The Almost Fully Garage Built E30- Budget Build

[Downshift-E30]

Got a surprisingly cheap strut mount from work at 18 bucks for lemforder brand. Here is the old one, I need to stop hitting potholes and getting on bad roads. sorry, deleted the pic so I got a screenshot. iPhone is running low on storage so have to make do now. Tomorrow, ill be able to finish routing some dynavin wires and a center console mounted aux and USB input. Also, will cut the e36 exhaust and disconnect driveshaft, maybe even get time to pull the motor and trans. Pics will come tomorrow! Thanks for reading.


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[Downshift-E30]

Well I decided to go through Chicago roads today for a car meet and hit a pretty gigantic pothole and blew out the rear strut mount for the second time in 3 weeks. Beyond annoyed now and just want to get on with e30 work. I need to find some time in between work to fill up my gas cylinders for my torch setup since one of my control arm bushing bolts broke. Will update in 2-3 days and we'll see how much time I get between homework and work. Should have some time since I'm taking a break from the gym for 2 weeks.


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[Downshift-E30]

Dynavin installed in the e39. It's an awesome unit although I do wish I had an android os or that dynavin actually made apps for this one like they keep saying they will. But it's awesome to have gps in the car rather than on the phone. Now to figure out how to get custom backgrounds and all that if possible and some tricks to make it cooler. Did some work on the e36 donor car for the swap. Everything is disconnected but I will need to cut and hack the exhaust which will lead me to driveshaft. Since I didn't have my sawzall with me (it was at work),I started pulling off the front end, drilled out spotwelds to remove motor straight out and disconnected unneeded things from front end such as a/c pulley, bracket, compressor, and tensioner along with p/s pump. If anyone needs any of those items, let me know and I can ship them out at low cost. Looks like donor motor will come out next week, hopefully coilovers as well and something else ;). I've been slacking on this car lately and I'm finally getting back in the groove almost to the point where I was when I first got it. Sad to say I have lost some interest but trying to excite myself as I assume most of us do with new parts and goodies.


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[Downshift-E30]

Worked a bit while I had the chance. At this point I am waiting for my suspension, then will start on body work after I get a buddy to pull the damaged area a bit back with his truck. So the adjustable fan controller is installed by tapping into fusebox and underhood battery junction. Eventually I will build a simpler harness and have constant power block and keyed source block as well so accessories are easier to add. For now I made a build list of the m52 turbo swap. I'm sure more will come but enjoy!

Oh and tomorrow I will be installing my new dynavin n6 unit in my e39! Should be awesome and Will take a video for anyone interested. Hoping I can android jailbreak it eventually as well!


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[Downshift-E30]

Good work saving that car from what was likely an inevitable future in a scrap yard! Also the e39 is gorgeous.

Thanks man! I was simply at a need for a project but it definitely escalated in a good way. And unfortunately just a 530 with m54 and 205k miles. It's unbelievable how well they are made compared to the newer ones. My moms e70 x5 breaks like 3x more often


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[mtekjosh]

Good work saving that car from what was likely an inevitable future in a scrap yard! Also the e39 is gorgeous.

[Downshift-E30]

Finally got some e39 pics and the gfs e46. That's sitting on coilovers and m parallels and getting a dynavin soon. Hers is stock lol.


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[Downshift-E30]

Been a while but finally gathered up some cash to finish up this car for the season. I built the exhaust (please mind this is my first time welding stainless with a mig) So far its been good and no leaks but I did have to fight with the ebay headers. Also, took out my crappy jom coilovers and ordered a pair of bc racing ones. Condor rear coolant block off came in and installed that easily surprisingly. Next, I will be doing an automatic adjustable fan controller and starting with this body work that I'm really dreading. Let's hope it's better than it looks.


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[Downshift-E30]

Looks sweet this, out of interest you weighed the standard tank?

I have not. Still have it in my basement so might put it on a scale this week. I know it's about double the weight maybe more


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[king_ZS]

Looks sweet this, out of interest you weighed the standard tank?

[Downshift-E30]

Have been quite busy lately but winter is surely and finally here! So sad. The plan this winter is to get the hood on and source all the parts for an m52 swap. Then will move onto different coilovers and some more suspension goodies to dial in everything. For now I will be working on straightening out the rear end. Went to harbor freight this past week and scored a press with a couple adaptors for the body. Once it is somewhat straight I'll be going over it with some body filler and then fabbing up a rear bumper. Don't really have any nice e30 bumpers I like so it'll be cool to make a diffuser/bumper as 1 piece.


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[Downshift-E30]

Sorry for the delay but I have got a lot going on especially now. Got my 94 c1500 to do rocker repair on and some suspension work for winter and also girlfriend got an e46 330xi which I have to look over and my e39 got some fresh coilovers (may I say how much of a puta they were to do?) but anyway here are some pics of the front for you guys!

Gauges are hooked up as well, just need to bleed the cooling system when I get a chance and check for leaks.

I will show some before and after pics of the e39 once it's actually clean. It doesn't do it any justice when it's filthy but I have not gotten any shady days to clean the black e39. I am a stickler for swirl marks and water spots and I need no more!


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[Downshift-E30]

Lots of great work done here, keep it up!

Thanks man! I'm usually very busy doing schoolwork for majoring in engineering or working full time but promise to keep up the progress for this page!!


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[jpod999]

Lots of great work done here, keep it up!

[Downshift-E30]

Sorry for the gigantic pictures. I will just start posting from my phone now since it is so much easier with the pics on it.

Will be posting progress of the front nrg seats and gauges soon! Trying to keep this thread very steady with progress so I don't overwhelm anyone or myself for that matter!


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