1988 320iM - Alpine, four door. [Boring Daily Spec]

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How I got it.



Picked it up cheap because the diff was blown, put a spare I had from a 323i in there and had it driving less than 2 hours after purchase.

It runs great, although slightly sluggish due to the 3.46 C&P.

What I've Done!

Quickly cleaned the black paint off the front valance and removed the spoiler in favour of an E28 M Tech item.





Also installed some Recaros from a Suzuki Swift GTI and put in a GKTech leather steering wheel with 90mm(3.54") of dish.

Purchased, not yet installed.

3.46 small case LSD and a small case 4.10 to put the lsd into as soon as I have money to pay a shop to do so. I'll install the diff myself but I'm not competent enough to swap the LSD into another diff centre.

Second Hand Bilsteins for the front and adjustable Konis for the rear, just waiting until I get a set of H&R race to install the lot.

iS lip and black foglight deletes(might still get some fog lights).

Plans, to complete when funds allow.

I've got an M20B23 laying around, and as I'm planning to give the 320i a basic rebuild with rings, bearings and gaskets in the near future, I'm going to stroke it to a 2.3litres.

325i throttle body and intake, if I can find one at a decent price.

Miller MAF and extractors.

Possibly a mild cam, valve springs, and associated head work.

15x8 et25 Enkei 92's with 205/50-225/50's.

Paint my bumpers white(leaving the trim black, of course) and shadow lining the chrome.

Darkest legal tint.

Basic stuff like bushes, brakes pads and slotted rotors. Random interior pieces to make it nicer.

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Interior snaps.

[Kershaw]

if you're going to swap engines why not start with an m20b25..

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Mainly cost but I need to keep the standard engine number, as engine modifications are restricted while I'm on provisional license.

M20B25 are harder to find in Australia and usually pretty expensive, just the engine alone would cost around $1000AUD.

I already have the B23 laying around so I will just use its crank, rods and pistons in the B20 engine. It will pretty much be as cheap and easy as changing piston rings and bearings, while gaining an extra 300cc in the process.

Don't need heaps of power, this is just a daily/touge car. A small torque increase and more responsive intake is all I'm really after. Might aim for power later on when I get full license and provisional restrictions are lifted. The focus is on suspension, steering and the diff at this stage.

[325ix]

Nice project. However, couldn't you just put in the m20b25 and say it was a b20 or 23?

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Nice project. However, couldn't you just put in the m20b25 and say it was a b20 or 23?

Could do, but if I get pulled over, or do something wrong and the engine number is checked, I lose my license. Would cost a lot more too, as I'd want to rebuild any engine I bought.

That's why I'm using the B23 parts in my B20. No way of knowing it's stroked, unless you take the engine apart and measure the crank.

Also, interested to see how much I can get from an M20B23 as most people just go for 2.7+ strokers.

[Butler]

Tiger Blood!

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Okay, reviving my thread from the dead as it's time to order springs from the US.


The decision is between H&R Race & IE Stage 3. Anyone know which ones will be cheaper and what's the best place to get them from online? CHEAP is the key because I'm a broke ass student, barely managing to eat after paying rent and buying petrol but meh. Food isn't as important as E30's.

Also, taking my diffs to a shop this week to have the LSD from the 3.46 housing installed in the 4.10 housing. Can't wait to get it in there and possibly have a bit of acceleration. 3.46 just feels so sluggish with practically no power.

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Getting a set of H&R Race from Guten Parts. ZM Blue Devil has been a pleasure to deal with and very helpful.

Also getting a ZHP shift knob.

Question is, why does my shifter feel like a spoon in a bowl of jello?

My friend's 325i feels exactly the same, however, the shifter in my parts car(eventual track car) is tighter than a nun's.

[Dj Buttchug]

shifter bushings... time to r&r them

[grippymonkey]

going good so far

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shifter bushings... time to r&r them

Will a short shift kit fix this, or is it the linkage bushings I need to be replacing?

[kingston]

Glad to see you're working with Levent at Guten Parts; he's da MAN!

The bushings that come with the Short Shift Kit should fix you right up.

Love the new seats, man!

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Glad to see you're working with Levent at Guten Parts; he's da MAN!

Yeah, just waiting for L to get back to me on shipping so I know how much money to transfer.

The bushings that come with the Short Shift Kit should fix you right up.

Well, after suspension and LSD, my next mod will be short shift, FCABs and subframe bushes then.

Love the new seats, man!

Yeah, they're a great design by Recaro. Love how they almost look factory, yet they're really supportive.

[kingston]

Sounds like you and I are mostly going down the same path! I did everything you're talking about, barring the SSK, and I'm contemplating that now, too. Right now I just want to get my M50 swap done.

Looking forward to more updates! :)