My little red 316, a build thread.

[bartbad69]

Wanted to start a build thread for my E30 so here it is! The story so far...

One lady owner until the early 2000's, then put into storage with light use until 2018, used by an 18 year old for a year until it bacame mine!

Purchased in Feb 2020 for £3800. No major structural rust, patchy history but recently MOT'd and running....barely.

No heat, dodgy brakes and an engine that ran like crap, just about made it home in one piece.

She actually looked very good the day I brought it home.

[bartbad69]

After the initial joy of finally owning an E30 had worn off I went into full diagnostics mode.

No heat in cabin and temp gauge in the blue, easy, thermostat. Heat in the cabin restored.

Driving it to work that day the brake pedal went to the floor approaching a junction, luckily a collision was avoided, the car limped to my local mechanic who verified that the pad had crumbled away (age?). I had them do the discs, pads and change all the fluids, diff and gearbox included.

The car felt better. However it still ran very badly, and wouldn't rev above 4000 rpm. So I thought I'd threat the old girl to £700 worth of camshaft, cambelt, waterpump, whole new ignition system, belts and fan.

[bartbad69]

The camshaft replacement was fairly straightforward, 3 of the 8 hydraulic tappets were collapsed (obvious from the loud ticking). Camshaft had been changed previously, the cam caps being fitted incorrectly, odd considering the car had only 85,000 original miles (backed by MOT history back to 1999).

With all the shiny new bits the car ran much better, plenty of power (for a 1.6) and economy up to 32mpg UK. However still runs poorly when cold, for that I have some vaccum hoses on order as the old ones look awful.

[bartbad69]

So Flybe making me redundant have me a lot of time to play with the car. Gave it a proper clean inside and out.

Took some photos as it was a nice day.

[bartbad69]

This week I replaced the clutch slave cylinder and gave the underside a once over, she's nice and clean underneath with the only bit of rust in the rear right storage bucket.

[bartbad69]

Finally found a set of wheels I like, 16" Avez A. Refurbished with new tyres for £625. They suit the car but it's desperate for a set of lowering springs, I'm thinking I may fit a set of anti roll bars and refurb the brake calipers, drums and whilst I'm at it.

[martauto]

Well done that man
Those wheels suit the car soooooo well and I really like the stance as it is now but it`s not my car.
For a relatively modest amount of cash you actually get a lot for your money which will keep this car on the road for years to come.


Mart.

[Cloggy Saint]

Azevs are a good quality wheel and suit the E30 nicely. I'd be inclined to lower the front by about 30mm but the rear looks fine to me.

[bartbad69]

Thanks guys, lowering springs turned up today. Will for the fronts to start with and see how it looks. Will see how the car feels after, may fit new shocks or Eibach anti roll bar kit to sort the body roll out.

[rix313]

I love the standard tape deck. Very cool!

[bartbad69]

I've been slowly taking stock of the bits and pieces I need to progress with the car, decided to fit my lowering springs today. As per your advice I only did the front, this resulted in a 25mm or so drop, even though they were 40mm springs...

Now the front and rear arch gaps are spot on.

Unfortunately during the installation I found my shocks blown and top mounts starting to wear, I'll have to source some and do it all again when the time comes.

I also replaced all the questionable vacuum hoses, the idle is better and the engine seems happier. I also cleaned the throttle body as it was full of oily gunk.

Overall it's been a good day!

[Cloggy Saint]

The ride height may only be at -25mm at the moment but the springs need time to settle, they will get lower over a bit of time.

[steve_k]

that look really good,

as for the azev's a fantastic looking wheel & with the drop in ride height they suit the car.

keep the updates coming.

[bartbad69]

A before and after of the new wheel and height set-up. Pleased with how it sits, next on the list will be sourcing some vented brakes and getting bits together for an M44 swap.

[bartbad69]

Yesterday I painted the mirrors and doorhandles, luckily the eBay spray can colour matched almost perfectly.

[rix313]

New ride height is nice. One of mine sits high at the front and I can't work out why as it has the correct springs fitted. What springs did you fit? If you're going to swap the front dampers, look for a set of 51mm struts and do that upgrade. Bilstein dampers are pretty well priced too.

Colour coded mirrors make a big difference

[bartbad69]

Bilstein dampers are pretty well priced too.

I've just ordered a 45mm set of Bilstein B4 for £154 shipped. Excellent value, I wanted the B12 shock and spring kit but it was way out of my budget at the moment.

The springs were £65 for a set of 4 from eBay, I went with cheap crap to check if I was happy with ride height and was pleasantly surprised with the quality so they can stay.

[Tzantushka]

Nice work.
Mirrors look great too.

You'll like the B4 as an every day shock.
I can't fault them for price.

Also, if you're going to take your struts apart again for shocks & strut tops - perhaps new wishbones / lollypop rear bushings.
Yes, you can replace those later, but if funds & time allow - why not make it spot on?

[bartbad69]

Yes, you can replace those later, but if funds & time allow - why not make it spot on?

Luckily they were replaced just before I bought the car so nothing to worry about there. Hoping to do the shocks next weekend as all the parts are here now.

Also managed to score a freebie of a family friend! Nice upgrade to the 4 spoke wheel, may send it off to get redone as the leather isn't 100%.

[BristolE30]

Love how empty the 316 engine bays are... miss mine

[Moz]

Great build! Nice work on the mirrors, I did mine myself so badly that I sent them to the painters to get done properly