NorCal Chat Thread

[Justin B]

Thinking of my 88, does anyone have a 2d ds door and pass fender? Or am I going to have to check pnps selection? Car is silver, but I will be repainting it, so really any light color would be best.

[cyberkaa]

Lol. Sawzalls are great fun, couldn't get at the bumper shock bolts on that side, so I amputated the whole bumper. And the rest of everything in front. Trying to make bfest in my 88, and with limited time available for pulling parts to swap, I'm going to remove the engine trans sub and struts in one assembly. Raise shell off parts, drag either in each way and figure how to load that contraption into my dads truck to bring to the shop and basically do the same thing with the 88, reverse procedure.

Sounds like a plan!

[cyberkaa]

Anyone in norcal have a central locking control unit?

[HR2L]

Anyone in norcal have a central locking control unit?

Don't have one, but mine is f'd up... :( Luckly I can still manually lock the car.

Hey stupid question, as I am new to the E30 m20 2.5L I6, but what oil as well as other fluids are you northern cali guys running? The motor I have is higher mileage and believe it has been run on Dino oil (no synthetic). Would also like to know what weight you guys are running (I believe I'm running 10w30 @ this point, but was looking @ 20w50). Figure Redline MT-90 would be fine for the Getrag 5 speed, as well as Redline 75-90 non synth for the rear diff.

Any insight would be greatly appreciate it. I know its kinda of noobish, but would like to know what you guys run, and why its working well for you.

Thanks!

[cyberkaa]

Don't have one, but mine is f'd up... :( Luckly I can still manually lock the car.

Yeah, it sucks.
One in a friend's car shorted out. Pretty sure the keyless entry didn't get along with double-locking. x_x

[HR2L]

Yeah, it sucks.
One in a friend's car shorted out. Pretty sure the keyless entry didn't get along with double-locking. x_x

Any insight on weight oil that would be good for a higher mileage m20? as well as what you guys have been running with success. Just want my DD to get the best. :)

[cyberkaa]

Any insight on weight oil that would be good for a higher mileage m20? as well as what you guys have been running with success. Just want my DD to get the best. :)

I run Castrol 20w50. Easy to find and works well.

[HR2L]

I run Castrol 20w50. East to find and works well.

Do you run fully synthetic, blend, or dino? Curious what you would recommend for a higher mileage motor?

[accident]

I run Amsoil in everything lol

[cyberkaa]

Do you run fully synthetic, blend, or dino? Curious what you would recommend for a higher mileage motor?

Oh boy, you're opening a can of worms...:rofl:

Oil is a problem for M20s because our flat tappet cams like more ZDDP in the oil to prevent wear. Problem is that manufacturers have reduced it in many of their lines of oil. Also, too much is bad for O2 sensors and cats.

Castrol GTX High Mileage 20w50 is the one I meant specifically. Valvoline VR1 is another good one.

[HR2L]

Oh boy, you're opening a can of worms...:rofl:

Oil is a problem for M20s because our flat tappet cams like more ZDDP in the oil to prevent wear. Problem is that manufacturers have reduced it in many of their lines of oil. Also, too much is bad for O2 sensors and cats.

Castrol GTX High Mileage 20w50 is the one I meant specifically. Valvoline VR1 is another good one.

Sweet! Thanks for the insight. I will probably pick up some Castrol GTX High Mileage 20w50 and see how it works out for my motor. Guess the ZDDP helps with wear of the tappets as well as the heavier weight oil. Good to note. Never ran Valvoline in anything I've ever own, but may also give that a try as an alternative.

[cyberkaa]

Sweet! Thanks for the insight. I will probably pick up some Castrol GTX High Mileage 20w50 and see how it works out for my motor. Guess the ZDDP helps with wear of the tappets as well as the heavier weight oil. Good to note. Never ran Valvoline in anything I've ever own, but may also give that a try as an alternative.

TBH, I haven't run the Valvoline myself, but I've gotten feedback from a few people that their motors seem to like it and the additive package is good. I regularly use Castrol GTX, which I know keeps my M20 smooth.

[joonsup]

Sweet! Thanks for the insight. I will probably pick up some Castrol GTX High Mileage 20w50 and see how it works out for my motor. Guess the ZDDP helps with wear of the tappets as well as the heavier weight oil. Good to note. Never ran Valvoline in anything I've ever own, but may also give that a try as an alternative.

get the oil at walmart. they sell it in those big jugs

[HR2L]

One more stupid question, I don't have the service manual but am I correct that the m20 2.5L I6 in the 325i requires 4.5 quarts of oil? Im going to try the Valvoline Non-Syn VR1 in the 20w50. Seems like it has the highest zinc/phosphorus for anti-wear protection, for our flat tappet application.

Just wanted to concur this with you guys?

[cyberkaa]

One more stupid question, I don't have the service manual but am I correct that the m20 2.5L I6 in the 325i requires 4.5 quarts of oil? Im going to try the Valvoline Non-Syn VR1 in the 20w50. Seems like it has the highest zinc/phosphorus for anti-wear protection, for our flat tappet application.

Just wanted to concur this with you guys?

Yep, roughly 4.5 with filter change.