Hello. My name is Dan, and today I doomsday prepped

[straight6pwr]

well, i was going to tackle some of this in the fall before putting the car 'away' for the winter, but i couldnt help myself and just drove the car to the last minute.  so, i'll try to tackle this in one weekend (maybe 2) before driving season kicks off in may. 

the list for april (to be done by may 1):

1. turn my hot air intake into a colder air intake, incl. bimmerworld silicone intake boot and something beer related
2. brake refresh: install new stoptech sport pads, blank rotors, ss brake lines, remote brake fluid reservoir, ate super blue fluid. my brakes are 'meh' at best. i couldn't lock them up in the rain at autocross  probably the worst of the 3 e30s i've had. could just be some bad pads on there, but we'll see. 
3. replace heater valve, spider hose, and additional coolant hoses. replacing the water pump and thermostat 'while i'm in there'
4. new intake manifold seals,  brake booster check valve, and crank case vent lines, clean ICV 
5. new valve cover gaskets, oil cap to stop leaks. powdercoating the valve cover and new spark plugs and coil boots 'while im in there'
6. get new tires installed. 205/50r16 BFG G-force sport comp 2
7. new engine harness cover or wrap 'while i'm in there'
8. reseal dipstick tube to oil pan

the list for the rest of the year:

1. find oil level wiring, or add it. 
2. find washer fluid pump/sensor wiring, or add it. reconnect washer tank to hood hoses.
3. replace windshield with used OEM glass. 
4. wire in electric fan correctly. (connect to run all the time currently) https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=210783
5. permanently mount elec fan with bracket kit.

did some small prep today, mostly to get the valve cover off for painting.

oops, that's a puddle of oil in there.

5 of 6 were dry

another found 'hack'. i suppose this bit of sharp steel plate was used as a lift location. with a teeny 10mm bolt in an aluminum head casting.  i removed it because i like my blood to be inside my veins and my s50 head in one piece. 

mystery harness wires that i need to figure out. picture for self reference. 

intake side!

[B C]

yeesh, hopefully that lifting point was only used for a head install. Thats a good list though. brake pads are next up on my car after I start driving and remember how scary these ones were the last time I drove it.

[straight6pwr]

snap said:

yeesh, hopefully that lifting point was only used for a head install. Thats a good list though. brake pads are next up on my car after I start driving and remember how scary these ones were the last time I drove it. 

for the sake of all that is holy, i hope the guy who put this swap together didnt have the head off.

i really should check the brand of pads and try de-glazing them, but the car needs the remote reservoir and the brake lines look original and yada yada yada snowballed

[m42b32]

straight6pwr said:

brake refresh: install new stoptech sport pads, blank rotors, ss brake lines, remote brake fluid reservoir, ate super blue fluid. my brakes are 'meh' at best. i couldn't lock them up in the rain at autocross  probably the worst of the 3 e30s i've had. could just be some bad pads on there, but we'll see. 

Is this for intake clearance? What reservoir are you planning to use?

[straight6pwr]

m42b32 said:

Is this for intake clearance? What reservoir are you planning to use? 

yes. the stock rubber intake boot is already pressing against the reservoir, which makes me uncomfortable. the bimmerworld silicone boot is a bit bigger. i'll be running the 2002 res, bolted in the spot where the stock engine relays used to be via this adapter. http://n15design.com/product/e30-remote-brake-fluid-reservoir-bracket/?v=7516fd43adaa

itll look like this, more or less, when finished.

[B C]

If I change booster setups I will probably do the same.  Does your booster/do all ix boosters have the standoff circled in yellow?

[m42b32]

straight6pwr said:

yes. the stock rubber intake boot is already pressing against the reservoir, which makes me uncomfortable. the bimmerworld silicone boot is a bit bigger. i'll be running the 2002 res, bolted in the spot where the stock engine relays used to be via this adapter. http://n15design.com/product/e30-remote-brake-fluid-reservoir-bracket/?v=7516fd43adaa

itll look like this, more or less, when finished.

Gotcha, that bracket looks like a nice way to mount it! You have an IX booster right? I'm hoping I can get away with the standard reservoir and an e21 booster since it's not as deep as the IX one.

[KaiserRolls]

944 booster and some shaved manifold fins with solid mounts

[straight6pwr]

snap said:

If I change booster setups I will probably do the same.  Does your booster/do all ix boosters have the standoff circled in yellow? 

yes, the ix has the standoff bracket in yellow which can be left for a direct bolt on, or removed and the firewall holes slotted. if removed, there is no clearance issues with the intake but you'll have to shorten the pushrod of the booster. i guess technically mine would be fine as is, i just dont like how close it is.

m42b32 said:

Gotcha, that bracket looks like a nice way to mount it! You have an IX booster right? I'm hoping I can get away with the standard reservoir and an e21 booster since it's not as deep as the IX one. 

yes IX booster. yeah, you'll be fine.

[straight6pwr]

KaiserRolls said:

944 booster and some shaved manifold fins with solid mounts

not worth my time, but for someone starting their swap, probably the best way to go.

[straight6pwr]

F* me, $40 to put together the two new plugs for the washer pump and level sensor...

anyone have these connectors lying around??

[B C]

I will check tonight

[AsparagusMike]

I have all my windshield washer stuff sitting in a box and have no plans of reusing any of it. I have most if not everything on that list, you are welcome to any of it.

[straight6pwr]

AsparagusMike said:

I have all my windshield washer stuff sitting in a box and have no plans of reusing any of it. I have most if not everything on that list, you are welcome to any of it.

thanks! i'd love to dig through the box and take some stuff. where in the state are you?

I get to work on the car today so i organized my piles of boxes last night. i found a blower motor resistor, which i forgot I bought/need to replace. score! i also ended up with two water pump gaskets and two throttle body gaskets, hmm. 

also, @m42b32, it reminded me that when i bought the aluminum thermostat housing, the internet suggested not trusting the gasket that comes in the box and instead pickup the BMW one (red gasket shown in housing) so hopefully that makes it more fool proof for leaks.

also also, "gooooooooooold"

[Jdesign]

There are many things I like in that picture. I cant wait to see it all installed!!

[B C]

The gold will look great!  just another warning that im gonna be all up in your business checking this out at the picnic.

[m42b32]

straight6pwr said:

also, @m42b32, it reminded me that when i bought the aluminum thermostat housing, the internet suggested not trusting the gasket that comes in the box and instead pickup the BMW one (red gasket shown in housing) so hopefully that makes it more fool proof for leaks.

It's entirely possible I used their gasket now that you mention it...

[straight6pwr]

snap said:

The gold will look great!  just another warning that im gonna be all up in your business checking this out at the picnic.

remember when i said you could come look at my swap to figure stuff out back in the fall?? You finished your swap faster than i could fix a coolant hose - WTF slow down already.

regardless, i'll have the manifold off and most things apart this sunday if you wanna still look.

[m42b32]

Just noticed the Warsteiner mini keg thing for an intake. That's going to be awesome! Great heat shield too

[YoungCR]

m42b32 said:

Just noticed the Warsteiner mini keg thing for an intake. That's going to be awesome! Great heat shield too

That was my favorite detail from the sedan!