E30 streeter build

[Podge]

Thanks ninz
What a shit day I had on the car today started at 10am the plan was to change front springs and shocks i walked inside at 7 pm and all I got done was.
Remove caliper
Unbolt control arms
Unbolt tie rod
Unbolt swaybar link
Removed strut
Compressed springs
Took off top hats
Destroyed the locking coller that holds the shock in the strut
Swore a heap and gave the strut to my mate to undo the collers and remove the shocks
Every bolt was seized on everything took longer then it should now I'm over it. Back at it again tomorrow I suppose :(





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[Podge]

So my mate got the shocks out of the struts for me! as i didn`t have a vice so it was easyer for him to pull them out. So he comes back over with the struts and the new shocks do not fit they are to thin. They mesure up at 35mm OD where the ones i have are about 44mm id! plus the locking nuts are wrong. So i went back to where i got the shocks from and was told that i was wrong and that they are the right ones, after nearly an hour they decided to get another set in for me but they where out of stock. So i am now waiting for some new KYB shocks to be ordered in. Looks like the beema will be sitting like this for a week or so :(



And i just thought i would throw in some randem photos for fun.





My old N14 SSS with an SR20DE ran a best of 14.1 1/4 mile



My old Mazda 323 79 modle (RWD)

[Podge]

Finished the springs and shocks in the front and found out i need new control arms so i ordered them and will put them in as soon as they come in. Im also waiting on the bush kit to come so i can do the rear springs and shocks.

[Podge]

More parts arrived today got the power flex 90 shA bushes and a 8000k hid kit. As usual straight to the garage to start work!!

Bush kit



Work has started I'm going to do all the bushes disc brake conversion and new shocks and springs to match the front




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[tcanin00]

Excellent work. I plan on doing the same thing to my car once the funds are available. I have the disc brake trailing arms complete with calipers. They came with the car when I bought it. I want to get the Ireland Engineering camber/toe correction kit welded in before I replace the all of the bushings and convert it to rear disc brakes.
Let me know how difficult it is to take it apart and change everything over. I had read that if you take the subframe out as an assembly, it isn't too bad.
I did start on the wet sanding of my car, but the weather here has held up progress.



I have been driving it with a shiny stripe on the hood. Its a little warmer today, so I'll try to get more sanding done on it.

[Podge]

It took me about 40 mins to get the subframe ready to drop all I have to do is undo the brake lines. I didn't have anything to drop the brake fluid into so I have to go and get something then I'll disconnect the brakes.
All I did was
Take off back wheels
Drop the exhaust
Unbolt the tail shaft from the diff
Undo four alenkey bolts that hold the subframe bracket on
Undo two bolts that hold the subframe to the body
And disconnect the brake lines
Then it should come off (unless I'm forgetting something as its 1:30am here in Australia atm). Your bonnet looks like it will come up good what did you end up doing to it?



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[tcanin00]

Thanks for the information about the subframe removal! Its next on the list of things to be fixed. I'm anxious to hear the improvement in ride quality and handling from this.
I just got a quote from a muffler shop to fab up a custom exhaust system, $250 if I provide the catalytic convertor and muffler. Not bad, since this is the higher priority now.
I used 1,000 grit to 1,500 to 2,000, then polished with a rubbing compound, then Mequair's cleaner wax. There are some places that I will have to sand with a courser grit because of the condition of the clear coat, but it will look as though its been repainted for a fraction of the price.
Thanks for motivating me to do this from halfway around the world! If you're working on your car at 1:30 am and keeping the world of r3v posted, then you must be dedicated to your car. I stopped working at night due to inadequate lighting and fatigue. The deal breaker was after rebuilding a Mazda DOHC I put in my '89 B2200, I was putting the trans in at night after work and didn't line up the clutch properly. I thought I could use the the bolts to guide it into place, and cracked the side of the engine block. Epic fail

[Podge]

Good to hear I could be of help to you. I hope there is a decent improvement in handling by replacing the shocks which were all blown out with higher pressure gab items in the back and kyb agx in the front, I have no idea what brand springs i have are as I got them second hand but they feel a heap stiffer, every bush in the car looks to be original so I am replacing all of these with 90shA urethane ones. I doubt that I will improve my ride quality by doing this, I am expecting the opposite to be honest but it should go around corners better then it did.


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[Pete_E30]

Work seems to be progressing nicely on it. I hadn't realised that the 318 had drums on the rear, my 325e has disks. I need to follow your path and do suspension/bushes.

Keep updating, it's looking good

[Podge]

Hey thanks Pete! I hope to get more work done tomorrow I'll update as I go.


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[tcanin00]

All of the bushings on my car are the originals as well. I replaced the front CAB's with Powerflex, and made a tremendous difference in the car with them alone. My front suspension is nearly collapsed from have M10 rated springs with an M50, an additional 160lbs, over the front axle. I'm planning on replacing all of the bushings with Powerflex since they make a matched set fro the car and there prices are reasonable. I'm still looking for an adjustable spring and shock set.
Again, awesome work on your car since the E30 world seems to forget about 318 cars.

[Podge]

Almost replaced all of the rear bushes !!!! Thank fuck for that even with a 20 ton press the controlarms are fucking my life :( but I should have that sorted tomorrow then I can start putting everything back in.


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[Podge]

here is my subframe as of today. new strongflex bushes and a nice coat of black. I just need to pull out the other drive shaft from the old drumbrake ass end and chuck it into this one then start bolting it up.

Photo of the subframe


and one of the e30 chillen.

[Podge]

All the rear is almost back in along with the disc brake ass end. I just need to find another drive shaft and I'm set !!! In other news this arrived today :)



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[Podge]

Rear suspention is almost done just need to find a passangers side drive shaft, and fit the exhaust and swaybar links.



Hopefully it will settle down a bit more but the car is empty at the moment no seats or carpet and the boot has nothing in it so i would say it will sit a little bit lower when its all complete.

Here is a pic to show how high it used to be.