Well guys, this is my ongoing project, ive started in January with help of some friends.
This is the victim/patient. Its a 1984 320i sedan i got about 2 years ago and ive been using it as my daily since then.
We started taking it apart, found minor rust, some small bumps but all in all it was a great shell.
I got a pretty nice mtech1 kit (complete, except for the rear spoiler).
We started taking out some panels, and found some interesting amounts of dirt. Amazingly, no rust beneath, kudos to BMW :)
We took the bodypanels out for a wash before storing them.
I got some nice e36 seats i will be installing later, we tried them to see how they look ... nice :)
Next was the engine. Its already out, and looking for a new owner (people still pay some decent money for a M20 down here).
And finally we tried taking out the old small case open diff, but the 2 bolts on top were TOO stiff, so i guess we will end up taking all the rear axle completely. The small case diff will be replaced by a medium case LSD diff from a e36 compact 323ti. its a 3,15:1 ratio, so that plus the overdrive gearbox it should be pretty nice to drive with the torque from the new engine.
The project is divided in several areas.
* The body will get a new paint job, using some nice glasurit 55 line hennarot. Before painting it, all 4 fenders will be rolled.
Also all chrome will be shadowlined with flat black vinyl.
* All wiring will be re done from scratch, since the electrical system was "abused" by someone before i got the car and its an uber mess. Plus age didnt help either.
* On the interior, most panels will get some new leather (getting rid of the ugly vinyl), also seats and dash.
Instrument cluster will get a few upgrades such as a/f meter, oil temp, progresive shift lights. while retaining the OEM look.
* On the ride department, there will be some upgrades.
Ride height will be lowered 2.5" in the front, 1.5" on the back with some progresive springs.
Bushings will be upgraded, but dont know yet what to use, since roads here suck and to stiff is a problem.
Brakes will need to be upgraded, disks in the rear is a must, so trailing arms need to be changed. There is the option to go for the e36 323ti rear end, since it has disks+5x120 lugs. Im not set on what to do on this subject yet.
Wheels, im almost set on XXR/Sportmax 006 wheels. 17x9 all around, 225-45-17 in the front, and 245-45-17 in the rear.
* And the biggest change will be on the engine department.
M20b20 is going out, M52b28 is going in. M52 will be managed by a megasquirt1 v3.0, with a wasted spark ignition and a boost controller. compression ratio will be lowered to 9:1 and it will be turbocharged. Im aiming for 350-400bhp.
This week im starting with the paint job, hopefully it will be done before winter comes.
Thats all for now, cheers.
This is the victim/patient. Its a 1984 320i sedan i got about 2 years ago and ive been using it as my daily since then.
We started taking it apart, found minor rust, some small bumps but all in all it was a great shell.
I got a pretty nice mtech1 kit (complete, except for the rear spoiler).
We started taking out some panels, and found some interesting amounts of dirt. Amazingly, no rust beneath, kudos to BMW :)
We took the bodypanels out for a wash before storing them.
I got some nice e36 seats i will be installing later, we tried them to see how they look ... nice :)
Next was the engine. Its already out, and looking for a new owner (people still pay some decent money for a M20 down here).
And finally we tried taking out the old small case open diff, but the 2 bolts on top were TOO stiff, so i guess we will end up taking all the rear axle completely. The small case diff will be replaced by a medium case LSD diff from a e36 compact 323ti. its a 3,15:1 ratio, so that plus the overdrive gearbox it should be pretty nice to drive with the torque from the new engine.
The project is divided in several areas.
* The body will get a new paint job, using some nice glasurit 55 line hennarot. Before painting it, all 4 fenders will be rolled.
Also all chrome will be shadowlined with flat black vinyl.
* All wiring will be re done from scratch, since the electrical system was "abused" by someone before i got the car and its an uber mess. Plus age didnt help either.
* On the interior, most panels will get some new leather (getting rid of the ugly vinyl), also seats and dash.
Instrument cluster will get a few upgrades such as a/f meter, oil temp, progresive shift lights. while retaining the OEM look.
* On the ride department, there will be some upgrades.
Ride height will be lowered 2.5" in the front, 1.5" on the back with some progresive springs.
Bushings will be upgraded, but dont know yet what to use, since roads here suck and to stiff is a problem.
Brakes will need to be upgraded, disks in the rear is a must, so trailing arms need to be changed. There is the option to go for the e36 323ti rear end, since it has disks+5x120 lugs. Im not set on what to do on this subject yet.
Wheels, im almost set on XXR/Sportmax 006 wheels. 17x9 all around, 225-45-17 in the front, and 245-45-17 in the rear.
* And the biggest change will be on the engine department.
M20b20 is going out, M52b28 is going in. M52 will be managed by a megasquirt1 v3.0, with a wasted spark ignition and a boost controller. compression ratio will be lowered to 9:1 and it will be turbocharged. Im aiming for 350-400bhp.
This week im starting with the paint job, hopefully it will be done before winter comes.
Thats all for now, cheers.
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