but anyone who's into these cars spends something like that amount eventually - just not all quite so quickly as you have. Well at least it will all be done and dusted, running as you like it.Keep posting - great thread.
AlpineAde's 325i (Update NOV '11)
Moderator: martauto
That's a lot of cash but anyone who's into these cars spends something like that amount eventually - just not all quite so quickly as you have. Well at least it will all be done and dusted, running as you like it.
Keep posting - great thread.
but anyone who's into these cars spends something like that amount eventually - just not all quite so quickly as you have. Well at least it will all be done and dusted, running as you like it.Keep posting - great thread.
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AlpineAde
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 3829
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Yes, it's a bucketload of cash. Madness...but I can't help it. 
I only have cars/driving/motorsport as a hobby. That's it. I don't go out anywhere. Don't drink. No great circle of friends to catch up with. I'm not into buying stuff.
Just cars.
And I really like to look after my cars.
A lot.
Of course, If I was with you guys in Europe things would work out a bit cheaper ~ but I'm not. Australia is a pricey place to do up/restore old Euro cars.
I do love the old things, though. They still represent a great drive. And I've got a track day on Saturday and tomorrow I get to whack some new bits on the old thing. It makes me happy. ANd that really is what it's all about.
I only have cars/driving/motorsport as a hobby. That's it. I don't go out anywhere. Don't drink. No great circle of friends to catch up with. I'm not into buying stuff.
Just cars.
And I really like to look after my cars.
A lot.
Of course, If I was with you guys in Europe things would work out a bit cheaper ~ but I'm not. Australia is a pricey place to do up/restore old Euro cars.
I do love the old things, though. They still represent a great drive. And I've got a track day on Saturday and tomorrow I get to whack some new bits on the old thing. It makes me happy. ANd that really is what it's all about.
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Speedtouch
- Old Skooler
- Posts: 14009
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: Canterbury
Well good for you Ade 
Have you fitted your six-branch yet? I'd like to put mine on, but the existing standard system is in good condition so it doesn't make sense to remove it just yet...
Have you fitted your six-branch yet? I'd like to put mine on, but the existing standard system is in good condition so it doesn't make sense to remove it just yet...///M aurice
ECU Upgrade EPROM Chips, £40 posted within the UK. Note these are not Zone chips.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=279421
ECU Upgrade EPROM Chips, £40 posted within the UK. Note these are not Zone chips.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=279421
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AlpineAde
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 3829
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Not as yet. But I have to do it pronto as my cat is starting to sound a tad rattly and that means replacement time. To go with the 6 branch I want a hi flow cat/s so I will drop in at the exhaust shop tomorrow and see what is available. The bummer is that I will have to move quickly, thus no ceramic coating for the manifold as the turn around will take too long and it is pointless replacing the cat only to have to rip it out and replace it again. I want to do the job all in one go. It's cheaper.
I'm hoping next week will see it all installed and ready to go.
I'm hoping next week will see it all installed and ready to go.
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Speedtouch
- Old Skooler
- Posts: 14009
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: Canterbury
I've heard that wrapping of zorst manifolds is pointless anyway on normal engines...
///M aurice
ECU Upgrade EPROM Chips, £40 posted within the UK. Note these are not Zone chips.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=279421
ECU Upgrade EPROM Chips, £40 posted within the UK. Note these are not Zone chips.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=279421
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AlpineAde
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 3829
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Grabbed a complete set of new bumper inserts. The old ones had too much damage for my liking ~ couldn't hack it anymore, so they had to go.
A couple of pics with the new inserts in place.
A new front spoiler might be arriving soon. I've got my eye on something. I've got a fresh rear spoiler (a very good 2nd hand and one that HASN'T undergone an effort to be ripped off a car like mine has). We'll see how it goes. A few power mods to come first, though.
Will keep updating....
A couple of pics with the new inserts in place.
A new front spoiler might be arriving soon. I've got my eye on something. I've got a fresh rear spoiler (a very good 2nd hand and one that HASN'T undergone an effort to be ripped off a car like mine has). We'll see how it goes. A few power mods to come first, though.
Will keep updating....
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AlpineAde
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 3829
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
BM Spares in Dandenong, Levie.
I has found one in WA and was going to order it (love M-tech 2 wheels) and gave these guys a call on the off chance they might have something.~ turns out they did. Apparently it was the first one they'd had in in a couple of years. Good condition and a good price. I snapped it up! The WA one is still being advertised (though they are asking a fair whack more than the $275 I paid), PM me if you want the link to the place offering it for sale.
I has found one in WA and was going to order it (love M-tech 2 wheels) and gave these guys a call on the off chance they might have something.~ turns out they did. Apparently it was the first one they'd had in in a couple of years. Good condition and a good price. I snapped it up! The WA one is still being advertised (though they are asking a fair whack more than the $275 I paid), PM me if you want the link to the place offering it for sale.
How's the new exhaust? I am sorely tempted, but can't afford it til I get rid of the 325e I bought before realising I have no-where to take the motor out and get it rebuilt! (shared gravel driveway at home, boss less keen on having an engine sitting aorund).
Know anyone in Melbourne after a 325e? ;)
Know anyone in Melbourne after a 325e? ;)
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AlpineAde
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 3829
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
I haven't had it fitted yet.
My mechanic convinced me to wait and do ALL the mods at once and save a few dollars on labour. Seems fair enough to me.
The exhaust will go on when the head gets done and the new cam is installed, as will the the BBTB and the cleaned up inlet manifold. I'm still looking for the best solution to management once all is finished (been looking at the Miller MAF site a bit lately).
In the interim I have ordered new seatbelt buckles, a boot for the gear shift, some decent floor mats and a few other bits and pieces for the engine. That'll keep me going until the engine work gets underway. I'll have all the parts lined up and ready to go and it'll just be a matter of dropping the car off with a boot full of parts and coming back a week or so later to see how it all went.
The 325e? Sorry, I don't know of anyone shopping around at the moment. I'll keep an ear open though ~ who knows? Someone will show up sooner or later....
My mechanic convinced me to wait and do ALL the mods at once and save a few dollars on labour. Seems fair enough to me.
The exhaust will go on when the head gets done and the new cam is installed, as will the the BBTB and the cleaned up inlet manifold. I'm still looking for the best solution to management once all is finished (been looking at the Miller MAF site a bit lately).
In the interim I have ordered new seatbelt buckles, a boot for the gear shift, some decent floor mats and a few other bits and pieces for the engine. That'll keep me going until the engine work gets underway. I'll have all the parts lined up and ready to go and it'll just be a matter of dropping the car off with a boot full of parts and coming back a week or so later to see how it all went.
The 325e? Sorry, I don't know of anyone shopping around at the moment. I'll keep an ear open though ~ who knows? Someone will show up sooner or later....
I've tried a Miller MAF and didn't like it. It has an inherent fault in the design in that you lose the CO adjustment screw. Also if you are having a new higher lift cam (?) you'll have to get them to make you a custom chip or buy an expensive tuning gadget from them I think.
If you want to go down the electronic tuning route I'd say something like VEMS or Megasquirt sound better and can be mapped on your car to suit the new cam. With that you can choose a MAF and wasted spark ignition for fully mapped out new stuff.
The cam and the engine management are the weak points for a 325i in terms of power but relatively few people seem to choose this route when considering adding more power.
The cam and the engine management are the weak points for a 325i in terms of power but relatively few people seem to choose this route when considering adding more power.
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AlpineAde
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 3829
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
UPDATE:
The front seats were very tired when I purchased the car. Their structure was sound but the leather had had it. They did have to go. For the driver's seat I fitted a Recaro Pole Position (mentioned previously) but the passenger seat sat there, looking at me in all of its nasty tiredness.
So I bought these:
My aim is to have them restored and recovered in leather. The passenger seat will be installed and the driver's seat will be stored for when/if I sell the car. I would, of course, take my Pole Position out and put it in the next car I get (if/when that happens).
Further news:
The mechanical work now starts (finally!) and a schedule has been figured out (yes!).....
It will be done in stages, with the car being dynoed after each stage.
The first stage will involve the BBTB and ported inlet manifold being fitted.
The second stage will be having the 6 branch manifold and hi-flow cat/s fitted.
The third stage will involve the new management and losing the AFM.
The fourth stage will consist of the head rebuild and cam being fitted. If the bottom end is a bit weak/tired then a full rebuild will be on the cards.
I expect the whole process to take about 3-6 months.
The front seats were very tired when I purchased the car. Their structure was sound but the leather had had it. They did have to go. For the driver's seat I fitted a Recaro Pole Position (mentioned previously) but the passenger seat sat there, looking at me in all of its nasty tiredness.
So I bought these:
My aim is to have them restored and recovered in leather. The passenger seat will be installed and the driver's seat will be stored for when/if I sell the car. I would, of course, take my Pole Position out and put it in the next car I get (if/when that happens).
Further news:
The mechanical work now starts (finally!) and a schedule has been figured out (yes!).....
It will be done in stages, with the car being dynoed after each stage.
The first stage will involve the BBTB and ported inlet manifold being fitted.
The second stage will be having the 6 branch manifold and hi-flow cat/s fitted.
The third stage will involve the new management and losing the AFM.
The fourth stage will consist of the head rebuild and cam being fitted. If the bottom end is a bit weak/tired then a full rebuild will be on the cards.
I expect the whole process to take about 3-6 months.
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AlpineAde
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 3829
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Update:
Management and AFM nastiness solved.
The revised Miller MAF and their new software/WAR management is coming.
I've also secured some new Schrick valve springs to match my camshaft at a fantastic price.
The car has been dynoed so now we have a baseline to work from and as we add/modify we'll dyno the car again after each stage.
Things are moving slowly...but at least they are moving. LOL!
Mods have now been started (inlet manifold and throttle body are going on), parts for the head are all present and correct. Top end rebuild time!
Because the bottom end is still nice and strong there is no need for a complete rebuild (disappointing in a way ~ stroker will have to be shelved) but good in another as now I can invest in a nice, new uprated clutch and go through the cooling system. The radiator is, I am ashamed to say, as old as Methuselah so I invested in one of these:
By all accounts PWR make a good product and I get to bin the nasty plastic tank that always fails on the OEM radiator. Nice!
Management and AFM nastiness solved.
The revised Miller MAF and their new software/WAR management is coming.
I've also secured some new Schrick valve springs to match my camshaft at a fantastic price.
The car has been dynoed so now we have a baseline to work from and as we add/modify we'll dyno the car again after each stage.
Things are moving slowly...but at least they are moving. LOL!
Mods have now been started (inlet manifold and throttle body are going on), parts for the head are all present and correct. Top end rebuild time!
Because the bottom end is still nice and strong there is no need for a complete rebuild (disappointing in a way ~ stroker will have to be shelved) but good in another as now I can invest in a nice, new uprated clutch and go through the cooling system. The radiator is, I am ashamed to say, as old as Methuselah so I invested in one of these:
By all accounts PWR make a good product and I get to bin the nasty plastic tank that always fails on the OEM radiator. Nice!
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AlpineAde
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 3829
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Update:
The last track day started the end of days for the original clutch.
UUC Segmented Kevlar clutch ordered. Should be here in a couple of weeks. Also presents an opportunity to refresh other bits and pieces, too. These clutches are very strong and should be pretty much beyond killing.
The Ported Inlet manifold and BBTB are to be installed on the 5th of next month.
The PWR radiator and clutch within the fortnight following.
Should be interesting.
I'll dyno the car again when the 2 bolt ons are installed and see what happens over stock. I'm getting the car dynoed after each stage. The exhaust will be next. I'll post up the dyno sheets if anyone is interested as the mods get done.
The last track day started the end of days for the original clutch.
UUC Segmented Kevlar clutch ordered. Should be here in a couple of weeks. Also presents an opportunity to refresh other bits and pieces, too. These clutches are very strong and should be pretty much beyond killing.
The Ported Inlet manifold and BBTB are to be installed on the 5th of next month.
The PWR radiator and clutch within the fortnight following.
Should be interesting.
I'll dyno the car again when the 2 bolt ons are installed and see what happens over stock. I'm getting the car dynoed after each stage. The exhaust will be next. I'll post up the dyno sheets if anyone is interested as the mods get done.
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beemerbird
- Married to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 8620
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: Suffolk
Excellent progress report here - more pictures please, though.
If it ain't broke, fix it till it is
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AlpineAde
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 3829
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Forgot to add....
This is the car in action at Sandown on the 17th of this month.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=EQKAtWENDcg
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=eZz5p5xUSx0
It handles beautifully and stops very well. The suspension and brake upgrades are on the money as far as I am concerned. Very happy with those mods. Now it is time for some added power....
A pic from the day....
This is the car in action at Sandown on the 17th of this month.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=EQKAtWENDcg
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=eZz5p5xUSx0
It handles beautifully and stops very well. The suspension and brake upgrades are on the money as far as I am concerned. Very happy with those mods. Now it is time for some added power....
A pic from the day....
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AlpineAde
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 3829
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
I managed to get the Schrick valve springs recommended for my 272 camshaft.
Lovely!
One thing that has been accomplished this month in terms of getting on with the plans for the car before the clutch threw a hissy fit is that the inlet manifold and throttle body were installed. The inlet manifold I bought was warmed over even further and the BBTB was stripped and given some much needed attention.
This is what we ended up with:
Inlet Manifold:
Standard
Detail
You can see where the standard inlet manifold has some interior lazy metal just sitting there, doing nothing and just plain getting in the way. Bah! Away with it!
Ported!
Sweet!
Throttle Body:
Standard
BBTB (all freshly rebuilt & 4mm oversize)
Initial impressions: I've read some outrageous claims about BBTBs giving anywhere up to 15bhp on a 325i. I don't buy it. You might get a few horsepower but this is NOT a mod you do if you are on a horsie hunt in a hurry. The same goes for the inlet manifold. But horsepower was not the intent on this little tweak. Throttle response was. And on that front I give this a thumbs up.
I will dyno the car again when the new clutch goes in just to see if any gains are to be had and to quantify them for any interested parties but I can report that if you are after a ”asnappier”a throttle then this pair of mods is definitely worth considering. And if you are into tracking your car then issues surrounding response become doubly important. I have never been a fan of the throttle in the E30. I find it doughy and soft. This goes a long way to rectifying it. It gives the response much more urgency and "hurry up". I believe that doing this sort of thing will also show up down the track more strongly when the head/exhaust gets done. Benefit should increase and its effectiveness should contribute to a growth in the dyno graph when considered as a PART of more substantial mods.
And my new clutch? Should be here during the week.
Lovely!
One thing that has been accomplished this month in terms of getting on with the plans for the car before the clutch threw a hissy fit is that the inlet manifold and throttle body were installed. The inlet manifold I bought was warmed over even further and the BBTB was stripped and given some much needed attention.
This is what we ended up with:
Inlet Manifold:
Standard
Detail
You can see where the standard inlet manifold has some interior lazy metal just sitting there, doing nothing and just plain getting in the way. Bah! Away with it!
Ported!
Sweet!
Throttle Body:
Standard
BBTB (all freshly rebuilt & 4mm oversize)
Initial impressions: I've read some outrageous claims about BBTBs giving anywhere up to 15bhp on a 325i. I don't buy it. You might get a few horsepower but this is NOT a mod you do if you are on a horsie hunt in a hurry. The same goes for the inlet manifold. But horsepower was not the intent on this little tweak. Throttle response was. And on that front I give this a thumbs up.
I will dyno the car again when the new clutch goes in just to see if any gains are to be had and to quantify them for any interested parties but I can report that if you are after a ”asnappier”a throttle then this pair of mods is definitely worth considering. And if you are into tracking your car then issues surrounding response become doubly important. I have never been a fan of the throttle in the E30. I find it doughy and soft. This goes a long way to rectifying it. It gives the response much more urgency and "hurry up". I believe that doing this sort of thing will also show up down the track more strongly when the head/exhaust gets done. Benefit should increase and its effectiveness should contribute to a growth in the dyno graph when considered as a PART of more substantial mods.
And my new clutch? Should be here during the week.
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AlpineAde
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 3829
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
LOL! I'll do my best. My clutch is still in transit so the radiator and clutch have to wait until the 5th of next month to go in. Bloody Christmas gets in the way of car stuff.toby wrote:Wow! They look fantastic!
You're spending like a drunken sailor man!
Keep it up!
Glad you like the seats. Cheers for that.
The blue wasn't an overly popular colour from I can gather but I don't mind it. A colour change would also have necessitated swapping door cards, etc and I couldn't see the point as other parts of the interior are in very good condition. Next month the rear seat gets done and also the headlining. All I really have to do then is swap out those very tired seat belt buckles for some new units and the interior will be looking the business. Thanks for the positive comment. They're always nice to hear...sort of means I'm on the right track.powelly wrote:Loving the blue, I ditched my blue interior on account of if being similar in colour to an asthma inhaler, having said that, with the leather recaros yours loooks very
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AlpineAde
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 3829
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
i almost forgot to mention...the last purchase of the year ~ my radiator came in:
They are beautifully made units, awesome quality.
Here's their website:
http://www.pwr.com.au/#view=home
They are beautifully made units, awesome quality.
Here's their website:
http://www.pwr.com.au/#view=home
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cliffybabe
- Powered by Nelly
- Posts: 10020
- Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Croydon
Considering Selling the Cabby, looks like its gonna go
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AlpineAde
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 3829
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
LOL! Then Cliffy should order up one of those radiators...or go a zionsville one:
http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/store/shop.mv?
Thanks for the Cliffy. That's pretty much what I did when I unpacked it.
http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/store/shop.mv?
Thanks for the
Cliffy. That's pretty much what I did when I unpacked it.I certainly haven't seen many blue interiors, mine came with a blue SE interior, the seats were absolutley knackered and the drivers footwell was soaked in clutch fluid so it had to go really. Blue comfort seats look terrible aswell!!!!The blue wasn't an overly popular colour from I can gather but I don't mind it. A colour change would also have necessitated swapping door cards, etc and I couldn't see the point as other parts of the interior are in very good condition. Next month the rear seat gets done and also the headlining. All I really have to do then is swap out those very tired seat belt buckles for some new units and the interior will be looking the business. Thanks for the positive comment. They're always nice to hear...sort of means I'm on the right track.
Nice to see a four door receiving some lovin aswell, I hope mine turns out half as good as you one.
Le Mans Classic 2006