My first e30 build

[Lyodakin]

I've always liked e30's and have driven/worked on them before with friends, but I finally got the chance to pull the trigger on one a couple days ago.

It's a pretty clean platform that needs a little TLC but overall it's solid!

I purchased the car with a bent valve so getting it running will be the first order of business.

Lets get right to the piktures!





Replacement head (dirty)


Valve cover (dirty)


Clean!



shot it with some powder



15 minutes later!




new head (cleaned up!)


I have way to many projects now!



My current DD. Probably going to sell it once I get the e30 going!

Volvo 850turbo (manual swapped)

[Killacortes]

Is your replacement head from an eta? it wouldn't work on a "I" car block. Valve cover is tits tho!

[Lyodakin]

durrr

Is your replacement head from an eta? it wouldn't work on a "I" car block. Valve cover is tits tho!

Is your replacement head from an eta? it wouldn't work on a "I" car block. Valve cover is tits tho!

Wow great catch! After taking a second look your right it's an ETA head.

After finding out that information I went ahead and did some of my own problem solving. Turns out the PO who replaced the rockers completely screwed up the valve adjustment causing cylinder #1 to show no compression. After re-doing the valve adjustment it started right up showing good compression on every cylinder.

The top end still sounds like a broken factory from the 40's. The PO also appears to have only replaced a single rocker and with 200k the rockers and shafts are worn out to say the least. Since I already ordered the headgasket/timing belt kit I plan on transplanting the rockers/shafts from the ETA head, so it won't go to complete waste.

[JK_E30]

Love what you did with the valve cover. Looks awesome man! Great start and good luck!

[Lyodakin]

putting in work

After attempting to quite the engine down and doing numerous valve adjustments with no success I planned to swap the rockers and shafts from my E head into my current head. Turns out the rockers were on their last legs.









A good friend of mine helping me out!




My goal is just to get the m20 running reasonably well until I can put a twin cam swap together.

I got a paint quote today at a very reasonable price, once the engine is back together I will prep the body for paint!

[Lyodakin]

updates 5/31/12

After swapping the rockers the m20 is running much smoother! Still seems to have intermittent starting issues and is lacking a very slight amount of power at the top end. Overall I'm pleased with the results but will be investigating further into the lack of power.

Although my plans were to prep the body for paint, after finding an amazing deal on the beginnings of a 5 lug swap I may have been put slightly off course. Honestly I think I'll be more excited to see paint on the car once the 5 lug swap is complete.

5 lug parts list so far:

All rear parts are from a 318ti
4.44lsd
Rear trailing arms & hubs
Rear subframe
Rear brakes

Front e36 m3 calipers
e36 m3 steering rack
e36 96+ front hub assemblies


Up first for reconditioning are the calipers.

Remove the piston with a SHIT ton of grease.


Make a mess..


Keep greasing until your calipers resemble this.



Now make an even bigger mess with the powder-coating gun.


Finished shots coming soon!

Now for the steering rack.

Loosen the nut


Pound the cap off


Heat up for 10 hours hours


Tap the threads after man-handling the tie-rod off


Apply an extremely generous amount of anti-seize


And your done! Unless your like me and forgot to put the cap back on.


One clean, fully functioning steering rack ready to be installed!


While the steering rack was out I decided to paint he high pressure lines with RUST-OLEUM




Finished pics coming soon!

Stay tuned!

[lbreevesii]

Lookin good. was that a honda cb?

I've got a pair of cm400/450's i'm wokring on.

[Lyodakin]

Updates 6/5/12

Lookin good. was that a honda cb?

I've got a pair of cm400/450's i'm wokring on.

Thanks! Yea it's a 79 cb750. It's turning into a bigger project than I ever anticipated, which is usually how it always goes.

Updates 6/5/12

5 Lug parts are piling up


Finished Front Calipers




Picked up some style 5's this weekend. Needed some serious elbow grease, other than that they are in great shape.



After scraping the back of the wheel.......


Materials consisted of degreaser, scotch brite, a shit ton of elbow grease, and a phone, to call a friend for moral support.


Halfway there


Inside finished, finally!


Now cleaning the face of the wheel.






Moral of the story is style 5's are a complete bitch to clean. They are still dirty and I need to buy some actual wheel cleaner to get them right.


Stay tuned....

[sayed ali]

Awesome work