14 years - 1991 325ix, Stroker/5-Speed (N52 swap?)

[Dj Buttchug]

valvetronic is sick. sub'd

[Northern]

Mine had the PS belt removed when I bought it. PO said it started leaking a few months before so he removed the belt.

It definitely wasn't fun, but maybe it wouldn't be terrible if the fluid was drained from the rack itself?

On a side note, the steering knuckle had killed itself, so there was ~20degrees of play in the steering wheel. While trying to find a replacement, I found a couple of threads about the same issue. I don't know if the iX knuckle stands up to the lack of assist as well as the RWD ones.

[jeenyus]

I've been planning on removing the PS system just to eliminate any hassle associated with it. Is it that hard to turn it without the PS?

[nando]

Will probably be a couple weeks before i pull the head, but definitely :-)

[ForcedFirebird]

Happy belated birthday, and saw the email, sounds like we need to talk :)

[nando]

hah. actually, the N52 will make it easier - since I'm planning on supporting the engine on the frame of the car itself, I won't have to deal with the engine mounts being in the way of the E46 rack. I already know how to make the tie rods work - E46 rods need slightly shortened, and ForcedFirebird said he could ream out the strut housings to fit the larger ball joints.

[stonea]

ix steering is already a lot heavier than a RWD E30 anyway, it feels a lot more normal (just slow, like all stock E30s). When I get to swapping in that E46 rack, it should be pretty nice!

*Fixed*

[nando]

ix steering is already a lot heavier than a RWD E30 anyway, it feels a lot more normal (just slow, like all stock E30s). If I get to swapping in that E46 rack, it should be pretty nice!

[ForcedFirebird]

PS isn't as bad as people think. You actually get more feedback, it's just lighter.

[UNHCLL]

because the ix with wide sticky tires and no PS sucks. especially for autox. it's like 5lbs of weight - simply not worth it.

So not Fuh Raze.
Poseur.

[nando]

because the ix with wide sticky tires and no PS sucks. especially for autox. it's like 5lbs of weight - simply not worth it.

[jeenyus]

wonderful. after reading through all this I am curious why you never deleted your PS? Especially if you are driving a lot of autox.

Regardless, I love everything about this thread. Thanks for all the useful information, I will take that to my IX now.

[nando]

They can be redone, the main difference is honing.

If my cylinder walls are just glazed over, I can use an aluminum paste & ball hone that exposes fresh silica crystals and I can just re-ring it. If there are any scratches or scores, I'll have to bore it out. Porsche has been using Alusil blocks (and magnesium) since the 1970s, so there's lots of information to be found outside of BMW. here's a good read with lots of details:

http://www.sunnen.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsID=11

Supposedly the sillca bores are actually harder than steel bores, so I'm hoping I can just deglaze it. Otherwise, I've got to get aftermarket pistons which will be double what I paid for the whole motor. lol.

here's another discussion on honing alusil bores. it really doesn't sound too bad - you can't really overhone it because you're only removing a small amount of aluminum.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/603194-re-ring-alusil-bores.html

[digger]

How do you redo Alusil bores?

[nando]

Yeah, me too... Real progress will be building an oil pan! There's a lot of stuff i need to do though - wiring, plumbing, engine mounts, exhaust, fuel, tuning.. Not even including the engine. :|