Another BMW E28 - This Time From Australia

[HighwayStarKG]

I have been reading this thread for the last three hours. Amazing work!

[epearce]

As all builds do, it's getting strung out. With many hold ups, but I'm slowly getting to the end of it.

So to update where I'm up to..

I cut off the ECU plug and lengthened the wiring so I can mount the ECU in the factory position with the wiring routed the neatest way possible. It also enabled me to fit the factory E28 grommets.







I continuity checked all wires back to their component before numbering, to hopefully ensure nothing gets pinned wrong in the ECU. Then crimped on new pins to all wires and ran the harness through the firewall.









Continuing with the aim to keeping everything OEM looking as possible. I modified a E34 OBD bracket to mount the OBDI port in my chosen location.









ECU and fuel pump relays were also mounted with the E34 bracket after lengthening the loom.



So then it was up to fitting the intake hoses, airbox, AFM etc. More problems encountered. First issue, I had nothing to mount the AFM too, but that was solved by sourcing a E28 535i bracket and then some modifications. Then it turns out the E34/E32 B35 throttle body to AFM hose was too short for me to be able to mount the factory airbox correctly.







But luckily there was an OEM solution, with an E28 535i hose being the perfect length. I also repainted the airbox whilst I was there.



Which basically completes the engine bay.. Still need to order a new ignition cap as the cover for that was cracked. So better photos will be taken when that happens. I chose to keep the factory airbox, even though some may say it is big, ugly and covers up half the engine. But i want it to look relatively factory under the bonnet and the factory airbox is not a performance limitation, so I saw no reason to go with something more modern.







Due to its limited use over the past couple of years I decided to suck the tank dry in preparation for start up, followed by some fresh fuel.



The new bosch 55pin ECU replacement plug arrived, much to my excitement as it was the last piece of the puzzle.



I went to push the wiring pins into their correct locations... only to find that they didn't fit. From my understanding there was only 1 variation of Bosch EV1 pins. But there was no way they were fitting. I got in contact with the plug supplier and ordered some pins off them, which I am still waiting to arrive. Fingers crossed these fit.

I'm hoping by this time next week it will be running.

Apologies for all the pics!

[epearce]

I've been slowly getting through this conversion.

The injector service parts arrived and they were easily fitted.





Injectors were then fitted, along with the updated rail and new fuel hoses.





Motronic distributor drive, timing case and distributor cap were then swapped in.





The old ignition coil was mounted behind the headlights, i decided to mount the new coil on the strut town after making a bracket. Then loom also has to be lengthened as in E34/E32s the coil is mounted much closer.



Replacement vibration dampener swapped in, it has teeth to measure engine position, unlike the old one. I also cut the front rib off the pulley as its not need after deleting AC years ago.





The most annoying part of the conversion was next. The loom that runs to the ECU is far too short for RHD cars, also the ecu plug is too big to fit through the factory firewall holes.. My first idea was to depin the connector, lengthen all the wires a couple of feet then crimp on new pins. But the pins were a bastard and wouldn't come out no matter what i tried. So a new connector has been ordered and hopefully that fits.





I'm hoping i can turn the key for the first time in a few days, hopefully it all goes to plan!

[epearce]

Appreciate all the positive comments guys! Great to see i'm helping others to sink more time into their builds!

[DawsonLiri]

Read all the thread in one day and wow, is amazing I love everything!
This thread motivated me again, I need to start working on my car again

Keep on

[Earl]

My favorite e28 just keeps getting better and better=)

[RV97]

Impressed! Beautiful car and amazing work done! Waiting more.

[Benwalsh91]

I bloody love what you have done to this car.

one thing for me though is the side indicators/repeaters whatever you call them. I think you should try fitting some clears rather than tinted, I feel it will tie in more with the front lights and also the polished wheels/trim

[epearce]

The next instalment.

When I built the engine for this a few years ago, from a high compression block and the B35 head. I stayed with the outdated 2.8 litre Ljetronic from the original 2.8 motor. I did this because at the time I didn't want to go through with a full loom swap and all the headaches involved with that.

However running it on the basic ljet system it was under powered, not as smooth as it should be and it is terrible at cold starts. I adjusted everything over the years to get it running the best i could but at the end of the day, I needed to get rid of the ljet engine management system. Which brings us to the current project.

I have decided to go with Motronic 1.3 as fitted to the M30B35 in E34s and E32, along with all the associated parts required. Not an uncommon swap on E28s, however most upgrade from Motronic 1.1 so it is an easier task for them. The number on pins in the motronic ecu compared to the ljet show give an insight into how much greater it is.

The other improvements are; ecu controlled spark as well as ecu controlled advance and retard (not vacuum like before), O2 sensor, proper idle control, improved airflow meter and injectors; plus going from an ecu developed in 1975 to one developed in the late 80's.







The ljet loom is a hideous setup...







First step was to remove everything that is getting replaced.





Then onto sorting out the loom. The worst part about the loom is that for RHD cars its way too short, so it has to be lengthened at the ecu connection, relays, fusebox connection and coil wires. I started by stripping off the now brittle insulation and then cut out all the wires and plugs that aren't need for my car (A/C, ABS, emissions, autotrans etc).





Then onto the fun part, test fitting the loom and seeing how i will run the wires for the neatest, most practical way and how much they all need extending.





The E34 fuse box plug was then cut off and the E28 one crimped on, matching each wire the correct e28 pin. I chose to crimp instead of solder, it's worked well so far.









I planned to send the injectors somewhere to be serviced and tested. But the local place wanted $400 and I couldn't justify that. A bit of google research and I realised how basic it is, so i did it myself.

Soaked the injectors and cleaned the external parts, removed the filter baskets and then cleaned them internally and checked their flow with carby cleaner, then resistance checked each injector. I ordered an injector service kit off Ebay for $10 and the carby cleaner cost be $10. Winning.

Yeah it may not be quite as effective as a professional job, but these injectors were in good condition, so I'm content.











The next step was to remove the valve cover and upper timing case cover and replace the distributor drive nut as this needs to be changed to run the motronic distributor.





More to come!

[epearce]

Thanks mate!

Wheels are BBS RS 005 16 x 9.5 ET -20 front and rear. Rear tyres - 205/45 , front tyres 195/50.

[Gamerx]

Your car looks awesome. What are your wheels/tyres specs?

[Jimmy_HR32]

Looking forward to the update! Enjoy your time off.

[epearce]

Time goes to fast, it's been too long since I've been able to spend time on this.

Summer holidays are finally here and I have a month off. Super keen to get stuck into the latest project on the E28 that will give me less of a reason to not drive it as much as i should.





Stay tuned over the coming weeks for updates!

[OttoB]

Is the car done, or are there more mod's you have in mind? Its definitely a show stopper and congrats on the job well done, mate!

[epearce]

found this thread at random, such a good read.

are there many e28 around tassie?

Appreciate it mate!

There are a few m535i models hiding in sheds, rarely ever see an e28 on the road though. Mine is the only highly modified example i know of.