325iRod

@adro that's great good to know about brake test, I've recently rebuilt my calipers and installed braided lines that comply to NZ standards. I might have to take it out and do a brake test myself, hopefully I should be OK.. I'm pretty happy with my brakes and how they perform.

Defiantly understand re the WoF anxiety.. I've always wondered why no questions have ever been asked.. maybe just got lucky.

@Olaf I have another e30 (318) that I've repowered with m20b25 so will need to go through cert with that car at some stage (next year after paint and panel). Re the purple tag swap.. I should invest in a Barina linkage, from what I've read my current setup (guibo delete) may not be fit for purpose. I had seen the UK kit but yes, it was very expensive for what it is. For my lines I approached a mobile hydraulic van (ENZED) guy in a car park, he was having his lunch.. told him what I needed done. He was at my house the next day and did the job for $200 cash all up - I was pretty happy with that.

Rather than the local bakery, I'd be going to the local pub for a stiff drink to calm my nerves 😁

So from here I'm going to look around at what certifiers we have here in Christchurch, hopefully I can find one that has experience with older BMW's. This leads to my next question, anyone know a CHC certifier that they have used for there e30? 

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Thank you Nick, some good insights there.

Cheers 

4 minutes ago, Sammo said:

From memory, need to be within 0.5 of OEM camber spec for the car for cert.

Gotcha, thanks.

On 3/9/2022 at 2:39 PM, adro said:

wheel alignment showing no more than -1.5 camber up front which I got today

Quick question, was this a requirement of the cert process? Guessing it was due to the car being lowered? 

I'm looking at taking my e30 through cert process for manual conversion and purple tag upgrade, I have a couple of questions around the process and looking for some guidance from people who have already crossed this path.

My e30 is a 325i FL with m20B25

Some more detail..

I've completed the manual swap myself with all genuine BMW parts (a mixture of old and new), I used a g260 box and have lots of documentation / pictures to back up my story.  The vehicles been through 4/5 WoF since the conversion with no issue/s but thought its about time I take it for cert to make it all official.

In addition to the manual swap I completed a purple tag upgrade. I used custom made spacers where the rack bolts to sub frame, custom supply / return lines (made by ENZED) and I removed the rubber guibo to shorten the steering linkage.

Questions..

Manual conversion, as all factory parts have been used I believe this part should be relatively straight forward but would love to hear some other experiences or otherwise to back up my assumption.

Steering rack swap, this one I'm not so sure about, how will the certifier feel about the spacers and steering linkage mod's (no rubber guibo) and custom made lines? The lines have been made to mimic factory lines and imo are very well done. 

Any guidance, advice would be very welcome  

Here's a pretty good diy video for heater core

Are there any comfort coupe seats available to purchase, in CHC would be great but can pay shipping. Not worried about condition. 

Cheers 

2 hours ago, TriniGT said:

How easy of a swap was it from the M10 to the M20B25 harness-wise?  I am doing the same swap, I have a complete engine with engine harness and no ECU.  I will be using an AEM infinity as I will be turbocharging my setup and looking at doing a Coil-over-plug setup.

Any advice is appreciated.

Very easy, the harness goes through the firewall and is sealed with a large rubber gromet.. getting the rubber gromet in/out is probably the hardest part but plenty of silocone spray helps.

Nice build, keep us updated along the way! Eventually I would like to install RHD throttle bodies in this old girl 🙂

3 hours ago, Gaz said:

I did wonder what you were up to collecting all these parts when your one was mint!

Yeah.. knew i'd need something to keep me entertained 

Picked up a spare M20b25 this time last year (Jan 2021), planned on rebuilding the engine and using it as a spare for my other e30 that I had recently (in the last 6 months) finished bringing back to a condition I was satisfied with. Got a bit bored with not having an e30 to tinker with so decided to buy a second, this time a 1987 318i that came with a genuine Mtech 1 kit.. both in reasonable condition but needing some work. 

Before the 318 arrived I'd decided I wanted to repower it with my spare M20b25, so started to assemble some parts that would be required for engine swap and upgraded drivetrain. This 318 was auto so would obviously require the appropriate manual parts to complete the conversion.

Dropped the m20b25 off to the engine shop for almost a full overhaul? Bearings, rings, bores honed, block & head resurfaced, test head and install new seals. Had manual fly wheel resurfaced at the same time. I got the engine back and put it back together myself, thankfully as you all know these are pretty easy to put back together and very enjoyable.

After completing the engine it was time to remove the M10 and front rear/subframes, removed subframes so new bushes could be installed. Went with Powerflex bushes after using them previously and being pretty happy and easy to get. While the subframe/s, struts are out I dropped them at a mates shop for sand blasting and paint. Decided to Clean the engine bay and get under the car with degreaser, hot soapy water a hard brush and water blaster to remove 30+ years of dirt. It wasn't a fun job but I am pretty happy with the results. 

Upgraded front brake calipers to stock 325 calipers that take vented discs and while I was there grabbed a purple tag rack and upgrades the steering.

Installed M20 loom and 173 ECU, located battery to the boot and put new M20 engine into the 318 for the first time and connect the dots with the wiring. I wish I could say she started up 1st time but I had the leads around the wrong way (maybe a couple to many beers the night before?) but at least it was an easy fix.

The original plan was to repair the damaged panels (usual carpark dings) and re spray it in its original color Alpine White but I'm having second thoughts.. do I change color to Brillantrot?

Here's the 318 as it arrived at my house

Engine as purchased 

Head back from shop

this is the only picture of the block I can find

Subframes coming out

Brakes and Rack

Engine and loom

Very Short video of 1st start after fixing leads

Hey,

Does anyone have one of these lying around thats surplus to requirement? Would be great if i could pick it up in CHC but also happy to pay for shipping. 

12311719992 i believe they are the same accross all M20's

Cheers 

I have 3 doors available if anyone wants them, they have been sitting outside for a while but after a clean would come up alright. I was hoping that they may be of use to someone in the e30 racing series? Seems a bit of a shame to send them to the scrapper.

Also have lots of glass to giveaway. 

Located Christchurch 

Cheers 

23 minutes ago, Sammo said:

Thank you - I saw that - are 4 door / 2 door roof cuts / sunroofs interchangeable?

 

I'm not sure on that one, someone will know.

On 12/21/2021 at 7:47 AM, Sammo said:

Damnit! I don’t imagine rust free sunroof cassettes are easy to find either…

Haven't seen anything (sunroof cassette) come up in NZ for some time.

There is a roof cut (non sunroof) for sale on e30 classified NZ (FB) for sale. 

Is there anyone in CHC that could help me do the same? I have a 335i e92 2010, i know my way around ista d but to scared to play around with ista p. Cheers 

5 minutes ago, The Bimmer said:

does not requires license key.Need to run the installer. The last version without license key to activate.I'll try to find the link and send to you.I have a copy in my portable drive as well. 

Sweet, thankyou 

7 minutes ago, The Bimmer said:

I'm using 4.32.15 

Nice, did you have to verify the key to get a license? Or did it come with a license key?

Where did you get from? Any chance of getting a download link? 🙂

11 minutes ago, The Bimmer said:

I have a good copy.What interface you're using?

 K+DCAN, really want to go ICOM.

What version are you running?

Does anyone know where to get a good copy of a later ISTA version, currently I'm running 4.24.3 and I think that's getting pretty old now.

looked around in a few different forums managed to get a copy of 4.32.3, it installs ok but the license key is no good.

Any help here would be gratefully received. 

Cheers!

Any bonnets (hoods) for sale in canterbury region? Would like it to be in reasonable condition (no dents) not fused about paint but alpine white would be a bonus. Cheers

Does anyone have a manual pedal box for e30 for sale? 

Cheers, Rod

hey Bro, 

what color is this car? 

Cheers, Rod

Hey, great car.. well done.

what color is it? 

Cheers

Hey guys,

I have an earlier Getrag 260 box that supports the older type metal plate shiftier that's going into a FL e30 (1991), I've attached a picture of my trans tunnel, can someone please tell me how i mount the metal shifter plate to the rear of the trans tunnel?

Thank for the help!!