e30 316 rebuild from Finland

[Pazi88]

Got the new radiator and everything is working now. Unfortunately I have to wait for next summer to drive so I will take everything apart again Mostly I will do some minor tweaks during the winter to make things more reliable. But I will also upgrade the clutch and get the VANOS + electronic boost controller work with megasquirt.

Here is the car in sleeper mode with original steelies.




I like it because there is no clues how much power it has, so it will be surprise for the other road users

We also started modifying the e34 rear axle to fit the white e30:

[loekaaz]

dat sleeper status doe

add some original plastic wheel covers for ultimate grand-daddy-look

[Pazi88]

I'm planing to add the wheel covers but first I need to find ones in good condition.

[Pazi88]

And the installing the rear axle continues. I took the white ones original bushing mounts apart from the rear axle, removed the rust and welded them in e34 rear axle. The MIG didn't give me good enough penetration, so it was good place to practice TIG welding:


I had used powerflex urethane bushings, which I used for this.


Top piece required some cutting, but otherwise it sit's ok.


And axle in place:


Then welded the new rear support:


We also tried some 9x15" et 35 wheels to se how much room we have with those fiberglass arches. Seems to be lot, so we can run some proper wheels.


Wheel can go even higher than with stock e30 rear axle:


Only problem is that we need some very short coilover shocks for the rear. Something like 10" when pressed is all the way. Not sure yet where to get those.

We also put the seat belt supports back:


The drive shaft seemed little problematic because the e34 center bearing is in the wrong spot. And the e34 diff has CV-joint in stead the oldschool one, so the e36 320 drive shaft in the picture doesn't fit.


But the flange for diff is easy to change, so we can use the e36 shaft.


The 320 one seems bit long but if that doesn't work, I have to buy 325 one, because that is bit shorter.

[FrancoGT1]

your a fucking sick cunt


in a good way.

[Pazi88]

your a fucking sick cunt


in a good way.

Thanks!

[herrakani]

Just shorten the driveshaft?

[Pazi88]

Just shorten the driveshaft?

Yes that's possible. But i'm trying to use bolt-on parts, because they are much easier to replace if (when) I break something. And if I can use that e36 rear section, then I can also use e36 front sections and change them if I use different gearbox. With e34 driveshaft, I would need to custom made the driveshaft, every time I change different gearbox.

[eethirty]

i love you more than anything for this build.

[daniel_lucian]

I had to go somewhere but I just could not leave until I read the whole thread.

Man, this is amazing! You have my utmost respect!

[banzaii]

You, finnish guys are grazy. Where'd you get all these money to build car like this. Awesome work!

[Pazi88]

You, finnish guys are grazy. Where'd you get all these money to build car like this. Awesome work!

Thanks! I just save money everywhere I can and put the saved money in car parts. Maybe not the best way to live

I have been busy, so there is no progress with the cars. But at least I bought wheels and LSD from ebay for the white e30. More about those, when I get them.

[Pazi88]

Now finally my e30 is legally registered for that turbo engine in Finland, so I can drive it in public roads next summer.

The car itself hasn't seen much process.Of course there isn't much to do but something. First thing is to solve the problems with the Chinese wastegate, because it isn't keeping the boost in control. That's because the control pressure is leaking. So I took the thing apart again.


And the fault was very clear The shaft seal is way too big, so no wonder why it leaks. I need to replace it with correct size.



The white ONE got lot more attention. First we sandblasted and painted some parts with epoxy.




And because of the e34 rear axle we cannot fit the original fuel tank, we decided to use some fuel cell in trunk. The problem is that if you just bolt standard fuel cell to the trunk floor it will look very stupid, you have to fill it in the trunk and you can't use the factory fuel gauge. So we decided to make our own custom tank. The starting point was sheet of 1,5mm stainless steel:


Cut it in to pieces:


Tag it into shape:


Weld it:




Add some baffles:




And then hole for the original fuel sender unit (only the level sensor is used):


And the finished product. Only hose connectors are missing:


Then the mounting hole for the trunk floor:


Filler pipe:




This was the original filler pipe


And because the underside is starting to be ready, it's time for the worst part. Removing the underside sealing. The original white one can be left there because it's very good quality and can be painted over. But that filthy black goo has to go. Its very sticky and only way to remove it is to take all in bare metal...


Also got the wheels:


Or only two The other two wheels are still in way.

[Tarmac180sx]

This is epic keep up the amazing work man!

[E.Three.0]

so awesome