Saving a chromie

[RustyRuss]

Project is coming along outstandingly well mate

[P_VIDDY]

Cheers Andy. I'm currently repairing the drivers seat bolster as it was torn. Will sort out for you to come have a look when it's a bit more "together"

For the plastics I just used some fine wet and dry then sprayed with satin black paint. Come out really well and don't look like they have been painted... Look oem

Cheers russ

[P_VIDDY]

Small update:

I have not touched the car since my last update due to being too busy. I hope to crack on after Christmas. I have however now purchased a new donor car... M52 2.8



I have now also got a one piece gear knob that will be getting sent off with my steering wheel for re trimming at royal steering wheels after Christmas

[P_VIDDY]

Got some motivation back for this project. Lots happening over the next couple of months to get it on the road for summer. All the welding is finally finished...

[P_VIDDY]

New e46 Clubsport rack acquired and cleaned up. New tie rods, track rods and boots fitted...



Lightened m20 323i flywheel. Just needs a clean up...



finally removed engine from e36 this afternoon (thanks to Ollie for helping out) and started stripping it down to clean up. Replacing gaskets, pipes, breather, water pump etc along the way...







Started cleaning some bits up...

[Blitz]

There are no 325i 2 doors left. Why do you want to molest it with a M52?

[Mitchen]

There are no 325i 2 doors left. Why do you want to molest it with a M52?

This

[P_VIDDY]

So what if it not the original engine? Who actually cares? Surely what matters is the car will be a good clean example. I'm all for keeping the bodywork looking standard and clean. But don't understand why people get upset when you modify it to make it drive better. Will look standard but will have a quicker steering rack. Shorter shifter and a better engine. Please tell me how that is not a good thing?

[Duke137]

There are no 325i 2 doors left. Why do you want to molest it with a M52?

Although you have a point Blitz, that ain't Paul's fault and it is his car

[Blitz]

I wouldn't care much if it was just a 320i, but for the sake of 20bhp I would have kept the M20 on an already rare car even though its a 137k welded up albeit a nicely repaired car. At least it hasn't been dropped on coilovers with "dares"

[Mitchen]

I wouldn't care much if it was just a 320i

No need for that!

[Duke137]

I wouldn't care much if it was just a 320i, but for the sake of 20bhp I would have kept the M20 on an already rare car even though its a 137k welded up albeit a nicely repaired car. At least it hasn't been dropped on coilovers with "dares"

Come on man, he bought it as a knacker really... p7ss stained/ripped trim, auto, head gasket fail and rot, it's lucky it got saved in todays frag happy climate

[M-tech3]

Aas the thread is named "saving a chromie". That's what it is all about.

[jimbom30cab]

It's a shame it's not original spec but you have to say the OP is doing a great job of the car

More pics please

[Blitz]

I wouldn't care much if it was just a 320i

No need for that!

Sorry. 316 then.

[Mitchen]

I wouldn't care much if it was just a 320i

No need for that!

Sorry. 316 then.

That's better

[Cypriotgeeza]

So what if it not the original engine? Who actually cares? Surely what matters is the car will be a good clean example. I'm all for keeping the bodywork looking standard and clean. But don't understand why people get upset when you modify it to make it drive better. Will look standard but will have a quicker steering rack. Shorter shifter and a better engine. Please tell me how that is not a good thing?

+1

I agree with both sides but as it always comes down to my favourite motto on this site "My Car, My Money, My Rules"

Im sure there is still unmolested 325i's left in the world which are in heated garages waiting to be brought out once or twice a year so everyone can stare at the originality.
But that's no fun is it!?

P.s Great work! Most people would have broke it!

It is making me want to learn more welding as my "pidgeon sh1t" welding skills wouldn't be useful with a project like this

[P_VIDDY]

Stripped my m50 throttle body to have it bored out and larger butterfly valve machined...



Then cleaned painted and rebuilt




Managed to bore it out from 64mm to 68.9mm. Inlet manifold is 69mm

Also had some spacers machined so I can fit e46 Clubsport rack rather then using washers to pack out the bolts...

[JF008]

Nice!

[anothere21323i]

This looks great - awesome work so far

[DanThe]

At least it hasn't been dropped on coilovers with "dares"

There is time!

I have my fingers crossed though as it looks like its in good hands

[P_VIDDY]

Engine cleaning up nicely...



Arches have now had a skim of filler and I'll primed up. Got a good afternoons worth of prepping left then finally ready for paint. Can't wait...

[P_VIDDY]

Just received my steering wheel and gear knob back from Jack at royal steering wheel. Quality job...

[BenHar]

Looks very good.

How much was it for each?

Thanks
Ben

[P_VIDDY]

Wheel £105 gear knob £45

[BenHar]

Much better value than Rav!

Ben

[ImysE30]

Just read the thread, top work. It could easily have been stripped and crushed but credit to the owner for saving it !

Will be much better with the M52

[P_VIDDY]

So I have been very busy but don't feel like I have achieved a great deal however it will be all go over the next few weeks.

Old engine coming out in 2 weeks
Car going ng for paint in 3 weeks
New engine going in in 3 weeks

I have modified wiring loom to plug straight into e30. Fitted extra temp sensor and added wiring for oil level sensor. Fitted m50 manifold and modified a few bits to keep breather/oil separator.

Engine almost ready to go in...



New alloy rad

[bss325i]

Nice project!

[Rav335uk]

Much better value than Rav!

Ben

Ben, you've never been forced to buy one from me.

BTW, the stitching is meant to invisible on the side of the knob, like the OEM one, but it looks nice, and different.

[87mtech27]

That engine looks the sh*t on that stand

[ImysE30]

Nice progress !

[Cypriotgeeza]

That engine looks the sh*t on that stand

[e30Passion]

Managed to source some matching front sports seats...

Damn, where did you get that from?
I have the same interior (new condition though). Searching for years now for a nice set of sport seats. Can't find them!

[P_VIDDY]

Some guy had them sat in his garage for years. They were black with dirt. He let me have the for £60 in the hope they would clean up