Boosty 30... track day, fun car (Now with a new owner)

[dugly52]

So I have a confession. I'm definitely a noob when it comes to e30s. So I went to change my timing belt. Drained the coolant, took out the ignition stuff, and got the top cover off. Then I went to turn the engine to get it to TDC. I could get it to turn 90 degrees or so then nothing. Took the spark plugs out, but no change. Got really confused and I couldn't find anything on the internet about what to do. But the belt wasn't bad, I was just replacing it so I have peace of mind. So I put everything back together. Talked to my buddy who works on 2002s and e30s and the first thing he said was "I don't want to make you feel bad, but was it out of gear?" :hitler: :hitler: :hitler: "Son of a bitch!" How could I not think of that? God I was pissed. :down: Oh well, I'll never make that mistake again.


As for the actual update. The power was out at my house all day. Which made it a lot more difficult to work on stuff when all you have is candle light, a flash light and the light coming in the windows. (It was like 40 degrees today so I didn't want to open the garage.) But my garage is small enough that I've learned that if I light a candle and let it sit in there for 30 mins before I head down, it warms the room enough to work in jeans and a tee shirt :D and some photos for show:

Heres my garage with the light from windows and tiny candle for warmth



And here is my reading/work station (by candle light)



And with the flash on so you can actually see what it looks like.



But I got my bushings in so it should be rolling tomorrow!!!

[arthurmdk]

Looks great! Coming along very nicely bro! already looks a ton better since the day you bought it so i know its only going to get better! Keep up the good work:D

[dugly52]

Also, since the new front bumper was blue and didn't match the car, I took it off and started painting it. I'm starting by painting black to match the grills and splitter. Way cheaper than taking it to get painted to match the white.



Taped up. Figured I would tape the trim so there might be a little contrast between it and the bumper after I paint it black.



Got it sanded. Since I'm just spray painting it, I didn't have to sand it too much.

But then it got dark and cold so I only got a quick layer of paint on it. More to come tomorrow.

[dugly52]

Well, still no bushings from IE. Really would like to get the front strut bar in. I got it in the car before I new I had the wrong size bushings. So it's just floating in the car waiting. Oh well.



I've had some Condor bushings so I put in the motor mounts. I want to see the difference with just the motor mounts and then put in the tranny mounts.



Got them in. Getting the old bushings out was kind of a pain. When raising the engine it would start lifting the car off the stands before it would get high enough. Getting in the Condor ones was super easy. One bolt from the top. Shweet!! And While I was working on that I decided to paint my mirrors orange. Because why not.



Haven't gotten a picture of them on the car because it is just sitting in the garage on stands. But hopefully I'll get it on the ground tomorrow.

[dugly52]

So I'm waiting on the right size bushing for my front sway bar from IE. They sent me the 22mm not the 25mm. Oh well, they are shipping new ones up for free :) In the mean time I started my face lift on the car. Got the front bumper on.



Eventually I'll paint the bumper to match the car or black to match the trim. Haven't decided. Also, I've been painting things ;D Figured while they were off, I painted the metal rings around my headlights. Thoughts?



And to match the new spoiler and ring color, I took off my front lip and painted it orange too. Also I picked up a RyanG splitter. Super fast shipping and quality product.



I like the look of the splitters when they aren't the same color as the IS lip. I also got a free german plate with my euro headlight trim. Everything back together.



Hopefully the bushings come tomorrow so I can get her rolling again and see how stiff everything is. Then it'll be time to put in the new diff.

[dugly52]

with those 18's it looked like a donk

haha, Yeah. Thats what I thought too. It did look better once lowered but I didn't get a pic with those wheels after lowering. But I'm much happier with the new wheels.

Not really an update. More to come shortly. Working on new sway bars, strut tower and new diff :) But I got bored while working on that. So Amber got an orange tail ;D



Bring on the hate. (And if you are wondering why, it's a red head thing. I like orange)

[E30NJ]

with those 18's it looked like a donk

[dugly52]

I actually should be picking up a 3.73 this weekend. But if that falls through I'll shoot you a PM. I'm tired of my open diff, specially since its raining a lot now. Typical Seattle

[Conrad311]

nice. love a white e30. i have both a 3.73 and a 4.10 lsd for sale. pm me if interested. im way out in MA though.

[dugly52]

Little update

Finally finished my suspension. Lowered on H&R race with Koni adjustables. IE rear perches and strut bar, and front camber plates. Also, put on the Miro wheels I picked up, which look way better than the monster truck ones I had on before. And here are the pics.



I was going for a run at Discovery Park. Peek-a-boo from the woods. (sorry for the cell phone pics :/

[dugly52]

Nice progress! It looks like the car is cleaning up nicely. Are you going to do a plastic bumper swap or euro bumper swap?

Edit: 18's look pretty huge on an e30. I think 16's are about the biggest that look good. 15's are perfect.

Plastic bumper. I have a sent being shipped.

Looks like a great start although I do agree with everyone, 17+ really need flares.

Lol holy shit them wheels are to big. The style isn't bad but yea they should be like 16's. Cars looking good thought keep it
Up

And to all 3. Yeah, I picked up a set of 16" Miro wheels that are going onto it. I'm just waiting to finish the suspension and get it lowered. They 18's were a good deal so I figured f*** it, why not try it out.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Lol holy shit them wheels are to big. The style isn't bad but yea they should be like 16's. Cars looking good thought keep it
Up

[TheTacoMan]

Looks like a great start although I do agree with everyone, 17+ really need flares.

[Andy.B]

Nice progress! It looks like the car is cleaning up nicely. Are you going to do a plastic bumper swap or euro bumper swap?

Edit: 18's look pretty huge on an e30. I think 16's are about the biggest that look good. 15's are perfect.

[dugly52]

Little more:

Picked up a roof rack and some rimz. Although 18's might be a little big. Especially since I haven't lowered it yet. Kind of looks like a monster truck



Painting new gutter trim in the background. Someone ripped it in half at the PO's house.