89 325i Cirrusblau Metallic m30 Project - Round 2

[marshallnoise]

So Blunt did the best he could and couldn't acquire the infamous part number 4 in the parts fiche. My plan is to attack a 89 325ic sitting in Ecology Oceanside and cut out the whole front left plate which includes 11, 9 4, 3, 6, 7 and 10. With part of 3, ideally. On the whole, it should make things easier as parts will be in one piece.

The challenge is using my Rigid Cordless Sawzall. Damn thing overheats or hits it's duty cycle after 5 minutes on each battery. Lots of charge left, but they get hot. So I am going to bring a cooler and ice and see if I can swap them and keep them cool. I already got about 1/3 to 1/2 through the cutting I needed to today. But I will head back out tomorrow.

[marshallnoise]

Some times it is better working some where else. It has for me making more money.
Good luck with the job interview!!!

Early reports are...they want to see if they can afford me. Ha! Thanks for the encouragement.

In other news, part number 4 is unavailable from BMW. So I am going to have to find a NOS item somewhere.

EDIT: Blunt is checking with the German Authorities and will let me know if he can source part number 4. Good man, excellent service. May have to do more business with...

[e30m3s54turbo]

Some times it is better working some where else. It has for me making more money.
Good luck with the job interview!!!

[marshallnoise]

I decided to order part number 4 and 10 above from ECSTuning as well as a new coolant expansion tank for my wife's 2000 MKIV Jetta. In VW's infinite wisdom, they molded the coolant level sensor in to the expansion tank and therefore that piece is not replaceable. However, after 14 years and 175K it finally gave up the ghost. Fortunately it was only about 25 bucks. The remainder of the parts with shipping was about $110.

I will be attempting to pound out the forward most piece of part number 3 in the picture above. Considering the engine cross-member still bolts up fine (ie. straight), I hope everything will just slip together as it was designed and I can plug weld my way to bliss.

[rant]
In other news, I lost my job. Well, I didn't so much as loose it as I got let go for making my boss feel bad by improving his business. After he lied to my face and said everything was fine on the previous Friday, he let me go a week ago tomorrow.

No matter, a stressful period of my life is now over and I can go to work for people who appreciate what skills I offer. No more than 10 steps out side the building and receiving my final check, I got a call from a bigwig in the industry asking for me to come to work for her. No, she didn't know I just got let go either. How's that for timing? :D That interview is tomorrow morning. And the following Wednesday from the Tuesday final payroll day, old boss told my co-worker that he "might have made a mistake by letting Paul go."



[/rant]

Had to share that cause, cool story bro.

[marshallnoise]

As I went out and started to do some removal of the various engine bay pieces, I made a discovery.

Here is the passenger side frame rail. Looks nice and straight.


Here is the driver's side.


The part above the engine cross member can be saved I believe, but the ripples in the piece before it (towards the front of the car) needs to be replaced too. Fortunately, the piece isn't too expensive. About 100 bucks. The piece that I think can be salvaged is another $220 and I am going to try and avoid that expense.

[marshallnoise]

Those should work for you.

On my blk m3 with the s38 it is in position 3 with two 10" electric pullers fans. For the front of radiator I am using a e30 factory AC fan. The radiator that I am using is a e28 m5.

That's great news. Thanks for the info. I still need to get out to your place and see that beast.

[e30m3s54turbo]

Those should work for you.

On my blk m3 with the s38 it is in position 3 with two 10" electric pullers fans. For the front of radiator I am using a e30 factory AC fan. The radiator that I am using is a e28 m5.

[marshallnoise]

Hey Raul. Here are the mounts I bought. Got them from Jay@ExtremeAutos.

I think they are position 2.5.

[marshallnoise]

What position is your m30 mounts? In position 2 and 3 you can use a e28 radiator. Are you looking for more capacity radiator?

I am not sure really. They are the .de mounts. I will take a pic.

I just want more room for a puller fan setup. That is the main goal.

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[marshallnoise]

Why don't you just make the core support bolt in for easier removal down the road?

That is the plan too. Forgot to mention that. Doh!

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[e30m3s54turbo]

What position is your m30 mounts? In position 2 and 3 you can use a e28 radiator. Are you looking for more capacity radiator?

[xAZxE30x]

Why don't you just make the core support bolt in for easier removal down the road?

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Every thing is easier on a stand haha.

[marshallnoise]

Love seeing more m30 swaps. good luck with the build!

Gotta join the club somehow.

For the cylinder head, I am going to double check my valve adjustment settings and rerun the leak down test. It's possible I didn't do the adjustment properly. Should be easier to do on the stand anyway.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Love seeing more m30 swaps. good luck with the build!