Changing from Tech 2 body kit to Tech 1

[Stan318is]

Am looking into fitting a tech 1 kit to my 1991 318is. There is already a tech 2 kit on it but I prefer the old school look of the tech 1.

Has anyone done this before?

If so where will I have problems with it? I presume that the valances and arches will have differences between the early and late model e30's.

What I'm looking for is what exactly will need to be done to make it fit right.

All help greatly appreciated. Cheers.

[E30Mark]

Zaust and another have both fitted Tech1 kits to tourings. You'll need to the front valence, and possibly the bumpers, quite alot of work, Plus you'll have to weld up the holes from removing the Tech2 kit etc

[Stan318is]

I should be able to get the front valance also. Bumpers aren't in the best of knick on the tech 1.

What holes will there be after the tech 2?

The tech 2 kit clips into where the door strip is on the tech 1. What other ones will there be? I thought that any other ones would be on the sill that would be covered by the tech 1 sill.

[E30Mark]

Additional 4 holes in the back edge of the front wings, whole load of holes for the side sills, 10 or 12 holes in the front valence, few holes in the bottom side edges of the rear valence area.

[Stan318is]

Will get caught with the wings alright.

Surely the holes in the sills will line up with the tech 1 sills, so shouldn't be any issue.

Will need to change the front valance, so all holes will line up.

Rear valance should be covered up with the tech 1 trim so should be easy enough to hide.

Is there a difference with the bottom part of the rear arches? I know the facelift have lower rear arches but just wondering if the bottom section has changed? The ends of the sills go up along the bottom section of the arches. Just wondering if they will line up right or need modification.

[E30Mark]

Surely the holes in the sills will line up with the tech 1 sills, so shouldn't be any issue.

Don't assume anything.

If you've got both the tech 1 & 2 kits there then it's probably worth taking some time out and removing the 2 kit to start with and double check there is no hidden rust behind it. Then trial fit the Tech 1 kit.

[Dezzy]

Would it not be easier to buy yourself a solid 318 chromey and sell the tech 2. I would bet money once you get that kit off you wont have front or rear sills left of bottom of your wings. That wont be hidden by the tech 1 kit. Save your self alot of messing about imo. Just a thought

[Stan318is]

It's a rust free shell. It was checked on a two poster ramp before buying it. I'll take you up on your bet...

Has been given a good look around on a few occasions after that also. No rust at all, just a flattened section on the sill lip where some donkey jacked it in the wrong place.

The body kit is only about a year old on it, was put on by the previous owner. No hidden surprises under it.

It's a 318is so won't be able to get a pre-facelift version.

[Felix79]

Also the shape of the rear lights is different too which can cause you a proper head ache.

I would seriously take peoples advice and take the tech2 off and inspect what is exposed and prep it properly rather than just going in heads first trying to swap over. You need to take into account the damage you may cause taking the old kit off and then you must really take time fitting it properly. There is nothing more fugly than a badly fitted kit and a tech1 really exposes shoddy anagels and workmanship.

[Dezzy]

[quote="Stan318is"]It's a rust free shell. It was checked on a two poster ramp before buying it. I'll take you up on your bet...

Has been given a good look around on a few occasions after that also. No rust at all, just a flattened section on the sill lip where some donkey jacked it in the wrong place.

The body kit is only about a year old on it, was put on by the previous owner. No hidden surprises under it.

It's a 318is so won't be able to get a pre-facelift version.[/quote

I am not trying to be a t*t but have taken enough tech 2, se side skirts and touring sill covers off to know that 'rust free' with them on and 'rust free' with them off are 2 very different things. I work in a workshop with 2 post, 4 post and scissor ramps and have though i have had really solid cars till removal of side skirts. Good look though. Still stick by the statement that it would be alot easier with a chrome bumper car to start with

[zaust]

The front swap is easy.. the side skirts are easy. Get the angle grinder and wealder out for the rear though. You will need to cut and re-weald the rear floor. Cut the rear valance off completly. make new monting points ect ect. all fun and done in half a day lol.