E21 Project Thread - Part 2
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Spent a good chunk of time trying to source rear wheel bearings and seals that didn't cost an arm and a leg. Finally accomplished it. Makes me wonder if swapping in euro trailing arms was really worth it for rear disc brakes.

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Just my $.02, but I think that most of the time big brake upgrades are pointless. The stock brakes are more than capable of locking up the wheels, even with stickier tires. The only reason to upgrade would be if you're experiencing brake fade due to excessive heat build up. This could certainly happen if you're driving the car hard, since you're likely to be making 2-to-3 times the car's stock power. More power to go means you need to dissipate more power (heat) to stop. If you're accelerating, then braking hard, the accelerating and braking again, or driving fast downhill, you could certainly get the stock brakes heated up. Sadly, most Wisconsin roads are pretty straight, and don't encourage that type of driving.
On the other hand....there's not really such a thing as "too much brakes"...
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I totally agree! But just to be clear, it wasn't a big brake upgrade. Just stock drums to stock disc conversion.
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The lack of nice weather the past few weeks left me unmotivated to get out in garage. The past few days with nicer weather has broight it back.
Here is the new carpet so far.



Will have it done with seats in it this weekend for sure. Then on to turbo things again.
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So it looks like my turbo is leaking oil from the center section. Although i cant find where. There is an exhaust leak at the turbo to manifold flange as well that smoke comes out. I see oil trickling near 2 turbo to manifold bolts, but no oil at the turbo center section bolts. So its kinda puzzling.
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She is on the ground for first time in 2 years!

Dat oil pan clearance tho!

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It's my kill tag. Get it? You see what I did there?
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Driving the beast for the first time since engine swap up and down the driveway =

It needs a lot of tuning (paging Mr Brian. Mr Brian. You have a telephone call). New clutch feels great, brakes are good, shifting is nice.
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Just got done cruising around the neighborhood tuning the engine with Brian (Snap). Things are going a lot better than I ever expected them to. Made my list of things needing to be buttoned up before the meet. It's looking good so far!
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Here is a thing to appreciate:
This car underwent both an engine swap AND received turbocharging. Minus a couple electrical issues (fuel pump power signal and an incorrect main relay in the e30 harness) the thing starts up, runs and drives nearly flawlessly.
I will be so lucky if I get my crap back together and have such minimal screwing around to do after it runs.
We did about 5 miles or so with no hood/lights. Quite surprised we didnt cross paths with any local law enforcement honestly.
Had it up to 5500rpm, car makes all 8psi of boost that its supposed to, scoots real nice even though most accelerations were part throttle. This "smaller" t3 turbo provides much more linear power than my t3/t4.
Super excited to see all this effort moving down the road now

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Awesome! Can't wait to check it out.
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Thanks Tom!
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Good progress today. Got the seat belts bolted down, rear strut brace/battery tray welded in, new battery strapped down & electrical taped/wire loomed all the exposed wires in engine bay.
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Front end all back together with turn signals and HIDs all working as they should.

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