1990 Sterling - 333i Sport?

[JungleGus]

Well - with Covid lockdown I decided to get the car out of storage as I've been working in New York for the past two years. I had a few odd jobs and figured it'd be handy to have a car given the current situation, so pulled her out and took her for an MOT.

With my mate's 335i...it's chipped to around 400 hp I think, the E30 is pretty similar till the end of 4th



Upon getting home from the MOT, we promptly got here:



The plan was to re-build the brakes as the right front was sticking a little, strip and paint them and install the brass bushes. Now I had been running E30 M3 springs that were comfy...but way too soft, especially w the M52 iron block up front. Coincidentally, the Turner Motorsport J-Stock springs have gotten back into production, so I figured it may be worth a gamble to see if they are OK for the road. The custom valved front shock is available from TMS but I had to use the Motorsport Bilstein (I think they have Group N valving) for the rear. I also decided to switch to the 22mm/19mm Suspension Technique's sway bars as well while I was there (away from the Eibach which I think was 20mm/16mm).





This was an accidental match...







And back in one piece after an oil service! After switching the wheel studs for wheel bolts and getting the centre caps on for the first time in many years. I like the ride height (the extra spring stiffness keeps it at a good height), there's no rubbing with the 224/45R16's and while it's fairly stiff, it's not too bad for the road, so I'm fairly pleased. Oh and the brakes work which is a plus. My only niggle is that the front may be a touch too high (I've used a 2nd top thicker spring pad on the bottom) but I have no clearance issues to date.



Next plans - I'm very very tempted to go BTB with the S50 manifolds as I've never been happy with any of the M52 exhausts I've had. It may be her 30th birthday present. Probably needs a new battery in the near future (my jump pack has been a life saver)...and I wouldn't mind getting the Massive Rallye kit with 6pot Willwoods front and 4pot rears (overkill for the road and I don't think I can use the Sport Evo wheels unless I have a spacer) but am going to try enjoy it and fix a few bits and pieces like a light fuel leak and noisy fan. TBH the long range fuel tank is more of a PITA than it's worth so that may need to go. I am thinking to pick up a set of Pagid Yellows if I can get a track day lined up in June,

Will be nice to actually use her for the first time in a while - I'd be keen to go round a track if anyone knows of any coming up (MSV is sold out across the board pretty much, very keen to go round Donington).

[JungleGus]

Would value any feedback on the ride height - do we think the front is too high? It is lower than the rear by about 1/1.5cm measured from the sills

[steve_k]

Would value any feedback on the ride height - do we think the front is too high? It is lower than the rear by about 1/1.5cm measured from the sills

maybe a slightly thicker spring pad on the rear to level it out?

[tha881]

Looks great on the 16s Gus. I know you have stiffer springs so unsure if they will settle over time? I would say with these things it's more important how it drives, maybe it would be worth raising the back a touch with thicker pads and seeing if a bit more rake has a positive or negative effect on handling.

[JungleGus]

Thanks! I do like them.

The rear has the thicker pads (9mm bottom I think, only one option for the top) and the front has 2x 9mm pads (the upper), so I may try revert to the normal 3mm bottom pad, which should do the trick.

Just wanted to check my eyes were not playing around with me! I guess it means getting the car in bits again...should be a bit faster than last time hopefully.

[flybynite]

It is difficult to see because the arch is so much lower on the facelift rear wheel. The sill looks level to me.

Have always thought they look a bit better with a touch of rake on the body giving similar arch clearance

[Cloggy Saint]

I would say that the front looks fine but the rear is a little low.

[JungleGus]

Quick update for the archives - I decided to bite the bullet and treat the old girl to the BTB S50 manifold and system, it's really nice and a tiny bit quieter. I had the car round Donington yesterday and they sent some pics which I've put below. Quite like the one with the BMW banner across the track!

I switched the front spring pads for the thinner ones and used Pagid Yellows (RS29 I think) and they lasted the whole day pretty well...I'll change them back to stock as have some longer trips coming up. I'm also going to put H&R Sport springs in with the old Bilsteins. The J-Stocks handle very well but they are a little stiff for the road.

Had a slight issue on the day with the alternator making some nasty noises and not putting out full volts, so luckily there was a replacement nearby so got that in and took it a little easier and was trouble free for the rest of the day. Funny how the E36/46 is now considered an old car! Was tough to find. Although did have some grumbling towards the end on left handers, but it could have been rubber on the track. Will check wheel bearings, etc. when I change the springs (3rd time in a month, ugh). I've also got the injectors out and off to Injectortune for cleaning. Hoping to get her on a dyno and do some mapping and have a feeling they might be maxed out...the never ending story. Will probably be my last track day for a while, it's a big commitment and a never ending cycle of fixing things.

The delrin rear shifter arm bushing had gone walkabout, so managed to get some heater hose to make a makeshift bushing while the one from BMW arrives from Germany. 10mm from Halfords - it actually fits spot on. Also need to diagnose the reverse light and passenger side wing mirror wiring which I'm not looking forward to. Then get the ECU mounting sorted and give her a proper wash and wax...then hopefully nothing for a while. Fingers crossed...am also thinking to try some dynamat behind the front tweeter pods to try and reduce some of the wind noise (if that's even possible).

After seeing a thread on R3V (https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/ ... -abs-pumps) I bought a 2nd hand pump and one day when I'm feeling brave will re-build and clean up the spare to switch over. Should be an interesting project. Probably a massive pain in the arse like everything else. Would love to re-do the seats or get some comfy buckets but I'm trying to give cars a break for a wee while. If I can that is.

[flybynite]

I bought a 2nd hand pump and one day when I'm feeling brave will re-build and clean up the spare to switch over. Should be an interesting project. Probably a massive pain in the arse like everything else.

You need E46 MK60 Standalone ABS , none of this old 3-channel crap

[JungleGus]

To be fair the ABS hardly engaged - I had to really try hard to get it to kick in. Those Yoko's seem to have a decent amount of grip.

Oh and the E-Tech Caliper paint? Bubbled off in the first session. Almost back to square 1 with brakes...

[RTTBMW]

Would value any feedback on the ride height - do we think the front is too high? It is lower than the rear by about 1/1.5cm measured from the sills

maybe a slightly thicker spring pad on the rear to level it out?

Here is mine with 1 inch lower front on BBS 16"'s

[ah]

Quick update for the archives - I decided to bite the bullet and treat the old girl to the BTB S50 manifold and system, it's really nice and a tiny bit quieter. I had the car round Donington yesterday and they sent some pics which I've put below. Quite like the one with the BMW banner across the track!

I switched the front spring pads for the thinner ones and used Pagid Yellows (RS29 I think) and they lasted the whole day pretty well...I'll change them back to stock as have some longer trips coming up. I'm also going to put H&R Sport springs in with the old Bilsteins. The J-Stocks handle very well but they are a little stiff for the road.

Had a slight issue on the day with the alternator making some nasty noises and not putting out full volts, so luckily there was a replacement nearby so got that in and took it a little easier and was trouble free for the rest of the day. Funny how the E36/46 is now considered an old car! Was tough to find. Although did have some grumbling towards the end on left handers, but it could have been rubber on the track. Will check wheel bearings, etc. when I change the springs (3rd time in a month, ugh). I've also got the injectors out and off to Injectortune for cleaning. Hoping to get her on a dyno and do some mapping and have a feeling they might be maxed out...the never ending story. Will probably be my last track day for a while, it's a big commitment and a never ending cycle of fixing things.

The delrin rear shifter arm bushing had gone walkabout, so managed to get some heater hose to make a makeshift bushing while the one from BMW arrives from Germany. 10mm from Halfords - it actually fits spot on. Also need to diagnose the reverse light and passenger side wing mirror wiring which I'm not looking forward to. Then get the ECU mounting sorted and give her a proper wash and wax...then hopefully nothing for a while. Fingers crossed...am also thinking to try some dynamat behind the front tweeter pods to try and reduce some of the wind noise (if that's even possible).

After seeing a thread on R3V (https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/ ... -abs-pumps) I bought a 2nd hand pump and one day when I'm feeling brave will re-build and clean up the spare to switch over. Should be an interesting project. Probably a massive pain in the arse like everything else. Would love to re-do the seats or get some comfy buckets but I'm trying to give cars a break for a wee while. If I can that is.

Love all the pics, but the first one is perfect !

[tha881]

^^what he said, maybe some new pics for the zone banner?

Also, I followed Jordan's project on r3v from the start, it was great watching it unfold, an absolute masterclass.

The body roll looks much improved from your previous track pics, is that down to the new springs? Would be great to know your thoughts on the h&r springs as I find the eibach i have a little soft.

[JungleGus]

At least it's got the centre caps and correct wing on!

He's proper OCD...almost scary. But beautiful results.

I'd be more than happy to give as much info as you want from my experience with a LOT of E30 springs. The Bedford pics were running E30 M3 Springs and Eibach 20/16 sway bars...the recent Donington pics are running Turner J-Stocks and the Suspension Techniques 22/19 bars. According to http://www.e30performance.info/viewtopi ... =23&t=1357 the J-Stocks are pretty much the stiffest E30 spring ever and I'd tend to agree. They are brilliant on track and not completely undriveable on the road, but not nice over broken tarmac.

I agree with you - I found the Eibach's way too soft...especially over speed bumps. Often bottomed out and rubbed arches (before rust repair).

I have the H&R Sports and Race's to try. I had the Sports 10+ years ago and really liked them, they have a slightly higher ride height than most lowering springs, handle well and look good. They may be a bit soft. I have a suspicion that the Race's could be the perfect all rounder (they are half as stiff as the J-Stocks) but I also have a feeling the fronts are not captive. They may be why they aren't sold outside the US...they have a slightly more relaxed approach to this sort of stuff. I guess the races would be well matched to the ST sway bars (the NASA-spec E30 cars used them) but the bars may be too stiff for the Sports..hard to tell however.

Hope that helps, happy to try assist with my meagre experience so others can learn from my mistakes...

[tha881]

Thanks for sharing that, I'm definitely going to give the h&r sports a go. I actually have the preface Eibach on mine which isnt ideal. Being a heavier facelift car it has probably pre-loaded the spring reducing the ride height and travel a little. It does feel very nice on smoother roads though. A well known parts supplier actually recommended the 4 cylinder Eibach springs to me for 6 cylinder cars stating it gives a better stance, I cant see how that would be a good idea personally! Sorry to hijack the thread.

[JungleGus]

Actually I just remembered something - the H&R Sport available in the UK is different from the US. Starts with a 2 (vs. 5 for the US) and is the same spring for 318i and 325i, so is a lowering spring only (i.e. no stiffness increase - that link I posted has the difference). I got mine from Turner Motorsport...it's more expensive but I'd strongly recommend going that path. I think you would like them

[tha881]

Thanks Gus ive had a look into that and you are indeed correct. The US part number begins with a 5. That might be the way to go then as they are likely to be stiffer. They do have seperate 4cyl and 6cyl springs listed on their website in uk. Not sure that those will be much stiffer than eibachs though.

[JungleGus]

Over the last week and a bit, the missus and I took a trip to France since lockdown has eased (and getting it done before the next one). We went Paris > Lyon > Cannes > St Maxime > Gordes > Roussilon > Lyon > Reims and home. Had a spectacular time and the car went (mostly) flawlessly - aside from a fuel pump soldering incident on the side of the A2 20 mins in (note to self...never faff with things that work the day before leaving on a trip) and the fan resistor going day 1 (great for days when it hit 36 degrees C and no air-con) along with the windscreen washer valve failing (sub 5 years old is my guess). Some spectacular drives (over the Alps Grenoble to Cannes via Red Rock Road was absolutely incredible) and it was a great chance to get some use out of the car and see a few car birthdays (177,777 miles and very nearly to 180,000).

The to-do list has now expanded...am going to replace a few bits and pieces to make her a bit more road friendly (dual mass flywheel and M3 clutch, higher ratio LSD) and some preventative maintenance like wheel bearings, but it was a lovely chance to enjoy the car and make use of the E30 boot for wine on the way home! It's also really surprising - I saw very, very few interesting cars out and about on the road. Cannes had it's usually quota of tossers but apart from that I think I only saw a couple pre-90s cars on the roads (Porsche 928, one 964).



















- final stop

Before the trip I got up to DervTech in Manchester since James there has some experience with Alpina 3.3's...it was finally nice to get her running properly (started with similar to a US M3 Map) and it's running much less lean...we got some nice power and torque. Still a bit more to come on standard injectors, so looking to fit an Alpina manifold with the larger 540/740 throttle body which should give 10hp or so and saves the faff involved with ITBs. James was super knowledgeable and a helpful guy knowing all the pecularities...would recommend him for any M52 based tuning (and more)

[Cloggy Saint]

Nice pictures, Love the Renault!

[Be30]

This looks incredible. The car and the location that is!
Just a quick question... do you know how much it is now lowered by? And have you had to raise the engine at all as surely the sump would be a bit low for comfort?!?

Just asking as after a spectacular MOT fail I’m currently replacing...... EVERYTHING lol
And thought i needed to get some new shocks and springs as they are way past it so may as well get them done whilst I’m at everything else.
Cheers

[JungleGus]

I am running these springs: https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3679 ... g-set-e30/

Probably along these lines from MTech springs the Sport came with:
318i/M3 Front Lowering -1.10"
318i/M3 Rear Lowering -0.75"

Absolutely no issue with the ride height (lowest part seems to be the larger exhaust, only mild scraping on very steep corners - I wouldn't go round driving into bumps along the centreline of the car though) - I would maintain those springs and Bilsteins are all you'd ever need for a street driven E30. Very compliant but firmer than most lowering springs (which tend to bottom out, like my Eibachs used to).

[Be30]

I am running these springs: https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3679 ... g-set-e30/

Probably along these lines from MTech springs the Sport came with:
318i/M3 Front Lowering -1.10"
318i/M3 Rear Lowering -0.75"

Absolutely no issue with the ride height (lowest part seems to be the larger exhaust, only mild scraping on very steep corners - I wouldn't go round driving into bumps along the centreline of the car though) - I would maintain those springs and Bilsteins are all you'd ever need for a street driven E30. Very compliant but firmer than most lowering springs (which tend to bottom out, like my Eibachs used to).

Ahh okay, thanks for taking the time to get the link!
They seem pretty good. Heard good things about H&R too.
Not sure how much extra weight is over the back of a touring compared to lesser two and four doors?
Ill look into wether H&R make touring specific springs!

[JungleGus]

That's a tough one - I imagine they don't. Also keep in mind, the US and UK/EU H&R Sport has different spring rates

This may help your research - http://www.e30performance.info/viewtopi ... =23&t=1357.

For a touring I imagine the fronts are the same and the rears higher? I think you would probably be fine with the Sports tbh...maybe not ideal though

[ah]

Loving the mid engine 5.Thats as far as I’ll go with French cars.

[Be30]

That's a tough one - I imagine they don't. Also keep in mind, the US and UK/EU H&R Sport has different spring rates

This may help your research - http://www.e30performance.info/viewtopi ... =23&t=1357.

For a touring I imagine the fronts are the same and the rears higher? I think you would probably be fine with the Sports tbh...maybe not ideal though

Ill pin that site for future reference... ideal!

I’ve had a bit of a look and it seems they only make 30mm lowering springs for the touring which seems perfect as the roads down here in Devon the roads be utter sh*te
https://www.mstyle.co.uk/h-r-lowering-s ... -30mm.html

They have a set for 6 cylinder models too (if anyone is wondering)

[JungleGus]

Get the H&R part number on those and check against the spring rate chart - I think they have the same 4/6 cylinder spring which doesn't seem right to me. I ordered mine from the states and think that's the easiest option

[Be30]

Ahh yes you’re right. No it doesn’t seem like 4/6 cyl models should share the same ones
Ill have a hunt and compare some spring rates!

[tha881]

Amazing photos Gus, glad it made it in one piece. Looks like some epic roads there, the Cols are great fun, steep going up and fast coming down.

My blower motor gave up the ghost this week but I found half hour to remove the motor and give it a spray of wd40, it's done the trick right before my return journey Friday. It's worth giving a clean out in there either way.

[JungleGus]

A great time! Pity the 10h day caused a bit of groaning from the passenger seat however...

Decided to buy a new one and will keep the old as a spare....probably would have been fine but had a definite sqeak/rattle when starting up and for the sake of doing it while in there....(my age old excuse).

Got the fuel pump in properly today and now have 2 spares....lesson learned. Onto the big stuff!

[craig2301]

Mega looking thing that Gus, looked the business with the Mtech 1 spoiler.

Makes me want take mine out and abuse it - at the moment it just sits there getting dust brushed off it!

[JungleGus]

Well, the winter months have been fairly quiet after a good few miles in 2020 - after wrapping up a few odd jobs I thought I'd get a few chunkier ones sorted with Barry so I didn't have to lay on the driveway for weeks. Which ended up with this:



Aside from that, there's a rebuilt 2.93 LSD and dual mass flywheel/clutch from E36 M3 3.2 with clutch so I can have something smoother and less grabby. I'm hoping that the next (and only) step is a full engine rebuild, which I'm hoping to delay for a few years at least. At least, in theory...best laid plans etc.

Fingers crossed!

[flybynite]

Well that will be a good job jobbed Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet, piece-patching can only do so much no matter how well it is done.

Is that down at Impact? always a few interesting machines there, normally Porkers though

[JungleGus]

Yes indeed - full bare metal doesn't really make sense yet, so fingers crossed this the last batch of rust in a looong while - the passenger side was sorted a couple of years back so in theory it should be entirely rust free. Those MTech 2 kits hide a lot....

Yes indeed. The Porsche element explains the price!

[tha881]

This looks epic, bet you cant wait to get it back. And it looks like it's in good company too.

[ah]

Well, the winter months have been fairly quiet after a good few miles in 2020 - after wrapping up a few odd jobs I thought I'd get a few chunkier ones sorted with Barry so I didn't have to lay on the driveway for weeks. Which ended up with this:



Aside from that, there's a rebuilt 2.93 LSD and dual mass flywheel/clutch from E36 M3 3.2 with clutch so I can have something smoother and less grabby. I'm hoping that the next (and only) step is a full engine rebuild, which I'm hoping to delay for a few years at least. At least, in theory...best laid plans etc.

Fingers crossed!

Where the hell is your car gone !