Eggenbeefburger Grp2 e21 BMW 320

[Demlotcrew]

I love Spa Design products, they are very very good!

Wiring that in will take a lot of time, so unless you're prepared to pay its best to learn electronics!

It cant be that difficult?

Andrew

[Hoobs]

It should be easy enough, even for a donut like me. I actually spoke to the guys at SPA today and they have all the data from my unit on file. I told them what I'm fitting it in and it's possible I can hook it straight up to the OE sensors so long as the parameters are OK. Given how little it owes me I can afford to spend a few quid on a new loom etc, not that they said it would be much anyway. I sent the whole lot to them this morning and they're going to sent it back with an idiots guide to installation.

As for cameras, I might have to drop a few hints to the Mrs and get one for my birthday.

I've just spent an hour or so checking the car over and I'm off to Brands bright n early. I just hope it stays dry. The forecast isn't great but fingers crossed it'll be better than todays weather.

[Demlotcrew]

I could be wrong, but it looks like some of the LCD segments are not working, it might need to be repaired also?

Andrew

[Hoobs]

No you're right, although it doesn't stop me being able to read the display. If it's fixable I think they'll probably do it at the same time.

[Demlotcrew]

Its normally the connections on the PCB, not the actual display that cause that, they should fix it for you!

Its a nice display

Andrew

[Hoobs]

SPA did the whole unit. Sorted the failed display segments, supplied a new oil pressure sensor and replaced the broken switches. Added to that it turns out that rather than just being a display, it's actually got full data logging facility! They said I got a ''bit of a bargain''. Anyway, it's now totally ''as new'' and ready to fit.

Brands Hatch was a total wash-out today. It wasn't heavy rain but it was enough to make it super slippy. There were so many red flags they said anyone going off would automatically lose an hours track time. I decided to throw the towel in an go home in one piece.

[LondonTom]

Dried out this afternoon mate, but there was a big off which closed the session towards the end of the day.

[Hoobs]

Once I got closer to home it looked promising but I couldn't be arsed to head back again. Hope no-one was hurt?

[LondonTom]

Just some crumpled body work, smashed headlights and some dented pride!

Some nice cars turned up for the evening session.

[Hoobs]

What were you there in?

[Demlotcrew]

SPA did the whole unit. Sorted the failed display segments, supplied a new oil pressure sensor and replaced the broken switches. Added to that it turns out that rather than just being a display, it's actually got full data logging facility! They said I got a ''bit of a bargain''. Anyway, it's now totally ''as new'' and ready to fit.

Brands Hatch was a total wash-out today. It wasn't heavy rain but it was enough to make it super slippy. There were so many red flags they said anyone going off would automatically lose an hours track time. I decided to throw the towel in an go home in one piece.

I bet its good, everything SPA sell is very good, I have many of their gauges, you were lucky with it!

Andrew

[Hoobs]

Has anyone got any pics of what I will have to deal with if I lose the OE dash? I know there's going to be a heap of wiring and the OE fan is going to be replaced with an e36 cab rear screen blower. I just want to work out a smaller, custom alloy dash before I rip out the standard one.

[ross_jsy]

What as in what the area looks like with just the dash removed? My cars like that ATM minus the heater box assembly if you want a picture?

[Hoobs]

Yes please. I just want to know what to expect, so I can start planning a solution to getting it to look right.

[ross_jsy]

Here ya go. If you want any specific pics let me know. Was hard to get a decent shot as the sun was rising and light coming straight through the window in front of the car but hopefully they are ok:


Passenger side, excuse the mess. It's awaiting wrapping after thinning the loom out:



Drivers side:



Looking up into the passenger foot well:



Wiring is going to get a wrap and then use something like P clips to secure it to the bulkhead area.



Snapped a picture of my sunroof blank too:





I would imagine the wiring is neater but the previous owner had removed the dash in the past and cable tied a lot of the wires up But hope it gives you an idea for what you are in for

[Demlotcrew]

Thats not a mess!

[ross_jsy]

Shhh! It's dire right now.

Really neglected the car in the last year or so. Life sort of got in the way. Look how much dust is on the roof

[Demlotcrew]

Mark,

If you dont end up using the Spa dash, please let me know!

[Hoobs]

Perfect, thank you!

It's not as bad as I thought it might be and should be simple enough to make an alloy mount for the digital dash and one for switches. I may keep stalks for convenience though?

I've got a fibrglass sunroof blank coming. Can't find anything in the MSA blue book though? I may need a better look.

[e21Jason]

Sunroof infill needs to be the same material as the roof, just strip the sunroof to a single skin and bond it in.

Jason

[ross_jsy]

You have given me a complex about that wiring Andrew. Picked up some cloth automotive electrical tape, conduit and p clips earlier. I'll get some pics up once I have sorted it to a standard I am happy with.

Some of it was a right mess

Oh where is the correct location for the small ecu? I don't think it is meant to be hanging where it is by a cable tie some how and if anyone has a picture of where the ecu sits that would be appreciated, unless duct taped to the steering column is a rare M sport option I haven't heard about

[Hoobs]

I'm taking the OE dash out this week and am planning on making a small alloy replacement to house the digital display. I had though of just keeping the stalks for convenience, but would I be better off just making a small switch panel instead? I figured I could then remove the steering lock and ignition switch and just have a master switch and push button, for the starter?

I am also thinking of a removable steering wheel to make it easier to get in and out with my dodgy leg.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270953418585? ... 500wt_1193

[winx]

I would keep the stalks if I were you. Much easier to flash people if they get in your way on track

[Hoobs]

Yeah, I think you're right. I also want to keep the car vaguely MOT'able so wouldn't want to freak the tester out too much.

I dropped the car over to Pristine this morning and in the name of science they are going to do before and after power runs when they fit the six branch.

They're also going to see how much weight they can chop out of the doors and remove the sunroof gubbins. I should easily see less than a ton at that rate.

[Demlotcrew]

Personally i would keep the inner door skin, it weighs very little.

Andrew

[ross_jsy]

My doors feel very light opening and closing them. That's just a stripped door with no electrics in and plastic windows.

Wouldn't want to grind the inner skins out as I think it would get too flimsy

[kipsy]

My doors in the photo on other page are far from flimsy. And with plastic I saved 6kg per door. It's not really the door skin that weighs but when you remove
Window electrics
Door solenoids
Wiring
Door locks and heaters
Winder mechanism
Door cards
Handles
It all adds up.

[Hoobs]

That's the sort of stuff we plan to delete as opposed to chopping lumps out of the doors structure itself.

Does anyone have an idea of what the OE heater, dash & binnacle might weigh?

[e21Jason]

Here is how much the doors are stripped on the e28 still work okay and seal okay

[Demlotcrew]

Jason, the E28 has two seals on the doors?

Looks light!

Andrew

[e21Jason]

There are 2 seals the OEM one and where the door is cut away a second seal bonded to the door where it no longer closes against the OEM seal

[kipsy]

Fair doos more chopping than I did. Prob another 10% lighter the door shell

[Demlotcrew]

TBH i think that the material taken off was put back on with the seal, the only way to get the doors light is to go all carbon.

Andrew

[kipsy]

This is how mine looks at the moment with the plastic door card from work and strap from an old box as a handle
Bit dusty but who cares haha

[e21Jason]

On the e21 I used a pull handle from the boto of an omega as the door pull