E30 Zone

Been working on this for some time now, thought I should write it up before I forget whats happened.

Started off with my existing e30 track car, which started life as a 318i, I then swapped over all the running gear from a 325. The car was stripped and fully polybushed, running gaz gold coilovers, toyo r888's, LSD and E36 rack, which looks like this.


I already had the S50 conversion in and running in my E30 M3, but I sold the M3 and kept the engine conversion.



There were a few bits and bobs of the conversion I wanted to upgrade plus the added issue of RHD meaning I'd need a BTB manifold.

So the M20 was pulled out and work began. (many moons ago)


First up, strengthened front subframe. Take some of these (from AKG)


and weld them onto a freshly sand blasted subframe.






Powdercoated


H&R anti roll bar


AKG engine mounts


This was then all fitted up, along with a e46 (067) rack

(067) rack

Some of Dan's custom pipes (second pipe fitted in photo above)

and one of Dan's linkage bars.


A few people have mentioned boiling the steering fluid with this rack when driving hard on the track, so I adapted a cooler from the e36 rack to mount behind the kidney grilles


Powdercoated.


A few bits of rubber pipe to connect it up and job done.

Next up, some engine maintenance, new exhaust studs, nuts and gaskets.

Studs removed.

Fitted a new one of these at the same time, can be seen just below the studs. (my old one had been welded and was ugly)

Refurbished injectors from injectortune


New belt and pulleys

Old belt!

Replaced the power steering pump (the old one used to whine)

All fitted.


New vanos seals, gaskets and bolts from Dan. Forgot to take many photos.

Vanos filter screw.





Replaced a couple of perished pipes which attach to the plenum



Replaced the constant presure valve

Which lives here

I had to grind down a flathead socket to the right size to get the old one out.


Gave the rocker cover a fresh lick of crinkle paint, from this


To this

New lightened flywheel and E34 M5 clutch, thanks to BBB.


Off with the old


On with the new



I swapped from a 6 to 5 speed box.


Gearbox support with AKG mounts

New bits and bobs for the gear linkage (e36 m3 5speed)



328 prop;
New centering bush

lick of paint

New e46 m3 guibo and new bolts

New center bearing

New E30 325i oil cooler

Remove the oil filter housing off the engine and tap the threads to M16, then screw in M16 to AN10 adaptors.



Do the same to the oil cooler


Make up some lines

Mount the cooler, job done.


Electrical fan.
Got a second hand fan from someone on the zone, which after a clean up looks like this

New resistor for twin speed fitted

All mounted in a frame



Twin speed wiring loom from Dan

Changed the connector to match that on my fan

Connecting up inside the fuse box (no idea what went where now though)

Wires in place for fan and temp sender on radiator



New uprated radiator

Full exhaust system from BTB.

Fuel pump. Remove the pump from the one on the left (ignore intank m3 pump on right)


Modify the cage to take the 5 bar e36 pump



Use a short section of IN-tank fuel hose to connect the pump. This is what happens when you don't (and leaves you stranded somewhere)

Nice work Alex

Wow, cool build

Now this is how its done properly Love that exhaust system!

That how cars should be built.

Even used black AN fittings instead of the red and blue ones

Thanks guys! It's taken an age to get here, but I'm on the home straight now.

Splashed out and bought a carbon airbox

This meant having the ecu reprogrammed to remove the MAF and run Alpha-N. I could show you a picture of an ECU but I won't.

I then had to drill holes into it!


To mount the accelerator cable bracket

And also extend the cable for the air temperature sensor im the plenum



Other bits and bobs. Picked up a LSD off Theo which had the Z3M cover fitted



Made up some new copper brake lines, and one for the clutch.


Its running now, just a few last jobs to sort out and it'll be time to book an MOT.

Nice air box! What make is it? Does it clear the brake servo ok?

pdd144c wrote:Nice air box! What make is it? Does it clear the brake servo ok?

Thanks. It was bought from S14.net as part of a group buy a LONG time ago. Markus in Germany organised it. It is designed to fit with the standard servo in its normal position.

Sweet build.!

Alex, where did you by the Sprung clutch from, as I'll need one, but having little luck.
I bought the E34 flywheel from Richard too.

TIA.

Hey Rav, Richard got it for me, took him a while to get one at a sensible price, this was bought a long time ago though, project was on hold for nearly a whole year.
I seem to remember him offering me a different option if we couldn't get the m5, can't remember what it was though, custom probably.

That's the problem i'm having, finding one at a sensible price

Thats fantastic work mate....is the gearbox support with akg's standard e30???

Nice work Dude!

Any further details with the carbon airbox,

Costings mapping etc? By PM if you so wish

Mannee007 - Thanks. Yeah its just a standard e30 item. This only works with the 5 speed gearbox not for the 6 speed.

Goosiegander - Cheers. Will send you a PM. But I had the ECU remapped for Alphan-N, but I don't think you can do that for the 3.0, I think there is a chip you can buy instead (seem to remember reading that on Martinpallots thread).

Very very very nice..........

Excellent stuff!

This is truly very, very nice. Neat and proper conversion.

nice work chap ,just in the middle of this conversion myself just wanted to now what sump and oil pick up did you use?

Nice work

Soooooo, had a short break from this project

Over the last 9 years a few things have happened but very few.

Anyway. She lives

Glad to hear she still lives! Great build there

Question - how do you find driveability with the "new" airbox and AlphaN?

Back on track this year?

JungleGus wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 16, 2021 7:07 pm

Glad to hear she still lives! Great build there

Question - how do you find driveability with the "new" airbox and AlphaN?

Gus, can't honestly say, not driven it yet

DanThe wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 16, 2021 7:55 pm

Back on track this year?

That is exactly the hope Dan!

It doesn't need much, for a track day anyway. An MOT, a bit more

BTW I sent you a message. Can you give me a price for a loom, to tidy this mess up. Cheers!

Hey up there's a name I remember! Still in Bradford-O-A?

rix313 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 17, 2021 10:06 pm

Hey up there's a name I remember! Still in Bradford-O-A?

Hey Rich! Yeah I am, moved away for a few years. Are you still in the area?

MrBenn2 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 18, 2021 10:53 am

Hey Rich! Yeah I am, moved away for a few years. Are you still in the area?

I moved up to Silverstone bud. Dad still lives down in Westbury and he has one of my E30’s which he does track days at Combe in fair regularly!

Lost interest in this thread now if buddies are going to exchange pm’s about costs. Why would the rest of us not be interested in the price of something. Probably outside my price bracket but at least I can think "lucky sod" or is there worry that you’ve spent so much for little gain, we’ve all done that and covered it by saying "yea but it looks nice"

HenryM3 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 18, 2021 7:17 pm

Lost interest in this thread now if buddies are going to exchange pm’s about costs. Why would the rest of us not be interested in the price of something. Probably outside my price bracket but at least I can think "lucky sod" or is there worry that you’ve spent so much for little gain, we’ve all done that and covered it by saying "yea but it looks nice"

Henry.
I was just trying to get Dan’s attention to answer a pm I had sent way before posting this. I have nothing to hide.
I hope to document getting the car finished off over the next few months. Nothing more

Hi MrBenn2 I m back on board, just having a rant and I certainly hope I didn’t cause any offence. This is a top thread and I like reading and comparing how things are done in comparison to mine. Although I’ve forgotten the minor details it’s so long ago. Do remember with timing gear on with standard ECU 158.6 mph. The vacuum sucked the glass out of the wing mirrors.