1988 BMW. E30 Bay Area Box Beem. Newbie

[88SuperEtaBD]

Hey guys, new to the stance scene but love it and need to be involved. There are so many dope cars/stances here, I am still learning so be nice but i hope i will be welcome here
I'm lazy and have tracked my build on r3v so I'm sorry but I am going to just copy paste my updates from there to here. Enjoy. And open to criticism, tips, suggestions, or any info you think is relevant. Thanks for reading
UPDATE: Page 2 Sound clips.
So, I've been on here for awhile, never really made too many threads...definately thought I'd share everything I've done to my car. I love my e30...almost more than my 67 Camaro...so...I'm eager to learn as much as possible about cars in general, really...Im a huge DIY'er...probably just because I'm so poor. and i enjoy working on my cars. So here's my story. I got this car when i was 16 (20Now). My dad got it from a friend of his, who bought it new in 1988 for his daughter. As of now (11/22/09) it has about 273k miles...and still runs like a champ. My dad's friend already had lowered it and threw on the BBS's. Other than normal maintanence, since then, I have done a auto-->manual conversion, bumper tuck, swapped interior from tan-->black, clear sidemarkers, IE short shift kit, and a e2i conversion + a 272 reground cam. On to the pictures. Will update this as much as possible...won't be much more due to me having no money, being a college student. But future plans are 3.73 LSD, and coil overs eventually. But first, gotta fix some stuff...like my leaky gas tank...wheel bearings, and sunroof.
How she was when i got her.



The awwtomatic tranny took a crap on me...leaving me with a non shifting car until about 4k rpms. Eventually wouldn't go into reverse...nor shift out of 1st. So it was time for a manual...there was no way i was puttin in another automatic.
Sorry no pics of the procedure...only after I was suprised to how factory it looked. I was worried it would look like a hack job.



Also,added the alpine deck, to go with the boston acoustic speakers + tweaters. And soon after got a nice 12" Earthquake Sub-Zero Woofer...with a box me n my dad built.


I ***** the tan interior, even though nothing was wrong with it...so I was looking on craigslist and found full black interior for 100$. And in great condition...went and picked it up...and he also threw in a iS lip and the clear turnsignals for an extra 20$. couldnt pass that up.


Installed...haven't put on the iS trunk lip...cuz its white...and honestly kinda forgot about it. Heres some interior pics too...



No tears anywhere...all seats function...the only bad...is the driver seat seams like some fat guy had a gangsta lean and it is bent and crooked. so it makes you lean towards the middle a little. i think the gears of the like...recline thing...is just on seperate notches. Isnt that bad since i havent taken it apart to try and fix it. I got used to it.
On to the good stuff....this damn eta motor was too slow for me...probably cuz im comparing it to my camaro. So it was time for the e2i conversion. and to step it up some more...a 272 IE reground.

Parts...Parts....Parts...
first of the mandatory K&N

head gasket set





belts...
manifold (painted/scuffed ridges.)

Dinan Chipp'd ecu + throttle body, etc...

272 cam and i forgot the interior guy threw in eyebrows for the 120 also.


So...I have to give major credit to Matt (Eurobeat). Without him...nothing of this could have been done.

Heres the nasty before engine bay.




what i had to deal with with work space


head off

the tear down


the pile

ugly cylinders/pistons


the head...time to swap cams convert to double springs...etc...




cleaned (powerwashed/wiped down)

springs




injectors....broke on of the caps was annoying..didnt have any extra injectors...delayed me...was a pain in the ass...we installed everything without that one injector...was a pain to put in later...after a pnp trip


manifold bolted up



putting it back together






Finished product...A/C delete...e2i conversion successful!!!! Love the new bay...since this picture i went in and removed the rest of the A/C components + windshield washer stuff...and cleaned every orifice...its a lot cleaner. I love it. Could still use some work though

I love the new idle/lumpyness of this engine. + the magnoflow muffler...its a lil loud, i wish it was a lil quieter...but man...it nearly sounds like a v8 with the cam. it definately turns heads...and you can HEAR ME COMING!



test driving/messing with the throttle body to get it right...I love it...I can definately feel the difference in power...supposedly its an even bigger difference when i get the 3.73 LSD.

I want plastic bumpers...but have to spend my funds on other things that are a lil moer important...so i did a bumper tuck...to make me happy till i take care the rest of my car...since its free


and back on n tucked.


Can't get the back bumper to stay in tho...although i did get it to push in a lil bit.


another lil project i took on...

painted em black...looks good...and it was free..eventually ill get the real things...but until then...ghetto rigged.



I finally fixed my fuel gauge problem...it was giving me so much trouble...ran out of gas two times...once stranded me for like 2 hours...


off of 280...way too long of a walk anywhere...and it just had to be almost 100 degrees...with no shade...and my car is black on black...so i couldnt sit in that.
Now i gotta fix my sunroof....that decided to break...

stuck like this...wont move....the motor seems to be working fine...thank god it doesnt leak...but its not air tight...makes it loud in the car...but atleast i have loud music/loud pipes so i dont have to listen to that. Just got a new job...so I'll have some income...hopefully to fix my car...ill keep updated...as i work on my car...

[88SuperEtaBD]

I have more pics of the camaro than the e30...me n my dad built that from the rolling chassis + Block. Heres some finished pics...theres a smallblock 327 in it...bored 30 over...can't remember the duration of the cam...gotta ask my dad...full dual (crossed over)custom exhaust...3" front disc brakes...3.08 possi rear end. Thing is squirly. Scares me alot haha.





Heres what we started out with...


Car only came with the chassis + block.

Yay! Found where the gas tank was leaking and fixed it...No more leaky tank...figured out which wheel bearing was bad (drivers side rear)...thats next on my list...Also rewelded my exhaust...added some extra support...cuz it had broke from me bottoming out...no more rattling!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm in love again...can finally add a full tank of gas...can take turns without worrying about slipping out and getting sideways (although it was fun sometimes) Also...gave her a wash...and added/spliced another light in the trunk. Heres some pics.



More light!


bad hub

Monster truck!

and my dads friends 700 hp Camaro...trying to get into the 8's on the 1/4 mile.



So...i jailbroke my iPhone today...now have a video recorder...here's some iphone movie clips...theyre bad...but its atleast something....videos have been requested...this is the best i can do.

[88SuperEtaBD]

Haven't updated in a bit...Finally getting some money to put towards the car Got 2 rear wheel bearings (Not yet installed). Finally completed my front end...got my missing pieces, but the 'i' lip will be holding me over till its replaced with a iS one...also got DOPE new wiper blades... Bosch Icon...pretty legit...love the look, work great. And got a maplight rear view mirror!!!! (not installed yet). Also found some sport seats!!!! for only 50$ totally work perfectly functionally...will be reupholstering with black vinyl and a synthetic suede material for the inserts in the middle. Some pics.





seats will be looking sorta like this

http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/images/GTSII-LS20309-F-XL.jpg

but grey will match my door cards.
Whoot! Got my 3.73 LSD! Thanks to Bruce. 150k miles looks super clean.



Can't wait to get it installed...also, rear wheel bearings gonna be replaced this week.

Would you recommend getting the 3.73 for the eta in an automatic? I heard it's way to short and highway driving would suck. let's hear your input, thanks

I recommend getting a 5 speed. I wouldn't be able to say...I 5 speed swapped then lsd swapped...not other way around or I'd know first hand...it probably is too high on the freeway for the eta...i'm revving at 3k at like 73 mph in 5th. But mines no longer and eta.

And just got done washing/polishing my car. I can throw out my mirrors now and just use my car


Little update...took on a lil DIY. Save me some money and improve my box beem's appearance. All RED Tails


Taping off

Painted

Can you tell the difference?


Finished product...sorry for iphone pics.

Goal=Get rid of all orange on my car...theme is going to be Red/clear/black. Next is to paint calipers red!
Took my car down to my gf's. Decided to test out the new LSD on highway 5. I know it can keep going...pulls hard up to this point...

and a pic of my car at Sonics

UPDATE: New Springs...New Drop...New love.
Heres some pics. Eibach Pro with one coil cut up front. Also in the middle of bumper swap. still need to do the rear. And i need the bolts to hold on the sides.
Before:

After:





Little update: Almost have my turn signals working because of the bumper swap. I had to splice latemodel turn signal wires into my wires. I need a left turn signal housing though for it to get working properly. I also made some custom steel brackets for these recaros that i had sitting in the garage forever...that came with my camaro. Theyre awesome...just wish they werent sun faded like they are. Thinking of either spraying the door cards the brownish color to match. Also, found out that Ive been running in open loop for the last like 5 months. My o2 sensor was bad, replaced with another used one. So now im throwing no codes! no error! Whoot! Oh...and got a BMW sun Shade visor... to protect my crack free dash and recaros



how scary does this look!A during the rip out of the old cracked dash.



What comes next:
Fix left turn signal.
Put seatbelts with the recaros(dont have any right now)
HID's. 5000k lows, 3000k yellow fogs. DDM kits
orange Stealth bulbs for turn signals (they blink white right now haha)
Fix sunroof (stuck closed)
Build sub box.

Hopefully i can do all this before i go back to school Aug 14th!
Couple pics...
Finished my new sub box Thanks to Clavinzero for idea...with my own little tweak. Also installed REAL leather rear seats with armrest that i scored from pick n pull in perfect condition. Will post pics of it installed later. HID's should be going in soon. Also, my dad wax/polished the camaro's rims for 5 hours. Sent me a pic..."excuse his fingers"
More to come...


And the maro.

Got the HID's hooked up. Heres a vid of warmup. It was sooooo easy to install, did it in my school's parking garage haha.

Pic, old 4300k silverstar bulbs from kragen compared.

both headlights done, right fog HID old halogen fog left

All 4 done.

So, got my coil overs installed today...thanks to RyanG motorwerks. Will go lower in the front when I get my skid plate...will get some better pics too. but just a update, I love em. Best money i spent on my car.


Little Update... Ordered an iS lip to go with my Ryan G Splitter. Also ordered a new Mtech1 steering wheel badge, adjustable cam gear, and will be ordering a skidplate. Also, heres some pictures, finally got to wash the car And I need to fix my Drivers side HID low beam. Sorry for iPhone pics, all I can do, a proper shoot will come when I get my lip with my buddy and his DSLR.
And for the car








I wish I tucked more up front, only have 1 thread left to go all the way down on the shortened struts..shouldn't it be lower?


And thats where I am at today, cept i just ordered a skidplate and some M50 injectors. 17.5 lb instead of 14 for the bigger M30 AFM with Alpina chip installed now.

[Okoye]

its your tire sizes. the tire wall is huge man.

[88SuperEtaBD]

yeah...i was wondering...i know i need new tires/spacers in order to make these Rx's work. I just don't know which...I was thinking 205/40or45. 10mm spacers are on it now..so im guessing i need like a 25-30 mm for the rear...the front may a 15or20 instead of the 10's. These RX's will be pc'd white eventually.

im not too knowledgeable on how the whole offsets work entirely...how to measure/figure out which ones to get. so maybe someone can chime in and give some advice? currently 16x7 bbs rx et35 with 10mm spacers and 205/50/r16 all around.

[Okoye]

wow you need a 40 or a 30 series. 185/40/16

this is what you should do. measure the backspacing on the wheels without the spacers. then with them and see how many inches you have to play with between the fender/current rim setup

[dare23]

That's a lot of work! Good job so far!

[ImAwesome]

nice work so far

[88SuperEtaBD]

wow you need a 40 or a 30 series. 185/40/16

this is what you should do. measure the backspacing on the wheels without the spacers. then with them and see how many inches you have to play with between the fender/current rim setup

185 sounds like too much stretch? I don't want a crazy aggressive stretch, i mean, the more stretch the less performance right? I do plan to take this car to AutoX and stuff, and can't afford a spare set of wheels, so i need them to be okay for messing around at autox's. It's also a daily driver.

i was thinking 195 would be a verymild stretch. Guess i gotta look at what 185 vs 195 looks like on a 16x7

[Funtington]

you do great work! love it dude.

[ImAwesome]

get wider wheels

[Zic]

fuck i want an e30 again...
if i was you, then i would just keep those wheels and tires. and save for a new set to roll on for the streets, and keep the others for autox.
looks good man.

[88SuperEtaBD]

Yeah. Agreed, that's probably what's gonna happen, i want the Keskin KT1 classics in 8.5x17 and 10x17 for the rears. But it's like 1500$ if I had that money, Which i dont,( just bought a MacBook pro) I would save another 1000 and try toget an s50 (e36 m3 engine) swap. Or, if I knew I can get away with it, turbo...any bay area peeps have a "smog" guy?

[benz88]

going to need more then 700hp to break into the 8's with a camaro. lol

E30 looks good. I like it

[Zic]

dont buy keskin, they are german made rotas.
buy a set of used wheels.