So! First real post here. And after reading for around roughly 2months or so, I've finally decided what to do with my budget 325e. I picked it up fairly cheap ($800.00) running, sort of. On the test drive I noted that the valves where more than a bit loud, and used it as leverage to drop the price down. On getting it home and opening up the valve cover, I found a head bolt sheared off and floating around in #4. Luckily, the head bolt itself was barely tightened down and I got it out with a ninja-steady pair of needle nose without much hassle. The valves themselves seemed undamaged, but that's only in regards to existing condition. Very loose across the lot of them, and quite noisy. In all, I'd say I over paid of the majority of it. Now to be fair, the car was lowered on a Eibach-Bilstein setup, 2 1/4" Anza exhaust (no cat surprisingly), and a 7000 RPM tach. It seems to me, the previous owner to the whom I bought it from, was planning to swap in the "i" head and 2.7l stroke it out but either ran out of money, had too many projects or just plain got bored. Either way, for $800.00, of which I've already recouped $400.00 + by selling misc. pieces to a buddy for his '86 es daily driver, I figure it's a great starter for my little budget build stroker dreams! I would be eternally grateful for any support or info any of you more experienced types could throw my way. I realize it's a very ambitious goal, but, I have all the time in the world and no rush beyond mere impatience and excitement.
Currently, the plans are to 2.7l ETA Stroker rebuild with a little fore thought into a 524TD forged crank (which a buddy of mine is giving me a fantastic deal on) in case I get the turbo itch. Now, this will be my first involved build and engine removal on a BMW and not to mention on a fairly small budget with minimal professional help. My current parts list consist of the following:
-Engine
325i (m20b25)
Intake (port and polished), fuel rail, AFM, FPR, double sprung valve train, 120xxx miles when pulled, straight and in working order), machined head (120xxx miles when pulled also), "i" pulleys (crank, water pump, fan), 173 chipped DME-ECU, throttle body, thermostat housing.
524TD forged crank (cleaned and inspected)
All of such is going on my 1984 ETA block with good compression on all six and a 260 getrag tranny. I'd love any criticizm and/or help with my current build list. I read up here on the majority of what's listed. If I've forgotten anything important or just plain helpful, I'd love the input.
-Body
The current body will be under going a pretty extensive straightening out with a front bumper conversion to the late model valence. Still in the air what to do with the rear but I am leaning towards the conversion there to late model as well. I've done body work before and don't mind any challanges, much less the time put in. Considering euro bumpers, but so far they seem a bit on the pricey side.
-Suspension
As stated before, the car came lowered already, but I've already rounded up the adjustable GC Coilover conversion and am saving my precious pennies for the camber plates. I'm aiming to be fairly extreme on the suspension and this will probably be one of the last things finished when all is said and done.
-Lighting
This is a question area for me. I'd love to go Euro Ellipsoid-Smileys but currently have the SB Headlight plight. I'd honestly be happy with any Ellipsoid. Plans are to HID kit it. Same with the fogs. Any direction I should go or articles I should read up on more extensively too figure out the conversion and/or prices of parts? I did some searching, but didn't run across too much that I either A. Understood or B. Found helpful beyond a cursory view of the subject. Thanks again!
That about sums it up and I'll be posting updates as it comes together and goes along. Thanks for the awesome write up's, articles and discussions that have prompted and inspired me!
-C
*edit*
This is where she's starting at.
Note: I re-sprayed the grills and front rub strips for shits and giggles. Same with the kidney black out... surprisingly the front turn signals still shine through nicely at night even though their blacked out dramatically.
Currently, the plans are to 2.7l ETA Stroker rebuild with a little fore thought into a 524TD forged crank (which a buddy of mine is giving me a fantastic deal on) in case I get the turbo itch. Now, this will be my first involved build and engine removal on a BMW and not to mention on a fairly small budget with minimal professional help. My current parts list consist of the following:
-Engine
325i (m20b25)
Intake (port and polished), fuel rail, AFM, FPR, double sprung valve train, 120xxx miles when pulled, straight and in working order), machined head (120xxx miles when pulled also), "i" pulleys (crank, water pump, fan), 173 chipped DME-ECU, throttle body, thermostat housing.
524TD forged crank (cleaned and inspected)
All of such is going on my 1984 ETA block with good compression on all six and a 260 getrag tranny. I'd love any criticizm and/or help with my current build list. I read up here on the majority of what's listed. If I've forgotten anything important or just plain helpful, I'd love the input.
-Body
The current body will be under going a pretty extensive straightening out with a front bumper conversion to the late model valence. Still in the air what to do with the rear but I am leaning towards the conversion there to late model as well. I've done body work before and don't mind any challanges, much less the time put in. Considering euro bumpers, but so far they seem a bit on the pricey side.
-Suspension
As stated before, the car came lowered already, but I've already rounded up the adjustable GC Coilover conversion and am saving my precious pennies for the camber plates. I'm aiming to be fairly extreme on the suspension and this will probably be one of the last things finished when all is said and done.
-Lighting
This is a question area for me. I'd love to go Euro Ellipsoid-Smileys but currently have the SB Headlight plight. I'd honestly be happy with any Ellipsoid. Plans are to HID kit it. Same with the fogs. Any direction I should go or articles I should read up on more extensively too figure out the conversion and/or prices of parts? I did some searching, but didn't run across too much that I either A. Understood or B. Found helpful beyond a cursory view of the subject. Thanks again!
That about sums it up and I'll be posting updates as it comes together and goes along. Thanks for the awesome write up's, articles and discussions that have prompted and inspired me!
-C
*edit*
This is where she's starting at.
Note: I re-sprayed the grills and front rub strips for shits and giggles. Same with the kidney black out... surprisingly the front turn signals still shine through nicely at night even though their blacked out dramatically.
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