Alpine e30 progress/build thread
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That seems pretty fun to learn how to do, im sure its child's play for someone like @HipMF
The one time I played around in TunerPro with a 413 DME bin file I was sad at how unintuitive things were and how confused it made me.
Its not possible to do live tuning on MS43 is it??I don't believe anyone has figured out how unfortunately, that would be awesome if you could. You can do logging with something like RomRaider, and flashing a tune only takes a minute or two, so you could probably iterate pretty quickly!
Not really. I still don't know what Galletto or JMGarageFlasher is... assuming software...
Yup! They're both software (and free!). Galletto allows you to flash partial files without putting the ECU into boot mode. The partial file on ms43 is 64kb, and contains all the information/parameters related to actually running the engine like fuel and ignition maps, basically the 'tune'. When you use something like a shark injector, this is what it is modifying. JMGarageFlasher is also free software, but is specifically designed for doing a complete flash of MS43 (aka replacing ALL data on the chips) with a 512kb file. This allows you to completely erase and re-write the ECU's data. The 512kb file contains things like EWS, checksums (internal values that are invalidated when anything is modified, preventing you from starting the car), and a bunch of other stuff I don't understand. Thankfully, this full flash only needs to be done once, and then any tuning and modifying beyond that is done with Galletto and partial flash files.
There is a TON of information on ms43wiki.com, and then a few really helpful threads on e46fanatics. That's basically where I'm getting all the software, EWS delete file, and tutorials on how to do things. Its actually very interesting to dig into!
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When I was looking into Rom Raider the sample rate didnt appear conducive to accurate tuning. Still, OBD2 logging for diagnostic purposes is a very valuable thing and worth having OBD2 for. I just think I will end up with MS3 if I decide to sound the trumpets on my build.
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When I was looking into Rom Raider the sample rate didnt appear conducive to accurate tuning. Still, OBD2 logging for diagnostic purposes is a very valuable thing and worth having OBD2 for. I just think I will end up with MS3 if I decide to sound the trumpets on my build.
Hadn't really looked into it so that's good to know!
Trumpets would be awesome!
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Made some longer studs and got the e46 oil level sensor mounted in the e34 oil pan
Finished re-wrapping the e39 main engine harness and cleaned up the coil harness, got both installed as far as I can for now
I also started cleaning the engine bay a bit. I'm not going to paint it as I don't have a good way of going about it in my current garage, so a decent clean will have to do. Someday I'll pull everything apart and clean and paint it all properly. Planning to get started on the master cylinder/booster swap and ABS delete next week.
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ABS delete everything
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unless your ABS is not functioning, why would you delete it?
Dan
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unless your ABS is not-functioning, why would you delete it?
Less weight, more room, archaic BS, less points of failure & cool guy points
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unless your ABS is not functioning, why would you delete it?
It hasn't worked properly since before my friend bought the car nearly 10 years ago. When I re-did the suspension last winter I removed all the wheel speed sensors so it was effectively removed then, and it's the perfect time to remove everything else with the engine out. One of my goals is to simplify things where I can, and it makes bleeding the complete system easier as well.
Non-ABS front brake lines: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=AF93-USA-04-1991-E30-BMW-318is&diagId=34_0150
ABS front brake lines: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=AF93-USA-04-1991-E30-BMW-318is&diagId=34_0157
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unless your ABS is not functioning, why would you delete it?
Early on in my E30 ownership I had a malfunctioning ABS hydraulic unit which would run the pump and freeze my brake pedal upon first application after reaching 5mph or whatever the activation speed is. I resolved that but I have never really needed the ABS and would enjoy the 20lbs or so reduction forward of the axle and have more space for a boxed off intake heat shield
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i think the benefits of ABS far outweigh 'i made my car 20lbs lighter' and 'its less stuff to break'
besides, the e30 system is the most placated system i've ever run into. it barely wants to intervene, even in snowy/icy conditions. my e34 system likes to go off if i'm braking and go over a bump in the road...
Dan
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Oh trust me, I've been voting for Ralph Nader and voting to keep the ABS for as long as I can remember but after the war/stripping all the cam bearing studs and helicoiling them all I just haven't been the same.
It changes a man.
but yes, your point about it not intervening much/at all is a good thing, but its also part of the reason im okay disposing of it. I didnt bump into ABS or wheel lock at Blackhawk on all seasons ("you obviously werent driving hard enough!") I suspect as I try out autocross this year that some of the more abrupt corners may lock up the inside a bit. Not worried
Famous final words before I live up to my name and snap understeer into a curb.
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but yes, your point about it not intervening much/at all is a good thing, but its also part of the reason im okay disposing of it. I didnt bump into ABS or wheel lock at Blackhawk on all seasons ("you obviously werent driving hard enough!") I suspect as I try out autocross this year that some of the more abrupt corners may lock up the inside a bit. Not worried
I suspect as I try out autocross this year
I try out autocross
i didn't hear anything you said except this. hell, yes.
Dan
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i think the benefits of ABS far outweigh 'i made my car 20lbs lighter' and 'its less stuff to break'
besides, the e30 system is the most placated system i've ever run into. it barely wants to intervene, even in snowy/icy conditions. my e34 system likes to go off if i'm braking and go over a bump in the road...
I agree that the safety benefits of properly functional ABS far outweigh the added complexity/weight, at least on a daily driver or regularly street driven car where things can be much more unpredictable. If my pump weren't toast I'd be repairing the crumbling wiring/straightening out the bent lines (pump got hit pretty hard when I hit the deer, bent all it's mounts and screwed up the lines going to the pump) and keeping it, but since the whole system is just so far gone removing it seems like the right way to go.
I suspect as I try out autocross this year that some of the more abrupt corners may lock up the inside a bit.
Hell yeah!
All 3 events I did last year were with completely disabled ABS and I didn't really have any major issues with locking up, even when things were wet. I think it only happened a handful of times, and just briefly. Only one time did it cause me to go way wide and that was way more my lack of skill than the lack of ABS.
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Making progress!
Oil pump reassembled with new pressure relief spring/o-ring and Achilles Motorsport hardened pump shaft kit. Primed the pump and reinstalled it to the block with the e38 pickup tube. With that all reinstalled I checked the clearance from the bottom of the pickup to the bottom of the pan, and it's darn near perfect. Around 1/8" and it lands right where the e34 m50 pickup would, so I ordered an Achilles pan baffle to install in the pan before I bolt it back on.
I also started mounting up the Bimmerworld oil distribution block. This one is meant for e36 engines, but I got it cheap so I'm making it work here. All I had to do was grind down a rib on the M54 oil filter housing and it fit perfectly. With this block I can keep the original pressure sensor and add senders for the oil temperature and pressure gauges in the console.
Got back into the engine bay work. Removed the brake master cylinder and booster, old clutch feed hose, the brake lines running from the master to the ABS pump, and the ABS pump itself. That sucker is surprisingly heavy. Next up is to remove the lines running to the calipers and the rear brake bias valve so I can start making the new ones. I also started cleaning the bay, but the brake lines were in the way so I stopped until they're all out of the way.
I removed a bunch of stuff and started cleaning the other side until I ran out of water and simple green. Starting to look much better! It won't be perfect, especially since I won't be painting the bay, but it will be good enough for now.
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The bay is looking nice! Cleaning up white E30 engine bays is not fun at all.
I'm really looking forward to seeing / hearing how this feels with the M54 compared to my familiarity of e30's with m5x/s5x.
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Thanks for mentioning that oil distribution block, I didn't know that one existed but I will definitely be buying that one!
Its a nice solution compared to mixing and matching fittings! My only concern is that with the way it's weighted, it is pulling in the direction of loosening the banjo bolt holding/sealing the whole assembly. I'm guessing it will be fine if I crank it down, but I may look into a way to either brace it or secure the banjo bolt with safety wire/etc.
Looking good! Apologies if I missed it above but what are you using for the new hard brake lines to the calipers and bias valve?
I had ordered a roll of PVF coated steel brake line, but it looks like I got sent the wrong thing and it's just the greenish colored steel line similar to OEM. If it gives me problems I'll probably switch to nicopp.
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