1978 320i M42 project

[dirty30]

I bought this 320i from a buddy of mine that was "thinning" his herd of vehicles. It was a package deal along with a 95 318is. It has been sitting in a garage up north somwhere for more than two decades. Hasn't seen road use since 1988 (at least here in VA). At some point the M10 crapped out so it was pulled. The previous owner started getting all the things replaced on it that usually go bad when cars sit but then lost interest again. I am going to try to keep it as close to stock as I can with the exception of the wheels and suspension. An M42 drivetrain will be swapped in along with a hybrid getrag 245/ 240 or just a 240 if I can't find another decent 245. The color is Seirra Beige and while it looks like cat piss now I think it will clean up decent. All the important stuff is there, chrome, nice dash, all the switch gear, had 77 brakes already swapped in, cleaned and resealed gas tank and it has a really nice set of seats. This project will be fun for me then it goes up for sale. Shortly after I bought this E21 a 69 1600 came up for sale and I will be turning my attention to that car. This 320i would make someone a really cool bmw just to enjoy driving for what it is without having to worry about the body, paint etc.

This is where it spent the last three years after it was removed from storage.



Here's some pics just after I brought it to the shop:







This poor E21 has waited a looong time to do what it does best!



Nasty Nasty engine bay, some rust in there too but nothing I'm really concerned with.



Totally rad Summit Point sticker, I hope this lasts because I am not taking it off. Way too cool and period correct.



Thats it for now, I will have some post wash pictures to put up later.

[Matt341]

Nice Pick up!

[kts]

That bumper sticker rocks!

[dirty30]

That bumper sticker rocks!

I know it's such a neat thing to still have it on the bumper after all these years.

This is after a quick hand wash. Paint is dull but should really pop with some buffing.

[irish44j]

dammit Ryan, I need to get my ass in gear and start working on mine. My M42 drivetrain is just sitting on a stand all rebuilt and pretty next to the car, which has hardly been touched in 6 months.

Knowing you, you'll be done long before I am, though. Sounds like you pretty much have the exact same plan I do: suspension + M42 + stock everything else. I'm gonna have to up my game.

[irish44j]

I think I'm going to make it my personal goal to get the M42 into the engine bay before you do, just because you'll finish everything else up long before I will, haha...

[dirty30]

Right now I really really need an E30 upper and lower M42 pan so I can test fit the engine and build my mount arms. I am going to try making arms that you don't have to modify the subframe to use.

[M-technik-3]

Send a copy of it (bumpersticker) to Vistaprint or some where like that and have a couple of new ones made up.

M42 will wake up that older 3er.

[irish44j]

Right now I really really need an E30 upper and lower M42 pan so I can test fit the engine and build my mount arms. I am going to try making arms that you don't have to modify the subframe to use.

you're also welcome to bring your subframe over here and use my engine to mock it up (my engine is on a stand, that's how I did it). I found that modifying the subframe was extremely easy though. Again, if you want to come mock it up, you're more than welcome.

I'd offer to loan you my oil pans but my upper pan is already on there with ultra gray so it's not coming off anytime soon ;D

You'll have to grind down a few ribs off the back of the upper pan to clear the steering rack (which I assume you already know but might as well remind you).

[dirty30]

Thanks! If I can figure out an easy/ uncomplicated way to make mounts for the stock subframe ill probably take you up on that offer.

Another neat old bumper sticker that is on my 1600 rear bumper:

[irish44j]

I still have some of the heavy profile C-channel that I used for mine sitting around. It's way overkill but works fine.

btw, if you ever get that Summit Point sticker re-made, get me a couple!

[HennaE30]

Cool car. And I wouldn't mind me a couple of those Summit Point stickers too :D.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

this should be good

[dirty30]

I still have some of the heavy profile C-channel that I used for mine sitting around. It's way overkill but works fine.

btw, if you ever get that Summit Point sticker re-made, get me a couple!

I like what you did with that C channel, Ill probably end up doing that with this car but mounts that you can use with the factory engine mount locations would be a huge plus for most people without any metal working skills or access to a welder.

[irish44j]

true. I had thought of just fabbing up some big, fat block mounts out of UHMV (the stuff that Condor Speed Shop stuff is made up) that could just "reach" from the standard M42 arms to the standard e21 subframe.