Build Your Own E30

[teejay]

Originally posted by Equalizer+May 26 2005, 12:07 AM-->QUOTE (Equalizer @ May 26 2005, 12:07 AM)

 

[Equalizer]

Originally posted by miepower@May 26 2005, 12:20 AM
I do feel that owning an E30 is all about passion.

anyway my preference will be :-

1. Engine - b27 is fine enough for mie
2. Replace all rubber mount & bushing
3. Weld the flooring and firewall
4. Wiring system
5. A pair of 17 wheels would look great
6. Interior - leather seats and carpet
7. ICE - would be sweet
8. Exterior - Mtec2 bodykit & a good paintjob
9. Other mods as and when needed

Miepower - I like your approach, and especially agree with 1-4 and 6 ..... am not much into ICE especially not in this car - this will be a fun car for when I am in the mood, not my regular transportation

 

[Equalizer]

Originally posted by teejay@May 26 2005, 01:42 AM
can elaborate more when we meet for TT, as there some tech and physics better explained through interaction, so you can have a better understanding ..... but doing a full 2.7i upgrade yields better self satisfaction, and more headaches as parts need to be sourced and a reliable and competant mech to assemble the parts

Teejay - you're da man!! - thanks for putting in the overtime and working past midnight ..... yes, I look forward to meeting you when I have more time in KL - I will be travelling another 4-weeks or so, then will settle down. Will contact you then .....

Thanks a heap, man!! :lol:

 

[Alvin]

Bro

Your car is already with the 2.7 eta now right? Why dun you just send it to your mechanic to get it sorted out & use that first. Then if you are happy with it do up the body & chasis, tidy up the interior & engine bay. The body work is d tough bit for an old car. Make sure you get it sorted out first. Engine & suspension is the easy part depends on what you want. So better go with the 2.7 that you hv already. Spend the money on suspension & handling. i would also suggest that you DO NOT go with 17" rims with your 4 lug as it will upset the handling of your ride unless you want to go with 5 lug. 16" is the max & its quite a good compromise of ride comfort & handling. So the 15" BBS that you hv now would be the best bet to keep on your car.

Once you sorted out your rides rust spots (if its has some), then its time to thk of what kinda of performance you are looking for. Generally the 2.7L is a heap loads of fun. I believe that you will definately enjoy the 2.7. Maybe tweak it a bit like a piggy back ECU & MAF conversion with a few more extras like the petrol jets, throttle body & headers, your ride will be a potential Munster Inc.

Modding is not gonna e cheap. So like i said better to have a targeted budget in mind. how much is ok. Even if you have loads of cash to spend, its still better to set a budget. So i would say that for now if you plan to use the 2.7 then Rm10k ~ 15k will be ok depends on the condition of the engine. If the engine is bad then either an overhaul which you can stroke it further to maybe 3.0L.

I thk you need to have a performance target in mind. 200bhp? 250bhp? or even 300bhp? When i started my project my target was 350bhp ~ 400bhp without force induction. ha ha hahhaha So i'm a little extreme but what the hell you only live once right. Work hard, enjoy also must kau kau lor.

Just give a shout if you need anything. No worries. If its mods you need, i got a long list that you can choose from.

Cheers dude!

 

[Equalizer]

Originally posted by Alvin@May 26 2005, 08:43 AM
Your car is already with the 2.7 eta now right? Why dun you just send it to your mechanic to get it sorted out & use that first ..... so the 15" BBS that you hv now would be the best bet to keep on your car ..... once you sorted out your rides rust spots (if its has some), then its time to thk of what kinda of performance you are looking for. Generally the 2.7L is a heap loads of fun ..... I would say that for now if you plan to use the 2.7 then Rm10k ~ 15k will be ok depends on the condition of the engine ..... I thk you need to have a performance target in mind. 200bhp? 250bhp? or even 300bhp?

Sifu Alvin - thank you so very much for your advice - I knew there was something I like about the face I saw at those pictures of the cook-out last year!!!

Yes, I have had the 2.7eta for as long as I have been using the car - it has oodles of torque but the only thing is that the cutoff sets in at 4500rpm, so this means I can never experience the magical sounds of a BMW straight-6 screaming at 6000!!!

OK, I will listen to your advice - I will get it sorted out and on the road first, then get all the rust attended to. I will continue using the 15" BBS rims and spend on a new coat of paint, then sort out the suspension too. Right now I am using the standard Boge shocks with OMP springs.

Perhaps I should arrange to tow the car to Heritage .....

The budget you have stated sounds about right - I will think of the best way to spend that amount. I do need new carpets and upholstery - right now I have cream MBTex which looks great but it sure burns the butt on a hot day!!! :blush: I will put on real leather this time - still cream - and choice of colour will be Olivine - what says you?? I wanna explore what I can do without tacking on a bodykit - but the belts on the side will have to go.

For my style of driving, I would prefer to work on the torque band rather than outright horses ..... I will not take the car anything beyond 160km/h but quick spurts of acceleration point-to-point thrill me. In this sense, the eta seems to be built for guys like me, huh??

I am really looking forward to meeting you guys - so much to learn .....

 

[Alvin]

Olivine is a nice color. Yup tow the car & get it sorted out. Then Body work. If your mechanic is gonna take the engine out to work on it, i suggest that you check the firewall for rust. E30's are prone to rust here. If there's rust then tow it to your panel beater & get the car body back to what its suppose to be & then only fit the engine in. Eta engine's are nice, But you can opt for what some of the guys did by using the SMT 6 to further tune your torque curve. If the 2.7 is what you choose, make it perfect. Then after that you will definately enjoy driving it.

When you get bored then upgrade with MAF conversion & things like that.
Most important is the body work & handling.

Handling
1. Springs & Shocks
2. Bushings
3. Sway bars. (I suggest IE bars) You can ask Fabian or Kevster on how good it is.
4. Strut bars.

in order to enjoy the car right handling is a must! unless you drive in a straight line oni. he h eh eh eh

 

[Fuhrer]

eta engines are not high revving engines, therefore what you experience at cut off is normal.

 

[Equalizer]

Originally posted by Alvin@May 26 2005, 12:24 PM
If your mechanic is gonna take the engine out to work on it, i suggest that you check the firewall for rust. E30's are prone to rust here. Eta engine's are nice, But you can opt for what some of the guys did by using the SMT 6 to further tune your torque curve.

Yes, the last time I had some work done on the firewall was back in 1997 - perhaps it is time to revisit this.

I also had some water coming into the driver's footwell, I suspect from the gaps at the steering rod or the "missing" clutch pedal cos I had the car converted to an auto!! I know this is taboo in your books ..... hhhmmm ..... since it is not gonna be a daily ride, maybe I should get it back to a manual, eh???

I'll be away for some hours, so please dun think me rude if there is a blackout from Equalizer ..... thanks, bro!!

Fuhrer - point noted - I know eta engines are almost diesel wannabes!!

 

[Fuhrer]

want performance from auto..alamaks...

 

[Alvin]

Manual is the only way to go dude!

 

[kevster30]

Kevster's recipe for a well sorted E30.

1. Locate a good condition car. Preferably a coupe with nice body panels with form fitting alingment. Interior should be sound.

2. Strip it down to the shell and cart it over to a reutable panter and sort out that meticulous paint-job that you have always dreamt about.

3. Whilst the shell is at the painter's, shop for a nice M50 engine, 2.5 without the VANOS please.....Give it a head job, bluprint the sucker and look for a performance clutch and flywheel. Nice headers are a must! The rest of the exhaust can remain stock....

4. Suspension: Bilstein sport kit, Ireland Engineering sways and struts. These I CANNOT live without.

5. Brakes: Ireland Engineering makes a nice big brake kit or else, the ATE powerdisc with some premuim JURID pads would do.

6. LSD: beg, borrow, steal.......without one, this entire exercise would be futile.

7. Get the car back from the painter's and assemble with utmost TLC, we don't wanna scuff the new paint right?

8. Wheels: Beg, borrow, steal a set of BBS 2-piece basketweaves 16"

9.Bodykit? I'll leave it stock this time round......

10. Interior: Black Leather please........

Having gone through one E30, the next one would look stock....a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I know that there are many more mods that can be added to this recipe, but this would suffice for me as it would be relatively maintainence free and would not attract the wrong kinda attention on the road.......

 

[Alvin]

ha ha ha ha h Sheep in wolf clothings ar!

But surprisingly i never had problem with attracting the fast & furious on the streets. Mine not garang enuf le.

kev
Thk need to put on the DTM spoiler liao! he he he heh

 

[Calvin Tan]

Originally posted by teejay@May 25 2005, 04:03 PM
hartge h27s

-hartge 2.7 engine with valve cover of course!
-hartge steering wheel H35
-hartge bodykit h35
-hartge h35 rear wing
-hartge meter 260kmph!!!
-hartge -ahem*dogleg gearbox
-hartge -ahem*sidemirrors folding in
-hartge sports seats
-hartge wheels - damn hard to find

hmmm, this setup sound familiar.........

err!! do you need a Hartge driver for that too???

 

[Calvin Tan]

Originally posted by Alvin@May 25 2005, 04:10 PM
Did someone mentioned my name? All I can say is i luv driving my E30 now. Damn shiok when cruising along & then just floor it to hear the engine & all the throttles working together. Thats why i went with an exhaust system that is as quiet as possible.

Dude
tell me your budget & then we can sit down quietly somewhere! he heh ehhe

hear the engine??? Aiyo!! your engine is not E30 one la...

 

[Alvin]

Originally posted by Calvin Tan+May 26 2005, 08:13 AM-->QUOTE (Calvin Tan @ May 26 2005, 08:13 AM)

 

[teejay]

Originally posted by Calvin Tan+May 26 2005, 04:11 PM-->QUOTE (Calvin Tan @ May 26 2005, 04:11 PM)

 

[teejay]

Originally posted by Equalizer@May 26 2005, 12:08 PM


Yes, I have had the 2.7eta for as long as I have been using the car - it has oodles of torque but the only thing is that the cutoff sets in at 4500rpm, so this means I can never experience the magical sounds of a BMW straight-6 screaming at 6000!!!

the rev cut at 4500 can be changed,like everything else to mod the eta

2.5 headwork done, mild cam, uprated rear dif,on the eta will bring out the wolf in your sheep...... :yahoo:

auto is ok if you can your hands on the switchlogic unit, which is absolete for E30s, but for serious fun, manual, or if you can get your hands on the ever rare doglegs, you'll never wanna drive another car....

 

[bmwky]

Originally posted by teejay+May 26 2005, 08:27 PM-->QUOTE (teejay @ May 26 2005, 08:27 PM)

 

[Equalizer]

Originally posted by kevster30@May 26 2005, 03:55 PM
Kevster's recipe for a well sorted E30.

Thanks, Kevster30 - what a remarkable chronicle of a wish-list!!

1. Locate a good condition car. Preferably a coupe with nice body panels with form fitting alingment. Interior should be sound. Done!!

2. Strip it down to the shell and cart it over to a reutable panter and sort out that meticulous paint-job that you have always dreamt about. Olivine please .....

4. Suspension: Bilstein sport kit, Ireland Engineering sways and struts. These I CANNOT live without. How much you reckon these will cost??

6. LSD: beg, borrow, steal.......without one, this entire exercise would be futile. Where can I beg for one, and what does this do??

8. Wheels: Beg, borrow, steal a set of BBS 2-piece basketweaves 16" I'm running 15" and Chris Cab had a 17" set for sale ..... but 16"?? I agree 16" looks great on the e30.

9.Bodykit? I'll leave it stock this time round ...... We're on the same page!!

10. Interior: Black Leather please ........ errr ..... please sir, may I have Dakota leather??

 

[Equalizer]

Originally posted by teejay@May 27 2005, 09:27 AM
the rev cut at 4500 can be changed,like everything else to mod the eta ..... 2.5 headwork done, mild cam, uprated rear dif,on the eta will bring out the wolf in your sheep...... :yahoo:

Thanks, Teejay - this is it, folks - thanks to Teejay and Alvin's opinions, I have now made the decision to KEEP my 2.7eta ....