A trip down memory lane...89' 325is + S52 inside!

[///M Powered]

Great build, car looks amazing!

[Bimmerguy91]

Im glad I am headed in a similar direction with my car. You have a super clean car Im jelly!

[gkurey]

Thanks for the compliments guys.....sorry I hadn't noticed anyone commented in a while.

After a long time of running with nothing to do, I tackled another project on the car this weekend. I did something I really should've done last time I had the whole rear end off the car. I swapped rear end for one with eccentric bolts and added subframe risers to get my rear alignment under control.

I got new tires back in April/May and the rears are already toast....one side was particularly bad so I assume an arm is slightly bent since all the bushings back there were pretty fresh. I decided to make the subframe adjustable for toe and camber and also add the subframe riser kit to max out the camber reduction. Since I had already done the rear subframe within the year, the work wasn't too bad. Nothing was too difficult to remove and I was able to tackle the job quickly.

The results look great from what my eyeball can tell. I think camber on the rear was around -4deg at first, and while I have not gotten an alignment yet, I think it is nearly 2.5-3 degrees improved. I am pleased with what my weekend of effort bought me...now to get some new rear tires and and alignment. Already she drives a lot smoother. Here are a few pics of the job:

A quick shot of what I was looking to correct:


My new subframe...got it from a fellow r3v member who makes them for a very reasonable price, MarshallM.


Close-up of the adjusters


Supporting another r3v guy...silence from Condor Speed Shop. Quality kit and everything fit together great! Can't say enough good things here.


Shot of the bushing installed...Large side down, the lift it will provide is quite evident!


12mm spacers on the diff to keep it in the same relative position to the engine/DS


While I was in there, I decided to replace the diff bushing. I wasn't planning it for this project, but figured why not...I've already got it all out. Removing the old bushing was easy, as it practically crumbled when I touched it. Getting the new one in required a little ingenuity and multiple tools. I'm sure it would've been easy to get it pressed in, but I didn't want to lose all my good diff fluid I recently added nor did I wan't to waste time looking for a shop to do it on a holiday weekend. Got it done with a vice and a puller. Hardest part was getting the bushing to track straight in...once it was set, it was all pressure from there!







Got it all thrown back together and bolted the subframe/diff/arms as one back onto the car. I gave my best guess on all the adjustments as to what would give me the best alignment....went with a neutral position for toe and a near max positive setting on camber. Like I said, I think I reduced camber by nearly 2.5-3 degrees!



Thanks for looking...I will report back with the alignment sheet when I get her dialed in.

[markseven]

As usual, excellent work! You didn't want just a little negative camber out back? Maybe -1°?

[gkurey]

Thanks, markseven. I did keep some...my fronts are about -1.5 and the rears are about the same from eyeballing it. I'm coming off ab out -4, and was able to eliminate around 3-2.5, so I should be about where you suggested! Feels a lot better than -4 so far even without a professional alignment, can't believe I ran it so long like that.

[gkurey]

A little shot from the parking lot:

[noE30]

Great looking car! Thanks for linking to this in the BC suspension thread, I hadn't seen this thread yet.
How do you like your coils now that they have been installed for a while?
Also care to pm me what you paid for the mtech2 valence and hardware etc.
Thanks

[gkurey]

noE30, thanks for the feedback! The coils have performed as well as any other brand I've used in the past as far as daily use goes. I haven't had an opportunity to track them, and although I am no expert, I think they would do nicely there as well. Ride quality has been consistent over time, not too harsh. I do have a set of 10kg springs I run in the back I got from BC at the time of my original order to go a little stiffer than the 6kg/6kg kit I was offered when I purchased it originally. They have stood up well to wear and tear and the elements over time. I can't recommend them highly enough.

[gkurey]

Quick update...threw a short shifter in this weekend. It's an ebay special...couldn't resist for the price.

Overall, it was money well spent. Not hard to do, and very effective. Over all feel of the shift is much improved and the throw has been noticeably reduced. Here are a few install and comparison shots:

Install kit


Removal of the e36 M3 stock shifter I had


Side by side


Installed


I would highly recommend this to anyone for the $30 it cost!

[E30stan]

Moar vids!

[gkurey]

Some pictures from a local Auto-X, had a great time!

[evandael]

that bottom shot is great. high-res?

[gkurey]

I think this one is as big as it goes....

[Ricky_J]

Really nice car.
BTW glad you went with a Mtech 2 front valence. It allowed me to get some white brake ducts lol

[bubbajan21]

What shift carrier are you using? Mine sits pretty far offset towards the passenger side but yours looks pretty centered.

Awesome build btw! :up: