Bronzit E30 - OBDII S52 shaved bay - weekend/autox toy - Journey

[mattjewell]

Subscribed! Keep up the good work. Loving the Lagunitas box ;D

[Sh3rpak!ng]

Subscribed! Keep up the good work. Loving the Lagunitas box ;D

Thank you. They make some tasty beer! One of my favorites

[efficient]

Nice build. What are you using to hold up your motor when you took off the subframe?

[ian e30 318is]

Nice work man! Awesome to see the progress! Keep it up.

[Sh3rpak!ng]

Nice build. What are you using to hold up your motor when you took off the subframe?

Thanks! I support the motor with one hand and change bushings, swap steering rack, change oil pan gasket with the other hand


And when I get tired (after 2 hours or so) I use an engine support bar ;)

like THIS it's very handy to have, I've used it a bunch of times on both cars. Even if you're just doing the oil pan gasket once, totally worth it

Nice work man! Awesome to see the progress! Keep it up.

Thank you! I am trying to post a couple of pictures every day until I'm up to date, rather than a 300 picture photo dump :p

[Sh3rpak!ng]

Disassembled the oil pump to inspect it and replace the spring and o-ring. It has a very small score on the housing. Decided to use it anyway and if the oil pressure wasn't right, I would replace it (spoiler - oil pressure is fine).








Here you see the scoring on the housing





Parts arrive!!





Ready to start assembling











Crank is in, clearances are all good (verified with plastigauge)





Pistons ready





Making progress





"test fitting" parts to see what it will look like








Tack welded the oil pump nut





Timing cover installed





O-rings installed








It looks good!!





VAC baffle installed





DISASTER STRIKES

one of these little trouble makers decided to snap while I was tightening it. No I was not over torquing, I have a very good torque wrench for the low range torque values (like on that bolt). It never got even slightly tight, just snapped. Seemed like they had been removed and over tightened and weakened before...





It's the one in the center-left. I had to pull the head off and I got VERY lucky. It snapped flush with the timing cover (S**T). I VERY carefully was able to drill the end where it snapped flat. Then starting with a tiny drill bit drilled a tiny hole into it and used a small screw/bolt extractor and got it out. Then bought a set of brand new timing cover bolts, head bolts, head gasket and re o-ringed the block. I would highly suggest anyone rebuilding a motor to just replace those bolts - I don't know why I've never seen anyone mention that before.



Moving on. Recovered from the "fumble" and started installing cam trays and cams.

















DONE








Used the n54 exhaust studs. Much easier to install and remove, plus they're a little shorter allowing for some much needed extra space for header install/disassembly







Got up early on a Saturday to attack the M20. Funny coincidence, after I posted a picture, facebook reminded me that on that exact date one year ago, I bought the e30 and took pictures of it in my driveway. It has come a long way since then!! (and spiraled WAY out of control - I don't mind)










More to come

[acolella76]

Hell yah! Keep up the good work

[marek|steezkal]

The paint color of the block looks so good. What color is it?

[Sh3rpak!ng]

Hell yah! Keep up the good work

Thanks!

The paint color of the block looks so good. What color is it?

I think it is a duplicolor engine enamel, metallic grey or something, though it came out looking slightly greenish, I am really happy with it.

[pandaboo911]

Welding shirtless like a boss.

I like your covered work area, looks a lot more cozy than my garage. Did you use ARPs? Just wondering why you o-ringed the block.

[Sh3rpak!ng]

Welding shirtless like a boss.

I like your covered work area, looks a lot more cozy than my garage. Did you use ARPs? Just wondering why you o-ringed the block.

Yea the covered garage serves its purpose, but it takes a beating in the strong sun. I've really outgrown it now... I need a legit 2 bay garage.


Didn't use ARPs. I o-ringed it because I had the tool available, the motor out on a stand which makes it very easy, and I'll probably add boost at some point in time. I figured I can sneak the ARPs in there without pulling the head when the time comes.

[SmallDave]

Very enjoyable read, I just got my e30 a month ago and am weighing my options of where to start first... Is the 36 steering rack worth the switch? I think my tie rod ends are going anyway.

[Sh3rpak!ng]

Very enjoyable read, I just got my e30 a month ago and am weighing my options of where to start first... Is the 36 steering rack worth the switch? I think my tie rod ends are going anyway.

Totally worth it. One of the first things I did. Coming from driving the e36 and e46, the steering feel of the e30 was something I hated. After switching to the e36 or e46 rack, it really transformed the steering feel.

I also deleted the steering linkage guibo.

[SmallDave]

Where did you find your rack? Did you follow a particular diy thread?
Deleting the Guido makes stiffer and more direct right?

[Sh3rpak!ng]

Where did you find your rack? Did you follow a particular diy thread?
Deleting the Guido makes stiffer and more direct right?

The e36 rack I got on ebay. I have since upgraded again to the e46 330 rack (haven't gotten to that in the build yet). I bought it from rackdoctor.

Yes, deleting the guibo gives a more direct feel.