Panici's '87 325is E30 - Boosted In Bronze

[Panici]

March 2018 - Ellipsoid / Projector Install


Way back in Post 103 (link to post), I bought a used set of ellipsoids and tore them down.
Then in Post 127 (link to post), I rebuilt the lights using new ellipsoid adjusters.

I've finally gotten around to installing the lights, although I still need to install the beauty rings and mount the ballasts.

I developed my own method to keep the lowbeams on with the highbeams, namely grabbing lowbeam power from the (currently unused foglight) relay socket.
I modified the low beam relay, which can be easily replaced to reverse the modification.

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[Panici]

February 2018 - EVAP system removal

• Removed the EVAP canister above the passenger's side wheel and all associated lines.
• Removed the fuel filter and external pump, the rubber bushings put up a fight and were cut off.
• Found a used fuel pump/filter bracket through R3V facebook, as mine is in terrible shape!
• Removed the in-tank fuel pump and level sender.
• Test fit my euro rear plate filler, just for fun.
• Continued setting up a work area in the garage. Now I've got two tables and some wall mounted tools.

[Panici]

January 2018 - New Garage & Gas Tank Removal

Now that we are more-or-less caught up, lets jump forward to January of this year.

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First the E30 and my Jeep TJ both received a much-needed wash. I defrosted the hose (which I borrowed from my dad) in the laundry room sink. Then I had an interesting time washing both vehicles in the ice-and-snow covered driveway. I wonder what the new neighbors think?

Next, I wired 240v to the garage for an electric heater. On really cold days I don't need a jacket, on mild winter days I can get away with a t-shirt and toque (that's a beanie for my American friends.)

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As my E30 is now parked indoors, I needed to find and fix my evap leak to prevent the garage smelling like gasoline.

Removed the rear exhaust section, driveshaft, and finally the fuel tank. During that process, I found my main evap/fuel vapor leak, the rusted-through hardline to the charcoal canister.

In true "while I'm in there fashion", I decided to refresh/restore the entire fuel system.
More to come!

[Panici]

That looks great! Houndstooth Sport seats are so hard to find nowadays. Nice work

Absolutely true! It took me 2+ years to find any houndstooth at all. When it rains, it pours; I lucked out by finding an entire houndstooth interior.

That is so much better.
I would love a complete houndstooth in my next interior. So pretty.

Love the car! And interior 8-)

Love the houndstooth. Very nice build so far!

Thank you! I agree the Houndstooth really sets it off nicely.
You don't really find heavily patterned cloth in new vehicles today.


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May 2017 - Life happens, E30 stored early

• Enjoyed my E30 without issue for all of May 2017.
• Proposed to my lovely girlfriend Emily.
• Moved the M52B28 into my parents driveway and covered with a tarp.
  • The plan is still to eventually build and turbo this motor!
• Helped my (soon to be) sister-in-law pick out and purchase a first gen (NA) Miata.
  • Also taught her to drive a manual transmission, as the Miata is a 5-speed.
  • Discovered a massive water leak on the way back from viewing the Miata. Driving in the rain filled the (uncarpeted) passenger side rear footwell with water. Still have not determined the source.
• Parked the E30 on May 31st. Spent 6-months down in the USA training for my new job.

[TFJR]

Love the houndstooth. Very nice build so far!

[JRYE30]

Love the car! And interior 8-)

[MR E30 325is]

That is so much better.

I would love a complete houndstooth in my next interior. So pretty.

[2mAn]

That looks great! Houndstooth Sport seats are so hard to find nowadays. Nice work

[Panici]

May 2017 - Houndstooth Sport Seat Repair

I used a few guides found online to take apart my spare passenger seat, and my damaged driver's seat.

The idea is to use the (typically less worn) inside bolsters from the passenger seat as the outside bolsters on the driver's seat. The only modification needed was a few extra holes punched in the leather.

The seat still isn't perfect; there is a slight water stain on the bottom cushion. Although this is barely noticeable in person.

[Panici]

That garage is bigger than the amount of garage envy I have for you. Stoked for build progress

Congrats on graduating, what will the E30 receive as a graduation gift? I plan on getting mine repainted to the OEM Cirrusblau when I graduate next year

What a garage! Congrats on graduating as well.

Looking forward to updates

Thanks gentleman!

This garage is literally a dream come true for me. I can store the E30 safely inside during the winter, and work on it year long.
My biggest requirement when looking for a house to rent was a big garage, I was hoping for a two-car. My fiancee did a fantastic job finding this place!

[MR E30 325is]

What a garage! Congrats on graduating as well.

Looking forward to updates

[2mAn]

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Believe it or not, I've been working on this build thread for the past 5 months (or so) restoring all of the photos. Photobucket changed their terms of service and wanted to charge me $400/year.

It was a painstaking process to find and re-upload all 731 photos in this thread, but it's finally done!

Its a major pain in the ass, I did the same thing on some of my older threads but luckily new two newest builds have all used flickr... if flickr goes down, Im done.

Congrats on graduating, what will the E30 receive as a graduation gift? I plan on getting mine repainted to the OEM Cirrusblau when I graduate next year

[wworm]

That garage is bigger than the amount of garage envy I have for you. Stoked for build progress

[Panici]

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Time warp! It's been more then a year since my last post.

Believe it or not, I've been working on this build thread for the past 5 months (or so) restoring all of the photos. Photobucket changed their terms of service and wanted to charge me $400/year.

It was a painstaking process to find and re-upload all 731 photos in this thread, but it's finally done!

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As for the E30, progress has been slow. I finally graduated in 2017 and was down in the USA for 6 months receiving job training.
I'm currently renting a lovely hose with my Fiancee, and it has A THREE CAR GARAGE!

I made a special trip up from the USA on the first weekend of December, just to move my E30 to the new house (before the roads were salted).
I've been setting up shop and have done a little work to the E30 in the last few months.

Stay tuned for updates in the next few weeks!

[Panici]

Welcome to 2017!

I got a few E30 related Christmas presents this year.
Two coffee mugs with pictures of my E30 on them, a set of brand new 15" centercaps for my Euroweaves, a 5lb Purple-K fire extinguisher, and two sets of hog-ring pliers + a box of hog rings.

I've moved my houndstooth driver's seat indoors. Hoping to take apart and swap parts with my extra passenger seat some time this month.


As a sidenote, a Purple-K extinguisher is the most effective dry chemical in fighting Class B (flammable liquid) fires.