1983 Henna Red 323i

[kdevitt]

An update from my mechanical expert!

Just a quick update.

After plenty of discussions between myself and Ken, we decided that the M20b23 engine with the K-jet fuel system did not compliment the condition of the car and the upgrades that are planned for the car. We did consider changing the fuel system to Motronic to aid performance tuning but tbh you still wouldn't get much power out the b23 lump.

We never mentioned bastardizing the car with an M50/M52 or S50 engine as imho this would be a crime so the decision was made, upgrade it to an M20b25 engine but take it one step better - Change it to an M20B28

There is different versions of doing this conversion but this is how we are going to approach the engine build inc the manual gearbox conversion.

M20b25 Engine and fuel system
M20b20 Conrods
M52b28 Crankshaft
M30b35 Fuel Injectors (will be changed for 4 pintle injectors)
M20b23 Camshaft (might change to a Catcam)
Lightened and balanced flywheel
Ported and Polished cylinder head
Live remap

Swap over all transmission parts to convert from manual to auto.

Most parts have been sourced and just need to be collected or dismantled.

With all of this done inc the full exhaust system we hope for around 200-210bhp.

First up - Donor moredoor 325i bought and I will start to strip it during the week. The shell is in very good nick and apart from a little bit of rust on one of the rear quarters it's rot free. Car has a full bmwsh from brand new with 103k on the clock. When the engine/gearbox is out of it I'll sell on the few remainging bits and scrap the shell.

I'd actually like to hold onto the moredoor shell for a 24v conversion at some stage to be honest!

[kingston]

My obsession with Henna cars (and yours in particular) made me hunt or this thread and revive it.

Any updates?

[bernzpeed]

auto dimming? What do you mean? does it have a light on it? Whats the little black circle in the middle bottom of it?

at night time it dims so you don't get the glare from the cars' headlights from behind.

[kdevitt]

My obsession with Henna cars (and yours in particular) made me hunt or this thread and revive it.

Any updates?

None at the moment really to be honest! There are a lot of bits sitting there waiting to go on. The parts for the stroker build are more or less all bought, the donor engine is out of the 325i, but otherwise I'm not sure! Don't think the BBK is even fitted yet to be honest.

Doesn't help that I'm still in Australia and the car is in Ireland - I know I won't be driving it for at least 18 months.

[kingston]

Doesn't help that I'm still in Australia and the car is in Ireland - I know I won't be driving it for at least 18 months.

Lord, that would make me crazy!!!!

[kdevitt]

Lord, that would make me crazy!!!!

Yeah it does a little! I have the E46 M3 at home as well which I'll be doing some updates on, I'll be driving that when I'm home for 3 weeks in October. Going to start a resto on my old E36 320i coupe too.

Have a Golf GTi here in Sydney which I'll play around with a bit too - its an exceptionally dull car though.

[kingston]

kdevitt,

How's the stroker motor coming along?

[kdevitt]

kdevitt,

How's the stroker motor coming along?

Not sure to be totally honest :D

I think its mostly built, I know the donor car has gone to the big scrapyard in the sky. Got a 325i slip diff bought for it a few weeks back - I guess that was the last main update for me!

[kingston]

I guess having an E46 M3 to play with would negate SOME of the longing for the Henna, but I'd still be going nuts without her if I were you! I keep combing classifieds hoping to find a Henna E30, but to no avail!

Ah well, updates if you get `em, please!!

[kdevitt]

I guess having an E46 M3 to play with would negate SOME of the longing for the Henna, but I'd still be going nuts without her if I were you! I keep combing classifieds hoping to find a Henna E30, but to no avail!

Ah well, updates if you get `em, please!!

I don't get to play with the M3 either - they're both back in Ireland!! :D

I only get to play with the GTi - although I'm tempted to buy another E30 here. The henna red cars seem to be easy to get here in Sydney for some reason - would like to get a jet black one, or a nice smaragdgrün one.

[kingston]

The henna red cars seem to be easy to get here in Sydney for some reason.

Reason enough to move Down Under! I can't imagine going from the Bimmers to a GTi :yawn:

How long are you away from Ireland?

[kdevitt]

Reason enough to move Down Under! I can't imagine going from the Bimmers to a GTi :yawn:

How long are you away from Ireland?

The GTi is pretty shocking to be honest, really struggling to see why people rave about them. Handling isn't fantastic, struggles for traction pulling out from junctions horrendously, and the interior quality is pretty poor for a 2006 car. Engine note makes it sound like a diesel as well.

Am away from Ireland the guts of a year now - not sure how much longer, maybe another 2/3 years to go!

[evil-diesel]

Love the Henna! I also own a completely original 83 323i which will make it's debut here shortly. I have one question / favor to ask... do you still have the 323i trunk badge? someone removed the badge that came on my car, and I want a new one to make everything 100% factory original. Is there any way you could send me the badge to Germany if you still have it? :bow:

[kdevitt]

Love the Henna! I also own a completely original 83 323i which will make it's debut here shortly. I have one question / favor to ask... do you still have the 323i trunk badge? someone removed the badge that came on my car, and I want a new one to make everything 100% factory original. Is there any way you could send me the badge to Germany if you still have it? :bow:

Badge is long gone I'm afraid - they're still available from the dealer though.

[kdevitt]

A very brief update - but the engine is fully stripped and 2.8 crank installed. Head going off soon to get checked over and maybe ported/polished. Full clean down of block and other bits in progress. Some pics to follow soon!