SandMan

1. manual conversion

2. anything else.

Mostly done, I have leather front seats, replaced the RH guard and Bonnet.

Purchased a 2.7L block which will be re-build in Jan-Feb08, and have scored a

Manuel 5 speed gearbox + Kit.

Lets see how it will go.

SM.

OK, here's the problem, the car starts and run well, it doesn't have much power, but that's a 320i for you.

when it idles it seams to keep hunting, like I ,mean it changes from 500-rpm and goes up to 1000-rpm and back again every few seconds.. almost like it has a manifold leak?

Any ideas?

Thanks for the great feedback guys, but I think Ray has in a nutshell, how good are the parts you are getting? If you get an anchor motor for $100, then that's an expensive anchor.. and you have no comeback either.

SM.

P.S everything I've brought from Ray has been at a great price and has worked as required,

which means I will be buying all my future spares from him.

dude its a bmw they arent cheap! but parts are only worth what you want to pay for them, in these cases i think youve been lucky. 100 bucks for a 2.7 seems good but who knows what state or what power its putting out.

Still expect to pay a bit though, seems youve had a good run

Hmm I think you are right, just lucky. On the other hand I picked up a a guard and a bonnet in excellent condition from an Bimmersport member (Brent), very pleased with the condition and the price, so it's not all bad.

OK, here's my 2 cents worth (should be 10c as the old copper ones aren't available)

I've acquired a E30 320i (91), it needs a bit of work, so I'm slowing adding bits and pieces

The problem is when I try and buy extra things like a bonnet, strut, manuel gearbox or headlight etc..

I get different prices quoted to me.

Mostly I think that they are too expensive

But the sellers always tell me that it's is a good price.

Example-1: I have been told that to buy a 2.7L (stroker) engine will set me back between $800 to $1200,

after spending a couple of hours on the internet last week I managed to purchase one (still running) for $100. WTF?

Example-2: My front seats are stuffed (old grey cloth), have been told that a replacements cloth pair would be around the $190 mark. I then purchased a pair of genuine black leather seats for $80 on trademe.

Example-3: I need a manuel gearbox (260) for my conversion, again I've been told the current price is $1200 for a complete kit. so again this week I found a 260 gearbox and kit for $300!!

I don't know if I'm lucky or are some people just asking too much for their spares?.. I releaise that "they"

need to make a living but who sets the prices?

I see on TM that there are a number of members here selling parts, but they just don't sell at the prices they are asking. They just keep re-listing the items, wouldn't that mean that they are asking too much and would be better off to list at a more realistic value?

Just my thoughts

Is there anyone else suffering also from this dilemma?

I just went out and tried to get the error codes, couldn't do it(don't know what i'm doing), (warning light was still on of course) moved car through all gears, didn't matter what was selected, still started in high gear.. switched car to power/econ/snow modes, all lit up as usual.. so switched car off. went back inside.

20mins later I went to take a pic of the error light on the dash, but it didn't come back on? then I tested the gearbox, car was now starting in 1st gear as normal. took car for a 30min drive, didn't miss a beat.

So my question is.. what should I do now? ok, so its working at the moment.. but will this happen again? or maybe its a glitch that won't .. who knows.. am doing a big road trip in 2 weeks, so don't want the elervated risk of breakdown.

I had the same fault caused by "so called experts". The problem is low fluid, I had my E36 service by a transmission expert, flushed etc..but the Jatco needs special filling ie: when going thru the gears whilst on a hoist. The day I picked up my e36 to travel from AK to Paeroa, the trans did the same as your one did. It went into limp mode and caused grief. On the way back I stopped in at SD European, they were just finishing work, so a quick trip to the bottle store for 2 doz got them motivated to fill my Auto to the correct level. They found it was less than 50% fill!!!

Be aware the trans only lasted for another 6 months before it finally crapped out.

SM.

I see that people place cool picts under their posts, so I'm gona do one as well, my "Once was cool" E36 is parked behind when my "Friend" dropped off his "new Lambo toy" for me to try out.. that's me trying to find the ignition key. This is the before pict, I can't show the ones after I went for a spin as the sh**t marks are too obvious on my backside. (Yes I did crap myself, this thing is a damm missile on rails).

Once I've got my 2.7 built, my next mod will be megasquirt. I think there would be a market for what you've got. Also if you've got any 2.7 questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Our cars will be twins. 4 door MTech ll 2.7's.

Ok, just brought a 2.7 (525e) engine tonight (short block) for $120, the plan now is to get this re-built with new pistons etc. Should I just drop my current 320i head on to it or just buy another one and sell my complete working 2.0L as it is? also where's a good place to by new bmw bearings & pistons?

Do the manual while the motor is out and it is easy.

From memory your ecu is an M/S? What board are you using? Would be interested in seeing it when you get it running as I want to use one to run an S/C m20b25.

Also would be interesting in sourcing a missing part on my 4-door tech II kit if your bro is going to be buying a whole kit for you.

Cheers mate.

OK, as soon as I mention ECU and changing the computer, heap of people want to know how to and if they can have one. I'm a computer engineer and in my spare time I tinker with ECU's and car computers, I've been working on a unit for quite a while now, sometimes it works well and mostly it doesn't.

You really don't want something like this in your vehicle. This is the plan so far: simple CPU control with external pots to change the settings whilst in motion ie: Economy and radical, 2nd part: it can transmit the data via bluetooth or 802.11n to a display which then displays the data on an LCD screen. So far I've used a laptop and Adobe Flash to mimic the Speedo, RPM.. etc, the bonus would be you could change the screen at any time to suite which ever mood you are in, black screen with a whooping big taco in the centre or a full set of gauges.

This is the plan and it's only a hobby for me, I estimate there is at least another two thousand hours of screwing around to get the thing working, I think there would be a market for an entry level Control CPU for less than $500 that you just changed the dip switches to get the correct effect.

Just image the future?? you could also include a touch screen interface.

SM

I All, my BMW e30 is coming along great, thanks to some of the cool members (I've managed to get some parts required).

My next questions are to do with my 2.7 conversion

I've scored a 2.7 short block (minus head), I've been going to change the gear box from Auto to a man, but now I think about it the 4 stage Auto really works well.

Is there any issues with the Auto if I increase the engine from 2L to 2.7L?

Will it break?

Or do I change the gearbox at the same time.

also.....

I'm looking at doing a complete mtech II kit for the car, but you just can't find any in NZL, bonus I have a brother living in Germany who is coming back in late December 07, I going to get him to bring a kit back with him. The next question is should I get him to bring back 2 or 3 complete kits? would there be many other BimmerSport users interested in purchasing one of these (it would depend on the price, but I think it would be worthwhile doing)

Comments welcome.

mtech front & rear spoiler wanted> has anyone got one or both of these?

Clean your wheels!

Actually I think I will replace them.

** Just found a score!! it has an Alpine Stereo/CD/MP3 head unit. It also has an attachment for an iPod in the glovebox and you can control the iPod from the stereo. The previous owner has left his iPod there hnmmm.. very strange, oh well. good score!

manual is definitely a great idea.

the rest depends on whether you seriously want to build a targa car or not.

judging by your comment " I want to do the lowered mean look, what's the best way" i think you are after a good looking street car, start by fixing the dents as ashkan said then browse the forum for the other information on 2.7 swaps and suspension options.

welcome

Thanks for the info, I'm picking up a replacement guard and bonnet on Tuesday (got a good parts contact from this site). I will get it looking really good, I think you are right, it just needs a good clean up.

Turing it into a Targa car would be a waste of time and expense.

Also the previous owner was a smoker, this has left a really bad smell in the car, I need to replace the drivers seat but due to the smell I think I will replace the entire interior. Does anyone know where I can find a leather interior?

OK, Hi All, I've just acquired a BMW E30 (320i) 1991. I have a couple of questions that you good people might be able to help me with.

1/ What do I do with it (jokes aside) I was thinking of turning it into a Targa Car

2/ I'm looking at doing a Manual conversion - good idea or not?

3/ changing the block for a 2.7L

4/ I want to do the lowered mean look, what's the best way

5/ My budget is reasonable (I work full time in the Media Industry) what's the best bang for my buck?

Comments appreciated.

Thanks in Advance

Mike - you are the win.

A word of caution, remember to either put some exhaust lagging around the exhaust pipes especially near the steering column. The heat can get so intense that it will melt the seals in the universal joint and will cause the steering to fail.