E21 Project Thread - Part 2

[Jeff]

[emoji123][emoji123][emoji123]

[Bassboy3313]

Morning started out by lowering the car onto jack stands in order to switch out the flat lift pads for the tallest set. This allows more space between the car and lift for exhaust work. Worked like a charm.

I ended up getting the front half of the exhaust fitted and tack welded together up to the middle resonator.

I will need to take about 1.5" out of the vertical section of the downpipe in order to bring the entire exhaust up tighter against the bottom of car. Sits too low for my taste as is.

I then attempted to see if I could run the exhaust over the rear subframe. I cut a portion of the ebrake cable tube off which gave a hair more space. In order to make this happen, I would need a section of pipe in the shape shown below that is ovaled out. This would clear everything with the exhaust slightly touching the subframe. Not sure if that will be a bad idea or not with potential vibration and noise. What do you think?

[B C]

That lift is awesome

[retoropak]

I will be fabbing up some exhaust today. I have my 3" downpipe and vibrant resonator welded up but it terminates right behind the driver seat. I already tacked under the axle portion. There is not much clearance between driveshaft and body right before the rear subframe. I will need to oval that 3" to keep the clearance. I should be done today. Will shoot some pictures later.

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[Bassboy3313]

retoropak said:

I will be fabbing up some exhaust today. I have my 3" downpipe and vibrant resonator welded up but it terminates right behind the driver seat. I already tacked under the axle portion. There is not much clearance between driveshaft and body right before the rear subframe. I will need to oval that 3" to keep the clearance. I should be done today. Will shoot some pictures later.

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Sounds good, thanks! Anxious to see the ground clearance of the exhaust under the subframe with oval tubing. I just hate seeing exhaust hanging low when looking at the car, so your pics may persuade me one way or another.

[Bassboy3313]

I have been talking with the tech at North Hollywood Speedometer who is working on my speedo and there's good news and bad news. Bad news is that the e21 speedo CANNOT be converted to electronic the way that an older bmw speedo can (aka 2002 speedo). The good news (with some bad mixed in) is that they can utilize a speedbox that gets mounted under dash or in engine bay. This speedbox takes a gps, vss, or canbus singal for speed and converts it to spin the mechanical cable that connects to original speedo. They will need to make a custom cable that has the bmw thread on one end and the GM thread on the other to connect to the speedbox. All this is costing more than initially planned, but I am getting fed up with trying to get this speedo issue figured out. Will update with pics when I receive the speedbox and cable.

[YoungCR]

Interesting solution

[Jdesign]

This might seem like a dumb question at this point, but why cant you use the factory sensor in the rear diff?

[retoropak]

Jdesign said:

This might seem like a dumb question at this point, but why cant you use the factory sensor in the rear diff?

Original speedo is cable driven. He would have to swap e28/e30speedo which i believe are different diameter.

I have the same issue i will most likely save some money and use the stack dash and get rid of other gauges.

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[Bassboy3313]

Jdesign said:

This might seem like a dumb question at this point, but why cant you use the factory sensor in the rear diff?

With the speedbox converter, I WILL be using the sensor (VSS) in the medium case rear diff.

[Bassboy3313]

Well some other good news today, I was able to cut more of the ebrake cable tube out with a die grinder. This gave JUST enough room to fit the 2.5" exhaust tubing over the subframe. Woohoo!

Mock up of over subframe section

[Jdesign]

retoropak said:

Original speedo is cable driven. He would have to swap e28/e30speedo which i believe are different diameter.

I have the same issue i will most likely save some money and use the stack dash and get rid of other gauges.

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Bassboy3313 said:

With the speedbox converter, I WILL be using the sensor (VSS) in the medium case rear diff.

That makes sense, I was just thinking it was electrical.

[retoropak]

I have maybe 0.5" of clearance each way between the driveshaft, floor and fuel tank connecting hose heat shield.

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[Bassboy3313]

Ah so you did go above subframe. Good man!

I picked up more welding gas and SS wire. Hoping to get the exhaust fully welded up to just behind axle (minus the vbands I need to order to put before and after subframe). Then it's making up my mind with how to do the rear exit. Standard location? Duals? Center exhaust with splitter?

[Bassboy3313]

Finished up welding the exhaust from downpipe to just after rear subframe. Gotta order materials for the hangers tho.

I also did a thing...

[Jdesign]

Installing a single person hot tub?

[Bassboy3313]

I like your thinking!! But unfortunately no hot tub in the plans. Got the new pan cut and fitted tho.

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[Jdesign]

Sweet! did you make that pan or was it something you bought and trimmed to fit?

[Bassboy3313]

Jdesign said:

Sweet! did you make that pan or was it something you bought and trimmed to fit?

Made it from scratch

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[straight6pwr]

nice progress!