It's a rescue!

[e30vert]

That last comment is so financially sound. Although then we would not be able to follow such an extensive build! You are OCD and Persistent!

2 attributes I can identify with! Problem is once that first scratch appears it can really twist up ones reality.

Great stuff Eric!

[SkiFree]

Kachow ..... wow Eric. Looking forward to seeing this car done. Any hope you'll make it down for the SoCalVintage show this year?

[Cabriolet]

Andrew, i doubt we'll make that. but really gunning for Archiefest3

[MR 325]

^ I hope that works out!

[bradnic]

I've also picked up an M62TU as well as a 6 speed getrag and clutch/plate from an M5. Was gonna put it in the 318is but will keep it in mothballs for now. May switch out to an M60B40 if I can find a decent one.

That’s gotta be imo one bad swap for the car. The nose weight etc just seems so off. It really doesn’t fit, can’t have AC and the car gets hacked to pieces.

Agree weight distro is a definite downside here. At least my battery's in the back :-)

As to feasibility/force fitting, I personally wouldn't do an M6X swap unless I could keep A/C P/S ABS etc. FrankM E30's done some great writeups, and while JGood didn't do A/C his 4 door M60 5 speed build is pretty representative of the work involved.

S54 can be pushed farther back and fits so nicely. With a zf320

It's been done fo sho. An S54 swap would be too pricey for me - besides I have one in my E46 M3 so where's the fun in that? If it were my only E30 I would probably be thinking differently here, going S5X.

Anyway this is your build thread.

If we had to do it again I would have saved up 7-8k and just bought a mint non-restored car and pocketed the 12Gs.

I can definitely see that being a better path for some cars - if you can find them and at a reasonable price. It's getting much harder....

But the car is *exactly* how you and your wife want it. Also it's hard to avoid a bare metal build on something like an IX though - no other way to get through the corrosion issues most all of them have. I'm looking forward to it despite your evidence here which I choose to ignore for now :-)

Anyway keep it coming Eric. ENJOY it.

[bradnic]

My dad picked up these wheels and tires for only $150 so i bought them to put on this car until i find some Euro weaves.

IX wheels? looks like it from the offset. I picked up some new in box nogaro euroweaves last year from levent. if anyone can find a set he can.

The car looks AMAZING Eric. Absolutely stunning. You have an incredible collection there. I'll be heading your way next month or so. Will look you up if that's ok.

[XW70]

i can only dream of restoring an e30 to this level of insane detail, let alone doing all that for my wife! props to you man, this thing is going to be spectacular

[Cabriolet]

IX wheels?

just standard weaves. they are the same as my dad's vert's sitting next to it.

I picked up some new in box nogaro euroweaves last year from levent. if anyone can find a set he can.

ill have to save up for a while before i can afford tho

I'll be heading your way next month or so. Will look you up if that's ok.

ya shoot me a PM, i live in the south bay

[rzerob]

Subscribed, this is awesome. I have to see it finished.

[Cabriolet]

Subscribed, this is awesome. I have to see it finished.

i've got next friday through the following wednesday off to get her close to done.
still waiting for my seat kit to come tho. 13months...

[dirty30]

Agree weight distro is a definite downside here. At least my battery's in the back

The weight difference between an M20/ M5X/ S5X and an M60 is negligible. The M60 also sits down lower and further back in the engine compartment than the six cylinders.

[Cabriolet]

been a long time since i've updated.
yesterday we finished the engine. it's a 100% stock fresh m20.
ever wear part is new as well as every hose.


today we did stuff you cant see in the pic.
wire harness is in, trunk is complete all windows and door stuff is done.


D spent 4 hours washing grease/dirt off parts and dying the capet. the Dylon fabric dye was a 100% failure. we got Dupli-Color grey carpet paint and that did a great job.

[bradnic]

alright a cab update!!

engine looks absolutely wonderful. it will last a long long time. any perf work/plans for it? maybe a little F/I - TCD manifold with turbo under....?

[Cabriolet]

engine looks absolutely wonderful. it will last a long long time. any perf work/plans for it? maybe a little F/I - TCD manifold with turbo under....?

thx man.
this will be a DD beater. so the 170hp will be more than power. after owning a bunch of fresh M20s, it's plenty of power for us plebs. im not even chipping the car.

[bradnic]

def get that. you can spread the love to the other E30s. A fresh M20 is so silky smooth. D's gonna love that ride!