto it and easy peasy, it came out. That was a relief.





Installed the thermostat in a cleaned up housing and installed the water pump (no pics). Now I hope I can find that camshaft seal housing soon so I can get back to installing the timing belt and hopefully drive this car for more than 1/2 a mile before the end of the year.

[MrBurgundy]

"this will only take a few hours"

[E30SPDFRK]

Congrats on rejoining the fold! The thermostat housing and cover aren't too expensive new, if any of the pipe nipples are corroded I'd just change it all.

It looks like 99 on that timing belt sticker, definitely a good idea to change it even if it does look good.

[2mAn]

Success!





Now I have to finish putting it back together before Christmas so I can ditch my family. I decided that I was going to change the cap & rotor as well as the plugs so it will all get done together

[e30m3s54turbo]

I like title on your project. Are you going to swap a five speed into it?

[2mAn]

I like title on your project. Are you going to swap a five speed into it?

Hey Raul, thanks for checking out the thread. While this would be a fantastic car to swap, I (currently) have no intention of swapping it to a 5-speed, as good as it will make the car. I plan to leave this as close to factory delivered as possible, replacing the necessary parts.

In other news, Yesterday I wrapped up the work and sure enough she fired up right away ... with a jump. Zig-Zagged my way through the neighborhood for a total of 7.5 miles with no issues!

Notes: She loosened up more as I spent more time behind the wheel. Once she felt ready, I gave her a few 5-60 rips driving around in 3, and yea its slow. Good things: A lovely survivor. Heated Seats work. Stereo is a Sony and is ok, sounds like a few speakers are blown out. blinkers and chimes all work. Quick blink on the right, so I have to check that out. Brakes felt good. Dash isn't cracked so I want to keep it that way. Temp stayed solid, living at about the 11am mark. Bad things: There's a noise on rotation on the front right, hopefully easy to address. Very slight wobble, will go chat with the place that aligned the wheels to have them check it out again. Hate the trim, need to sell the wheels so I can reinvest it back into the car. Paint should polish up nice, but for now it sucks. Really needs suspension, but I dont plan on getting crazy. The plan is to do a ~1" drop with OE-Sport H&R Springs paired with some Bilsteins. Not much else

[AWDBOB]

Are those iX weaves? The space between the end the of the spokes and wheel lip is throwing me off lol.

Glad the car hasn't produced a laundry list of needs yet!

BTW if you wanted to save some coin you could definitely get away with some KYBs with OE sports if you wanted to avoid the billy harshness/tax.

I put KYBs on a few hoopties recently and was pleasantly surprised at how not terrible they were.

[2mAn]

Are those iX weaves? The space between the end the of the spokes and wheel lip is throwing me off lol.

Glad the car hasn't produced a laundry list of needs yet!

BTW if you wanted to save some coin you could definitely get away with some KYBs with OE sports if you wanted to avoid the billy harshness/tax.

I put KYBs on a few hoopties recently and was pleasantly surprised at how not terrible they were.

Yea, I was told they were Euro Weaves, bought em, bought tires got them mounted and then I realized they were IX... so I then ordered some 20mm spacers with extended lugs. Oh well. They were a good price and the 14" weaves are gone now, so we move on haha

Good call on the KYBs, a Good chance I will get those for a budget drop/ improved ride.

[Mike36]

I thought 89 and 90 e30s came equipped with US ellipsoids?

[AWDBOB]

I thought 89 and 90 e30s came equipped with US ellipsoids?

88-89. 90+ got sealed beams again

Simon- 15s are still a level up from 14” weaves especially since you had to buy tires!

[2mAn]

Fun weekend... Got a few goodies and I will share the pics when its all installed. Made a little video of the first real drive.

https://youtu.be/1lc2wwYvhT0

[MrBurgundy]

She sounds good.

[Northern]

Ah I see some seat time in God's Chariot made you reevaluate the whole P-car thing.

[2mAn]

Ah I see some seat time in God's Chariot made you reevaluate the whole P-car thing.

Its fun alright... but needs a lot before I would choose the E30 over the 996

[2mAn]

Got a chance to install my Euro Trim that I bought from eBay. Aftermarket stuff. Not the best, not the worst. Made a video detailing it that is on my YouTube channel.





Can’t wait to get the last cosmetic additions done, which includes the IS lip and painting the rear spoiler black since the red is ruined on it. Also threw on 2 of the centercaps, as I only have 3 so one side has them and the other doesn’t…

]