e30 m52 build

[_ethrty-Andy_ 2136]

any progress on this?

[slowe30 0]

well still in the progress of getting it back on the road, not rushing trying to get it all right the first time. blew the last clutch it had so uprated to a 6 puck sprung plate with a 3300lb pressure plate. was told it'll handle what ever I throw at it, not the nicest to take of with but sure bites when you want it to.

Got it all at a point where I could take it to work for a quote on some stuff, driving home from that blew second gear, that was last Friday, so now on the hunt for a e36 zf320 (m3 or 328i box ive heard but not 100%) box and 328i or m3 driveshaft (let me know if you have either, will be in a position to buy after Friday im hoping).

once the new box is in and done ill be importing a set of GC weld in coilover sleeves and springs, not sure on spring rates yet, but im not going for the whole "low" thing, only getting them so I can corner weight the car, car is track aimed and daily driving will never happen.

once they are in, itll finally be time for a cert, vtnz WOF and then a lot of track time to improve my skills.

now for some random photos I've taken while working on it, and a photo of the evo I've just done a full rebuild on for a mate, full engine rebuild, gearbox, rear end. its going through run in atm, but will then be dynod, hoping for about 230kw atw ish with very little lag. then will be up for sale, as the thing has put the owner into a bit of debt with the rebuild.

[slowe30 0]

Also whats everyones opinion on converting the obd1 setup to a factory obd2 setup?

don't like how my vanos isn't utilized because the obd1 ecu cant control it. has anyone on here done an e30m52 conversion with factory ecu and harness? was it difficult? aslong as I find wiring diagrams Im sure my dad will be able to work through that (aircraft electrician haha).

is there any drawbacks of factory ecu?

[BM WORLD 1286]

just get the loom and ecu afm etc from a e34 525i or e36 325i with vanos , works perfectly with a 328i m52 engine.

also i have a 5spd ZF box from a 2000 320D will bolt up to your m52 engine just the same , only difference is the starter position is further down

[HELLBM 1560]

Have some ZF 5spd M3/328 boxes and driveshafts.

[slowe30 0]

Small update, sourced a box, modified the driveshaft to suit, fitted box (haven't test fitted the driveshaft yet) tested clutch release and pedal dropped to the floor and shot fluid out of the slave. small issue I reakon, but either way the box has to come out again.

my daily driver has been taking up most of my time recently as that has first priority since it gets me to work and back, but hopefully ill push the E30 back into the garage soon to finish up this stage.

obd 2 conversion will be done soon (have some parts but not all, I see this as the best way after years of consideration and putting up with its crappy initial running, I kow some people have said other ways but already have some of the parts needed for this way, cheapest solution with best outcome in the end)

Then next port of call will be suspension again, will be ordering GC coilovers to suit my shocks rates, top mounts all round and swaybar links, as I have ripped apart a factory one already with the larger sways.

can anyone recommend someone to weld the coilover setup in place? or will any highly experienced welder do??

original target due date was October, but budget restrictions make me believe I wont make it. the Xmas break period is the next due date if I don't make that one, but my hopes are high haha

hopefully then itll be cert time, one that's complete ill be seeing you all on the track.

hopefully more exciting updates in the near future.

[_ethrty-Andy_ 2136]

can anyone recommend someone to weld the coilover setup in place? or will any highly experienced welder do??

I used TTT engineering on the recommendation of the guy that did the cert on the V12. and then you need to have it cracktested, TTT Engineering took care of that for me, or maybe Lance dropped them off to SGS cant remember. So i would talk to the guy that is ultimately doing your cert and see who he recommends. certs are tough, so if you can use someone that your cert guy knows does good work its one less thing to potentially go wrong down the track. This experience is only on one conversion mind you. Hope that helps

[slowe30 0]

well as things usually happen, costs arnt staying where they were planned to be, and I want this car running and road legal. so suspension order has been put off till the later part of next year, depending on how things go.

but onto how things are going as it sits. finished off a couple things this morning, then went to try start it for the first time with the obd2 computer and loom, started first pop, currently trying to get the video off my phone to load it up, but the data cable has grown a pair of legs and walked off somewhere.

so the zf gearbox out of an m3 is in, another new clutch setup (close to factory one), driveshafts been modified to fit, engine runs. exhaust isn't of yet and is still WAY to loud, over 100db last time I checked it.

new clutch was required again as the last one was too aggressive and lead to the gearbox losing second gear and snapping an axle. my idea of destroying the gearbox properly in the garage didn't end well either and it didn't hold the third gear limiter drop I gave it. spun for a bit then was all clutch, second drop did the alxe and finished the clutch.

also got a set of American m3 cams for it, but will be going in after the cert has been done to try get it on the road quicker.

EDIT.. also might add the axles were then replaced with the larger 325i ones, so hopefully they will take more than the 318i ones I had before

Edited October 5, 2013 by SlowE30

[slowe30 0]

Well it's been a long few years, had it green stickered, went through and got everything running how I wanted it, got it certed, promptly lost my licence in it (only lasted 4 days) now I've got it road legal, can drive again, and I'm now daily driving it.

So nows the time to finish things off how I really want it.

- first will be a 328i factory muffler fitter with the exhaust valve system working correctly, as I daily drive it and feel too old for the loud noise.

- then will be fitting the engine out of my old daily driver 328i, it's lower ks and runs well. Will be fitting my cams into that engine. The current engine runs better that it ever has before, but still has a loud tap from the top end, and has signs of a wearing oil pump,and vanos system, and ks are unknown.

- then is a full repaint, I have no issue with its rough look, but shiney things are better.

- wheels will require attention then, but undecided on a set for the street.

Took it to my first BMW meet thingy, shocked most of them, after miss leading them all with the factory 318i badges and proceeding to keep Evan with a e36 m3 on a motorway onramp.

I guess that's enough for this update, Evan if it has been a long time coming, I'll leave you with this picture, to let you know what to look out for

[_ethrty-Andy_ 2136]

looks good! engine was about 200,000 plus whatever you have done in it. so getting on a bit i guess, and its had a pretty heavy life.

missed the post on the brakes???? have you posted about that??

[slowe30 0]

Considering it's been in 3 e30s now, with a 7k limiter the whole time, I'm sure she's getting tired. Evan just the abuse I've given it, I'm surprised it's still running.

Most likely have missed the brake setup, after the initial engine swap I got quite lasy with the updates on here.

Entire system is fairly basic, but very we'll setup according to my certifier.

Rx7 series 5 4 pot front calipers, VW corrado front rotors (4 stud version), hub bore milled out 1mm on rotors. Caliper mounting brackets and brake hose adapters brought in from the us. Brake bias is slightly changed, but not much. Standard rear setup. Stainless lines through out. Entire system was freshened up all at once, street/track pads (have to be warmed up slightly to start with, but work great from then on).

Haven't had any issues with stopping since install.

I think it's fair to say there's a lot of things on this car that arnt mentioned in this thread, maybe one day I'll have another go at this internet thing

[polley 916]

Rev limit on the turbo is 7200, and another friends revs his b28 to 7200 as well for the last 5+ years, no problems.

[slowe30 0]

the limiter isn't my concern, its all the other noises the engine makes when its running. mainly the constant tick from the top end, the lousy vanos operation, and the fact that oil pressure takes its time to build on start up.

either way its getting a new engine soon, one the I have driven for the last 40k myself so know its a good engine.

EDIT: I also renamed it yesterday, its now 328BMR, to try give people a little hint.

Edited July 20, 2014 by SlowE30

[e30ftw 410]

Half the fun is people not knowing what's in it