Saving a chromie
Moderator: martauto
Small update:
Fitted some decent springs H&R 35mm springs. Next step on the suspension is Bilstein B8 shocks all round then new bushes and arms front to rear.


In other news I have had my valuation come through from my insurance and the car is value at/insured for £8,000. Not bad for saying I paid £661 not all that long ago haha
Fitted some decent springs H&R 35mm springs. Next step on the suspension is Bilstein B8 shocks all round then new bushes and arms front to rear.


In other news I have had my valuation come through from my insurance and the car is value at/insured for £8,000. Not bad for saying I paid £661 not all that long ago haha
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povertyspec
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 158
- Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 11:00 pm
i really like it on bottletops. its nice and period sitting. im starting to think of fitting a set to my 1.8. just got back from Thailand and saw a bautiful red unmolested E36 2.5 coupe on the 16 inch 5 lug bottles they had at launch and it looked sooooo right.
Took the old turd down to Santa pod BMW show yesterday. Managed to get my target of 14.5 seconds down the strip. So the benchmark has now been set for future mods.
Got a couple of videos...
Racing a twin turbo 335i
Onboard footage racing my mates E36 M3 track slag (one of my slower runs)
Getting ready to race

Other than changing all the tyres for some new continentals I have not touched the car for a while. Will be keeping using the car down to a min now winter is quickly upon us and trying to get some bits sorted. Have a few minor issues to sort and started sourcing parts for to fit air con.
Next years plan...
Sort suspension (bilstein shocks, new bushes and ball joints throughout)
Full custom stainless exhaust (made by a quality fabricator, not cheap powerflow crap)
Brakes
Future plans (hopefully next year):
More power (3.0 stroker? US m3 cams?)
6 speed conversion
Got a couple of videos...
Racing a twin turbo 335i
Onboard footage racing my mates E36 M3 track slag (one of my slower runs)
Getting ready to race

Other than changing all the tyres for some new continentals I have not touched the car for a while. Will be keeping using the car down to a min now winter is quickly upon us and trying to get some bits sorted. Have a few minor issues to sort and started sourcing parts for to fit air con.
Next years plan...
Sort suspension (bilstein shocks, new bushes and ball joints throughout)
Full custom stainless exhaust (made by a quality fabricator, not cheap powerflow crap)
Brakes
Future plans (hopefully next year):
More power (3.0 stroker? US m3 cams?)
6 speed conversion
Last edited by P_VIDDY on Sat Jan 02, 2016 1:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I have finally made a start on a full suspension overhaul.
Rear axle removed


I have every bush to replace with powerflex. New bilstein b8 shocks.
Also rear arms will be getting reinforced. Camber/toe plates welded on then beam/arms will be getting painted.
Rear axle removed


I have every bush to replace with powerflex. New bilstein b8 shocks.
Also rear arms will be getting reinforced. Camber/toe plates welded on then beam/arms will be getting painted.
Bushes removed...
Axle bushes removed using fire

Trailing arm bushes removed using my favourite tool

E30 rear arms are pretty weak and prone to bending so decided to reinforce them whilst removed


Got some of Dan's (danthe) camber plate to weld on Wednesday night then it's off for paint with the arms.
Axle bushes removed using fire

Trailing arm bushes removed using my favourite tool

E30 rear arms are pretty weak and prone to bending so decided to reinforce them whilst removed


Got some of Dan's (danthe) camber plate to weld on Wednesday night then it's off for paint with the arms.
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Gert_8
- Married to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 11304
- Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: In your back passage faster than a rat up a drainpipe!
Now, that is how you replace an arch!
Superb looking car
Superb looking car

PONY, 2013 - "Anyway span 360 degrees hitting the kerb and giving the old man two fingers as I was spinning like Michael Schumacher would
camber plates (supplied by DANTHE) now welded on and elongated the holes.

all ready to be 2K painted now...

I have also had to rectify a couple of issues:
due to my short shift setup (z4m) there is next to no clearance between the prop so under aggressive shifting it catches. I didn't want to change the selector as it feels great... nice and tight but not too notchy. Also I found that the shifter was not sitting central. so I modified the linkage...




I had also failed to notice the f*@ked inner input shaft bearing on the diff when i built it.... DOH!
So had to rebuild the diff again and replace the bearing



all ready to be 2K painted now...

I have also had to rectify a couple of issues:
due to my short shift setup (z4m) there is next to no clearance between the prop so under aggressive shifting it catches. I didn't want to change the selector as it feels great... nice and tight but not too notchy. Also I found that the shifter was not sitting central. so I modified the linkage...




I had also failed to notice the f*@ked inner input shaft bearing on the diff when i built it.... DOH!
So had to rebuild the diff again and replace the bearing


A true labour of love Paul! I've just finished reading the entire thread and have to say it's remarkable how much time and effort you have put into this car. It goes without saying that she is now a real beauty, one of the cleanest I have seen! Huge respect!
Very impressed!
Very impressed!
A true labour of love Paul! I've just finished reading the entire thread and have to say it's remarkable how much time and effort you have put into this car. It goes without saying that she is now a real beauty, one of the cleanest I have seen! Huge respect!
Very impressed!
Very impressed!
Thanks guys. Rich... I shall be looking forward to updates in the future of your newly acquired 318is.
More slow progress.
Whilst the rear axle is out I have protected areas I previously coudlnt get to:


everything is now painted and almost ready to bolt back together with all new powerflex bushes and new brackets etc.

now we are starting to get nicer days I am getting the urge to drive it so time to get stuck in. Planning to be back on the road next Saturday.
More slow progress.
Whilst the rear axle is out I have protected areas I previously coudlnt get to:


everything is now painted and almost ready to bolt back together with all new powerflex bushes and new brackets etc.

now we are starting to get nicer days I am getting the urge to drive it so time to get stuck in. Planning to be back on the road next Saturday.
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jimbom30cab
- Tech 1 freak
- Posts: 7634
- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:00 pm
- Location: in the garage
Nice work Paul, that 2k finish looks great.
PROGRESS!!
She is back on the road!
Rear end rebuild done...
Powerflex: trailing arm bushes. Axle bushes. Top mounts. Anti roll bar D bush and both link bushes.
Danthe's camber /toe plates welded on.
Arms reinforced
All 2k painted
New brackets, Spring pads etc
New brake pipes
Bilstein b8 shocks with h&r 35mm springs






The obligatory wash and road test


The modified selector linkage is perfect. No longer catches prop and sits perfectly central instead of looking like its in third when it's in neutral.
Car drove well considering the geometry needs sorting as i did it by eye. It's sitting higher at the rear but hopefully that will settle.
She is back on the road!
Rear end rebuild done...
Powerflex: trailing arm bushes. Axle bushes. Top mounts. Anti roll bar D bush and both link bushes.
Danthe's camber /toe plates welded on.
Arms reinforced
All 2k painted
New brackets, Spring pads etc
New brake pipes
Bilstein b8 shocks with h&r 35mm springs






The obligatory wash and road test


The modified selector linkage is perfect. No longer catches prop and sits perfectly central instead of looking like its in third when it's in neutral.
Car drove well considering the geometry needs sorting as i did it by eye. It's sitting higher at the rear but hopefully that will settle.
Had my interior cleaned...



Full blog/write up here...
http://www.atd-detailing.co.uk/bmw-e30-sleeper/



Full blog/write up here...
http://www.atd-detailing.co.uk/bmw-e30-sleeper/
Nice stuff! What did you use to restore the black plastic in one of the early posts? Looks like it came out decent.
And also what stuff did you use to protect the underside? I'm taking the rear end out from under my 318iS soon so I'll get to it while I can!
And also what stuff did you use to protect the underside? I'm taking the rear end out from under my 318iS soon so I'll get to it while I can!
"The most E30-ist of E30s"
Thanks.
For the plastics I used fine wet and dry and then rattle can spray painted with satin black. Looks OE but fresh. Still look perfect over a year later. I just just trim shine now.
As for the underbody I used a shutz gun
For the plastics I used fine wet and dry and then rattle can spray painted with satin black. Looks OE but fresh. Still look perfect over a year later. I just just trim shine now.
As for the underbody I used a shutz gun
Great looking motor this is Paul, proper stealth!











