84 euro gray market rebirth

[Rob Daman]

nice progress.

[dahows]

So apparently US e30's have a hardline evap line to the charcoal canister that run along side the fuel lines where my car has the brake line running in that slot. My car has what appears to be a vacuum line for most of the run up to the canister, not sure if this was added as part of the DOT crap or what. You can see it in the next couple photos zip tied to the other 3 lines.







Where does the brake line run on US e30s? I'd like to do something other than zip ties and vacuum line for the evap line. Looks like the full hardline is still available, maybe I'll run it along side the brake line.

I didn't capture a lot of pics of the application of the POR15 but I found a few areas where some surface rust was starting...nothing major but glad to catch it now before it gets worse. The worst was just above the muffler...





after treating the few areas found I applied a fresh layer of 3M Professional Undercoating...I know it won't look like this for long but it really cleans it up nicely and adds a layer of protection hopefully.





I took a note from Jordan's build and used SEM Chip Guard in the wheel wells to freshen them up. Also in the background you can see the radiator brackets in place.



I cleaned up the remaining insulation that was stuck to the firewall...I think I'll hit this with POR15 before topcoating it.



Finally, I received my Massive Spal brackets and have the radiator and fan assembled.

[dahows]

Long overdue post but I have been doing stuff here and there...

I cleaned up the core support where I'll be adding the new radiator mounts. Just waiting on my Spal fan mounts from Massive to arrive so I get these set properly.



I used the existing mounts and reinforced them:



I also bent up a coolant expansion tank bracket and got it attached to the fender.









No one would ever accuse me of being a welder but it seems to be attached fairly well. Luckily it will be hidden under the tank.

I found a few parts that I needed...negative battery cable mount and a grommet for the battery relocation along with my coolant tank bracket. Small, insignificant looking parts here but happy to have found an e30 at the pick n pull with these parts. Seems that E30s are not as plentiful at the yards as they were a few years ago.



I got the front subframe dropped out of the car and disassembled. I want to clean up the strut housing for the ground control adjusters. I didn't weld the perches on provided with the coilover conversion kit and just used the remnants of the original, cut off spring perches. They worked but really need to be done properly...more on this later.



The cheap-ass transmission jack from harbor freight has been well worth the cost. I got it originally for a clutch replacement on the M3 but it has sure come in handy for the subframes. On to the rear...



ciao leaky, open 3.46...





And it's out...



Found a little rust behind the driver-side rear wheel well, above the muffler and heat shield. Luckily it isn't too bad and a little POR-15 should take care of this...



Needed to remove my 'Luke Box' so I could get the rear shocks out and prep for adding the battery cable. It has been way too long since I've been able to enjoy this thing...looking forward to hear this thing again.



I debated about dropping the fuel tank...I haven't had any issues with it but hell, everything else is out and I want to make sure there was no rust starting either with the tank or on the pan. Before actually dropping the tank I noticed a little junk around the vent hose cover and the expansion tank.



Removing the cover revealed a lot more crap







I've heard that this is an area for potential rust and can see how this can be a problem area, especially for cars that see daily use.

I ended up pulling the expansion tank and filler pipe, it all needed a thorough cleaning.

The fuel tank itself is in pretty good shape, no signs of rust or gunk inside.



Next up, taking care of that rust and applying new undercoating.

[e30austin]

I know, I'm a lazy bastard sometimes.

Happens to the best of us ;)

[dahows]

About damn time you started posting some progress pics, David. Happy to see this.

I know, I'm a lazy bastard sometimes.

[dahows]

I just put a 944 booster in my car yesterday. I got a brand new ATE one from blunt. I had to shorten the shaft about an inch and rethread it.

I have a brand new ATE on the way as well. I saw a couple used ones on ebay but figured what the hell...I like knowing it is new.

very nice car, subscribed.

Thanks man.


Expecting my order for a bunch of small parts to arrive on Thursday and keep me busy for the weekend.

[e30austin]

About damn time you started posting some progress pics, David. Happy to see this.

[bobaflesh]

very nice car, subscribed.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

I just put a 944 booster in my car yesterday. I got a brand new ATE one from blunt. I had to shorten the shaft about an inch and rethread it.

[dahows]

Minor update from the weekend. Worked on the the ix booster and realized that I should have gone with a 944 booster so I could retain my early, non-abs master cylinder. I decided to go ahead and modify the ix booster and sell it.







Moving back to the engine bay and continuing to clean it up and prep it for the new coolant tank location and the Z3M radiator. The battery tray had a little bit of rust and I treated it with POR 15 a while back to stop the corrosion. The brown on the firewall and transmission tunnel is old sound insulation that has adhered to the body and is pulling off paint when I try and fully clean it off. I have a bit of work to do there yet.



After shot of bracket removal and hit with some primer.



The radiator mounts need to be relocated a bit to hold the shorter, wider 3 core radiator.







I need to work up a way to get the radiator in the right position. I saw where someone had made extensions but I'm not crazy about this idea.



The current location isn't idea laterally either, the mount nearer the passenger side pushes the radiator so far right that the lower hose bib is right up against the frame rail. I think I'm going just move these up and towards the driver's side a bit. More on this later.

[dahows]

Awesome find! Rather jealous of the condition :p your garage looks pretty neat also! Wouldn't mind seeing more photos of both :)

Thanks, I definitely lucked out. The best thing about the shop is the size (30x45 feet), it's nice to have some room...needs a lift though, I'm getting too old to keep putting these things up on stands and working on my back.

Man, where are all these clean euros coming from? Super nice. Congrats.

I know what you mean, several have popped up lately.

car is gorgeous

Thank you sir.

Very clean representation here, glad to see another 323i within shouting distance as well!

Didn't I buy a steering rack from you a while back? How is the car coming along?

323i's coming out of the woodwork! nice base. excited for the recaros up on your shelf.

I doubt that I'll get to the interior this year but couldn't pass up these e30 recaros when they showed up locally.

Very cool find! Was it a 4 cylinder or a 6?

Funny to see a real euro car like we get them and seeing it made into a us car
(s50 swap and mtech ) we don't see a lot of builds like that over here.

Garage looks top notch, makes me realize I should invest in some proper shelving space

It had the m20b23 6 cylinder. US never got the mtech 1 cars so they definitely have a strong appeal for many of us on this side of the pond.

I put off getting the shelving for too long, it certainly helps at least give the impression of some organization and is great to have crap up off the floor.

Looks great. I like the wash down it got, looks naked and vulnerable.

Thanks, took a powerwasher to the bay and the underside in preparation for new paint in the bay and rubberized coating underneath.

[dahows]

Super clean car. I also have an 85 323i grey market car I plan on throwing an M tech 1 kit on. I really want to keep the M20B23 but may just swap it if it gives me trouble.

Thanks, I'm a little torn about not keeping it original but I was seduced by 24 valves. Good luck with your build...I subbed to your thread a few days ago and watching for any tips on the mtech install.

[TimeMachinE30]

Looks great. I like the wash down it got, looks naked and vulnerable.

[bostonvert]

Very cool find! Was it a 4 cylinder or a 6?

Funny to see a real euro car like we get them and seeing it made into a us car
(s50 swap and mtech ) we don't see a lot of builds like that over here.

Garage looks top notch, makes me realize I should invest in some proper shelving space

[kronus]

323i's coming out of the woodwork! nice base. excited for the recaros up on your shelf.