E30 #2: 1990 Delphin: RHD ITB M20

[318aye]

Hey, nice work in this thread! It's funny, I just randomly came across a pic of your engine out on the innerwebs recently and posted it in the engine porn thread here. Then I happened across this thread! I'm enjoying your attention to detail, engineering, and documentation.

Looking forward to the 3.1 info!

Thanks for the kind words. I'm slowly reworking the thread with pictures that work (photobucket is hell).

Some new stuff in the works:

Rear Swaybar Install

New Front Seats + Leather Restoration

Wheel Rebuild

New Rear End Bushings / Subframe Adjustability

Servicing the ITB's / Reworking the Airbox

Parts are on the way from Garagistic for the rear end. Seats are on the way from Dallas. Interior > Stock will be pretty much done. Tires and an alignment and we'll be ready for CMP in October.

[LateFan]

Hey, nice work in this thread! It's funny, I just randomly came across a pic of your engine out on the innerwebs recently and posted it in the engine porn thread here. Then I happened across this thread! I'm enjoying your attention to detail, engineering, and documentation.

Looking forward to the 3.1 info!

[318aye]

Hi,

Been reading your thread here...awesome! Wondering if you have managed to resolve the clearance issue under the hood? Thinking of getting one...

Cheers
Olie

Thanks for the kind words Olie.

Rama has machined spacers that are 5mm shorter iirc and a new backing plate that rotates the nose of the box down a bit. This should correct the rubbing issues I was seeing.

He will likely be shipping new kits with these revised components, but I'm still running just the trumpets at the moment as I'm dragging my feet on sending him money for the new spacers/plate

[Olie92]

Hi,

Been reading your thread here...awesome! Wondering if you have managed to resolve the clearance issue under the hood? Thinking of getting one...

Cheers
Olie

[318aye]

yeah nah, looks kinda weird with the seamless transition from the boot to he knob

I can dig it. Mostly leather everywhere pls.

Ouch, that Motorsport tax

No shit. I'd settle for just the round knob in leather but that's still a $150 proposition when you can find it.

That's the setup I have. I bought the UUC SSK with DSSR when I first got my car. Installed it. HATED it. It didn't shift nicely at all (to be fair, something may have been installed wrong, had some issues there), and it was totally over-engineered. I put the stock lever back in, and love it now. Nice and tight, at least for a BMW shifter. Other than a Z3 1.9 lever, I can't see changing anything. I also made custom delrin bushings, and reamed out the carrier slightly so that the fit was more precise, it had a little bit of a taper originally, and casting marks. Replaced the bitch clip with a clevis pin from Mcmaster.

I think delrin, a tight DSSR, and the throw of your choice is the sweet spot. Having driven the car this evening, I may end up bending the DSSR more. It doesn't rub, but the shift position could still stand to come back a bit.

[rturbo 930]

I like the feel of the DSSR's, but actually prefer the stock shifter throw. I find it's easier to miss a shift in a series of corners when the throw is too short. Going into 4th instead of 2nd kinda makes your lap slower lol.

That's the setup I have. I bought the UUC SSK with DSSR when I first got my car. Installed it. HATED it. It didn't shift nicely at all (to be fair, something may have been installed wrong, had some issues there), and it was totally over-engineered. I put the stock lever back in, and love it now. Nice and tight, at least for a BMW shifter. Other than a Z3 1.9 lever, I can't see changing anything. I also made custom delrin bushings, and reamed out the carrier slightly so that the fit was more precise, it had a little bit of a taper originally, and casting marks. Replaced the bitch clip with a clevis pin from Mcmaster.

[2mAn]

I really have my heart set on this guy, but I don't know if I can stomach it.



https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...JtXBoCD-vw_wcB

Ouch, that Motorsport tax

[digger]

yeah nah, looks kinda weird with the seamless transition from the boot to he knob

[318aye]

I wouldn't trust MTC to make a washer properly. Never buy anything MTC. I tar URO with the same brush

Agreed, was a waste of $10.

I really have my heart set on this guy, but I don't know if I can stomach it.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/m3-shifter-boot-and-knob/25112225873/?gclid=CjwKEAjw5M3GBRCTvpK4osqj4X4SJAABRJNCwEZyauA5m-Rn2x0mkML2ztwwZQsc2pg5VFoQJYJtXBoCD-vw_wcB

[ForcedFirebird]

I tar URO with the same brush

LOL, that's a new saying I never heard.

A customer brought me a set of early model URO radiator hoses, the lower was formed so far off that there was no way to install it without rubbing the alternator, but their short late model hoses fit perfect. There's very little we will use from them. Amazing after working on so many e30's over the years, the good/bad parts express themselves - specially seeing we take care of cars so long that we will meet progressive owner of them. An e36 I got to prototype the Jenvey ITB's on met us in 2008-ish and I am the 5th owner since lol. Another e36 is on the 4th owner since we started working on it, several e30's are on their 2nd and 3rd owners. We don't even advertise (or have business cards for that matter) word of mouth has kept a waiting list several cars/projects long.

[digger]

I wouldn't trust MTC to make a washer properly. Never buy anything MTC. I tar URO with the same brush

[318aye]

I like the feel of the DSSR's, but actually prefer the stock shifter throw. I find it's easier to miss a shift in a series of corners when the throw is too short. Going into 4th instead of 2nd kinda makes your lap slower lol.

Definitely a preference thing. I usually have to reel myself in and remind myself that street cars are street cars.

Lol.

Got everything buttoned up today, sealed up the shifter area with some DEI and the OEM lever boot. Cluster went back in with no issues #bless. Down to seats, leather restoration, and a new box backing plate from Rama.








Rolled the dice on this guy as a temporary knob:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-mtc-parts/vintage-e30-bmw-shift-knob/25111220823~mtc/

It's total shit. Don't buy this. Molding is crap, deformed when I put the stock emblem in. Just don't.

If anyone has a line on seats under/around 1k (nice/recovered) or less with intact leather, let me know.

[ForcedFirebird]

Awesome build and I love what you have done with the car.

Planning on building a 2.8 high comp itb motor for my ix over the next couple years ;D

Just wish I had the knowledge of digger or firebird when it came to the subject of tuning

[ForcedFirebird]

I like the feel of the DSSR's, but actually prefer the stock shifter throw. I find it's easier to miss a shift in a series of corners when the throw is too short. Going into 4th instead of 2nd kinda makes your lap slower lol.

[318aye]

That instrument cluster is out of control!

Got tired of the Monte Carlo? What with it blocking the gauges and whatnot...

Thanks! I wish it stayed that way permanently. The new overlays I got under warranty are supposed to be a different material that can't delaminate or bubble, but I'm just not rolling the dice again.

It wasn't that the Momo really obstructed the cluster that much (it did slightly), I just want a more OE look in the interior. I really like leather too.

How's the shifter after the upgrade? I still have the AKG shifter w/ stock shift linkage, brass bushings, but it's still sloppy.

I've only run it through stationary (knob shows up today so I'll drive it and let you know) but it's notchy in the same way that the AKG was. I chalk this up to very minimal carrier movement and the fact that I retained the DSSR which is super tight (read file to fit) on the shift lever and input knuckle.

Eliminating the carrier is really only half the battle with these cars. I'd say you can really only eliminate 70% of the play. The other 30% is internal to the transmission (detents, input shaft) and shift knuckle. If you haven't replaced that, I'd recommend it. Even with all AKG aluminum components, mine still wiggled in gear about a half inch. This setup should be close to that with an obviously longer throw.

I have the same setup as him but with a poly rear carrier and garagistic dssr. Mine is very tight and notchy (at least to me). It could be your shift knuckle is super worn. Mine was so worn it wouldn't engage in 3rd sometimes

I'd second your evaluation. Still feels solid (maybe 85-90% of the AKG shifter) but with a longer throw.