Early E30 build kinda euro kinda who cares, it keeps me sane.

[skunkworx]

Update!!! Motor is in!!! However, we had a snag with the cam/dizzy combo and we are currently waiting on a dizz from Ireland Engineering. Once it arrives Friday she will be back on the road with all the new goodies! Clutch feels great, shifter is back to normal (there was a broken mount that we replaced) and now ill be pumpin 2.0 liters around!!!

Time to find a 320i badge for the back! Heres just a few of the motor going in...i would have loved to taken a couple weeks and really cleaned everything but time is a factor for this little DD and CAtuned needs their lift back!!!



Everything re-installed...

[skunkworx]

Building an e30 while having the IS as a DD. you're doing it right.

Im not so lucky, the wifey drives that one, i've got grandpas Miata as a "rental" until we get the e30 done. My e30 is my DD lol... This wasn't supposed to be a "build" but it seems it has turned into one. Im okay with that, ive learned to accept it

SECRET: the miata is fun as hell to mob around. My gramps loves them and has had every generation. This one is the 3rd gen and its a blast. I'm going to hayte to give it up. It will be bittersweet, but ill be glad to have my e30 back. The miata is not comfortable at all, unless your sides are smashed up against the side bolsters on the seat because your too focused on the turns ahead to give a heck.

Dope.....the alpina brake light and rims are a nice touch

Danke, they are a good offset for fitment too with minimal spacing... if the goddamn coilovers ever get here!!! Sick of 4x4'n it everywhere. I have people ask me all the time if its an IX

[Bildick]

Dope.....the alpina brake light and rims are a nice touch

[twigg]

Looks good I like the front lip different.

[TeckniX]

Building an e30 while having the IS as a DD. you're doing it right.

[skunkworx]

Man, the valve cover is tits

as above. rocker cover looks dope!

Yah i like it a lot better on the motor, i might try it again once its all back together, but im already in the hole a lot on this m10 change out, and i have my heart set on the 12 o'clock euro gauges...

I had a crazy idea to copper plate the intake manifold and the valve cover, inspired by a turbo diesel volvo car here on stance. I think it would be truly unique and fit with the "early" model theme. I dunno, in a sea of e30's im trying to do something a little unorthodox with my car. It is rather difficult however, as many things have already been done. Updates soon, motor goes in tomorrow. Hopefully ill be smiling my way to work again by wednesday.

[NeilP]

as above. rocker cover looks dope!

[Raarasutra]

Man, the valve cover is tits

[skunkworx]

Oh BTW everyone with an M10, this valve cover is very well done by renewedfinishes, and it is for sale at CAtuned. I think its posted on their website. I just put it on here to see if i like it, and i do, so buy it before i decide to!!!

Drop is coming very soon, coils are waiting for customs approval, theyre just sitting in san francisco collecting dust waiting on some state worker to put his champ stamp on the shipment.

[skunkworx]

UPDATE: Bled the brakes again...


Robbed a nut from the a/c compressor for the power steering pump because it was loose... a/c isnt hooked up anyway.

mounted back right...





Then on the way to work the next morning, this happened...

The alternator came loose and wasnt spinning the water pump or itself, so no charge, no cool, no good.


My motor has had some very fierce vibrations since i got it at around 3700rpm, and nuts and bolts have basically been rattling out for the last 5 thousand miles. The blow by could probably compress an air tank, and the oil leak from around the head gasket was getting worse. I decided it was time, so i called in to work to let them know i wasnt coming in, and limped it to the CAtuned shop.

Hung out all day, made a plan with the guys, and left it there. I went down to the shop today to help Alex with the parts swapping to the new motor and to do the cleaning of parts so he could work on the more important stuff. I'm glad were doing it over there and not in my garage, having a lift and everything a full shop includes is very nice. Special thanks to all the CAtuned guys they are really good dudes, with true passion for these cars, i am so very glad to just be a part of it and the good things they do over there. On to the photos....

Ready for heart transplant


I showed up at 9, Alex already had the motor pulled...


We had a battle royale with one of the tranny bolts, ended up grinding the head off, but we tried everything else first...



So then i got to work on cleaning the replacement motor...Before i started:


And after a lot of wire brushing, wd40, rubbing, and singing along to every song that came across pandora...




I didnt take any more photos, but when i left alex was still working on it, we were about 70% done swapping the parts over to the new motor. But im also replacing the clutch, water pump, a couple coolant hoses, and there is some soldering work that needs to be done at one of the connectors. Parts come monday, and ill be back after work in the afternoon to lend another hand with anything i can without getting in the way. But hell, they might already have it in by then they do sick work. Thanks again guys. Stay tuned everyone else, updates in a couple days.

[mike-81-240d]

Killing it.

[logyt]

I wish i could afford a euro setup, looks awesome keep it up man!

[skunkworx]

lookin good!

Thanks! Its coming along ive got so much more to do im never satisfied!

wow u lucky SOB! Nice find on the bumpers! And i spy a t28 rc! yeeeee

Thanks! lol, ya the t28 hasnt seen the air in a while, but yeeeee is right! it sure is fun to zip around!

[PastaBatman]

lookin good!

[Rob&co]

wow u lucky SOB! Nice find on the bumpers! And i spy a t28 rc! yeeeee