E30 Rally Build Thread

[JasonBates]

I really do like what you're doing here. Makes me want to build my coupe so bad. Keep it up man.

[MasterOfPuppets]

If the HDPE your talking about is the one i'm thinking of then HDPE is High Density Poly-Ethylene. You can buy it at any plastic distributor. It cuts really nice if you cut it on a CNC. I've also cut it with a skilsaw and it cut like butter. Just make sure it's clamped really good.

That must be the stuff... now to find a plastic distributor somewhere around the UP. Really, I just haven't had time to look into it all that much. And I only wish I had a CNC machine to play around with... but I have a Skil saw!

No, prob not the best idea. Those bumper shocks are one-time use, as in they compress, and don't de-compress, and you have to buy new ones. The idea is to save you in one collision, not to provide continuous energy dissipation from your front bumper for all your ramming needs.

Shucks. Have to find another way to satisfy my ramming needs.

Can I get a close up of the lug studs? I'm looking into them and I've only seem close ups of the 90 mm ones on trm c1's (which happen to be the wheels I'm looking at to buy).

Next time it's not raining and I'm not working I'll grab some closeup pics. So, June 2012. :curse: Lake Superior...

Get one of those weld-on skids that is sold on E30Tech and then modify the front of that plate to cover bottom of your rad support? I think that'd work well with sufficient coverage in strength...

Couldn't find anything at e30tech about a skidplate, but I don't think weld-in is a great idea for a car that will probably break often. Plus I think I'll enjoy making one myself while I have the car in the shop for the cage this winter.

[durtyE30]

The skidplate thing is probably a good idea, the only trouble I can see is finding a solid place to mount it way up in front, maybe on some of the bumper structure. I could make a big aluminum front and under-engine plate and then a "HDPE" plate for the rest of the underbody (once someone can explain what "HDPE" is and where to buy it).

I didn't really check the full steering travel, but I cranked it pretty good going in and out of the driveway and didn't get any rubbing. Seems like it will be fine.

And finally, I seem to have developed a large power steering leak, seemingly from one of the hoses from pump to rack... who sells 'em? And does anyone sell steel-braided ones?

EDIT: Just had what may be a brilliant idea. From what I can tell, the E30 front bumper mounts to some kind of shock absorbers just like in most cars. So, if I attached my skidplate to the bumper itself in front, and fabricated a way to mount it in the rear so that it could slide longitudinally and still be vertically rigid, I would have a shock-absorbing front skidplate! But would it be better?...

Get one of those weld-on skids that is sold on E30Tech and then modify the front of that plate to cover bottom of your rad support? I think that'd work well with sufficient coverage in strength...

As for HDPE...I've heard of HPDE (High performance driving event, non-competitive track days)

[Lof8]

Looks like a blast! I am jealous.

[lambo]

Can I get a close up of the lug studs? I'm looking into them and I've only seem close ups of the 90 mm ones on trm c1's (which happen to be the wheels I'm looking at to buy).

Thanks!

[iamsam]

You best not be telling me where these guys are because they won't have those E28s in their possession for very long ;)

That's crazy though!! I seriously thought I was the only person in Sheridan that was really into BMW's. Except for all the rich bastards with their brand new ones.....but they just buy them to show off their munies....

If you come up here sometimes, we might have to get together and chat E30 for awhile or something. Maybe give me the addresses to where these E28's are.....:)

Oh they WEREN'T into BMWs, but I think I have made a solid convert out of one of them, and he is spreading his disease to another, who is interested in buying my current E28...

yeah I am pretty sure I am heading up there this weekend. I will be taking the E39 540i/6 though :( my E28 isn't very road worthy atm.

The first E28 I sold to my buddy is a pretty cool car though, 1987 535is in great shape, and I am bringing up a full Bilstien Sport/BavAuto suspensionto put on. Also, he has staggered style 32s he is gonna throw on. It's going to look good.

also, read through your project thread, I'm definitely going to have to check that out.

[drutt23]

Oh look, someone from Sheridan!!

Me and a buddy at work were joking that I am the biggest dealer of E28s in Sheridan. I sold two to my buddy up there, and I may be heading up there this weekend, actually, gonna be a relaxing trek across WY, cruise control, and wait.....

Also, I will be selling a third E28 to my buddy (a parts car) AND i may be selling a 4th E28 to another buddy up there in Sheridan. Will prob end up being the only 4 E28s in Sheridan. Ha ha!

You best not be telling me where these guys are because they won't have those E28s in their possession for very long ;)

That's crazy though!! I seriously thought I was the only person in Sheridan that was really into BMW's. Except for all the rich bastards with their brand new ones.....but they just buy them to show off their munies....

If you come up here sometimes, we might have to get together and chat E30 for awhile or something. Maybe give me the addresses to where these E28's are.....:)

And to my knowledge, yes those will be the only E28's in Sheridan. I only know of four other E30's up here, and I rarely see any of them.

[iamsam]

EDIT: Just had what may be a brilliant idea. From what I can tell, the E30 front bumper mounts to some kind of shock absorbers just like in most cars. So, if I attached my skidplate to the bumper itself in front, and fabricated a way to mount it in the rear so that it could slide longitudinally and still be vertically rigid, I would have a shock-absorbing front skidplate! But would it be better?...

No, prob not the best idea. Those bumper shocks are one-time use, as in they compress, and don't de-compress, and you have to buy new ones. The idea is to save you in one collision, not to provide continuous energy dissipation from your front bumper for all your ramming needs.

[Gobig_us]

If the HDPE your talking about is the one i'm thinking of then HDPE is High Density Poly-Ethylene. You can buy it at any plastic distributor. It cuts really nice if you cut it on a CNC. I've also cut it with a skilsaw and it cut like butter. Just make sure it's clamped really good.

[kts]

I love the wheel colors. Makes me want to get and paint a set of TRMs.

[MasterOfPuppets]

Honestly though I might suggest removing the front valence completely and fabbing up a skidplate that sort of goes in its place, and can protect the underside of the radiator as well as the motor in one modular piece.

Can you steer lock to lock without rubbing? It looks pretty tight there in the 3rd pic.

The skidplate thing is probably a good idea, the only trouble I can see is finding a solid place to mount it way up in front, maybe on some of the bumper structure. I could make a big aluminum front and under-engine plate and then a "HDPE" plate for the rest of the underbody (once someone can explain what "HDPE" is and where to buy it).

I didn't really check the full steering travel, but I cranked it pretty good going in and out of the driveway and didn't get any rubbing. Seems like it will be fine.

And finally, I seem to have developed a large power steering leak, seemingly from one of the hoses from pump to rack... who sells 'em? And does anyone sell steel-braided ones?

EDIT: Just had what may be a brilliant idea. From what I can tell, the E30 front bumper mounts to some kind of shock absorbers just like in most cars. So, if I attached my skidplate to the bumper itself in front, and fabricated a way to mount it in the rear so that it could slide longitudinally and still be vertically rigid, I would have a shock-absorbing front skidplate! But would it be better?...

[iamsam]

^^ exactly. Like that, but less beefy obviously. Just so that you can nose-plow into the ground safely after a jump or something, or take a jump off of a tree stump.

[lambo]

Honestly though I might suggest removing the front valence completely and fabbing up a skidplate that sort of goes in its place, and can protect the underside of the radiator as well as the motor in one modular piece.

Yeah! Something like this would be pretty neat

[iamsam]

HA HA HA that looks hilarious!!!! In a good way of course.

And sorry about your valence, i do feel pretty dumb about that.... me, the hard core E30 enthusiast wrecks your car around the first turn of the track...

Honestly though I might suggest removing the front valence completely and fabbing up a skidplate that sort of goes in its place, and can protect the underside of the radiator as well as the motor in one modular piece.

Can you steer lock to lock without rubbing? It looks pretty tight there in the 3rd pic.

[lambo]

My god that is so awesome. I must see this some day...