87' E30 vert build thread! Now with M50 Swap!!!
-
Another update since i know you guys care oh so much. got the radiator fan installed today, i had to remove the radiator to get it on which i thought was odd.. i put the radiator fan back in and theres a little less than a half inch of clearance between the fan and the radiator!? is this normal?
also, ive noticed that if i rock the car really hard when it stops i hear something rattle inside the engine, im kinda scared to find out what it is, is this a symptom to anything? thanks!
-
update. got the carpet today. fiddled with the dash and found out i gotta remove it and the heat blower in order to get it in, some people say you should cut around the console to get it in easy, but i dont want to do a half ass job. oh well, gives me time to look for a new dash anyways and get the carpet steam cleaned before i put it in.
-
tits. got most of the interior in. some of it is just sitting there cause of me missing nuts bolts ect, so i gotta order some or pick some up somewhere.


New shift linkage is in, it shifts like a dream (i dont see why anyone would want a shorter shift than a 1.9 z3) but it still doesnt go into 2nd, just grinds. probably a synchro. oh well ill replace the tranny when i do an engine swap

-
been wanting to do my headlights for a couple days now, but the humidity kept me from being able to paint anything.
finished today though! heres the process
What i started with

Teardown:

Finished!:

Close up:

its hard to see how good they look with my crappy phone camera. maybe ill post better pics eventually.
-
blew the engine today!!! swap time.
-
nope. if im gonna spend that much on a swap id rather do ls1 or 2jz
-
Well, had an issue awhile back, car sputtered and died while getting loud at the same time, though tit might be crank positioning sensor, so while i was waiting for that i got a valve job done and painted intake manifold and valve cover.

Turned it over with the new crank positioning sensor and nothing. but i did happen to hear the fuel pump dumping gas onto the ground at the fuel filter... shit.
Dont know if the fuel filters clogged yet or if i have another issue, im HOPING thats whats keeping it from starting... if not i have no idea?
-
What kind of intake is that? I want that intake. Where did you get it?
-
KA Motors Cold air intake
TBH probably not much better than stock airbox, bmw does that stuff right..
but i needed a new airbox anyways so i figured what the hell.
anyways, thread here
-
Sagaris said:
Let me know when you get the swap finished up and if you are ever in the Milwaukee area. I'd like to do compare performance.
id be game for that, but id like to warn you, while i have the engine apart im doing a bore and s50 cams.
-
Sagaris said:
As long as you can hang with something like thisit should be close.
looks like fun!
-
Updates, pulled the engine out of the donor car. Steering column knuckles were corroded, so we just angle grinded it out..
Also, remember to remove your shift linkage before pulling the drivetrain. We were baffled for about an hour trying to figure out what the engine was caught on.







-
Waiting for my check to process so i can send the parts to the machine shop.
Internals look surprisingly good! Now i have to start pulling the e30 apart.

-
Weathers been nice, so i did some work.
Old:

new:

Got the top as a christmas gift from the parents.
Top is from topsonline. I did replace the tension straps and cables.
Unfortunately the crimped part of the front window seal guide broke off, so i need to order new ones for both sides before i can fit the cables and finish the project.
The frame also isnt secured down fully, thats why theres so much gap between the top and the frame.
The top quality was pretty good. The instructions suck, but the top actually wasnt a complete #$%^ to replace. If i had to sit down, i could definately point out some imperfections in it, but its the best quality you can get besides overpriced OEM.
-
Well, after 4 months (what?) of work at the machine shop, i only have one really quick update.

Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login


