Let Me Tell You About My e30

[alkkamai]

great work - SUB'D

Nice to see you giving it a proper going-over.
Also those brackets with the teeth are easily replaced.

10-4. I've got a replacement now, just need to do the dang thing.

Sir those calipers look amazing. It's nice to see some quality work around here!

Thanks for all the kind words, fellas! A little encouragement is a real motivation booster. Plus you've reminded me to update this ol' thread.

First off, I can't yet recommend the POR15 High Temp spray paint: those beautiful calipers were rusting through it within a couple months. At this point they look just like the "before" pictures :roll:

Secondly, I did get around to that valve adjustment not long after the previous update. I managed to recharge the AC just before the hot weather really hit. I have yet to verify it has been properly converted to 134, but that is what's been in it since I bought her. I also got and installed a red46 skid plate in preparation for the mild drop the forthcoming suspension refresh will afford. They're just Sports but I get nervous and I'm told Baltimore has some of the worst roads anywhere ever.

Finally, I've been collecting some parts of late. I was trying to do a suspension refresh over Memorial Day weekend but didn't get things together in time. In stock, in no particular order:

• 2nd Subframe - slated for cleaning, reinforcing, adjustment plates, and painting
• Bushings, all Lemfoerder - subframe, RTAB, diff
• Speed sensor retainer plate & bolts
• Diff mounting hardware
• Diff plugs & fluid
• H&R Sport Springs
• Bilstein B8's (lightly used) & new hardware
• Rear spring pads (lightly used)
• Shock mounts, gaskets, & hardware
• Strut mounts
• IE Street Adjustable camber plates
• Strut bump stops
• All soft brake lines
• New clips for above
• Refurbished and rebalanced driveshaft
• New CSB and hardware

I think that's it.

Still need to get a new brake line T and either lines or verify my father has the stuff to make the correct lines. The one from the T to the first soft line on the passenger side exploded the other day. It is currently a three-legged dog, as we call 'em. Beatrix is telling me to hurry tf up with this work so she can be fit and nimble as in her younger years.

Once I get off my ass and sandblast the subframe, have a colleague weld it, and paint it up, I'll have a long, frustrating weekend ahead of me. Oh, and my first drive in an e30 with proper handling! I'm beyond excited for that.

[ArtFoodBMW]

Sir those calipers look amazing. It's nice to see some quality work around here!

[Melon]

Nice to see you giving it a proper going-over.
Also those brackets with the teeth are easily replaced.

[bradnic]

great work - SUB'D

[alkkamai]

Much Needed Update - Not Totally Lazy

Long time since an update but I do have some advancements to report. All this transpired between November last year and now.

Installed M3 CABs. I'm sure the pic suggests it was a huge improvement:



Found out my front right caliper was sticking and needed replaced. I've always wanted a nice looking pair of good calipers and, since it's my daily, needed some time to make that happen. Bought a used pair of calipers:



Cleaned them up in a bead blasting cabinet a mechanic at work gave to me and painted with por15 high-temp spray paint, which I found out you have to bake at 400degF for 2hrs. Enter $12 toaster oven from Goodwill:



After buying TRW seal kit and guide repair kits from ECS, I realized I also needed pistons. The calipers were seized when I rec'd them, even though the seller said they were free moving. Oh well. Spent ages looking for the 48mm pistons for Girling calipers to find them only on UK Ebay from BiggRed. They had a listing for just pistons but it was only a few dollars less and I figured extra seals were a good idea.

After a couple weeks of waiting for parts and cleaning up old ones, I ended up with these:



I ended up using the guide pin seals from the BiggRed kit (left) because they looked a little cleaner than the TRW ones (right):



Basically, if you need pistons, I would recommend the BiggRed kit, unless you need the guide pins too.

On the car:



I did the sway bar end links while I was in there 'cause these definitely weren't doing great things:



Still need to do a valve adjustment and I'm hoping to get some better (stiffer) springs and shocks on the car. Oh, also found some ice cream in the reservoir, so I guess a headgasket is in my future with a new intermediate gear, while I'm in there.

I suppose I'll give the old calipers the same treatment too, so they're ready to go for next time.

[alkkamai]

How do you find it to be an improvement? Apart from motor travel, of course. Like more power?

It wasn't bad under way, tbh, just seemed to exacerbate any rough idle and taking off from a stop felt/sounded rough. Maybe I'm just shit at driving :P Plus my subframe is not yet reinforced, so I worried about that some too.

[jeenyus]

That's interesting the UHMV were so bad for you. My car feels just fine with the Condor motor mounts in there. I was so worried because so many people say it's awful, but honestly it was a great improvement for me.

[alkkamai]

So finally did some things, including an important thing. But first the non-essentials.

I procured and put in one of those Innovative Goods wiper relays. I really enjoy being able to set the intermittent interval for those light rains we get here. Installation was a breeze, although one end of the cover from the original relay didn't snap around the board like everywhere else - no big deal.



I also eventually painted and reinstalled my Frankenstein'd spoiler/airdam. Didn't take any pics in the past couple weeks - keep forgetting when it's not raining.

FINALLY replaced the timing belt. Of course put a new water pump, tensioner, spring, plus cam seal and o-ring on while I was in there.



I was kind of upset to find this stamped gear in there:



As well as the alternator tensioner being worn out/torn up in a spot:



Luckily the new accessory belt I put on it was long enough it tensioned up just past those broken teeth.

Anyone wanna weigh in on opening it back up to replace the stamped gear ahead of the next timing belt? For $35 new or less, if someone has one they wanna sell me? ;D;D, and a few hours of work, it seems like cheap insurance to me. Maybe the ever-rustier stamped gear isn't such a big deal?

Anywho, while I was in there I replaced these worn out motor mounts:



with nice, new Condor mounts. Wow, there is a big difference between Shore A durometer hardness and Shore D hardness. I'm familiar with the former from my work and erroneously based my selection on that knowledge. They have a handy chart in their FAQ section I wish I'd seen before I ordered them (along with trans mounts).

So after driving around in a vibrator for a week (it was a pleasurable week ;)), I installed a set of the HD OEM mounts from Garagistic for a much quieter, smoother ride. Still need to get around to installing the trans mounts.

Has anyone run the trans mounts with AND without the aluminum cups? I know they're for isolating the mounts to axial movement, just wanna get an idea how effective they may be.

[alkkamai]

Small Projects Update

Completed a few small improvements since last update. Still need to do that timing belt I have all the stuff for :down:

First off I bought a refurbished AFM from Bavarian Restorations. Really improved the smoothness of idle and acceleration. Normally I don't like replacing a German part with a French one but, in this case, I think it is warranted:



Remembered to plug it back in this time :rofl::


Beatrix has been having this rough idle/lost power (until thoroughly warm) condition after a full day+ of rain. I didn't expect the AFM to fix it although it improved it a little bit.

After running the car in a dark shop while spraying the ignition system with water - sparks galore - I bought new everything apart from wires (trying to save a little $$). I replaced all of that two years ago. I did invest in some dielectric grease, which I put EVERYWHERE.

Errant spark aside, these plugs were toast:


Still took longer than expected to install the parts, but I only took off the coolant reservoir (old style, I think new is on other side of bay) and the mechanical fan using these tools (plus not pictured 3/8" ratchet):



One can substitute an 8mm 1/4" drive socket and ratchet for the little ratcheting wrench. I couldn't find one - these mechanics are slobs - which is part of what took so long. IIRC the 32mm was like 10 bucks from BavAuto.

The front spoiler has been off the car since a parking stop claimed it last year. I tried welding it back together with a butane soldering iron. Seemed to be going really well:



Until one part re-broke an hour in This plastic doesn't like to melt back together. Not wanting to dish out money for a replacement, but wanting to put it back on until I find something sportier, I did what I do best: Jerry-rigged it with stainless and pop rivets ;D:



It fits really well and snug, surprisingly. I still need to paint and reinstall it but I've got new body clips and some stainless screws to mount it with.

When I first got the car, I replaced the inside driver door handle with a Uro one (didn't know any better) but the finish never satisfied and I didn't have a good trim piece for it. Got both off Steve at Ultimate Garage in NJ for a steal, so I did that too.

Before:



Much better:

[alkkamai]

Nice thread and great progress.

Thanks, Toby. Hoping to drive this car for a few decades, budget willing ;)

[TFJR]

Nice thread and great progress.

[alkkamai]

Success!

Been a minute since I updated.

Same day as last post I drove up, got the hood on with a new ground strap, and did a little test drive - everything good to go.

Got my new emblem on too (disregard filthy everything else):



New versus old:



I also found a lambskin leather jacket in Goodwill for $25 so I made a new shifter boot. The clamps:



Glued up:



Topside:



And, finally, installed (after reworking 2" off the top to keep it from jamming up the rubber boot underneath):



Since then I replaced the return fuel hose from the rail 'cause it was old, cracking, and leaking a little when I accelerated too hard. Also deleted the bent antenna since the radio doesn't work and I don't have plans to install one anytime soon.

Next up is refurbishing/replacing the sunroof since it got a little bubbly and now has a ~1/4" hole in it.

Aaaand at some point I'm doing a head gasket 'cause it seems the bitch is still leaking from there. Double

[alkkamai]

Whoops

So I whored my father into stomping it and reporting back while I'm eagerly waiting to leave work.

Threw a 1215 code, air mass/volume meter.

He found the ONE connector I failed to reconnect. It was hiding behind the PS reservoir, for safe keeping, I guess.

I'm told the light is out and she's running well. Feels kinda wrong to outsource work on my baby, but I'm glad she's sorted. ASAP I'll have the hood back on and enjoying my reward for the project: a new front badge :D

Feels good to not verify all my posts anymore too.

[alkkamai]

The Saga Continues

Finally got back to the ol' girl last weekend, Sunday:

First thing was taking the seal carrier and oil pan off. I didn't feel like messing with dropping the oil pump along with it so I pulled the engine up with a chainfall and weaseled it out over the subframe. The original gasket was broken in at least four places, one of which was sucked into the pan

Repacement gasket was slated to arrive the next day, Monday.

Pops - "What kind of gasket did you order?"
Me - "Genuine BMW"
P - "What's it made of?"
M - "..."
P - "'Cause it might be cork or some shit, you never know with OEM."

Anyway, we put it together with RTV since we had the time that day but no gasket. I guess I'm glad I did as the BMW gasket is in fact cork.

Started putting the trans back in. Got frustrated and ran out of time so I left it snugged up with two of the larger Torx bolts.

Monday:

Finished attaching the trans and bolting the starter on after the requisite hassle.

Before reassembling the TB, intake boot, and filter box, I switched out the heater core coolant hoses with silicone ones. I had the later model valve which sits between the core and head and is connected to a T fitting between the thermostat and core. This was deleted by replacing the two core hoses with early model type. I understand this is common practice but must admit I don't understand the function or exact purpose of the valve. *nervous chuckling*

I also installed the new fan clutch I've had for months. For anyone still in need of a thin 32mm wrench, BavAuto sells one for $10.

I can't remember exactly what order I did these things in (I'm assuming safest I could figure) but somewhere along the line I reconnected the engine/subframe and the subframe/frame.

Tuesday:

Got the shifter put back together. Had to take the carrier support off once as I didn't remember you have to put the plastic cup on the ball before placing that in the carrier. Should be nice and tight with a Turner carrier bracket, IE selector rod, rubber boot, and all the bushings:



Driveshaft went in pretty easily with new guibo and bolts. I previously cleaned up the heat shields and support bar. Also painted the bar in undercoating:



As usual my dumb ass had to take the forward shield off to tighten the driveshaft coupling

The several self-inflicted setbacks ensured I would not drive the car home that night, so I left in the bus defeated. Guess I didn't mention I've been driving my uncle's '84 VW bus since my father got home and took back his MKIII golf. I am so ready not to be driving that friggin' boat! even though it is fun sometimes to be the bus driver.

Wednesday:

Took the day off to spend with the lady since things were looking up with the project ().

Thursday:

First off was adding coolant back. Remember this started with me trying to do a coolant flush? Well, I forgot I only ever emptied the radiator, not the block, so when I attempted to put 10+ quarts of liquid in it, everything filled up including the handy vacuum attachment I was using. Solution was draining some out of the rad again.

After freshening up the exhaust manifold attachments, I slowly installed the aforementioned complete exhaust:



Used a creeper, two small jackstands, and a bit of wire and patience.

Once that was fixed up, I reinstalled the plastic shit at the front that covers the front of the wheel wells and goes across the bottom between the oil pan and valence. I don't know what it's called but it's been in two pieces since I got the car.

Lowered her to the ground, pushed her out, and fired her up.

She ran but choked up when throttled up too quickly. She'll go up to 4k rpm (it was late and I didn't want to go louder) when throttled up slowly but if I grab the throttle and twist it up quick it makes a quiet "tchoo" sound and barely continues to run until I bring it back to idle.

I tried to stomp test but had the procedure wrong (thought it was ten times as fast as humanly possible) so I gave up and left.

Tonight:

I'll stomp it when I get there and post any codes she spits out. Really hoping to diagnose and fix that issue and reinstall the hood tonight.

[alkkamai]

Great thread so far. Sometimes you need to take a couple steps backward to move a few forward. Looking forward to hearing more updates!

Sage wisdom! Stay tuned, there's updates, just need to, well, update.

One of the first things I did to my IX was replace the clutch. I think I blocked off the memory from my mind, but when you mentioned the starter bolt I remember it being awful. like 3 feet of extension and a wobble seems to be our solution.

Glad you got it wrapped up. Should have shred some weight on that flywheel, i regret not having done just a little bit.

Trans is wrapped up, job is not quite complete. Somehow y'all know when I'm working on her 'cause you posted that right after I pulled my first set of gloves on last night. *sniffs the air* "An e30 'bout to get some TLC"