WIBIMMERS

m42b32 said:

Another option that I would guess would work, is to determine just how far you are lowered from stock in the rear. That number is easy to find if you have lowering springs as it should be a published value, less so if you have adjustable suspension. If you've got coilovers, there are published values from BMW for stock ride height from the ground to the wheel arch (or something like that) that you can compare to. If I'm thinking correctly, measure down from the center of the hub by the amount you are lower from stock ,and then up 8mm from that point to set the preload relative to your ride height. 

As far as the vibration, unless your alignment is really out of whack, it is most likely that the new RTAB is 'uncovering' and issue elsewhere by transmitting vibrations that were previously being absorbed by the worn bushing. 

note to my idiot self.  it usually helps with vibrations to actually tighten lug nuts.............

rtabs all better now.

Well folks, that's a transmission out!!!!  I definitely think it was pinched being the last bolt.  Put a few others in and tightened down and then put the jack under and lifted a half inch to take the pressure off.  Came off no problem then.  Phew, what a relief.  I'll let you all know when the swap is done an hopefully drive able!  Thanks again for all the offers for help, especially Chris.    

Hi all, been asking for parts on here so figured I should get the new ride up to show what they're going towards.  Picked up a Eurosport Supercharged '98 M3 sedan.  Always loved the sedans from back then.  I used to have a '99 M3 coupe about 10 years ago.  An e39 5 series, a 335i, and a 135i later I wanted to get back into the e36 platform.  Just something more raw about the cars back then.  Wanted an older car but didn't want to sacrifice the power coming from the 135.  So, kept an eye out for a turbo'd or SC'd m3.  This should be putting down around 415 hp or so.  Found it in AZ and bought site unseen, which was scary.  Car arrived and of course there were some surprises.  Oil leak, power steering leak, etc.  Body and interior in pretty good shape all and all for an almost 20 year old car.  Just some touch up work to take care of.  

Already changed vanos seals, valve cover, o2 sensor and power steering lines.  Other maintenance items will follow, plugs, etc.  Car is lowered on TRM coilovers.  

Future list of mods/fixes:  Apex Arc 8 rims, bmw front plate filler, rear window seal, PCV valve (oil smells like fuel, could be PCV or just the fact it has upgraded injectors), drivers window isn't tinted but others are, 6x9s are blown, PO did something weird wrapping sunroof interior in carbon fiber.  Wish list delete the spoiler. 

I'll get better pictures up as weather improves.  Shameless plug for the 135 which will now be for sale in the background.  Currently have this and a '91 325i vert for the summer.  Wife not happy, haha.........

Andrew 

P_Roloff said:

I believe I saw @cpandrewschmidt westbound on the beltline in Madison this morning, black e30 vert?

Ha, yep that was me!  I was wondering if you'd be on here

Drove it more last night.  Still has some sputtering issues, but not NEARLY as bad.  I at least feel like I can drive it to places.  It smooths out more after its warmed up.  Still might have to take up a couple of your offers to look things over to see if I'm missing anything if you're still willing.  

Looking online it doesn't look like my ECU resets like the e36.  I unplugged the battery last night and am letting it sit all day today.  Will try again tonight.  

As for the smoke test I just modeled it after these two posts.  I put a hole in a soda can and the can fits nicely into the intake hose.  Just tape it and seal it off good before putting smoke into the system.  Dont forget to open the throttle.  

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=292791&page=2&highlight=smoke

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=274418&highlight=smoke

Update after smoke test.  Smoke test showed smoke.  One point on intake boot elbow.  Previous owner did some weird gluing thing to allow for the asc delete and tried to glue the extra nipple thing needed together with the stock elbow.  I had previously discovered this one on my own and tried to jb weld the crap out of it.  Honestly surprised it still leaked.  Gonna order one of these bad boys and be done with it.  

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-mishimoto-parts/silicone-intake-boot-blue/osee3692ibbl~msh/?gclid=CIGgtpKzxdMCFQWQaQod5DsOog

Second area is on the supercharger body.  Not a part where there's a gasket to fix.  I'll get a picture later.  Tech and I agreed the only fix will be to try some RTV sealant and hope it holds.  This was a much smaller leak.

Leaks seemed small to me but he claimed these would definitely be big enough on any car to trip the CEL.  So, I'll hope it's that.

There would be a CAT closer to the headers on the stock exhaust

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BB13-USA-07-1991-E30-BMW-325i&diagId=18_0170

Here's what the rear section should look like

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BB13-USA-07-1991-E30-BMW-325i&diagId=18_0171

Suppose we could have looked this up last night

Andrew

no go for me   will be up north

Hey all,

So working on this right now tonight.  I followed the steps above (cam locks, backed off torx bolts, tension on chain). I wanted to check chain movement before uninstalling vanos just to see where it was at. Applying pressure and activating the solenoid the chain didn't budge. You can hear the vanos make a blurping noise and the cylinder with the gear moves in and out just a little bit. Appears the solenoid is fine as it clearly does something when voltage is applied to it. 

So, figured it was installed wrong, uninstalled and re-installed. Same thing. I'm very careful to make sure I'm catching the 1st possible gear. 

I'm surprised that 60 psi is going to move the chain.  It's hard enough to move the chain clockwise with the cam gear wrench.  Doesn't seem like anything will move with the CAM blocks on.

I took a video but not sure how to post a video. I'll try to figure that out. If anyone has any ideas in the meantime please let me know.

looks great.  Looking forward to seeing another e30 vert around Madison!  I have a black '91.  Now if only we could actually drive them with the tops down.

Got the nut off no problem with impact wrench.  Got to buy a new one  I finally got this putting it back in last night.  This job sucked.  Part of the bearings froze onto the hub, had to cut and hammer and wedge in a vice to get it off.  2 hours alone messing with that.  Bushings were all ok to put back in.  Press was a life saver.  No idea how anyone could do this without one.  Some pictures of the carnage along the way.  Saw online people burning their bushings out.  That proved to be pointless because you still had to press out the metal sleeve.  But I'm sure my neighbors appreciated the fire.  Smashed my hand with a hammer and have taken more showers to get grease off in a week than I would normally in a month.  Picture doesn't do justice to how dirty I really was!  New GC Coilovers arrive today.  Will get the rears in and button everything back up.  Will get to the fronts in the next week or two.  I have to cut 2" of the sleeve and reweld for the type of shocks I got.  Gotta find a welder.  I'll post more pictures when all done! 

Thanks everyone.  I'm in Madison.  Definitely plan to get to a cars and coffee this year.  Will bring both cars.  Here's the e30, 5 speed swap all done last fall, got better rims over the winter to put on it.  Can't wait to really drive it around this next year.  Both cars for that matter.  Still have to get the M3 registered and insured.  Ugh, this weather sucks for fun cars.  Looking forward to meeting a lot of you. 

New euro steering wheel installed!  

not much new going on for the M3.  Finally got around to a much needed interior and engine detailing.  Saw Gliptone recommended on some other sites for leather seats. This stuff is great.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VV423G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1  Cleaned and re-treated with it.  Finally fixed the saggy glove box too.  Now just need some real M3 floormats and zhp knob.

Got to do some fun stuff while waiting for my injectors to come back from testing.  Painted the spoilerless trunk i found at the junk yard.  Still need to wet-sand clear coat tonight.  Hopefully it comes out OK and matches well.  

AlpineE30 said:

Works for me. We should plan a meetup at WI Brewing or something

count me in!

hot damn