1991 318i sedan project - Saving a sedan!

[s_ribs]

I have some pictures from yesterday but I'll wait until I get more work done to post.


Made a few decisions yesterday:

1) After looking at some pics of a diamond schwarz car on here, I'm going to shave the door locks, windshield washer squirters, and the antenna. Maybe one more thing as well... you'll have to wait and see on that one. ;)

2) I removed the brackets for the stock coils and windshield washer fluid reservoir. While I'm at it the stock air box brackets will go as well! Yes, this means I build an intake set up for it and never go back to stock. Not sure why I would want the airbox back on anyway.

3) Because of seeing how much removing brackets clean up the engine bay, I am going to try tucking the wires in the engine bay. The GRM E30 dude did it without cutting any wires so shouldn't be too bad.

A couple of other ideas I'm working on as well. Stay tuned to see if they develop further.

I did decide that I will pass on sound deadening for now. I just can't justify $250 on something I don't really need for the car right now. My guess is I will do it later on after the car is on the road. I may pick up enough to help out the front speakers for now.

Biggest thing I'm thinking through right now is if I should go all the way with this and pull the engine out. It would be much easier to paint the entire engine bay if I did, plus I could clean and paint the engine while it's out. But, more time more money..... decisions, decisions.

[solxe]

I'm thinking about building a box too and I like what I see. I'll keep an eye on this thread.

[Van Westervelt]

Yup, this was Lisa's whip. She spanked a new vette with it in November.

[Jand3rson]

Curt, this wasn't Lisa's old car, was it?

[SiGmA_X]

Lookin' good Seth. I need a garage so I can have fun projects again.. Driveway working is so FTL!

[s_ribs]

I forgot that I have some pictures of the sub and a few of the box build.

Again, sub is the Exile XPe12D.





The box was built to 1.25 sq ft (per Exile specs) and has a slight L shape. 2 reasons for the shape - 1) Kept it as shallow as possible; 2) Allowed for a recessed portion where the amplifier could be mounted. I'm not a fan of amp racks and other stereo/electronics "bling", so this allowed an easy and protected place to mount it but more importantly easy access to it for adjustments.




Rather than carpet it (like every other box out there) I opted for truck bedliner. Something different and it brings a new dimension of durability to it. I dig it. :)



All credit on building this pimp daddy box (and overall stereo set up choice) goes to my buddy Brian (bfowler on the forums). The dude is amazing when it comes to stereo builds and set up!

[s_ribs]

Nothing major to report today so far.

These came in Friday:
Stock mounts were toast and with factory engine mounts running $120 a piece... I'll deal with a little vibration and noise (if I can even notice it with the stereo LOL).


Got these yesterday:
Coated stainless steel brake lines, thanks Ken!


When running a power wire I noticed that the carpet was wet. So, I decided to pull it out and let it dry. Upside to an extra hour of work is that running wires was MUCH easier (probably saved an hour in wiring actually), and this gives me the opportunity to apply sound deadening material under the carpet. The floor is going to get both standard deadening mat as well as a closed cell foam (to actually reduce road noise). I haven't ordered it yet because I really don't want to drop ~$200-250 on materials. :???:

Carpet removal:






Stereo is all wired up and runnin!


It doesn't matter too much since it's all under the carpet, but I will be making sure the wiring is clean and tidy before it goes back together.

Initial thoughts on the stereo:
1) WOW
2) WOW
3) I knew it prior to listening, but this low end deck really sucks for upper end speakers. It can't seperate the sub and mid woofer signal very well which really hurts sound quality (not to mention hard on the mid woofers).
4) I had this Exile sub in my LS400 - I wasn't impressed. Hearing it in this car, all I have to say is I freaking love it. Apparently there is far too much material for the bass to get through on the LS, not the case here.
5) You really don't need a rear stage besides the sub. I was skeptical at first, but not anymore.
6) The PG RSD's really are amazing speakers. Especially when price is factored in. I picked up my set from woofersetc for $50 on sale.

Now, time to get some homework done!

[s_ribs]

You should. It's so much nicer than the factory set up. Spark plug wires FTL!

[SiGmA_X]

I like that COP plate Seth. If Becca's coil/wires ever need replacing I'll be contacting Rob to get her one!

[e30maniac]

use that plate, looks sexy on it..leave it bent too! adds style

[e30s50dan]

i am also working on a Diamond Schwarz 1991 318i 4 door..M50 soon to go in,as soon as I find a SINGLE MASS FLYWHEEL...I have the M42 engine that is apart more or less.Let me know if you need anything from it...help a brother out! :)

[Van Westervelt]

Glad I could play middle man on this deal Seth, do I get a finders fee? :)

I remember doing the suspension on this thing like 2 years ago. Man its seen a HARD 2 years. How many miles are on it now?

Dont lie Seth, the HER E30 plates are really yours huh? ;)

[M-technik-3]

Nice one, Mine's two rusty to bother saving it's gonna be a winter bomb.

[s_ribs]

Yes, definitely going to replace the stock muffler with something aftermarket. No rush on it since I bought a welder last week! :D

One BIG thing I have left to pick out is the paint. I'm sticking with Diamond Schwarz, just need to figure out what brand to go with. Need to keep this more on the budget build spectrum of cost but I refuse to use something that will have bad results and wear out in 5 years. Sounds like PPG's Omni is ok but Dupont's Nason is better. Those are the only brands that stuck out to me in my google search. Vlad, I may pm you about this since you're the expert! Paint is a touchy subject and there are LOTS of opinions but little hard facts I'm finding.

EDIT: Will be doing a full respray on the car, not just painting the front end. Car was repainted when the previous fix was done - big surprise their paint sucks as much as their idea of body work!

[vlad]

nice project !