Just another 325IX repair thread (Now with more TURBO!)

[driftxsequence]

Been driving the car daily. It's got some sort of alternator issue...When I start it, my ABS light will stay on because the relay wont click. The light will go out after 3800 RPM, and my lights will light up a bit. Seems like the alternator doesnt start workign till I give it a quick blip when starting up. Sooooo weird. Runs fine afterwards!

[driftxsequence]

Missed the milestone on my way home...oops! I like to take a picture every 1000 miles and check the timestamps to compare how much I've driven.



Laid out the motor to be boosted. Slowly but surely I'll purchase bearings and piston rings etc. Any thing in particular to check on the M20s? I have only built rotary engines in the past so I have no idea what I'm looking for when it comes to these.






Last but not least I got new roundels for the center caps. Best $10 spent so far!

before...



pried off the old roundels



and all done!

[driftxsequence]

That seems like more work. I want plug and play parts. no custom machining...

I'm leaning towards going with the 2.5 since I have all of the parts here already. This is going to be a budget build.

In other news the voltage regulator on the car died and I had to push it 1/2 a mile home. That was fun. We almost made it home too!

[Kershaw]

Or you could go for the 2.8 http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/i...Building_a_2.8

[driftxsequence]

Got some goodies!

Gonna trim the studs off and mount with 3m tape.



Then this...



And then added some rice for good measure.




Just need to figure out how to get to the passenger side indicator. Turn signal works....but the running light does not
Replaced the bulb with brand new bulbs, I'm guessing its been mucked with since there is euro trim up front.

[driftxsequence]

I think ill try to track down the m21 crank. Forged ftw.

Again thank you for the help!

For IX owner's, if you need replacement decals for the stock 15 inch weaves, 70mm decals will work.



And a nice shot from the bank this morning

[stonea]

Thank you very much!! I think 9.0:1 is a good ratio to shoot for. This wont be a super high boost setup. The I pistons should do fine iirc...they put it at 9.1:1?



It's funny, I updated the title with "turbo" and now this page is getting a LOT of attention.

Stock i pistons will be fine and the eta crank is the way to go, but the M21 is forged.

Also r3v seems to love turbo'd ix's

[driftxsequence]

Good possibility you can buy those wheel decals here...

I'm excited to see this thing. The bottom of that fender is looking pretty grizzly. Mine has issues in almost the same spot.

Thank you for the link! I will take my digital calipers and make sure I get the right size. Yeah both front fenders are gone at the bottom...Depending on cost of replacement, I may pick up a welder and simply repair these myself.

Lookin good! I am still contemplating going turbo this spring, but just worried about reliability (And front diff) because it's my only car.

Seeing that side view makes me want to paint my IX white.

Thanks! Reliability is always a concern, but from what I've seen as long as you aren't dumping the clutch the front diff should hold up just fine.

Can't wait to see how the turbo build goes. I'll be going down the same route here soon enough, just slowly sourcing my parts. Grabbed a front/right axle/control arm/strut housing, both rear axles still connected to trailing arms, and a front diff for free from another local ix guy that just wanted the parts to go to a good home!

I'm hoping you go the 2.7 route cause that's what I plan on doing. I'll keep my eyes on this build! Cheers.

Score!!! Awesome grab on the free bits! I am looking into the 2.7 setup but not convinced yet its worth the extra money. I already have a complete 2.5 bottom end. Maybe for a torque mid-range car a 2.7 setup is the way to go...Cost is a factor though.

Eta/M21 Crank, Eta Rods, i Pistons. You can also use Seta pistons for even lower compression.

Thank you very much!! I think 9.0:1 is a good ratio to shoot for. This wont be a super high boost setup. The I pistons should do fine iirc...they put it at 9.1:1?



It's funny, I updated the title with "turbo" and now this page is getting a LOT of attention.

[stonea]

Do you mind going down a quick list of whats needed? I know the 2.7 crank has to come from a 325e. What about rods and pistons though?

Eta/M21 Crank, Eta Rods, i Pistons. You can also use Seta pistons for even lower compression.

[kid325e]

Can't wait to see how the turbo build goes. I'll be going down the same route here soon enough, just slowly sourcing my parts. Grabbed a front/right axle/control arm/strut housing, both rear axles still connected to trailing arms, and a front diff for free from another local ix guy that just wanted the parts to go to a good home!

I'm hoping you go the 2.7 route cause that's what I plan on doing. I'll keep my eyes on this build! Cheers.

[ThatM20Guy]

Lookin good! I am still contemplating going turbo this spring, but just worried about reliability (And front diff) because it's my only car.

Seeing that side view makes me want to paint my IX white.

[jeenyus]

Good possibility you can buy those wheel decals here...

I'm excited to see this thing. The bottom of that fender is looking pretty grizzly. Mine has issues in almost the same spot.

[driftxsequence]

Do you mind going down a quick list of whats needed? I know the 2.7 crank has to come from a 325e. What about rods and pistons though?

Turbo manifold came in. Used obx adapter. Twin wastegate runners. Should hold boost better than the single wastegate runner model. A Tial MVS should do the trick.



Also finally put on center caps. They are dirty and some of them are loose...anyone know if its possible to get new bmw decals for the middle?

[stonea]

If you're rebuilding the engine I would just go a head and do a 2.7. Its not anymore work and barely anymore money.

[jeenyus]

great progress! I know how you feel tracking down vac leaks and issues with idle on these cars. When mine warms up it idles probably 300 higher than it does when you first start it. I keep thinking it's the TPS, or a vac leak. I haven't had time to dive into it lately either. I also think there is an issue with my fueling as well... been driving it and it will just cut out and start to buck, but sometimes it runs so smooth. It's always a riddle and like you said, never easy with these cars.

Do you want to message me with some information on that spacer? I think it's a good idea for me to look into it.