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  4. Alpine e30 progress/build thread

Alpine e30 progress/build thread

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  • m42b32M
    m42b32M
    m42b32
    wrote on last edited by
    #472

    Finally got my diff! It's a clutch-type 3.15LSD from a Z3M, I didn't get the finned cover (just a standard e30 one) but that made it much cheaper.

    Unfortunately, it appears that UPS dropped it on the input flange and destroyed the bearings. There is a ton of axial play, gear oil leaking out of the input seal due to all the slop, it's notchy to turn by hand, but hopefully there is no damage to the ring/pinion. Won't know more till I start taking it apart. Looks like I'll be learning to rebuild a diff

    1991 318is, 1991 318i, 2022 Bronco

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • B
      B
      B C
      wrote on last edited by
      #473

      super sucky news! 

      If it were me, I would pull the front cover and and look for tooth damage, then mark the input shaft nut/flange/shaft prior to removal, replace bearing, replace the seal, install the nut and flange  to the same position as original, then you should be good to go. I would be very surprised if the flange ears themselves didnt bend but somehow the input shaft did.

      nothing should have deformed so the original nut position on the input shaft will be valid for setting it up again.

      1 Reply Last reply
      1
      • EarlE
        EarlE
        Earl
        wrote on last edited by
        #474

        That sucks=/ It seems the safe way to ship a diff is to make a crate out of 2x4's

        museum sig 2earl.jpg

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        0
        • KaiserRollsK
          KaiserRollsK
          KaiserRolls
          wrote on last edited by
          #475

          Can you not file a claim? I received some shit from eBay that showed up damaged because it was packaged poorly. Filed a claim, sent it back, got money back

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • m42b32M
            m42b32M
            m42b32
            wrote on last edited by
            #476

            Earl said:

            That sucks=/ It seems the safe way to ship a diff is to make a crate out of 2x4's

            Yeah, I think the only way I'd ship one is bolted into a wooden crate from now on. This one wasn't even packaged that badly. Pretty much what I've learned, if you aren't comfortable dropping your box from 5 feet onto concrete, it's not packaged well enough. 

            KaiserRolls said:

            Can you not file a claim? I received some shit from eBay that showed up damaged because it was packaged poorly. Filed a claim, sent it back, got money back

            It's past the claim period, long story, I'm just going to keep it and rebuild it. I've been wanting to learn to rebuild them anyway, just didn't think I'd be doing it right now lol

            1991 318is, 1991 318i, 2022 Bronco

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            • YoungCRY
              YoungCRY
              YoungCR
              wrote on last edited by
              #477

              That sucks but please be generous on the rebuild details! I have a worn LSD or 2 that need help.

              Chris Young
              BMWCCA #458972
              1986 528e/5  | 1994 530i/5 | 1995 540i/6 | 2013 X5 35d | 1998 C1500 Suburban | 1995 K2500 Suburban

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              • m42b32M
                m42b32M
                m42b32
                wrote on last edited by
                #478

                YoungCR said:

                That sucks but please be generous on the rebuild details! I have a worn LSD or 2 that need help. 

                Definitely!

                1991 318is, 1991 318i, 2022 Bronco

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                • m42b32M
                  m42b32M
                  m42b32
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #479

                  Had a few hours on Sunday afternoon, so I took advantage of the warmer temps and got as much done underneath the car as I could. Laying on the concrete in 35 degree weather is a lot better than when it's 5 outside haha. 

                  39806290572c9f251d006b.jpg

                  The car is officially immobile until it is running on 2 more cylinders, so I took a moment and stored it properly. 

                  2805955093937ffddb6d2b.jpg

                  1991 318is, 1991 318i, 2022 Bronco

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  3
                  • B
                    B
                    B C
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #480

                    This car is very clean underneath! let me know if you need help at any point

                    Do you know what the main differences between the aluminum M52TU and M54 are besides displacement? From the little info I have they seem to be pretty much the same thing except for the fact that the M52TU appears to be limited in terms of power adders

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                    • m42b32M
                      m42b32M
                      m42b32
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #481

                      Snap said:

                      This car is very clean underneath! let me know if you need help at any point

                      Do you know what the main differences between the aluminum M52TU and M54 are besides displacement? From the little info I have they seem to be pretty much the same thing except for the fact that the M52TU appears to be limited in terms of power adders

                      I'm not super familiar with the M52tu, but as far as I know there is minimal part compatibility between the two even though they are very similar in overall design. The M54 has a lot of small changes that add up to better performance like an improved intake/DISA design, pistons with shorter skirts and low tension rings for less friction (and higher oil consumption lol), slightly bigger cams, and a forged crank in the B30 (same part as S52).

                      1991 318is, 1991 318i, 2022 Bronco

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                      • m42b32M
                        m42b32M
                        m42b32
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #482

                        More things done! The m42 is just almost ready to pull, just the cooling system and power steering lines left to deal with. 

                        39922486822ccf7b3d8aab.jpg

                        I also started working on retrofitting the drive-by-wire throttle pedal. I removed everything related to the old cable setup, getting the cable itself disconnected from the firewall was a massive pain... glad that's done. With the pedal mount bracket, I shaved off the lower attachment for the e46 as it doesn't line up, and test fit the bracket in the car. I'll be using epoxy to bond it to the bottom piece of the e30 gas pedal so that I can clip it on without modifying the bracket welded to the floor.

                        39244337394a676a31a6eb.jpg

                        Test fit the pedal to try out the spacing with the brake, it works pretty well

                        39246565034332af489a2b.jpg

                        Turned my attention back to the engine. I pulled the intake manifold to clean it and paint all the steel brackets. While the manifold is off I figured I would replace the two plastic coolant pipes that run underneath. Glad I'm going that, this is how they both came out:

                        281771625490be1001480b.jpg

                        They literally fell apart and I had to dig all the pieces out from the block. If the engine weren't on a stand it would've been a nightmare. The plastic is so soft where it meets the block you can crumble it in your hands... 

                        I also got a set of Hella Sharptone horns that I'll be installing behind the grilles. I didn't like the idea of having the yellow covers being visible through the grille so I took them apart and plasti-dipped the covers black. I decided to dip them instead of paint because it seems to hold up better to rock chips. 

                        281749106093541d2e1bfb.jpg

                        1991 318is, 1991 318i, 2022 Bronco

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • B
                          B
                          B C
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #483

                          I need some stock horns if yours are still good

                          Glad you figured out how to make the pedal not look like this

                          b007c045124a2b73e191480f2bfcf7d1.jpg

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                          • m42b32M
                            m42b32M
                            m42b32
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #484

                            I'd cancel the swap if that was my only option... that looks like a MINI pedal haha

                            I should have a few laying around, not sure what works and what doesn't though. I'll pm you

                            1991 318is, 1991 318i, 2022 Bronco

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                            • m42b32M
                              m42b32M
                              m42b32
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #485

                              Got a used OEM DISA valve to replace the busted aftermarket one that came with the motor, and while it was surprisingly still functional, I decided to rip it apart anyway and install the German Auto Solutions rebuild kit. This kit replaces the plastic flapper valve and bell crank with machined aluminum parts held together by a pretty cool titanium screw. The quality and fit of the parts is pretty amazing, highly recommended to anyone needing to repair a failing DISA valve. 

                              3998931384177ddd73e46b.jpg

                              1991 318is, 1991 318i, 2022 Bronco

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • B
                                B
                                B C
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #486

                                E30 PICNIC OR BUST!

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                                0
                                • m42b32M
                                  m42b32M
                                  m42b32
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #487

                                  Snap said:

                                  E30 PICNIC OR BUST!

                                  I sure hope so! I want to drive it as much as possible this summer

                                  1991 318is, 1991 318i, 2022 Bronco

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                                  • straight6pwrS
                                    straight6pwrS
                                    straight6pwr
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #488

                                    m42b32 said:

                                    I sure hope so! I want to kick Dan's ass in auto-x this summer

                                    fixed.

                                    Dan
                                    yajsYRL.jpg.e5f350b4dfe961d76ac8b32efce2e1a6.jpg

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                                    • m42b32M
                                      m42b32M
                                      m42b32
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #489

                                      I'll have to learn how to use the gas pedal like something other than an on/off switch haha, I'm excited to see how they compare!

                                      1991 318is, 1991 318i, 2022 Bronco

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • m42b32M
                                        m42b32M
                                        m42b32
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #490

                                        More progress.

                                        Getting the block about as clean as it's going to get, maybe 60% done and then I ran out of brake cleaner. 

                                        400224612318a6f2de213b.jpg

                                        VANOS unit is still grubby but I'll clean it up when it's removed, going to pick up more supplies and I hope to finish it up the cleaning next week. It looks like I'll need to replace the front crank seal, any tips on getting the jesus bolt off on a stand?

                                        I installed the new thermostat, and when I went to install the new water pump I noticed it looked a little different than the one I pulled out...

                                        4002228224126eee26724c.jpg

                                        The impeller was pressed on backwards! Glad I noticed, that would've been a quick overheat. I contacted FCP and they're going to send me a new one thankfully.

                                        Also popped on the SAP delete plate with a new gasket. Its really easy on the M54, just cap a vacuum port and install the single delete plate. I'll be coding out the SAP with the DME (forced readiness) so it shouldn't cause any problems. 

                                        39990779962b04972de86b.jpg

                                        1991 318is, 1991 318i, 2022 Bronco

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        1
                                        • KaiserRollsK
                                          KaiserRollsK
                                          KaiserRolls
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #491

                                          Cans of brake clean last two seconds at WOT

                                          Is that a plastic water pump impeller??

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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