Ordered straps and tilt knobs today, $85 after tax and shipping
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Ordered straps and tilt knobs today, $85 after tax and shipping
I'm really enjoying your project ... it takes me back to one of my most beloved BMWs: a gray-market E21 I imported back in the mid-80s. My '81 323i came from Switzerland, via a dealer I already knew. When traded in there it needed a new head so I arranged for a new Hartge head/cam to be installed before shipping it to the US. One of the most balanced cars I've ever owned. You'll enjoy yours, I'm sure.
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...23iRoyOak2.jpg
Nice 323! Is that a Zender spoiler you had on it? I'm definitely going to put a 6 cylinder in at some point, but still debating which engine. Although I know M20 is the easy choice because that's what the 323 had, I really don't want an iron block engine. I'm thinking probably M52B28 all alloy from a 97-99 Z3, but possibly a M54. Honestly I would prefer a non-VANOS engine but they all have iron blocks
Thanks ... and yes, it was a Zender rear lip. In addition it also had Bilstein/springs/bars, 14" replica Style 32s (15s were way too $$ back then!), a Recaro drivers seat (which I kept when I sold the car - nope, its not for sale), Stahl header, LSD (OEM, though built up to a 40% lock from the standard 25%), and an Alpina auxiliary fuel tank . "Stupid" is the only word for my decision to sell it.
As to which Six to use I'd only say that with the M20 this car had Perfect Balance ... consider that when you're investigating the choices. Others might make it quicker but .... . If I were to replicate this car I'd stay with the M20 but it'd be balanced, have a sweet head/cam/valves, lightweight flywheel, and more up-to-date fuel injection than the E21 had. Having driven a couple of other 323s back in the day I can say that the Hartge head/cam is what really woke this car up, though without the better breathing header it would have suffered.
http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/...23iRoyOak1.jpg
Beautiful car! Do I see the stops for headlight wipers (can't actually see the wipers)? I'm currently running Bilstein struts/shocks w/Suspension Technique springs and bars (25mm front/19mm rear).
I know what you're saying about the M20 being the great fit, especially if you upgrade to Motronic vs Jetronic, but my main issues are:
1 - iron block vs alloy block
2 - SOHC/12 valve vs DOHC/24 valve
3 - weight distribution due to that heavy lump in front. It's already nose heavy with the M10, M20 won't help anything in that regards.
I have a friend here in town with a 1978 320 w/M50B25 (he bought it that way, he would've done a different swap) and it's a beast at autocross. We keep planning together what we are going to do with our cars. His is gutted and on coilovers, while mine is still a daily so our goals are not exactly the same but many things are shared between what we want to accomplish.
The main problem is what can I legally accomplish in with the Air Resources Board hovering over my shoulder. Whatever I decide to do I have to swap everything from the air filter to the tailpipe to comply with the car that the engine is coming from. I will then be required to pass smog for whatever car the engine is from (so if I decide to go the Z3 route, I will have to pass smog for a 97-99 Z3).
Main problem is weight. M20 short engine weighs 117kg dry, M52 alloy version weighs 118kg dry.
dressed engines on the other hand weigh quite a bit more
M20 - 180kg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...M20weighIn.jpg
M52 alloy - 149kg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...52weigh_in.jpg
mine would actually weigh less because I would delete the AC and power steering, so maybe 130-140 kg?
The problem I see with the M20 is how much will it cost me to build and engine with comparable performance on top of the fact that it weighs more. With the M52 I can swap in S52 parts to get bigger displacement for cheap, M20 is much more expensive to match power levels.
Anyways, this is all still in the planning stages. Right now I just need to put my car back together and drive it some more.
EDIT: M10 is around 85kg, so nothing else is gonna be that light :(
...maybe a M42/M44 but I want more cylinders
Hmmm... complicated issues. Certainly more complicated than I had to deal with back then! But I'm afraid that I'm utterly unfamiliar with ARB issues.
Have you driven an E30-M20 or an E30-M52? If not then that's where to start. But drive it the way you'll use yours. Power solves alot of problems in an autocross setting - but only if you're a genuinely competent driver, since (usually) the car's limits are higher than the driver's. On the other hand for a DD the extra power in the lower RPMs would be fun - and actually practical! Either way good luck with the project ... I'll be enjoying it along with you.
Oh, and yes, my car did have headlight wipers ... until I removed 'em - too much hassle.
Thanks! Yeah, the California Air Resource Board is a huge pain to deal with. Even after I do all my swap I have to take it to a "referee" to then approve my swap before I'm given what they call a BAR tag basically stating that it's a legal swap.
I have in fact driven many M20 E30's, specifically I love my buddy's 2.7 stroker
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q...G_DSC_2421.jpg
His car is pushing around 200hp, but his engine probably cost him over $4k to build. The M52 comes out of the box at 189hp and I can probably make that difference up significantly cheaper
I've never driven a M52 E30, but Ryan's car approximates it close enough I think.
My thinking is the extra power will be nice at autocross, but mainly it will help just driving around town. I'm currently getting 27mpg and hopefully with that much extra power in such a light shell (around 2300lbs) I can be easy on the gas and get into the 30-40mpg range
Well, I have come to the conclusion that the original owner must have rear ended somebody over his 30 year period with the car. Decided to pull the hood off and do some persuasion to the core support
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...1CD7BC8D82.jpg
You just need the right tools and anything is possible
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...C7351CDACB.jpg
Brute persuasion seem to fair well all the time :)
So Matt and I did some brainstorming last night and have come up with an idea for solving out terrible suspension/low strength diff/general driveline stuff.
E28 rear and and E36 front end swap. We're thinking about using a 3.25 medium case LSD rated at 440 ft/lbs vs our current small case 3.91 at 240 ft/lbs.
He already has a ZF 5 speed from an E36 M3 in his '78 M50 non-VANOS swapped car, but we're thinking of maybe doing a Getrag 420G 6 speed (368 ft/lbs)... but supposedly can handle more torque than that
Today while I was at work I had my brother pick up the rest of the stuff I bought from that 320is which I got the Recaro's from (surprisingly I managed to get both Recaro's and the rear bench IN my ZHP, thank you folding rear seats!)
Replacement carpet - mine is tore up in a few spots, this one may be dirty but at least has no rips. I'll start shampooing it tomorrow
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...EB1A5CD154.jpg
Door cards to match the Recaro's (will have to clean those up too)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...0331E4109D.jpg
Large tool kit to replace my small one
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...FBFEE76FD6.jpg
After I took that pic I realized only the spark plug wrench fits correctly, I'll order the correct tools
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...B2D5F62F28.jpg
Tools and new foam cost $167 from ECS, I'll call Carl and see if he has any in stock at his shop since he gives me way better pricing
I now have all the 320is items with the exception of the front lip spoiler and leather shift boot which I don't want. I have Recaro's, 3 spoke sport steering wheel, large tool kit, front and rear swaybars (mine are actually Suspension Technique oversized bars), but most importantly a 3.91 LSD!
I have also made a deal for a Zender 1.170.03.3 trunk lip spoiler!
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s/PIC-0222.jpg
I have a friend attempting to find me the BBS front lip spoiler, Euro bumpers, Euro turn signals, and the filler plate between the taillights in order to basically have the full M-Tech kit!
http://www.bmwe21.net/E21_editionM.jpg
...well technically I am supposed to use the BBS 21.11.002 spoiler but the Zender one looks almost exactly the same. I am also supposed to have body colored mirrors, but that's easy enough to deal with.
:like
JP - Nice updates! I had the opportunity to compare the Zender and BBS lips back in the day; you won't be disappointed with the Zender. The Euro bumpers make a huge difference, aesthetically and weight-wise. I'll poke around and see if I have any leftover stuff, but don't hold your breath.
Thanks guys!
well my original plan of merely replacing my starter is a distant memory
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...AF3D7E1A83.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...686B7924E4.jpg
I'll update some more later, need to get back to the car
What the heck!?! Go for it (I guess you already are!)
So I pulled up the carpet, pulled the sound deadening foam
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...653EA7B779.jpg
Began removal of the tar shit (super annoying)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...CC6887D728.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...E32D82DAE8.jpg
Finally got that done last night
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...927B4641BF.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...13959F3E95.jpg
I'll be prepping this with a layer of Rustoleum to be safe, then this stuff will be installed
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...1404744C3A.jpg
Good stuff.
Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2
Awesome, JP
Thanks!
Today I finished cleanup of the interior
Got rid of all the surface rust
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...E956DC218E.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...912F6E907D.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...F85C45758D.jpg
Then came Krylon Rust Tough Enamel
primer
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ED496651F4.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...D8B1DF378F.jpg
1st layer of paint
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...F0610D46C7.jpg
I'm gonna let it sit for an hour before I spray another layer, then I'll start with the sound deadening
Nice work, JP! Looks much better.
Thanks bud!
Right now I'm sealing these back up before I spray another layer of paint
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...85BE840213.jpg
And in case anybody wants to buy some, this is by far the best RTV around
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...6A3A99214C.jpg
Just go to your local Toyota dealer and ask for that pn
What's special about it?
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
This is such a great thread. Looking good, Jp.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Awesome progress JP!!! Can't wait to see more :)
Plus one
Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2
JP, really looks great. When are you opening up your BMW restoration shop? :p
Thanks guys!
Dario, it's a special formulation of Permatex made for Toyota. I've never had any issues with it so I keep using it. Basically years ago I needed to do something with RTV and Carl told me that's the only stuff he uses. If after 40 years of working on BMW's he decided on this it's good enough for me.
Brett, soon my friend. Do you need some work done on your ti? ;)
Looking good JP! Modern BMWs have too much wiring underneath the carpet..
Thanks Derek! I still need to wire in my stereo so there will be some more going in there before the carpet is installed
Haha, it's an older BMW JP, so they ALL need work! :rofl Keep up the good work with your fleet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hermes
True, but that M4x is probably as much if not more bulletproof than my M10. Plus, you have 16v DOHC!Quote:
Originally Posted by brettbimmer
Haha, well ironically it normally isn't the M44 engine which needs attention, just all of the other bits that bolt to it. Also it is part E36, so that means that the interior keeps me busy too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hermes
I'm enjoying your project threads bud. Keep up the Bimmer love!
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yesterday I picked up some random parts I needed
non-cracked grills (mine had some slight issues, replacing because I might as well do it now)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...5F412F61E9.jpg
NOS VW K-Jetronic braided fuel lines to replace those nasty 30+ year old plastic ones BMW used (got them cheap since nobody buys them, they were at a local VW shop)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...2122BCF49E.jpg
E30 M10 8 blade fan w/clutch to replace my 5 blade static fan
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...AEB5A2CAFB.jpg
same 400mm size
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...4F56F49149.jpg
If any 2002 guys on here want my 5 blade fan to replace their 4 blade one let me know, otherwise I would definitely recommend the E30 wp/fan upgrade as you free up some horsepower at RPM's when the clutch disconnects and the fan spins freely
Is that red fan some kind of defective one? No way that thing is balanced properly...the angles are completely wrong LOL!!
Hahaha, 1970s tech bro...
Made with crayons and a slide rule while drinking beer ;)
So it's really crooked and not an illusion? That's ridiculous.
Sent from my GS3.
It's fine, that's actually well designed for the tech available at the time. Here's a Mercedes patent that explains it better:Quote:
Originally Posted by Hornung418
Here's a less understandable explanation from Hitachi:Quote:
The unequal spacing angles minimize noise produced by the fan assembly. The blades are positioned at a radial location along a blade span by unequal setting angles which increase the efficiency of the fan assembly.
US Patent # 5,681,145
Quote:
A wheel or rotor with a plurality of blades arranged at irregular or unequal pitch angles circumferentially of a disk, a hub or the like, wherein the characteristic level e.sub.k representative of the order-of-harmonic characteristic of blade pitch is defined by where ##EQU1## Z=a number of blades k=1,2, . . . and n; n.gtoreq.Z .theta..sub.j =the angular position of the tip or root of each blade defined in terms of a central angle subtended at the center of a circle, which is the axis of said wheel or rotor, by an arc extended from a reference point on said circle to said tip or root of each blade on said circle, j=1,2, . . . and Z; and the characteristic level e.sub.k satisfies the following conditions ##EQU2## where e=-13.14 log.sub.10 Z+99.70 k=2,3, . . . n.
US Patent # 4,253,800
Woah... Never would have guessed it lol.
Sent from my GS3.
Dynamat installed
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...FE7E1015FD.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...B3EC6554ED.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...04080F53FA.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...53EF101CB7.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...105E3B26F6.jpg
I need a few more sheets, I should've probably bought the mega pack instead of the bulk pack (72 sq ft vs 36 sq ft). Not sure if I want to buy the bigger pack and use what's left on my 2002, or just stop at a car audio place in town and pick up a few sheets.
Next step is Dynaliner and Dynapad.