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

[Sh3rpak!ng]

Finally got around to building a center exit exhaust system. I also added an additional muffler with an electric valve to keep me out of trouble. Not just avoiding issues with the police, but I also exceeded the sound limit at my local autocross venue.



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[Sh3rpak!ng]

I'm still alive. Just spending most my time working on my truck. E30 is well sorted foe the time being, no maintenance nor mods NEEDED now (plenty of things I WANT to do). Here are a few random photos. And a bonus photo of my truck engine bay which just went back together.

I do have one e30 project I forgot to post. I'll throw those photos up soon. It was a fun project I've been wanting to do for a long time.



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[2mAn]

Charlie's quite busy but I was creepin pics of the autox he went to that I missed... some good action. One of these days Charlie & I will be at the track or even an auto-x together... our schedules are busy and rarely align.

[2mAn]

[Sh3rpak!ng]

The beauty of build threads!

indeed.

The attention to detail in this thread is astonishing. What an epic journey! The wiring harness work is absolutely amazing.

Thanks!! The harness was a big challenge but I'm happy with the result.

I hopped on that train for my engine rebuild. So far I've had to use the warranty a few times for big and little things, and I'm very glad I did. I admire your determination to rebuild axles though, that's a lot of work!

The poor fitment is surprising, seems like an easy thing for them to measure and get right in the first place. Have you contacted them? I mean what's the point of tightening the bolt against the sleeve, it's supposed to compress the poly bushing, right?

I'll remember the FCP deal next time. The axle rebuilds were a lot more work than I remember them being. This is the 3rd time I've done a set, and was by far the most methodical.

Regarding the poor garagistic bushing fit - I don't understand it either. Yes I did contact them but they didn't have much to say really. Seemed like they were also stumped. I am fairly certain that it's a design flaw. The AKG bushings which were in prior fit fine and it was clear when comparing the two side to side where the issue would arise. Ultimately I just modified the bushings to fit and moved on. They asked for more measurements but I have other things I need to work on now.

[Chilezen]

Time to do some axle rebuilds. As a reminder, I had all of the components cryo treated in an attempt to give them a bit more strength rather than upgrade to the $1500+ kit. In hindsight I should have just bought a pair of axles from FCP and gotten myself on the lifetime warranty train.


Garagistic bushings don’t fit properly… look at the aluminum bushing race poking out the bottom…

Garagistic bushing fitment with the bracket installed. Theres a 8mm gap between bracket and bushing. Frustrating.

I hopped on that train for my engine rebuild. So far I've had to use the warranty a few times for big and little things, and I'm very glad I did. I admire your determination to rebuild axles though, that's a lot of work!

The poor fitment is surprising, seems like an easy thing for them to measure and get right in the first place. Have you contacted them? I mean what's the point of tightening the bolt against the sleeve, it's supposed to compress the poly bushing, right?

[Dj Buttchug]

The attention to detail in this thread is astonishing. What an epic journey! The wiring harness work is absolutely amazing.

[2mAn]

From very humble beginnings this car (and myself) have come a long way. You just inspired me to start rereading my own build thread! So much I don't really remember, what a journey it's been. Thanks!

The beauty of build threads!

[Sh3rpak!ng]

I haven't looked at this build thread in forever, but I quickly remembered when I saw the first few pics of the small primitive tent looking shop setup (not making fun). I've been away from R3V for a while. Wow, it's going to take me a few sittings to catch up reading and viewing this one. Good grief man this work is incredible!

From very humble beginnings this car (and myself) have come a long way. You just inspired me to start rereading my own build thread! So much I don't really remember, what a journey it's been. Thanks!

[greyis89]

I haven't looked at this build thread in forever, but I quickly remembered when I saw the first few pics of the small primitive tent looking shop setup (not making fun). I've been away from R3V for a while. Wow, it's going to take me a few sittings to catch up reading and viewing this one. Good grief man this work is incredible!

[Sh3rpak!ng]

Forgot to mention a little cheat I did on the inner axle covers. They're difficult to remove without mangling. The original installation process included an o-ring and then the cover machine crimped in place. This will never reassemble without leaking. As a cheat, I used a sealant on the inside edge, clamped it tight, and then tack welded the cover back in place. Finger crossed this results in a leak free inner cover. Last time I did this same job I overlooked this detail and had grease spitting out that joint.

I've also driven the car since the upgrades and the rear feels phenomenal. With the rear trailing arm adjusters, this puts an anglular load on the plastic bushings. As a result, they are quickly ovaled and worn out causing a lot of play in the bushing. I never realized how much the rear of the car was clunking, and how much adjustment was moving around because of this. The rear feels solid and "quiet" now with the spherical bushings.

[Sh3rpak!ng]

Time to do some axle rebuilds. As a reminder, I had all of the components cryo treated in an attempt to give them a bit more strength rather than upgrade to the $1500+ kit. In hindsight I should have just bought a pair of axles from FCP and gotten myself on the lifetime warranty train.






The drill press clamp and a wire at the top end kept the axle nice and steady during assembly and grease. Small food scale worked great to measure the amount needed.



Out with the old that’s actually not that old



Stimtech spherical rtabs









I’m also changing to a softer subframe and diff bushing compound from garagistic (only option for a softer material plus the raised bushing)



Of course nothing fits without finagling



All nice, clean and reassembled



My intern is looking longingly at the truck wondering when I’ll ever work on it



Garagistic bushings don’t fit properly… look at the aluminum bushing race poking out the bottom…






Added a magnetic drain plug to the diff






Garagistic bushing fitment with the bracket installed. Theres a 8mm gap between bracket and bushing. Frustrating.



Finishing axle rebuild. They look beautiful.



Make sure you have your inner and outer race oriented correctly. I had one backwards. Luckily I noticed on the bench before install/grease



My intern saw the new fresh axles and was in awe of my work






She keeps an eye on me whenever I’m under the car. I think she worries.



Everything installed, torqued, and marked for reference. I hope this will make future nut/bolt checks easier.



What’s up with this? I noticed that I have 2 different e30 axles. One is beefier than the other. What’s the story?







Registered for an autox July 30^th for a real shakedown. Just need to do an alignment and I’m ready to putt this car back to work.

[Sh3rpak!ng]

I like seat time even more than I like DTM adjusters. Lol.

Glad we're in agreement

[Digitalwave]

I like seat time even more than I like DTM adjusters. Lol.

[Sh3rpak!ng]

I <3 my DTM adjusters. So easy to align the rear now.

Ugh. Please do not instigate the owner of this vehicle to initiate any further significant projects. He is easily distracted by shiny things like DTM adjusters. He needs to focus on seat time, and restoring his truck.