My new car, 88' e30 325i Touring

[JMT]

Why didn't you go with the heat-shield on the exhaust gasket?

JMT

[bmwandhonda]

Looks good! how louds the exhaust with just the cat an muffler?

That circular plug is the diagnostics plug, where BMW techs plug into to read sensors ect to make sure they are working, if thats where the wire that has been cut is going, wont affect how the car runs.

Thanks mate there is actually one resonator in the system just after the cat so it isn't overly loud. Wouldn't pass the EPA sound test but not too loud that it is annoying. Sounds great, I am very happy with how it sounds. Might try and get a recording when the car is back on the road.

Also in regards to the cut wire, turns out it was the 'pulse sensor' cable from the spark plug leads. When I got the car, it has aftermarket leads on without the pulse sensor wire. So whoever installed those would have just cut the wire from the OEM leads (even though it is easily just unplugged...) Since I installed new factory leads recently with the extra wire, just had to plug it in and disconnect the cut one.

She's looking good.

Nice and low

Prob not suitable for the birdsville track now.

haha thanks mate, yeah doubt this thing will ever see tracktime. Already have the honda trackcar in the garage at home for that although would be pretty fun to get out on the track in a RWD. Maybe if the honda dies I will get my 318is coupe out there for a laugh.

Why didn't you go with the heat-shield on the exhaust gasket?

JMT

To be honest I hadn't really thought about it since I picked the car up from the exhaust place. I am assuming the original gasket wasn't re-useable when the factory headers were taken off and I hadn't bought a replacement one for the job. I can understand that there might be some premature heat damage to the spark leads without the heat shields but since I don't really drive it all that often i thought that it might be ok.

Would you recommend that I get a new heat shield gasket? How long until it starts to wreck my spark leads without the heat shield?

[bmwandhonda]

Parts turned out pretty decent after the DIY wrinkle spray can job. Just need to sand down the 'BMW' and the ridges and will be ready to bolt back on Although I might send off the injectors to get cleaned befor I bolt everything back on.

Rocker cover:


Intake manifold, hanged it up so I could clean it properly and spray it properly:
\

Strut brace, ignition coil bracket and IM/rocker cover bracket:

[Rob32R]

I had my eye on this when it was up on Carsales, however I didn't have space in the garage to put it unfortunately so had to pass. I'm glad it's in good hands though congrats on a neat pickup.

Thanks for posting a 6 page build thread that has been a pleasure to read, as well as plenty of pictures and information. Subscribed.

If you document the rest of your build with as many photos, I'll be watching it with popcorn in hand. Love the e30 touring

I'm surprised you haven't had a go at running those BBS's on the first page hehe???

[Hoadie]

haha thanks mate, yeah doubt this thing will ever see tracktime. Already have the honda trackcar in the garage at home for that although would be pretty fun to get out on the track in a RWD. Maybe if the honda dies I will get my 318is coupe out there for a laugh.

The Birdsville track isn't that type of track.. you'd have clearance issues

Great project btw, really enjoying watching your progress.

[bmwandhonda]

I had my eye on this when it was up on Carsales, however I didn't have space in the garage to put it unfortunately so had to pass. I'm glad it's in good hands though congrats on a neat pickup.

Thanks for posting a 6 page build thread that has been a pleasure to read, as well as plenty of pictures and information. Subscribed.

If you document the rest of your build with as many photos, I'll be watching it with popcorn in hand. Love the e30 touring

I'm surprised you haven't had a go at running those BBS's on the first page hehe???

Thanks mate, lucky for me then your garage was full

Car is certainly not finished yet so I will continue to keep the thread updated as progress continues. Don't have huge plans but have been looking at getting the 'W.A.R.' chip and getting the car tuned properly next year. Currently the idle is a bit messed up since installing the Miller AFM so really want to get that smoothed out and maybe try and extract a few more KW's hiding under the bonnet.

Also just did a fair sized order from 'turner motorsport' for a bunch of replacement gaskets, belts etc trying to get the car running as good as possible.

I actually just sold those BBS a couple of weeks ago to another e30 (coupe) owner. I thought they would of looked a little small on the wagon + I needed the extra cash.

The Birdsville track is that type of track.. you'd have clearance issues

Great project btw, really enjoying watching your progress.

Thanks mate, it's slowly getting there

[JMT]

Can you tell me what's the clearance from the underside of the 2.5" pipe to the ground? Is it lower than the sump? Also, is there a downside to not running it over the top of the trailing arm - ala the factory twin pipe setup? Understand what you've done is the straighest and less restricted route. Cheers, JMT

[bmwandhonda]

Hey mate, the car is currently up on jack stands, doing some maintenance but when I drop it back down I will measure it and let you know.

[Banzai69]

got to say this mate, your car is the reason i joined this forum at last. i've been eyeing this particular touring as well but it's good to see it going to good hands.

still looks hot as when i look at the photos a few months later.

[bmwandhonda]

Have been super busy with work etc lately so haven't really been able to get much work done... But, parts have been ordered so will post some pics up when things start to arrive

On a side not, i got some new wheels for the daily. Re-barrelled Simmons meshies in 15x7/15x8 using 5mm spacers as well. Please look past the black kidneys... I ordered replacement Factory chrome kidneys last week, should be here soon.

got to say this mate, your car is the reason i joined this forum at last. i've been eyeing this particular touring as well but it's good to see it going to good hands.

still looks hot as when i look at the photos a few months later.

Thanks heaps for the comment mate

Yeah, since I bought it, I have heard from a fair few people who almost bought it befor me but pulled out for one reason or another. Lucky for me I guess haha

[bmwandhonda]

Small update, my order from Turner Motorsports arrived


- New Water Pump
- New Timing Belt + Tensioner
- New Power steering belt
- New Alternator belt
- Upper Engine Gasket set (Intake, exhaust, rocker cover etc)
- New Oil cap
- Stainless Steel Clutch line
- New Hod Emblem for the coupe
- Mag Oil Drain plug
- New Power steering reservoir (the original one is leaking a little and looks very average...)
- Service Manual

[bmwandhonda]

So I got a bit carried away this arvo and decided to attempt a wire tuck on the wagon. Guess it's the Honda Fanboy coming out in me lol Actually I tried googling it to see other people's wire tucks on their e30's and didn't really find too much to be honest. Doesn't seem to be an overly popular thing to do in the E30 world.

I have no real plan on how I will do it exactly yet as this is the first time working with an E30's loom/electrical system, but after taking it all apart I can kind of see how it is going to work.

The plan is to move the fuse box in under the glove box, battery will be re-located into the boot (car already has a perfect spot for it) the diagnostics port will be moved to under the glove box as well. Going to try and find a smaller sized windscreen washer reservoir/pump setup and then attempt to mount that in a less visible spot.

Also planning on converting the fuel lines/rail into an -AN fitting/braided setup. See how it go's. Will keep the thread updated with the progress.

This was my old Bseries setup on my honda which I DIY wire tucked:


This is the starting platform:


Progress as of tonight:

[bmwandhonda]

Since it was all apart, I figured I would get my injectors looked at. Wasn't overly keen on buying new injectors, but this option still wasn't overly cheap. Ended up being $52.50 per injector for the job. Had them done at 'B & M fuel systems' in Richmond.

Injectors were cleaned and flow tested. Seals, filter baskets and pintle caps were replaced.


Also this arrived in the mail today

[bmwandhonda]

Current progress of the wire tuck. Finally unplugged everything from within the engine bay lol and started chopping up the wires under the dash. Was hoping there would be some plugs and connection blocks that I could just pull through the firewall but it is all just solid cables... So need to cut and re-join them all... Have cut and labelled about half of them so far but this is going to be a big job O_O should turn out ok though





Under the dash:

[burkey001]

That's an awesome looking B16. What are the ITB's?