charles28 138 Report post Posted June 21, 2012 (edited) Manual conversion parts now found and on the way to Christchurch from Auckland, so will be able to do away with the old ZF auto box and put in the Getrag 260. Ran car through for a WOF today, to get an idea of what repairs are needed, failed on leaking front shock and worn front right wheel bearing, bad timing though, I'm off to Queenstown on Monday and have no time to fix it.. but taking it anyway.. I'm an AA Plus member Edited November 15, 2012 by Charles32 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted August 8, 2012 (edited) Manual conversion started finally.. That is.. the Autotranny, exhaust, drive shaft etc is removed.. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Edited August 8, 2012 by Charles32 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Top Secret 2 Report post Posted August 9, 2012 Lucky you had a hoist! It makes things a bit easier. Manual conversion makes it a whole new car Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted August 11, 2012 (edited) Lucky you had a hoist! It makes things a bit easier. Manual conversion makes it a whole new car Yeah, these cars are much better in manual, (had a nice white 325i in manual some years ago, with alpina rep wheels etc, might be some old pics on this site somehwere. About 3 months ago I got this old war horse, so that I had transportation while the E30 was off the road, so far no issues with this car and only paid $1020 for it, with 162,000k and full service history from the last 12 years or so. Having a BMW and MERC is probably like Having a Ford and a Holden.. heh Someone else referred to my Merc as a "German Valiant" Uploaded with ImageShack.us Edited August 11, 2012 by Charles32 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ari Gold Report post Posted August 11, 2012 Great score on the Merc! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tmase 19 Report post Posted August 11, 2012 (edited) About 3 months ago I got this old war horse Looks like a Edited August 11, 2012 by tmase Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted August 11, 2012 Looks like a Haha nice one I prefer my E30, the Merc isn't what I'd call a Drivers car hehe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Top Secret 2 Report post Posted August 11, 2012 I remember the white one, from Christchurch right? I contemplated flying down and buying it a while ago, but if memory serves me correctly it used a bit of oil. I do love myself a nice E class. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted August 11, 2012 (edited) I remember the white one, from Christchurch right? I contemplated flying down and buying it a while ago, but if memory serves me correctly it used a bit of oil. I do love myself a nice E class. Yeah, when I got the white one it had an eta block (2.7L) and 731 head, it burnt a bit of oil, but within 2 weeks of owning it, it blew its head gasket, so I swapped in a stock M20B25, however this engine also burnt oil, but not as much, it smoked a bit on startup however the main issue with the white car was some rust, it was a UK import, but it wasn't as bad as some i'd seen. This Silver E30 appears to have a good engine, as the oil level hasn't dropped at all in over 4 months (I changed it a few days after I got it). Edited August 12, 2012 by Charles32 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted August 26, 2012 Ordered Shift bushes, as I want the gear shift to be as nice as possible. Still waiting on Rear shift support bracket to turn up. On the look out for wheels, suspension, etc. Basically includes these parts in the pic, (stole pic from ebay) but they wanted $115USD for these, where was autohausaz had it all for around $60. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted August 31, 2012 Manual conversion complete Just need to find a gearknob that fits properly (the so called e30 one I got from ebay is useless) The boot also needs a plastic surround. But yes, the car goes much better now its manual Next up, panel and paint, then wheels and suspension Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubman 39 Report post Posted August 31, 2012 what's the quality of the shifter renewal kit? Just same thing cheaper etc? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted August 31, 2012 what's the quality of the shifter renewal kit? Just same thing cheaper etc? I just copied the part numbers from ebay and ordered from autohaus, same parts, cheaper price Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dubman 39 Report post Posted August 31, 2012 sweet, sounds good. Hate overpricing, just like everyone out there Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted August 31, 2012 A quick drive in the E30 now its manual http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwELusaFZFA...eature=youtu.be Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted August 31, 2012 Uploaded with ImageShack.us As you can see, it needs a proper surround for the gear shift boot and some pedal rubbers (have already ordered the pedal rubbers). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted September 3, 2012 (edited) Z3 Shifter ordered, Geniune BMW Gearknob (the one I have is crap). Gearboot with Plastic Surround. I need the shorter throw, my last manual e30 must have had one and I got used to it. So far not too many issues, Reverse Lights don't come on every time when Selecting reverse, the sensor is now going to be hard to replace now that the gearbox is installed Car is missing a Y Shaped bracket, exhaust/gearbox support type thing I assume. Edited September 3, 2012 by Charles32 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted September 18, 2012 New Shift boot with plastic surround arrived. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scott_e30 8 Report post Posted September 19, 2012 New Shift boot with plastic surround arrived. Looks SO much better with that fitting surround! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted September 20, 2012 Now trying to make a list of bits to order. Car isn't running super smooth, especially for the 1st 15mins or so of driving. So Far: Uploaded with ImageShack.us Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OP6 27 Report post Posted September 20, 2012 Those are pretty fair prices, what about shipping costs? BTW car is looking good, very good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted September 20, 2012 Those are pretty fair prices, what about shipping costs? BTW car is looking good, very good. Heya Don Those bits come to $80 USD for the shipping, but it still works out not too bad. I'm looking forward to getting some panel and paint work done on the car, but all in good time. I much prefer the car now that its manual, makes it more of a drivers car for sure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted September 30, 2012 (edited) Have just ordered a Miller MAF Conversion. Its only $350 USD, chances are the 23 year old AFM isn't performing at its best. I like the idea of improved throttle response, power wise it might not add much at all. I will get a base run on the Dyno as the car is now, install this and re Dyno without any other changes and post the results for others interested. https://millerperformancecars.com/catalogue...p;category_id=6 Edited September 30, 2012 by Charles32 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andre3000 55 Report post Posted September 30, 2012 MAF conversion is one of the best bang for buck imo. Couple with a set of wayneys headers and you will be very impressed! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charles28 138 Report post Posted September 30, 2012 MAF conversion is one of the best bang for buck imo. Couple with a set of wayneys headers and you will be very impressed! I like this Miller youtube vid showing a stock 325is vs 325i with exhaust, miller maf and smart fan mod. Of course they made the vid, so it could be a setup.. Did the gearboot arrive ok? cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
