325es noob build

[BFT_Boyle]

Hey gang, so I don't know the shift pattern on these trannys. Don't have the top emblem on my shifter and never been in one. .... Left and up is reverse? Most of the knobs I see online show that, but a few are different.

[BFT_Boyle]

There is a early style e30 that follows me to work in the morning. I need to get mine finished up so we can be friends! :)

Got my cluster installed yesterday, all seems to be working now except the SI lights are kind of tweaking out. Not sure whats up there, but tach works at least.

Finally started installing some of the cooling lines, then I got to that one between the firewall and the head.... It was at that point I realized how bad it would suck if these hoses leaked (they are older but still pliable) so I ordered a kit from ECS. Also picked up a new clutch slave cylinder since I found mine to be leaking.

Lastly, I wanted to check out my plugs to see how it's burning. A fair amount of soot, however I have not cleaned them since I first started running the engine, so they have seen some pretty crappy air/fuel mixtures. I'll have to clean them off and recheck. At least there is no oil. I mean there shouldn't be with good rings, and new stem seals. I never changed the valves guides, but they felt just fine.

[BFT_Boyle]

Well I was smart enough to put duct tape over the open TB port. Engine still running a little fast, though I have yet to really let it warm up. I did find the crank breather hose in my truck, but it's too stiff to get it installed with the TB bolted in. Ill put on the shopping list...

[BFT_Boyle]

Thinking about my possible open TB port. I would have noticed it with the smoke test right? Unless the smoke simply didn't reach that port with the TB flapper being close/idle.... Ugh, Ive got another 3 hours of work before I can go home and confirm. It's killing me 😫

[BFT_Boyle]

Was the car originally Bronzit?

Yeah it was. Engine bay is still Bronzit. Not a big fan of red myself, but they did a good job. Ultimately I want a matte blue 3M wrap.

[BFT_Boyle]

So I'm here at work day dreaming about working on the e30 and I realize I still don't have my vent tube hooked up yet. Couldn't figure out where it goes. After some searching I find that it goes to the throttle body. Does that mean I've had a vacuum leak this whole time?? I mean the engine sounds better and better everytime I correct something and after fixing the ecu grounding problem, I thought I had reached a pinnacle. The damn thing just sounds beautiful. Now that I have my tach working, I did note that idle was at 1100rpm. Figured it was just "cold". Now I'm thinking I just have an open port on the TB. 🤔

[ohthejosh]

Was the car originally Bronzit?

[BFT_Boyle]

Got our first sprinkle of rain of the season last night. First time the E30 has been wet with other than a hose. I've noticed this before when washing, but water just sits here in the trunk recess. Is it just the level my car is on or??

The brown stuff here is just dirt. There is no rust or weather damage in these areas at all. Car might have lived in a garage most of its life.

[BFT_Boyle]

hellova deal and good work so far!

Thanks!!! Just got the tach and fuel gauge working. Damn #10 fuse.... Most importantly is that I have an oil pressure light that works (and turns off) now. I was gambling for awhile. Checking the overhead oil feed for signs of oil pressure. Feels good to know the heart is pumping [emoji18]

[squidmaster]

hellova deal and good work so far!

[BFT_Boyle]

Just finished soldering in the new si board batteries. Got the PCB a bit hotter than I meant to, but I tested a few locations and it appears to be ok. I'll put the dash back in later and test it out.

I also bolted the rest of the exhaust up and ran the car again. It's surprising loud and satisfying. Maybe because the muffler is rusted to shit internally? In any case, I was pleasantly surprised by the stock tone.

[BFT_Boyle]

Here's the run video. She revs too!

https://vimeo.com/182235139

[BFT_Boyle]

She runs! Sounds glorious too 😂

[BFT_Boyle]

Off to get gas. Funny how I went chasing a rich fuel mixture problem and definitely fixed some big issues, to being as lean as you can possibly be. I knew I shouldn't of been overly optimistic with my, "start right up first crank!" remark 😂

[BFT_Boyle]

Lol. I think I'm out of gas now. Won't start... I can hear fuel pump running and running and running. Loosened one of the gas hose clamps. Just blowing air out!