So, I've been lurking around here for a little while gathering information for my GRM $2011 build and I figured it was time to introduce the project and maybe get some help from all great members of this board.
I've been wanting to put something together for the GRM challenge for quite some time and I finally have the time and support I think I need to get it done. I've never owned any BMWs, but I've always liked the E30s for their clean/simple lines. I spent a little time while at GA Tech helping out with Wreck Racing's old challenge eta and thought I'd like to build my own some day. Fast forward a few years and I'm finally well on the way to having a car ready for 2011.
In short the plan is:
Earlier this year we found an 86 325e in Tennessee and picked it up for $500.
It had a broken odometer and an estimated 300k miles but drove ok except for a major vibration on acceleration (we later found out this was the center drive shaft bearing, which was almost non-existent).
The interior was absolutely nasty... covered in dog hair and quite a bit of mold in places. Obviously, other than hurting the budget by reducing the potential parts we could sell off the car we didn't really care since we wouldn't be needing much of the interior.
As I said, the current plan for the engine is a simple head swap from an 325i, turbo, and megasquirt so we decided it would be easiest to just yank the engine.
We pulled the eta head off to have a look at what 300k miles has done to the engine. The cylinders look fairly good, so I think we're off to a good start there. Most concerning was the buildup in the coolant jackets which can be seen below.
Here is a look a the head gasket where you can see the coolant passages are almost completely blocked on the exhaust side (I think ?) with the same goo. We are thinking its some sort of stop leak gunk, but I'm not sure how we are going to get rid of it from all the coolant jackets and elsewhere.
A trip to pull-a-part yielded us a head, intake manifold, etc off a 525i. Here it is sat on top of the eta block.
That's all for now, thanks for looking. If you have any tips, advice, or a line on some cheap parts please let me know.
- Marc
I've been wanting to put something together for the GRM challenge for quite some time and I finally have the time and support I think I need to get it done. I've never owned any BMWs, but I've always liked the E30s for their clean/simple lines. I spent a little time while at GA Tech helping out with Wreck Racing's old challenge eta and thought I'd like to build my own some day. Fast forward a few years and I'm finally well on the way to having a car ready for 2011.
In short the plan is:
- 325e with i head
- turbo
- megasquirt
- stripped interior, glass, etc
- widest & stickiest tires we can find (that will fit under rolled stock fenders, don't think I want to get into major bodywork yet...)
- wheels to make the tires fit
- stiffest springs we can find
- and a lot more I havn't got figured out yet
Earlier this year we found an 86 325e in Tennessee and picked it up for $500.
It had a broken odometer and an estimated 300k miles but drove ok except for a major vibration on acceleration (we later found out this was the center drive shaft bearing, which was almost non-existent).
The interior was absolutely nasty... covered in dog hair and quite a bit of mold in places. Obviously, other than hurting the budget by reducing the potential parts we could sell off the car we didn't really care since we wouldn't be needing much of the interior.
As I said, the current plan for the engine is a simple head swap from an 325i, turbo, and megasquirt so we decided it would be easiest to just yank the engine.
We pulled the eta head off to have a look at what 300k miles has done to the engine. The cylinders look fairly good, so I think we're off to a good start there. Most concerning was the buildup in the coolant jackets which can be seen below.
Here is a look a the head gasket where you can see the coolant passages are almost completely blocked on the exhaust side (I think ?) with the same goo. We are thinking its some sort of stop leak gunk, but I'm not sure how we are going to get rid of it from all the coolant jackets and elsewhere.
A trip to pull-a-part yielded us a head, intake manifold, etc off a 525i. Here it is sat on top of the eta block.
That's all for now, thanks for looking. If you have any tips, advice, or a line on some cheap parts please let me know.
- Marc
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