86 eta 5.0 swap...

[jpod999]

What 5-lug setup?

[Elysian]

While the heads are at the machine shop I figured I should start on the suspension. One quarter of the 5 lug swap is done... A little too much poke though.





Wide body is in the plans, but I'm honestly not even sure if these will clear the firewall, much less the fender.


I used the M3 springs, but I'm starting to think I should put the E30 spring back in. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

[Elysian]

Got the heads stripped down and ready to take to the machine shop tomorrow. Will have them checked for flatness.

[Elysian]

Found both head gaskets were blown. Camshaft, rockers, valves, etc look great. Was smelling the smell of blown head gasket in the oil, so decided to pull the heads.







Cylinders still have cross-hatching in them, but I'm not sure what exactly I'm doing now. Going to have to get the heads and block inspected now I suppose.

[Elysian]

Got started on the top end disassembly. Everything looks really good so far, no surprises under the valve covers or in the valley. I've been recording video, going to start a Youtube channel for the build now. The cam gets here today, I'm hoping to have the old one out today or tomorrow. I had one bolt on the water pump that was completely stuck, wound up having to cut the head off of it. It's still in there, going to have to use heat and penetrating oil to get it out.

[Elysian]

Just ordered a camshaft kit:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-k31-254-4/overview/

Time to get serious I guess.

[Elysian]

Nearly have the red one running, but I'm starting to lose interest in getting it going since I have my argon/CO2 tank and am ready to weld. Here's a video:



Seems like a fuel pressure issue, if I blip the throttle it'll die, but if I slowly rev it up off idle it'll rev. I think I'm going to pull the M20 out of it and start tearing it down, rebuilding it. Perhaps put it in the eta, so I have two running E30s instead of one.

[Elysian]

Found a nice custom exhaust for the M20 in the red E30 yesterday. Full exhaust, including header, X pipe, and Magnaflow muffler with nice looking tips for $100. The header needs a tiny bit of work as it deformed from heat cycling, but it's nothing I can't fix on my own. It's a nice enough system that I'll actually be able to use it for the V8 swap as well, just chop the headers off it.

[Elysian]

Here's the car on the tow home.



It has a vacuum leak that I'm working through. I want to get it running, get it inspected and registered, and drive it for a while. I've never driven an E30, so I want to get a feel for the car. Here's one vacuum leak I found:



The nipple on the left side was disconnected. I've ordered a new intake manifold gasket, fuel injector gaskets, throttle body gasket, etc. Also need to check the brake booster, make sure it's not split or anything.

[Elysian]

I bought another E30

This one runs and drives though, it's the new swap candidate. It's an 88. This one is an auto with the 4.10 limited slip diff. Pics from the CL ad:






For $750, I couldn't pass it up. I'll part out the drivetrain when I'm ready, until then I'll drive it. Funny thing is I already have a red front plastic bumper, so I'll just put that on there.

[Elysian]

Got interesting today... I'm going to go look at a plastic bumper 325i that runs later today. I may wind up using that for this swap and parting out the eta.

[Elysian]

The Geo Metro brake booster showed up today too.




The Kia brake master should be here Monday.

[erynapolean777]

Man this is so awesome. I will for sure put a v8 in my e30 so a 302 is definitely an option considering I'm a Ford Mustang fan. Good luck with the build man! If I go the 302 route expect me to be in your inbox lol


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[Elysian]

Picked up the front half of the driveshaft.

[Elysian]

Got my welder, now to start practicing