Hey guys, My E30 is almost mine. Doing name transfer tomorrow! So... now the fun part begins. Because I got impatient I have settled on a car that's not in the best condition, lots to fix.. What I want to do is :Suspension - thinking of TitanRust checkRe-upholster - carpet, seatsElectronics - wiring looks very messy, fix allPower window - left rear isnt workingEngine I'll wait till it dies then change to a new one. Well that's the plan.. I'm wondering, what's the best order to do these in? Should I do rust check and reupholstering together? Suspension before or after? Is BlueGreen the best place to do rust works? Anything I should do that I'm missing out? Thanks!
E30 build order
- Thread starter zlurp
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Well I'd like to, but all depends on how much it costs. I've got some cash left over, but not a hell of a lot. But I'm figuring that I might as well start with rust first, instead of having to do it later. I know the car's had some welding work done around the battery and driver's side floor, so probably got more elsewhere.
Any idea on how much stripping and welding can cost?
Any idea on how much stripping and welding can cost?
Wow I don't think I have the cash to do what Mizhan did... That's a complete rebuild! I'm thinking that since I have my carpets, seats etc all out I might as well check the body for rust and weld any problem areas. But maybe I do that when I'm painting..
I'll drop him a PM anyway. Thanks Eggie
I'll drop him a PM anyway. Thanks Eggie
muffinz
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complete strip... make it 100% rust free, re-upholster everything! while these things get done, look for the mtech 2 seats, and then rewrap them all with nappa leather!!
oh.. before that, make sure engine is tip top. then... it'll take about a few months before you get bored of the m40b18
oh.. before that, make sure engine is tip top. then... it'll take about a few months before you get bored of the m40b18
Eggie86;634659 said:Hehe, well, we all have our own constraints, but still, that doesn't stop us from giving our cars the best that we can, right?
All the best with your project bro. Share some pics la [before/on-going/after].
Haha yea true we all have constraints. Going to do as much as I can. Pics coming soon.. Need to find the cable first.
muffinz;634767 said:complete strip... make it 100% rust free, re-upholster everything! while these things get done, look for the mtech 2 seats, and then rewrap them all with nappa leather!!
oh.. before that, make sure engine is tip top. then... it'll take about a few months before you get bored of the m40b18
I think I'll start with a strip, rust works, reupholster and suspension. As far as seats go, I'm not too fussy, to be honest the ones in now are alright.
Got the car today and I'm very happy with it. Clutch feels a little loose, gearbox also could be firmer, radio isn't working. Pulled out the carpeting in the boot and looks pretty clean, its dirty and dust has collected in rear wells but doesnt look like too much rust. Looks like there's rust behind the firewall though. Springs are gone, squeaks nicely. The guy I bought from was really nice, gave me some spare springs.
The engine is dirty and messy, wires running everywhere. Some odd little workaround modifications like part of the battery connected to the shock mount etc. But I'm already not happy with the power... So not going to bother working on the engine. Just start planning for a swap. Pics soon.
Haha not an M3 heart la.. But ideally an M42, if I cant find one then an M20 I guess. But the steering has some free play, just read that can possibly fix it by tightening a nut on the coupling. Going to try that now. Lets hope my first DIY works!
stig;635104 said:
Thanks! Going to start this weekend.
munk3ong;635225 said:
Well, I tried, found a few nuts and tried tightening all of them with no luck. I'm pretty sure I foudn the right one (at the base of the steering column, tightening it prevents the column from moving) but it didn't work. When I moved the wheel the column didnt move at all, so I think the problem is at the wheel itself. Ill have a look at the wheel later.
No no Mr Muffinz... Decided I'm not going the 6-pot route. Want to stick with 4-pot. If I cant find an M42, I'll turbo the M40.
And I couldn't adjust the nut behind the emblem on the steering wheel. Don't have the right tool to fit in there.
And I couldn't adjust the nut behind the emblem on the steering wheel. Don't have the right tool to fit in there.
Here are some long overdue pics of my E30. So far I've done some work on the engine including new oil sump gaskets, radiator, water pump, clutch line etc. A bunch of mechanical things. Up next is a new suspension setup from Titan, reupholstering the interior and a new sound system.
As for the engine, I've decided to go with an M44 swap and a supercharger. But that'll only come at the end of the year.
As for problems I've encountered so far: 1) Clutch pump failed and had to be replaced, 2) My batt died because I forgot to turn off my lights =.= too used to an alarm. 3) My gearbox is giving some problems, not shifting smoothly. 4) My meter cluster isn't working, only the fuel gauge is accurate. But this can wait to be fixed with the engine swap. 5) Rear hydraulic fluid is leaking. Thought my car was on fire but it was just the fluid being burnt on the brake discs.
As for the engine, I've decided to go with an M44 swap and a supercharger. But that'll only come at the end of the year.
As for problems I've encountered so far: 1) Clutch pump failed and had to be replaced, 2) My batt died because I forgot to turn off my lights =.= too used to an alarm. 3) My gearbox is giving some problems, not shifting smoothly. 4) My meter cluster isn't working, only the fuel gauge is accurate. But this can wait to be fixed with the engine swap. 5) Rear hydraulic fluid is leaking. Thought my car was on fire but it was just the fluid being burnt on the brake discs.
