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325ic Calypso Euro Conversion - Houndstooth & dbilas now, MT1 & MM 3.2 stroker coming

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    #16
    still working the engine.. taken longer than expected as in addition to coolant flush, fluids, timing belt, water pump etc I'm replacing all hoses and doing some light head work (new seals, hot tank, inspection, planing if necessary, valve lap and new seals). also pulled the oil pan and did a thorough inspection of the motor.

    should be back together this week, then on to the bumpers and winter storage after that.
    I BUY/SELL REFURBISHED CM5907s & CM5908s

    HOWTOs:
    DB vert plastic bumpers
    OEM Keys
    MTech1 docs

    88 ix Lach/Card
    91 ic Calypso 3.1
    86 Cosmo 2.7

    OEM+ or bust!


    reelizmpro: I will always be an e30 guy.. I still do all of my own labor
    TrentW: There's just something so right about a well-built M20 in an E30
    e30m3s54turbo: I save my money for tuner parts.

    Comment


      #17
      Well she's all back together and running great. ended up getting the head tanked and planed, valves ground. new rocker hardware. put her back together myself, went very smoothly.

      de-carbonoized the pistons,
      replaced all vacuum and radiator hoses + clamps,
      gaskets for oil pan, camshaft, valve cover, thermostat and head,
      rebuilt the fuel injectors,
      replaced timing belt, water pump, plugs, rotor, distrib cap, radiator cap, exhaust manifold bolts..
      another set of plug wires and new intake parts coming soon, will swap those too.

      she's so damn CLEAN under the hood now, above and below. It's an absolute joy to see and drive. wife and I finally got to use the new windscreen too - those things are just great.

      gonna start the euro transformation in a couple of weeks (euro bumpers, valance, grilles, headlamp washers, euro smileys, europlate filler). on the interior will keep going with the leatherique restoration, but I scored another set of natur leather seats with heating elements, so gonna be rebuilding and swapping things around. Will wait on the MT1 install until after I've seen the euro bumpers on.

      will post some pics tomorrow.
      Last edited by bradnic; 11-05-2012, 06:25 AM.
      I BUY/SELL REFURBISHED CM5907s & CM5908s

      HOWTOs:
      DB vert plastic bumpers
      OEM Keys
      MTech1 docs

      88 ix Lach/Card
      91 ic Calypso 3.1
      86 Cosmo 2.7

      OEM+ or bust!


      reelizmpro: I will always be an e30 guy.. I still do all of my own labor
      TrentW: There's just something so right about a well-built M20 in an E30
      e30m3s54turbo: I save my money for tuner parts.

      Comment


        #18
        Here's my "pre MT1" target, straight from e30.de. sticking with my nogaro euroweaves though, and I already have the 2nd set of natur headrests.

        2017 EDIT: lol on the Alpina wheels comment. this car is very close to my spring 2017 setup (except for the M30)

        I just absolutely love this car. no pinstripes needed with that character line - one of the best features of the side profile. Will get the MT1 painted and ready regardless of which way I end up.



        couple more from a sister car on same site


        love this pic of both
        e30de m30 verts by bradn, on Flickr

        btw both these cars have M30B35 conversions done. Definitely not my preference - there's an S52 swap in my future. just not sure which car yet (this one or the MT2).

        EDIT: Changed my mind - sticking to an M20.
        Last edited by bradnic; 09-02-2017, 08:38 AM.
        I BUY/SELL REFURBISHED CM5907s & CM5908s

        HOWTOs:
        DB vert plastic bumpers
        OEM Keys
        MTech1 docs

        88 ix Lach/Card
        91 ic Calypso 3.1
        86 Cosmo 2.7

        OEM+ or bust!


        reelizmpro: I will always be an e30 guy.. I still do all of my own labor
        TrentW: There's just something so right about a well-built M20 in an E30
        e30m3s54turbo: I save my money for tuner parts.

        Comment


          #19
          head rebuild's been absolutely solid except for 1 issue - a *very* slow, small drop of oil that appears to be coming near the oil filter/oil cooler lines. crappy pic here but you can see the drop of oil accumulating.



          I get about a tablespoon a week. still trying to track down where it's coming from. I didn't remove the oil filter mounting flange or the oil cooler lines, so not sure what's going on here.
          Last edited by bradnic; 09-02-2017, 08:39 AM.
          I BUY/SELL REFURBISHED CM5907s & CM5908s

          HOWTOs:
          DB vert plastic bumpers
          OEM Keys
          MTech1 docs

          88 ix Lach/Card
          91 ic Calypso 3.1
          86 Cosmo 2.7

          OEM+ or bust!


          reelizmpro: I will always be an e30 guy.. I still do all of my own labor
          TrentW: There's just something so right about a well-built M20 in an E30
          e30m3s54turbo: I save my money for tuner parts.

          Comment


            #20
            Needless to say I'm liking this thread :)

            I used this dye & a black light to track down a steering fluid leak and threw the rest in the engine just in case. It's $6\bottle and the 3400 is concentrated so I'll recommend that to find your oil leak.



            The window seals are all available from the dealer but the rear are confusing since both realoem & etk say they are "door seals". They aren't so if you need PN's let me know.

            I also have a heated seat kit after buying a pair of indigo front seats just to get the bolsters. Turns out they had elements so I sourced the rest of it (be here tomorrow) but after pulling the cushions off the frame today, Im not so sure about removing the elements to put them in another seat. In Chitown, definitely, but I'm not convince its worth the trouble here. Point being Id love to see pics of how the elements come out.

            Otherwise, carry on. Great build.
            Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com

            https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
            Alice the Time Capsule
            http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
            87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220

            Comment


              #21
              THANKS for the post! loving your barn vert thread as well - sub'd. we've done the same head work.

              will take you up on the tracer. used something similar for my a/c work.

              btw just picked up a Stromung cat back, billies and eibachs from alB5.
              Last edited by bradnic; 09-02-2017, 08:40 AM.
              I BUY/SELL REFURBISHED CM5907s & CM5908s

              HOWTOs:
              DB vert plastic bumpers
              OEM Keys
              MTech1 docs

              88 ix Lach/Card
              91 ic Calypso 3.1
              86 Cosmo 2.7

              OEM+ or bust!


              reelizmpro: I will always be an e30 guy.. I still do all of my own labor
              TrentW: There's just something so right about a well-built M20 in an E30
              e30m3s54turbo: I save my money for tuner parts.

              Comment


                #22
                Here's what the dye looks like with a crap UV light. This is about 3/4 of a bottle of 3400 in the crankcase with the rest in the steering. The good news is that I had to pull the dipstick to find an oil. The PS not so lucky although it IS more neon

                Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com

                https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
                Alice the Time Capsule
                http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
                87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220

                Comment


                  #23
                  As you'll see there's alot of tweaking needed to close the top properly, but it's clearly still in very good condition. I'm learning alot about the top mechanism as you can imagine. You can tell from the pics in the first post that the top cover wasn't closing properly on the driver's side - it was sticking up. The top itself also has a gap in the back to the deck lid.

                  This is a manual top car btw.



                  I have to guide the rear windows to the rear weatherstripping when closing them. The cloth is pulled away near the lower window because the "pocket" that slides into the frame appears to have a tear in it. this pocket is on the inside, so just guiding the top into the frame by hand takes care of it.



                  I pulled the rear seat and door panels, and the top. adjusted the driver side top cover latch and re-leveled the top per the bmw videos on youtube. the top cover now sits perfectly when closed, but I still have a large gap in the back. As you can imagine it drives me nuts ;-)




                  the top is shimmed exactly to spec, and the rear top seal appears to be resting on the top lid fine. So my guess is the top material itself has pulled away from the frame in the rear. This pic seems to confirm that.



                  I may try to pull the top fabric away from the frame and reglue it in the proper position, but that's one step away from just replacing the top completely, so best to do that once I have the replacement in hand (or at least ordered).

                  the rear window closing is slightly better now. some additional in/out window adjustment will probably help, but will save that for another time.

                  as to the top itself, it's really in quite good condition, but as you can see from the first post pics the top has separated from the frame. the tension straps have also started poking through their cloth. as you can imagine I'm really careful when putting the top up to make sure the strap metal is tucked under the cloth before closing. I went ahead and bought replacement tension straps.



                  I will replace the top eventually but there's no short term need to do so (my MT2 top on the other hand is toast so that will get replaced first). With this car I'll see how the leatherique turns out, then either move forward with the kevin chinn houndstooth or secure a new german top.
                  Last edited by bradnic; 09-02-2017, 08:44 AM.
                  I BUY/SELL REFURBISHED CM5907s & CM5908s

                  HOWTOs:
                  DB vert plastic bumpers
                  OEM Keys
                  MTech1 docs

                  88 ix Lach/Card
                  91 ic Calypso 3.1
                  86 Cosmo 2.7

                  OEM+ or bust!


                  reelizmpro: I will always be an e30 guy.. I still do all of my own labor
                  TrentW: There's just something so right about a well-built M20 in an E30
                  e30m3s54turbo: I save my money for tuner parts.

                  Comment


                    #24
                    Originally posted by jeffnhiscars View Post
                    Here's what the dye looks like with a crap UV light. This is about 3/4 of a bottle of 3400 in the crankcase with the rest in the steering.
                    Cool - just like the A/C dye.

                    Originally posted by jeffnhiscars View Post
                    The good news is that I had to pull the dipstick to find an oil. The PS not so lucky although it IS more neon
                    Definitely a relief I'm sure :-)

                    I have a small PS hose leak as well (one of the hoses coming from the reservoir). easy fix thank goodness.
                    I BUY/SELL REFURBISHED CM5907s & CM5908s

                    HOWTOs:
                    DB vert plastic bumpers
                    OEM Keys
                    MTech1 docs

                    88 ix Lach/Card
                    91 ic Calypso 3.1
                    86 Cosmo 2.7

                    OEM+ or bust!


                    reelizmpro: I will always be an e30 guy.. I still do all of my own labor
                    TrentW: There's just something so right about a well-built M20 in an E30
                    e30m3s54turbo: I save my money for tuner parts.

                    Comment


                      #25
                      I've found that the LP hoses themselves arent usually the cause of a leak. Its either the clamp at the reservoir or the crush washers.

                      I also have to hold the rear window seal out when I close the back window (good thing its on the drivers side:). I think that seal has a metal backing and is riveted and screwed to the frame so I was thinking the seal frame could be tweaked outward....or did you adjust the window itself ?
                      Seat Shocks....I have passed the baton to John Christy from Ninestitch. Email John or Garrett at ninestitch1@gmail.com

                      https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...86#post4944786
                      Alice the Time Capsule
                      http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=360504
                      87 Zinno Cabrio barn find 98k and still smells like a barn. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...20#post3455220

                      Comment


                        #26
                        yeah you can't adjust the weatherstripping. there are a few screws in the rear window mechanism that adjust in/out, height etc. you adjust the door window height first, then push the rear window forward. you can adjust in/out as well.

                        great info in the bmw top videos on youtube. part 3 7 minutes in shows the window adjustments.

                        EDIT: you can tell from the pics that the rear weatherstrip is compressed together at the bottom. this is probably from continuing to ignore the problem when the window first starting to miss the weatherstrip slot. my guess is that if the window can't be adjusted to align then it's better to just replace the rear weatherstrip.
                        Last edited by bradnic; 12-03-2012, 01:14 PM.
                        I BUY/SELL REFURBISHED CM5907s & CM5908s

                        HOWTOs:
                        DB vert plastic bumpers
                        OEM Keys
                        MTech1 docs

                        88 ix Lach/Card
                        91 ic Calypso 3.1
                        86 Cosmo 2.7

                        OEM+ or bust!


                        reelizmpro: I will always be an e30 guy.. I still do all of my own labor
                        TrentW: There's just something so right about a well-built M20 in an E30
                        e30m3s54turbo: I save my money for tuner parts.

                        Comment


                          #27
                          replaced the power antenna assembly with another hirschman unit a couple of months ago. also put in a new mast, and managed to complete an incredibly tedious antenna cable repair (why do POs have to be such butchers!?).

                          everything works great now, though the antenna does keep trying to go up for 1-2 seconds after full extension. haven't been able to figure that out yet. I may put in a manual switch to override the power antenna when I'm just using my phone (calls/music).
                          I BUY/SELL REFURBISHED CM5907s & CM5908s

                          HOWTOs:
                          DB vert plastic bumpers
                          OEM Keys
                          MTech1 docs

                          88 ix Lach/Card
                          91 ic Calypso 3.1
                          86 Cosmo 2.7

                          OEM+ or bust!


                          reelizmpro: I will always be an e30 guy.. I still do all of my own labor
                          TrentW: There's just something so right about a well-built M20 in an E30
                          e30m3s54turbo: I save my money for tuner parts.

                          Comment


                            #28
                            been a while since posting. car's been stored, started once a week. Just secured a brand new german cloth top for it, and the top straps.

                            Busy rebuilding the M42 on the 318is though, so it will be a while before I get back to this car - still my wife and I's favorite.
                            I BUY/SELL REFURBISHED CM5907s & CM5908s

                            HOWTOs:
                            DB vert plastic bumpers
                            OEM Keys
                            MTech1 docs

                            88 ix Lach/Card
                            91 ic Calypso 3.1
                            86 Cosmo 2.7

                            OEM+ or bust!


                            reelizmpro: I will always be an e30 guy.. I still do all of my own labor
                            TrentW: There's just something so right about a well-built M20 in an E30
                            e30m3s54turbo: I save my money for tuner parts.

                            Comment


                              #29
                              Haven't updated in quite a while here.. been busy with the following projects (i do all my own wrench work, electrical, welding etc):
                              -- 318is M42 top end rebuild, engine bay refresh, rear and ebrake overhaul, 4.10 LSD, E30tech camber plate setup
                              -- 325ix complete suspension and brake overhaul (new control arms, bearings, brakes, caliper rebuilds, new park brake setup, new rear shafts, re-boot front shafts...billie HDs and H&Rs as well)
                              -- 318is and 325ix A/C overhaul (reman compressor, new lines, exp valve etc)

                              So "Callie" has been waiting patiently. Finally pulling the trigger on a few things:
                              -- getting the euro-bumpers re-chromed
                              -- all new window trunk and tail-light weatherstripping (all 3 E30s are getting this)
                              -- natur+houndstooth interior
                              The plan is to go without the MT1 fascias for a while, so I'm gonna get the blunt tech sourced eurovalance painted separately for now. The car will get a full re-spray when everything's sorted. There's also an S52 in it's future, but that's 1-2 years down the road.

                              Will post pics when there's something interesting to see, and probably start a new thread for the IX as well. The plan for it next year is strip to body shell, rust repair and paint..
                              Last edited by bradnic; 07-23-2013, 08:23 PM.
                              I BUY/SELL REFURBISHED CM5907s & CM5908s

                              HOWTOs:
                              DB vert plastic bumpers
                              OEM Keys
                              MTech1 docs

                              88 ix Lach/Card
                              91 ic Calypso 3.1
                              86 Cosmo 2.7

                              OEM+ or bust!


                              reelizmpro: I will always be an e30 guy.. I still do all of my own labor
                              TrentW: There's just something so right about a well-built M20 in an E30
                              e30m3s54turbo: I save my money for tuner parts.

                              Comment


                                #30
                                Quick update

                                Disassembled euro-bumpers today and shipped them out for re-chroming. Here's some of the worst of it, back side of the rear bumper


                                Looking into bumper trim replacement vs refinishing. Also need to sort through the side trim - apparently MT1 bumper side trim is different. Didn't realize that.

                                Unwrapped the euro-valance from Blunttech. Will be dropping it off at the paint shop later this week.


                                Pulling the trigger on the interior as well this week:
                                - houndstooth seating surfaces, door and rear panel inserts, headrests (front and rear)
                                - natur bolsters, sides, seat backs, doors and rear panels


                                Still deciding on supplier and whether to install seat covers myself or let an expert rebuild the front seats and install the covers.

                                Also picking up a hardtop next week ;-)

                                Hope to have all this back and assembled in time for WindyCity VintageFest mid September.
                                Last edited by bradnic; 09-02-2017, 08:47 AM.
                                I BUY/SELL REFURBISHED CM5907s & CM5908s

                                HOWTOs:
                                DB vert plastic bumpers
                                OEM Keys
                                MTech1 docs

                                88 ix Lach/Card
                                91 ic Calypso 3.1
                                86 Cosmo 2.7

                                OEM+ or bust!


                                reelizmpro: I will always be an e30 guy.. I still do all of my own labor
                                TrentW: There's just something so right about a well-built M20 in an E30
                                e30m3s54turbo: I save my money for tuner parts.

                                Comment

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