Messages

1

Engine + Driveline / Re: M42/E30 Skid Plate

« on: January 15, 2014, 08:34:40 PM »

$160 shipped http://www.red46.net/store/p6/Sump_Armor_-_BMW_e30.html

After-market oil-pan:
(Steel, 120 euros): http://www.ebay.de/itm/Stahl-Olwanne-fur-alle-BMW-E30-4-Zylinder-Rallye-Cross-/120861552357?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item1c23e8eee5&_uhb=1#ht_1597wt_952

OEM skid plate, ~$250 shipped:
Factory option: http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/Skid_Plate/ES127978/ (m42 has the most expensive e30 factory plate)

2

Engine + Driveline / Re: Threw a rod on the way home

« on: December 11, 2013, 06:47:03 PM »

Where can one get an used m42? I read threads about getting motors with ~60,000 miles for $500 but that was years ago.

On a related topic if you had to do your timing, would you buy the components new for ~$500, buy a used [presumably lower mileage] motor and swap it in whole, or buy a used motor and swap only the [presumably lower mileage] timing components.

3

General Topics / Re: Skid Plates

« on: November 26, 2013, 05:12:07 AM »

Failed in what way? It looks overpriced but a little more protective than the factory option. Red46 looks like a good deal, hope it's quality. Maybe modifying plates (making oil-plug holes) sold for other bmws is the answer.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/Skid_Plate/ES127809/ (325ix)
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/Skid_Plate/ES127908/ (m3)

And e36 cross braces!?

4

General Topics / Options for skidplates

« on: November 24, 2013, 03:54:01 AM »

Please post more links if you know of any.

OEM oil-pan:
(Aluminum, $45): http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E30-318i-M42_1.8L/Engine/Mechanical/ES2091231/ (good price, usually around $100)

After-market oil-pan:
(Steel, €120): http://www.ebay.de/itm/Stahl-Olwanne-fur-alle-BMW-E30-4-Zylinder-Rallye-Cross-/120861552357?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item1c23e8eee5&_uhb=1#ht_1597wt_952

OEM skid plate, ~$250:
Factory option: http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/Skid_Plate/ES127978/ (m42 has the most expensive e30 factory plate)

After-market plates:
$280 + shipping: http://hikfabrication.com/arvixe/Skid_Platee30-325-318-m3-race-track-m14-m40-m20-m10-m30-m50-s50-s52-m52-s14.html (thread: http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95327&highlight=peerless+skid+plate)

$234: http://www.raceskids.com/products/race-skids/e30-m42-details

$314 cross-brace: http://www.raceskids.com/products/race-skids/raceskids-cross-brace-details (old thread: http://www.m42club.com/forum/index.php?topic=10526.0)

5

General Topics / Re: Z3 steering rack conversion kit

« on: November 18, 2013, 12:30:09 AM »

Z4 "manual rack" swap better than Z3? http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=3769396&postcount=847

6

General Topics / Re: Z3 steering rack conversion kit

« on: November 14, 2013, 03:03:23 PM »

Thanks for clearing that up, no photos and undetailed diagrams with revised part #'s is annoying. I'll look at it on the car before I make special orders, those will take a week to come anyways. I think the 686 part is what can cause steering wheel squeal on bmws..

7

General Topics / Re: Z3 steering rack conversion kit

« on: November 13, 2013, 06:28:10 PM »

I replaced the spindle bearing at the top of the spindle (the first image with the metal housing).

The plastic bushing you show is just for centering the spindle within the rubber boot and has no structural impact.

Which plastic bushing? Also found this, part # 32311158835.

Pelican shows a closer photo where you can see the metal housing. The reviews are positive, "Gives a new feel to the steering wheel", but Pelican lists it as a non-e30 (e34/e36) part. But there is also this, no photo, it's #4 on this diagram.

8

General Topics / Re: Z3 steering rack conversion kit

« on: November 11, 2013, 09:39:58 PM »

Yes, it looks like the bearing has been superseded to the 399 part.  Did not know that.

Is this what you meant? $28.76 (see photo), $34.25 on Pelican. BMW Part# 32311158686 or 32-31-1-158-686

Or this $10 bushing?

Related:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewky3QJxrQU
http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116821

BTW the steering coupler on ECStuning is $6 dollars cheaper than on Turner: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E30-318is-M42_1.8L/Steering/Column/ES53084/

9

Suspension / Re: spring and shock recommendations

« on: November 05, 2013, 07:41:45 PM »

Just got off the phone with H&R......The spring set to have is the 29964.

It's actually only listed for one application and that is the 84-85 E30 318i.

I wish there were more options for a ride similar to stock, I can't find (or afford) e30 m3 springs, I could cut the springs and surely make things worse. Ireland sells cheap drop hats (another brand also sells them but for $180 or so) but those only work for the front and what's the point of lowering half the car.

Here are the Bilstein options: http://cart.bilsteinus.com/search/mmid=2130/drivetype=RWD

And info from Sachs-Boge: http://webcat.zf.com/index.asp?PKW=1&KHERNR=16&KTYPNR=28&KMODNR=290&KAT_KZ=P,N&EINSPNR_ART=32&ARTNR=170+142&LASTPAGE=nc2_teile_info.asp

"Sachs Advantage" OEM replacement
http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-shock-absorber-rear-e30-oem-105-750

10

General Topics / Re: Z3 steering rack conversion kit

« on: November 04, 2013, 01:44:20 AM »

The bottom two steering couplings you pictured are for non-airbag cars.  I did not experiment using one of that type in our cars for this swap, but I'd be interested in the results if you do so.  Maybe this is the key to prevent the need for grinding the firewall and its covering plate?

Could be, but for those extra $70 ($176.95) I'd rather cut into the firewall! I would ask on the other e30 forums but I don't have an account on any of them. In the meantime I'll try to dig up a used non-airbag coupler to try when I do the swap.

11

Engine + Driveline / Re: Mustang Injectors in an M42 engine

« on: November 04, 2013, 01:15:17 AM »

The fat ones like OEM are the old EV1 Bosch series still used in the early 90s with "150" in model #. Thinner ones = 4 hole EV6 with "155" in model #. Size of the injector doesn't matter as long as the o-rings on the top and bottom sit as well as stock. The length is almost identical, I think the 155's are ~1-2mm longer on top, and ~2-3mm shorter on bottom, but the actual nozzles are kind of hidden so it's hard to tell which sits lower.

12

Engine + Driveline / Re: Mustang Injectors in an M42 engine

« on: November 03, 2013, 05:12:21 PM »

So, as to not bring up a debate, is the general consensus that a good stock replacement for injectors the 0280150556 ?

There's no general consensus and it depends on your power.

If you live near a Pick N Pull or other corporate-run junkyards, look at mid to late 1990s Fords, Saabs, Volvos and whatever else is listed through Bosch. You can often see the injector #'s or at least the general shape and color of the injectors without removing the intake manifold. Ex: 700, 710, 712, 715, 746, plus the 5xx and 9xx options already mentioned. Make sure you get the thin looking ones with grooves on the top half for the square clips. There are smooth ones without slots for the injector clips that won't work. Take 5 or 6 of each series you want and put them [in a bag] in your pocket and get them for free (fuck Pick N Pull, plus you already paid a few dollars to get in). After that you can either clean them yourself and go to an autoparts store to buy new o-rings (about $10-15 for all eight) and maybe buy some Lubro Moly Fuel Injector cleaner, or ship them out to be professionally cleaned and flow-rates tested. Or just buy them online to begin with.

13

Suspension / Re: spring and shock recommendations

« on: November 03, 2013, 05:25:44 AM »

Are there any specific springs for the E30 318/318is or are they geared toward E30 with a M20 motor? There is a weight difference between a 325i and 318i and I wonder if spring manufacturers take that into account since E30 318i was manufactured at the end of the production run (for the North American market).

Same thing I was wondering. And what happens if I put springs from a "heavier" 318ic/325ic convertible and unique struts/shocks from a 325ix. Will the car under or over-steer, ride soft or hard, sit high or low?

Correct me if I'm wrong with this summary: The OEM Sachs/Boge struts/shocks are unreliable under aggressive driving but technology has moved on since 1991 and Boge now makes "Turbogas" aka Sachs Advantage which can make your car feel like new, but there are also other lines of struts/shocks to look into to replace OEM like Bilstein "HD" (Heavy Duty), or if you're trying to save money Sachs Super Touring and Bilstein Touring Class which are about half the price of HD's.

If your car is lowered with shorter springs you can upgrade to Bilstein Sports or Koni Sports. Or try your luck with less expensive options, like Tokico HP's or if you are really desperate, KYB, Monroe or other generic garbage which will ride badly and not last very long. On the other hand if you have money to spare you can look into a race style adjustable coil-over suspension. Loads of companies offer coil-over kits for the E30, usually between $1,000-$3,000. Such a suspension setup can make the car handle as if on rails but it will not be comfortable on a daily basis, especially on bad roads.

14

Suspension / Re: 60mm front 40 mm back

« on: November 03, 2013, 02:57:07 AM »

http://www.fk-shop.de/Fahrwerk-Tuning/Tieferlegungsfedern/?_artperpage=48&filterKategoriePfadROOT%2FFahrwerk+Tuning=Tieferlegungsfedern&filterKategoriePfadROOT=Fahrwerk+Tuning&filterFahrzeughersteller=BMW&filterFahrzeugmodell=3er+E30&verbose=true&catalog=true&searchparam=%2A

Spring sets for less than €60? Are those made in China and only for show/stance?

15

Suspension / Re: M3 sway bar links on my 318is..

« on: November 03, 2013, 02:23:40 AM »

Thank you for the update, I asked about this in another thread. Don't the E36 cars use "e30 M3" sway links as well.. But a 318is should be capable of higher angle controlled skidding than an E30 M3, or any E36. Maybe with these longer end-links and M3 aka "offset" control arm bushings, one is sacrificing a special characteristic of the 318is to attain less sway and more control below the limit. I'm attracted to these bushings and these end-links over m3 parts for that reason but I'd need to try both setups. Feel free to fill me in!