This is basically a thread for me to just keep track of what I've done to my e30.
For those interested, back in March on the 31st I picked up an 86 325es with 115,000 miles on it for $1100.
Back story on the car:
The original owner was getting a divorce from her husband out in Indiana and drove it out here. Took it to a shop to have the crank position sensor replaced. While they were doing that, she reconciled with her husband and flew back to Indiana leaving the car at the shop.
Several months later the shop sold it to the people I bought it from. They drove it here and there on the Indiana tags and eventually used up all available 3 day passes and 30 day permit on it.
While they were doing that, they swapped in ellipsoid headlights, a new brake master cylinder, a new battery, various other stuff, and did shadowline trim on it. Oh yeah, also had a MOMO Competition steering wheel in it.
They no longer needed it because the guys mom had bought an e46 M3.
I looked at it and decided that it would fit my needs and fulfill my wish to have an e30 coupe, so I forked over $1100 bucks for it. Asking price was $1600.
That weekend (April 3, 2011) I replaced the timing belt, tensioner, water pump, v-belts, and all coolant hoses on the car.
April 4, 2011 I replaced the air filter (K&N filter was clogged solid) and attempted to take it through emissions. I screwed up and didn't have the system bled right
so the temp gauge started climbing a bit, so I scrapped that idea.
April 7, 2011 I took it to my parents' house since they have all of my tools, and tried to re-bleed the system. I then decided to replace the fan switches.
After doing so, I took it in to emissions. It failed on NOX miserably (6.8 if I recall, limit is 2.5). So, I took it back to my parents' place and decided on a hunch to check the plugs. Sure enough, they were Bosch Platinum +4's. I changed those out quickly with standard NGK plugs, and figured while I was at it I would replace the coolant temp sensor for the ecu, and give it a Seafoam treatment.
I tried to emission it again the same day. Brought the NOX reading down to 3.6.
Over the next few weeks I tried various things to get the NOX reading down to spec including, but not limited to, and in no specific order;
Fan Clutch,
G2P,
Adjusting idle speed,
Adjusting mixture screw on AFM (this did it for me on my last eta)
Water Wetter (to help lower combustion chamber temps)
Continued to try bleeding the system in case I still had air,
Running different octane fuels,
I finally had it to failing NOX by .4 when I ran out of ideas before resorting to what I was dreading: cat and 02 sensor.
I found an exhaust shop with a good reputation near me that gave me a quote to do the cat which I found acceptable.
I brought it down to them and after about 30-45 minutes, they had a new universal cat welded in, and moved the o2 sensor bung to a spot where it wouldn't rub the wires on the transmission mount cross member. Total out the door was 173.
I stopped at Autozone on the way home and picked up an o2 sensor for a 90 Ford Mustang GT ($45), went to my parents' place and spliced it in.
Immediately took the e30 down to get tested and it passed. My readings for NOX and HC went down significantly. My CO reading went up a little, but not much at all. Finally, on my 6th attempt I was able to pass it and register the car.
2 years registration cost me $33, which is awesome and about the same as 2 years on my 77 MGB which I have registered as a classic.
On the 12th I fixed the a/c on it and got it blowing nice and cold.
Today I ordered a chip for it, and a kit to put keyless entry in.
Here's what few pics I have of it:
I'll get more soon. I just wasn't motivated to spend money on it until I could get it to pass emissions and legal.
Now has chrome weaves instead of bottle caps. Traded the MOMO wheel in fair condition and $60 for them with new tires.
Loving this car so far. Things I need to address are the missing trim in the glove box that hides the ecu, missing trim under the steering column, and the speedo doesn't work most of the time.
I will repaint it in the future too.
Dash is minty, seats are in good shape too.
For those interested, back in March on the 31st I picked up an 86 325es with 115,000 miles on it for $1100.
Back story on the car:
The original owner was getting a divorce from her husband out in Indiana and drove it out here. Took it to a shop to have the crank position sensor replaced. While they were doing that, she reconciled with her husband and flew back to Indiana leaving the car at the shop.
Several months later the shop sold it to the people I bought it from. They drove it here and there on the Indiana tags and eventually used up all available 3 day passes and 30 day permit on it.
While they were doing that, they swapped in ellipsoid headlights, a new brake master cylinder, a new battery, various other stuff, and did shadowline trim on it. Oh yeah, also had a MOMO Competition steering wheel in it.
They no longer needed it because the guys mom had bought an e46 M3.
I looked at it and decided that it would fit my needs and fulfill my wish to have an e30 coupe, so I forked over $1100 bucks for it. Asking price was $1600.
That weekend (April 3, 2011) I replaced the timing belt, tensioner, water pump, v-belts, and all coolant hoses on the car.
April 4, 2011 I replaced the air filter (K&N filter was clogged solid) and attempted to take it through emissions. I screwed up and didn't have the system bled right
so the temp gauge started climbing a bit, so I scrapped that idea.April 7, 2011 I took it to my parents' house since they have all of my tools, and tried to re-bleed the system. I then decided to replace the fan switches.
After doing so, I took it in to emissions. It failed on NOX miserably (6.8 if I recall, limit is 2.5). So, I took it back to my parents' place and decided on a hunch to check the plugs. Sure enough, they were Bosch Platinum +4's. I changed those out quickly with standard NGK plugs, and figured while I was at it I would replace the coolant temp sensor for the ecu, and give it a Seafoam treatment.
I tried to emission it again the same day. Brought the NOX reading down to 3.6.
Over the next few weeks I tried various things to get the NOX reading down to spec including, but not limited to, and in no specific order;
Fan Clutch,
G2P,
Adjusting idle speed,
Adjusting mixture screw on AFM (this did it for me on my last eta)
Water Wetter (to help lower combustion chamber temps)
Continued to try bleeding the system in case I still had air,
Running different octane fuels,
I finally had it to failing NOX by .4 when I ran out of ideas before resorting to what I was dreading: cat and 02 sensor.
I found an exhaust shop with a good reputation near me that gave me a quote to do the cat which I found acceptable.
I brought it down to them and after about 30-45 minutes, they had a new universal cat welded in, and moved the o2 sensor bung to a spot where it wouldn't rub the wires on the transmission mount cross member. Total out the door was 173.
I stopped at Autozone on the way home and picked up an o2 sensor for a 90 Ford Mustang GT ($45), went to my parents' place and spliced it in.
Immediately took the e30 down to get tested and it passed. My readings for NOX and HC went down significantly. My CO reading went up a little, but not much at all. Finally, on my 6th attempt I was able to pass it and register the car.
2 years registration cost me $33, which is awesome and about the same as 2 years on my 77 MGB which I have registered as a classic.
On the 12th I fixed the a/c on it and got it blowing nice and cold.
Today I ordered a chip for it, and a kit to put keyless entry in.
Here's what few pics I have of it:
I'll get more soon. I just wasn't motivated to spend money on it until I could get it to pass emissions and legal.
Now has chrome weaves instead of bottle caps. Traded the MOMO wheel in fair condition and $60 for them with new tires.
Loving this car so far. Things I need to address are the missing trim in the glove box that hides the ecu, missing trim under the steering column, and the speedo doesn't work most of the time.
I will repaint it in the future too.
Dash is minty, seats are in good shape too.
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