Project Frankenstein. . { 320i auto to 335i manual }

[Cypriotgeeza]

Quality

Love this car !!!

Thanks guys..Its these kind of comments that make all my hard work worthwhile!

[Cypriotgeeza]

Just a couple from last weekends Drive

[ImysE30]

Needs a drop, looks lovely though

[Cypriotgeeza]

Needs a drop, looks lovely though

I keep thinking the same thing man! but that rear end drops everytime I plant my right foot! lol

Only problem is I scrape the front bumper as it is ..not sure I want to drop it anymore!

Plus all i keep hearing is Coilover it...but I'm more on the Bilstein B6 or B8 route with my Eibach's

decisions decisions

[ImysE30]

Air it, job done

[Cypriotgeeza]

Air it, job done

lol hmmmm

[Cypriotgeeza]

Update time

Ok so it's not a massive or complex update but it's one that was well needed!

Replaced my under bonnet insulation and what a bloody difference this made to the engine bay!!

Before





After









Now I'm dreading opening the bonnet and seeing where the M30 has moulded into the insulation as it has higher points than an M20 lump

Then I focused my attention to changing the horseshoe struts and instantly ran into a bit of a problem.

The original cylinder is a lot thinner than the new struts

(sorry about the blurry pic)




so trying to mount them the original way wasn't happening as the strut casing was touching the Horseshoe hinge before the slot for the E-clip was visible



So I flipped it around and viola fits and works perfectly





Almost brought a tear to my eye how it actually stayed open on its own

No more elbow on the horseshoe while trying to manoeuvre the hood into the compartment

[Cypriotgeeza]

At Ultimate dubs on the weekend

[Cypriotgeeza]

and another one. .

[Cypriotgeeza]

So..this turned up today







Now im itching to fit this!!

Quick Q..im going to be getting the E46 rear M3 cab top mounts...What front top mounts does everyone recommend? or should I stick to good old E30 ones?

Also does anyone know what the letter at the top of the springs stand for?

The ones on my car atm have B/P (which will be up for sale very soon)



and the new ones have Front: B/Y Rear: C/M

[Cypriotgeeza]

Not fitted anything yet but went out on the weekend and took a pic (as usual )

[KW355]

looking good

[KW355]

looking good

[Cypriotgeeza]

looking good

Thanks man!

I can't wait to see what its going to look like with the new suspension set up!

[magpie]

b12 kit is a good ride mate

[Cypriotgeeza]

b12 kit is a good ride mate

I can't wait mate!

Should be happening very soon!

[jimbom30cab]

Brilliant !!

[Cypriotgeeza]

Brilliant !!

[Cypriotgeeza]

Slight Update!

So I started off my Sunday in the engine bay as the last time I was cleaning up in there I noticed this and thought it was best I replaced it ASAP







Also while I was in that area I decided to change this ballooned and tired looking pipe! Good thing I did as it was getting VERY close to the water pump pulley







That's better!





Bled the system and finished off my sunday at a local car meet

[Cypriotgeeza]

Update time!

Ok so I planned to get the Bilstein B12 kit on today as the weather was perfect!

The stash


(All genuine top mounts / spring pads etc)

How it stood



Removed the old and Fertan'd the body as you do



Got to work with the new set up!

Safe to say they needed replacing





The end product


(E46 M3 rear top mounts used)

fitted



and this is where my day got annoying!

I took the front end apart...removed the springs and was left with this absolute ba$tard!



I couldn't get it to budge no matter what I did! and I have a limited amount of tools at my disposal at home so I think a trip to work is needed to remove them!

I was gutted as I was looking forward to getting it all back together and enjoying some of the sunshine, but it wasn't to be!

I also cleaned up and sprayed my E46 rack ready to fit but after the annoying front struts I lost motivation!







I'm hoping for next weekend now! Fingers crossed the weather is still good!

[jimbom30cab]

A load of WD40 and a 24" set of stilsons should do those

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24-inch-Stils ... SwAvJXBVJ4

A decent bench vice helps, I don't have one but found the strut wedged under the car nicely with some padding to prevent any damage it was well secure.

[Cypriotgeeza]

A load of WD40 and a 24" set of stilsons should do those

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24-inch-Stils ... SwAvJXBVJ4

A decent bench vice helps, I don't have one but found the strut wedged under the car nicely with some padding to prevent any damage it was well secure.

The problem is there's hardly any thread to get the stilsons on..

Plus I will need to order one of the threads as it's not looking too clever after the mullering I have it yesterday!

All day yesterday I was thinking "what a $hit design!!" lol

[DanThe]

Id have to machine that fan thread off the water pump, do you have much movement on the engine mounts?

Weld some bar on the strut cap and turn it out

[Cypriotgeeza]

Id have to machine that fan thread off the water pump, do you have much movement on the engine mounts?

Weld some bar on the strut cap and turn it out

I think the angle of the pic makes it look closer than it is but this is what my last engine mounts looked like



Your pipes / column linkage are very close to being installed dan!

Also thanks for the tip man! I will need to get it work and sort that out one night this week!

[MPOWERCRAZY]

Looking good bro, can't wait to see what it sits like!

[Cypriotgeeza]

Looking good bro, can't wait to see what it sits like!

Thanks man!

Neither can I but I don't think it will be too much lower!

I mainly can't wait to feel the difference in ride and handling

[Cypriotgeeza]

Update time!

So I finally got the threads out and this is how I achieved it



and with the new B8's installed



I think it's safe to say the top mounts/ cups were shot!







All back together



fitted



I also attempted to fit my E46 steering rack but was stopped by the exhaust manifold being right in the way

I know see why people cut the flange and reweld at a 90-degree angle.. That will be addressed one day!



The finishing touch was getting rid of the Aero type wiper blades from some proper old school Bosch super's!



Test drive time came and all I have to say is WOW! I really didn't think a convertible was able to handle that well but the B12 kit is amazing!!

Definitely recommend it to anyone looking to upgrade their suspension without going coilovers!

How she sits atm! A bit too high for my likings so maybe a bit more sidewall in the tyres are needed when it fully settles!











Ended up at a car meet with a few friends!

[jimbom30cab]

My 2 most favorite cabrios together. your ride height looks perfect now, i'd go for some larger tyres though.

Very cool !

[Cypriotgeeza]

My 2 most favorite cabrios together. your ride height looks perfect now, i'd go for some larger tyres though.

Very cool !

Thanks Jim!

+1 with the tyres!

[dan_lboro]

Awesome thread. Much respect for all the work you have done. Must have been freezing your balls off taking the engine out in the snow!

[Cypriotgeeza]

Awesome thread. Much respect for all the work you have done. Must have been freezing your balls off taking the engine out in the snow!

Thanks man!

The snow pics was from before I bought the converted E30..and it was definitely a "balls up"

[Cypriotgeeza]

Slight Update peeps!

It's been a busy weekend with the 30!

Been out with the top down non-stop since Friday night and have been loving every minute!

The only thing that was doing my nut was how loud the exhaust is!

I've had this powerflow back section sitting in my garden for ages so I decided to fit it! The backbox itself isn't in the greatest condition but it will do until I get something custom made up for it!

It sounds so much more refined now! When im cruising i can hear passengers and music instead of having to shout all the time

The M30 still howls like a beast when I put my foot down!







Went to a couple of car meets aswell!

[Cypriotgeeza]

Update time peeps!

Haven't been on here too much as I'll admit I've finally got sucked into the facebook e30zone

But I've made a decision to keep updating this thread as this is where it all started out for me and if I can help anyone with the stuff I post its good enough for me!

Ok I haven't really liked the ride height since I fitted the B12 kit as it doesn't look like its dropped 40mm..(drives amazing though)

I'm putting it down to fresh top mounts spring pads etc..

But still I wanted a bit more low without going coil overs or air, so I bought this bad boy!

H&R Sport cup Kit with a 60/40mm drop





I made quick work in fitting them as I've kept the Bilstein B8 shocks on..I've heard the B8 + H&R combination is the best so thought I'd see how it felt before considering replacing the shocks..

How they compared:



What a difference on the front





How the car sat after (At vanity bmw show)















I'm much happier with this setup! Feels tight and solid and with a little bit more profile on the sidewall of the tyres it will be spot on for me

[Cypriotgeeza]

Update time!

Ok so last weekend I decided it was time I sorted out my front timing cover oil leak which was gradually getting worse and making my driveway a mess!

But it's not that simple when you have a big lump like the M30 in a small engine bay like the E30 so out came the radiator and all the coolant due to no access to the distributor cap

I'm actually now believeing the leak was a blessing in disguise as i removed everything and found this


There was 2 cracks and i put a bit of pressure on it in my hands and thats how it ended up!

and the distributor cap had definitely seen better days!





So fresh Bosch replacements were ordered and in the mean time I decided to freshen up the front timing cover itself

Before





After



Time lapse...




Thats a bit better

It was also the perfect excuse I needed to change my bottom hose with the original E28 one I bought a while ago!



Got it all back together and didn't get any pics as I was trying to get finished in time to get to a local meet

Man that distributor made a massive difference with the response from the throttle! Picks up instantly now and revs more smooth and precise! Couldn't be any more happy with the beast right now!

and here's my car with some other gorgeous examples at the meet

[andysheep]

Love love ya car,you and me could do ,black and white check bmw talk,my cabbie build,but you have the power and finishing,im trying and ill get there,you allways give me the kick up the ass i need.thanks.
Andy.ps im lower