my new project, calypso cab... update Jan 2017

[sajad09]

so as some of you may know i bought an e30 cab a few moths ago which didn't go to well and i ended up breaking it up for parts to recoup my money back... whilst keeping the good stuff for future projects..

i stumbled upon this last month and decided to save it..
1993 320i convertible in my favourite colour calypso red! (always wanted calypso cab), the car is a 3 previous owner with 87k on the clock, however it has been off the road since 2009..

paint is very flat and rear arches are starting to get bubbly... but over all rust free in all the usual places

roof is covered in green tree sap and dirt...

iv decided to build it back to its glory days and start a thread as iv never done one before..

let me know what you guys think..















new engine: M20B25 with switchable auto box

bought this off bmwmad (brilliant group of guys). started taking it all apart for full rebuild, currently waiting for parts, will add pics when i start putting it back together








once the engine is complete i want to do a full suspension rebuild.. so its as good as can be mechanically.

its a manual at the minute but i want to convert to switchable auto as i prefer auto cabs.

this will be a long on going project and will do bits to it when i can afford to and get the time, she may not see the road for a while, but i think this one will be a keeper so im gona spend time on it and do it properly.

[Brianmoooore]

Looks a good base to start with from the pics., and being a late one, doesn't have those horrible metal bumpers that ruin most examples.
Not sure I'd be pulling too much of the engine apart, unless it has known issues, but now you have the head off, a tidy up of the valves and their seats, along with new exhaust valve guides would be a good idea.

[sajad09]

Thanks mate... Tbh i i took the engine apart because it had done 160k and thought id freshen it up but then as im openeing it up more im finding oil leaks so then i was advised to change pistion rings by mechanic and now that its all apart iv ordered bottom end bearings and its become a rebiuld.. Probably over kill but once its done i will probably never need to touch it again..

The joke is that i saw the engine running before it was removed!! And now its in a million peices...

[Brianmoooore]

Mechanic is probably used to Ford/Vauxhall scrap from the 80s/90s, in which case he would be right. The M20 was designed by engineers, not accountants, and at 160k is 'nicely run in' - you should still be able to see the honing pattern in the bores.
A correctly serviced M20, that hasn't been cooked, shouldn't need attention for 300k.

[sajad09]

Yes thats what i told him.. But its done now i suppose. Parts should be here tuesday so might aswell do it now

[bmw-mad]

Looks a better base this and nice colour

I didn't think the engine would have needed that yet as brian has said along with the head being done not so long ago!

I drove the car back over 100 miles and it pulled very well without issues.

But I see what your doing so fair play!

Will keep an eye on this thread

[sajad09]

Your are right the engine seems to be very healthy internaly and i can see eveidence of the top end re build... Cambelt, head gasket etc looks brand new...

In fact i could of just changed the crank oil seals and that would of been the end of it... But iv stared now so may aswell finish..

Will post pics of my progress in the next week or so..

Also i may need your wisdom with fitting that gearbox loom in the next few weeks so i may give you a call if thats ok?

[andysheep]

Nice cabbie,fair play on getting stuck in,wish i freshened up my motor when i had it out recouloring mine,i have a two door saloon in the same coulor ,and i only bought it cos i love that coulour,iv been drooling over pics of that coulor cabbie,and iv got a lovely aplinwess white one (now)0great car good luck
Andy

[sajad09]

Thanks Andy..

Iv always loved calypso but never had the chance to buy now, they rarely come up
For sale so when i saw this i had to have it, hopefully will look even better once its had the tech 2 kit put on it with fresh paint

[corkie]

I also love a calypso cab and my colour which is mauritius blue !yours would look lovely with cream leather , good luck with it nice find !

[sajad09]

I also love a calypso cab and my colour which is mauritius blue !yours would look lovely with cream leather , good luck with it nice find !

Thanks mate, i used to have a maritus blue cab few years back which look almost like yours, i loved that car but had to sell at the time, a zoner still owns it i beleive.. Im gona try to replicate that with this one but calypso version...

Im not a fan of grey leather either but its in decent condition so i may stick with it for now till i can fund a new interior..

[corkie]

You could respray it beige !much cheeper option,beige interior is hard to find in good condition their nearly always knackerd !thats what i would do!

[sajad09]

You could respray it beige !much cheeper option,beige interior is hard to find in good condition their nearly always knackerd !thats what i would do!

You right they usually ar knackerd... Iv got a family member on my wifes side that can get me leather at cost price as they import it, so it just a case of finding a good trimmer and picking a colour.. But this is probably the last thing on my list at the minute...

I used have an e39 which had champagne leather... Im considerating that maybe.

[Gert_8]

That looks a great starting point. Very nice.

[corkie]

Does the lecky roof work ?

[sajad09]

It tries too... The frame is very stiff and material is almost crispy so i dont want to force it, but i have a full setup from another car so i will get it working eventually!

Defo needs new roof material in the future...

[sajad09]

That looks a great starting point. Very nice.

Thanks mate

[Jesus325iTouring]

This is what I enjoy reading, keep up the posts! Do like the calypso colour too

[sajad09]

This is what I enjoy reading, keep up the posts! Do like the calypso colour too

Thanks mate i will try too!

[sajad09]

Right my parts have arrived today so gona try and get the bottom end completed tomorow.
Any body know the torque setting for the conrod bolts? And also the crankshaft for when i bolt it all back together?

[corkie]

Go on the technical section on here !im sure mr moooore or someone else will know what you require !

[sajad09]

Go on the technical section on here !im sure mr moooore or someone else will know what you require !

Thanks i found the page with all the torque settings.

[sajad09]

[sajad09]

Small update, i got the bearing and piston rings in the post so iv fitted them after cleanng degreasing the block inside out...

Gave it a quick coat of engine enamal.. Got new crank seals and other oil gaskets from the bmw and fitted all of theses so there will be no chance of oil leaks!

Painted the sump after a good degrease and also the engine mounts and oil filter housing where cleaned up.

Went to put the sump on to complete the block build and realised that euro car parts had sent the wrong sump gasket so now im waiting for delivery of new sump gasket and head gasket with bolts etc.. These should be here tommorw however im not going to get an chance to do anything for a few days so will get around to it next week..

In the mean while head was cleaned up

Might send the starter and alternator for a refurb next week as there here sitting in a box!

[sajad09]

Also need to clean up the inlet manifold and rocker cover, going to order the gaskets from bmw on monday and also change the injector seals while iv got it all apart for a repaint and degrease

Im enjoying doing all this as its not something i would of tackled on my own but iv got my mechanic mates double checking everything once im bolting it back up.. Hope i aint made a mistake anywhere

Hopefully it will all be ok!

[sajad09]

Before clean up, and new parts.

[sajad09]

Cleaned up welll.

[sajad09]

On another note i sold the IS spoiler that was on the car and when i jacked the car up to remove it, it looks like this on the suspension.... All rubbers are deteriated and crumbly and definitely need to be replaced!

Parking a car up for many years is defo not a good idea!

[sajad09]

Right guys been a while since iv done anything to the e30... thought id give you an update, the engine is 95% complete and will be finished when im acctually putting in to the car...

Has had all new gaskets and waterpump, timeing belt etc.. so should be great once in the car.. need to clean up the gearbox this weekend and work out how to get the gearbox loom in the car!!

But hopefully by the new year the engine should be in and running...

[sajad09]

On another note i took the car for an mot last month and to my shock it passed with no advisories! Amazing for a car that was stood for many years... however i did go through it thoroughly and check everything before hand..

And its now has an mot after 7 odd years!!

[/// KAMI]

Looking good

[/// KAMI]

Looking good

[Captain_Birdseye]

Sweet

[sajad09]

Thanks guys...

I just hope it all runs once it goes in! I am a novice mechanic and undertook a task id never done before... hopefully all will be well and i havent cocked anything up

[sajad09]

Anybody know what type of gearbox oil i need for a 4hp22 switchable auto box?
And how many litres are required if im refilling from empty

Thanks