Slowly but Surely- 325iX, 325iS, and E30M3 resurrection

[DocWalt]

Woo! Congrats on being able to let it go, haha

[mckpat03]

Nice!

Let the games begin!

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Woo! Congrats on being able to let it go, haha

Originally Posted by mckpat03

Nice!

Let the games begin!

Thanks, gentlemen! It feels incredible to have one less thing in the way of getting Linda on the road.

I'm still trying to get through all of the small things I need to do before I can put the rear end back in the car and drop the front end. Seems like a never ending process.

Both the rear brake lines and fuel feed line were rusted out at the clip before they head up into the bay. I got an OE fuel feed line (thanks DealinDave!) and went with the Chasebays brake line kit. A little bummed I can't use the factory clips for the brake lines, as it just adds yet another "project" within this project. I also got the new ebrake cables up, new fuel filter, FEQ axles, new diff sensor, etc.

Just so you can laugh at me, I originally dropped the rear subframe to put new bushings in it, and it ended up as

adjustable subframe
poly bushings (ta,subframe,diff)
wheel bearings
hubs
ebrake cables/shoes/hardware
diff reseal
speed sensor
axles
abs sensors
trunk tar removal
braided brake lines front to rear
fuel feed line
konis
ground controls
upper strut plates
rear swaybar reinforcement
billet swaybar mounts

Recent pics

[PAdutch]

If it makes you feel any better I intended to change a steering rack and front subframe that has turned into that plus a rear subframe/dif swap haha.

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by PAdutch

If it makes you feel any better I intended to change a steering rack and front subframe that has turned into that plus a rear subframe/dif swap haha.

Bahaha it's the name of the game, no matter how many times I have a sit down talk with myself.

Case and point below.

Took delivery on this bronzit early sedan today. This marks the second time I've purchased a car for the differential.

It's a 5sp car with a good motor, rear headrest seat, a 3.73 LSD and tons of extra parts!

Wondering if I should've used the money to speak with a counselor instead.

[Big_Jim]

who needs a counselor when you can buy cool toys.

[PAdutch]

Originally Posted by Big_Jim

who needs a counselor when you can buy cool toys.

Exactly. Your counselor is in the garage. If not there's always beer

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by Big_Jim

who needs a counselor when you can buy cool toys.

Originally Posted by PAdutch

Exactly. Your counselor is in the garage. If not there's always beer

I think you guys are onto something

I learned a few cool things tonight about the motor I'm building and it has encouraged me to go the extra mile for displacement (there's no replacement, said the mullet toting chevy guy).

M52b28 blocks (what I have) and S52 blocks (overpriced e36m blocks) share the same deck height, meaning that the major difference (extra .2L) comes from the bore opening (84mm vs 86.4mm). The blocks are identical bore spacing, the S52 is just opened up from the factory.

I have to hone my block anyway- talked to my machinist and he has no issue at all boring it to whatever S52 pistons I find (likely 86.4 or 87mm), and S52 pistons are fairly cheap.

Thusly, I'm just going to go the extra mile and make this thing a 3.2L, which will net me .4L over what I started with, while also hopefully adding a point of compression with a stock HG.

[blue91lx]

Trying to get over the hurdles that have been halting progress. The parts piles are growing!






3.73LSD and a Z3 1.9 2.7 turn steering rack!






I got my new fuel lines in but have been fighting the chasebays brake line kit and have reached my final consensus tonight. It's 5" short no matter how it's routed. The fitting that hits the proportioning valve needs to be a 90* and it's not so it rubs bad on the frame rail (definitely will wear over time). I utilized my clips for the evap vent since I'm not running that system. Even if I pull the line straight back to the rear of the vehicle with no slack it's still 5" short of working.

[DocWalt]

I wouldn't run stainless flex line for the entire length of the car anyway. It'll lead to a mushy brake pedal.

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

I wouldn't run stainless flex line for the entire length of the car anyway. It'll lead to a mushy brake pedal.

I didn't even think of that, that sucks haha.

I have a hard line on the parts car that's good to use. I guess I'll throw that on.

Edit- ordered copper/nickel hardline and some m10x1 flare fittings. E30s use the bubble flare. Just going to make my own instead of pulling one off of another old e30.

Sidenote: Need to find a way to vent the tank safely since I took off the charcoal canister and associated lines.

I should've bought stock in garagistic before starting this build.

[DocWalt]

At least you can get quality aftermarket parts like that, haha. E30 will be like the old school muscle cars, every part available as a quality reproduction, haha

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

At least you can get quality aftermarket parts like that, haha. E30 will be like the old school muscle cars, every part available as a quality reproduction, haha

Bahaha I think you're right about that. I am surely thankful for that aspect.

[blue91lx]

M3 got some interior love finally! I'm going to fly in and do the head gasket next month and drive it back out to Indiana!
Freshie dash:




Freshie heater core:




Radio wiring back to normal:




Sending the cluster out for someone to go through it:

[rocknrace03]

duuuude yes!

[empera]

So much WIN!!!!!!

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by rocknrace03

duuuude yes!

Originally Posted by empera

So much WIN!!!!!!

Can't wait to do some cruising in this thing!

[blue91lx]

I've been trying to get my brake lines done for quite some time now. Got line and ran everything, but my flare tool was good for 3 good bubble flares until the tool couldn't produce a proper flare. So I ordered the OE hard line piece and ran the line.





Threw the axles/3.73 on and put the subframe up, only to realize I didn't put the hardline on beforehand that goes under the fuel tank. Trying to find a braided line that will run directly from the "T" to the hardline on the trailing arms. I'm incredibly over this portion of the build and ready to set fire.

[DocWalt]

I do not envy you. Anything brake related is a PITA

[blue91lx]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

I do not envy you. Anything brake related is a PITA

I feel the exact same way. I am so very glad to have this project behind me. All I need to do with the rear yet is reassemble ebrake/brake components and I can move onto the front!

Todays endeavors:

Robbed the parts car for brake lines. This thing has come in handy on multiple occasions now. I am quite happy with my purchase.






Rear subframe back out.





Much better!





All back together with my eibach sway up there. Decided to not use my IE rear swaybar to simplify my life in terms of welding reinforcement plates, drilling holes in the floor, etc.