Just another Alpine late model....

[broke30]

Hey all,
Well, I'm on e30 number 6 or something, decided to make this one as clean as the others I've done but a bit more geared towards DD since I'll be using it to commute to work with. It's a 1990 325is that I bought with an immaculate body but a blown motor. Previous owner snapped the timing belt and every valve tapped piston. Anyways, to begin with, I got it home and cleaned everything.





Cleaner:




Paint was pretty faded, but overall, zero rust and zero scratching/denting/etc. Once the crappy OEM pinstripe was removed, I wetsanded and buffed for hours




Next was ordering new parts, finding another motor, and cleaning up the wiring harness. (don't have pictures of everything)
Parts on the motor were cleaned, sandblasted, and painted.




Next is to finish the suspension, finish the wiring, and get an exhaust welded up. Then onto the inside where it'll be a 4-channel amp instead of a radio and other such clean garnishes. Anyways, comments and critique welcome. Updates to come

Max

[Simon S]

first !

[Simon S]

work looks clean.. keep it up !!

[GaryE30]

Awesome work Max! You never fail to impress.

[Galactodactyl]

wow, nice start.

[coop]

what did you use to get the cosmoline off? looks good!

[cmybimmer]

good work man.. what suspension are you planning on using?

[broke30]

Awesome work Max! You never fail to impress.

Thanks Gary! I'm all about my mayonnaise

what did you use to get the cosmoline off? looks good!

Not a recommended solution but before I did work on the outside body panels, I used a mild, chlorine-free brake parts cleaner with a sponge. Working section by section and washing off as soon as the cosmoline is gone kept it a little safer. Overall, it had no adverse affects.

good work man.. what suspension are you planning on using?

Probably my old standby, GC coils with shortened housings. I contemplated just running springs for a while but I have been spoiled by all the sets of GC coils I've had.

Thanks for the remarks all, more updates to come. Car is getting dropped off at the exhaust shop tonight and should be back home tomorrow.

Max

[coop]

do you remember which brake clean it was? aerosol can or bottle?

[broke30]

do you remember which brake clean it was? aerosol can or bottle?

Green aerosol can from any auto parts store. I can't remember the brand name though.

Max

[drutt23]

Looks good man! Keep it up

[dnick]

looks good! more pictures!!! hah

[catuned]

Very clean engine bay and engine!

[broke30]

Sorry no more pictures right now, I picked the car up from the exhaust shop yesterday and it looks great. However, on the ride home (this being the first time I've ever driven the car), I noticed a horrible noise coming from the rear drivetrain (speed related, not rpm related). I couldn't even hear the exhaust over the noise.

Got home and drained the diff fluid (it was fine), spun the wheels and the rear drivers wheel had a distinct rumble about it. Sooooo, I am assuming that wheel bearing is bad.....

Max

[GaryE30]

Boo! We should have kept BOTH rear trailing arms from my old e30. The silver car got the passenger side and this car could have gotten the driver side! :)