1991 BMW 318IS build thread

[captain awesome]

I just bought a brandy new Spectra tank for $150 and it's perfectly usable. The only noticeable differences were that the paint color was silver, the larger vent hose/expansion tank outlet is a slightly different angle, and no drain plug. The time it would take to clean the sludge out of mine was far more than my time is worth, and that is the only reason I replaced it. Had it been clean overall I would have just done the high pressure rubber lines. On top of that Grassroots Motorsports put together a 325is using a Spectra tank and it worked just fine for all the racing they threw at it.

[Eric Giles]

Am I crazy for going about it this way?

My personal opinion? Yes.

But what are your future intentions for this car? You mention a swap, but are you thinking of making it a full on track car at some point? That is really the only scenario where I feel a different fuel tank would make any sense.

The $150-160 fuel tank would be absolutely just fine for almost any use. Have the inside treated before installation if you want to ensure longevity.

[industrious]

I understand that it would be much easier just to replace the tank and lines but I want to make things difficult. I don't like the idea of replacing the tank with a cheap tank, nor do I want to splurge $980 for a new OEM tank. So I have an idea to add an aluminum fuel cell to the inside of the trunk (where the spare was), weld up a plate to block the holes between the rear bulkhead and the passenger compartment, run AN fuel lines in the factory position and create a barrier to protect them from the elements under the car. I plan to do some form of swap in the future though I have not decided on what exactly. My thoughts for moving the tank back further from its current position is to put more weight on the wheels as well as help balance the added weight of the front. Am I crazy for going about it this way?

[Eric Giles]

The fuel lines are inexpensive and easily replaced. And if the tank is rusty or has other issues, it too can be purchased new for around $150. Much less expensive and less labor intensive than what you're asking about.

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[mike.bmw]

Has anyone else had gas line/tank problems

If the lines near the tank are in bad shape, the soft lines under the intake (2" sections) and the soft lines between the fuel rail and hard lines should be replaced. When I refreshed the "mess under the intake", all my soft fuel lines were cracked and seeping vapor. Pick up new OEM clamps while you're at it.

[e30sh]

Has anyone else had gas line/tank problems? I am considering doing an aluminum fuel tank where the spare goes after I cut out the sheet metal and doing braided lines under the car to remove the cruddy looking fuel lines. Anyone else have any ideas?

All the feed and return fuel lines on a 318iS are high pressure 8x13. They are most likely just old and rotten. Not that hard to replace.

I would not put a non fuel cell in the spare tire well. You loose all the crush zone BMW built into the car.

Good luck.

[industrious]

Acquired some parts to spruce up the car some more:

Practically new rear ashtray
Non-ripped sun visors
88-89 Hella low beams
all from member Lanceloti (thank you for the smoking deal)

Plans are to retrofit the Hellas for some great light output.

Has anyone else had gas line/tank problems? I am considering doing an aluminum fuel tank where the spare goes after I cut out the sheet metal and doing braided lines under the car to remove the cruddy looking fuel lines. Anyone else have any ideas?

[mike.bmw]

@mike.bmw it was a slitktop and one of the PO put in a Donmar Funsport. Getting a patch panel welded will be down the road but something I would like to do.

Cool. Let me know if you find a place and I'll do the same. I briefly looked around after I bought the car, but didn't have much success locally. Plus it wasn't much of a priority for me, just a long term goal. I look forward to seeing this thread progress!

[industrious]

@mike.bmw it was a slicktop and one of the PO put in a Donmar Funsport. Getting a patch panel welded will be down the road but something I would like to do.

[mike.bmw]

Was it originally a slick top? Looks like there's an aftermarket pop-up style glass sunroof now.

I only ask because mine was originally a slicktop and the dealer installed a Webasto Starlite 4 upon original purchase in '91 (doh!). If you find a place to weld in a patch panel on the roof let me know. I've been considering making mine a slicktop again.

Looks like it'll be a fun daily!

[industrious]

Much progress today, pulled the cluster to count the odometer gears and ordered new ones from odometergears.com, I used their replacement gears when I had to repair my throttle body actuators in my E92, great company, fairly local, and super helpful. I was cleaning driver's side door jamb and my dome lights started working, I'll chase down the culprit later but for now they work intermittently. I have been having an issue with not having any interior lights anywhere else either, mainly the instrument cluster but also all of the other interior lights; behind the illumination panel, the cigarette lighter, hazard light, defroster, etc... I found a temporary solution by accident when I was chasing down what was getting power and what wasn't. I found that if you ground the brown/white wire from the socket at the illumination panel then all of the rest of the sockets have power, in conclusion the dimmer is not properly grounding out and sending out the right signals. I looked into spacing the steering wheel since my car is an airbag model there is little information on how to do it, instead of using square tubing ill use flat stock to make another set of mounting points to lower the wheel. I'll try to get on this tomorrow or Friday.

[MR E30 325is]

^^ Spacing the steering column down has been highlighted here on R3v before.

[industrious]

Built some block off panels looks much better



Still need to address the check control panel in the headliner, I made a panel to go over the hole but I'm contemplating filling it from the inside and compressing the fabric around it. Now to work on tilting the wheel down.

[industrious]

thanks for the empathy Corbin :up: these are very much that. Wish i had some progress worth updating. I have managed to get new license plate lights and dome lights (hella) since one of the PO used trailer lights installed in the license plate light spots, there were no dome lights in it when i got the car, the constant on works but not when you open the doors. There is no door chime and the horn doesn't work so chasing those down now.

[c0rbin9]

Sorry about the seats. I had a similar pair in my car when I got it and they were decrepit piles of shit.