Messages

1

For Sale / Re: Feeler: E30 BBS Body Kit & Bilstein/AC Schnitzer M3 Struts

« on: September 24, 2016, 02:47:55 PM »

What price would you be looking for on the Struts?

2

Suspension / Coilovers vs Lowering springs

« on: June 01, 2012, 09:43:11 AM »

I got some Koni Springs used (similar to H&R race) for a decent price, so I went with those.

I love the look, but if I had to do it again I would just get some drophats, keep the stock springs, and add a cabrio front sway along with an e30 m3 rear sway (or 325ix). Less body roll, and the suspension isn't too stiff or low for daily driving.

3

Photoshop, Media, & Artwork / Road Atlanta in a stock and modified m42

« on: June 01, 2012, 09:36:07 AM »

Looks fun! What have you done to the motor?

4

Interior / Blower Control Switch???

« on: May 03, 2012, 09:03:09 PM »

Fuse should be 20. I pulled fuzes today too, except it didn't fix my problem. My motor stopped working and then intermittently worked for a few days (lower air output) and then it stopped all together. I'm just waiting till I get te time to swap dashes to run that problem down too, but the Texas heat sure is getting to me!

5

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / What would you do?

« on: April 16, 2012, 10:21:34 PM »

The M42 was built more as an economy motor than a sport motor and the cams reflect that. If you have ever seen the results of using S50 cams in an M50 engine you would know how much there is to gain by swapping cams.

VAC Motorsports is a US retailer for Catcams cams. With better cams, you will need some ECU tuning though to really get the maximum benefit. Metric Mechanic also sells cams.

I've been looking around at specs. What would you recommend in terms of the * of cams that wouldn't loose too much low down torque? Something like the 268/267* or something more wild? If you were in there would you bore the block a bit more (86mm) or would you leave it how it is and just do a .5 overbore?

6

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / What would you do?

« on: April 15, 2012, 11:22:39 AM »

Don't you have to remove the crank to bore the block?

I don't want to have to go through the trouble of removing the vibration dampener on the m44 crank and have it rebalanced and all of the machine work just yet, however I realized that the crank will need to be pulled regardless. I was just looking for a good solution using the least amount of one-off parts available. If I can keep the m42 crank and still get to my goal, why would I want to spend more money?

Wazzu70, why do you think the cams are the weak part of the m42? What would you consider a good setup cam-wise on the m42? I know someone has done 250/250, which seems reasonable. I just don't want to loose all the torque down low.

Considering between my dad and I we have 2 e30's that will need to be rebuilt in the next year or two I think the first motor will be mostly stock, with just a few upgrades on the "weak spots." (Cams(?), Port the head, lighter weight valvetrain, .5mm overbore, machine down the dual mass flywheel, electric pusher fan, mess under the intake, chip) and then the next build will be same but with more displacement. At least that's the idea. I think the first build should be able to hit 150-160 or so. I don't want a huge built motor, just a bit more that stock.

7

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / Pulling Engine: Tips or Tricks?

« on: April 12, 2012, 02:20:52 PM »

I read metric mechanic and stopped reading! I have no experience removing an engine yet, but I will be removing one from our parts car in a month or two so this thread will really help out.

When I was reading earlier some were raising the rear up high on jack stands, and dropping the front of the car as low as it can go. That may help.

8

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / What would you do?

« on: April 12, 2012, 01:56:30 PM »

M47 crank, stroker.

I don't want to swap cranks out though. Its a lot more work than just boreing the block a bit larger. Does anyone know if I could run stock crank and rods and replace the m42 pistions with .5 overbore M44 pistons. That should make the total to 85.5 compared to 84.0. Every little bit helps. I am just wondering if they are a direct trade of if the m44 is a bit lower (to compensate for the 83.5 mm crank). Does anyone know?

9

General Topics / Snapped wheel lug-nut. How to get out the piece stuck in there?

« on: April 11, 2012, 02:08:21 PM »

You may be able to take off the rotor/caliper and have another 1/4 to 1/2 inch of thread to work with, or you could always replace the drive flange! I think it would probably be easiest to drill it out though.

10

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / What would you do?

« on: April 09, 2012, 03:31:30 PM »

I have a spare engine that I'm looking to build up. I don't want to get too crazy as it's a daily driver, but I want to do a small build. (Nothing too complex) So I ask the m42club,

How would you build up an engine to reach 150-160 hp? It shouldn't take much work and probably won't cost much more money than a stock rebuild.

Currently I would do:

Electric Fan Conversion
S52 pistons
Port/Polish Head
Machine Dual Mass Flywheel Down
Balance and Lighten Crank/Rods/Pistons
COP Conversion
(Maybe a bit higher comperession ratio?)

Later would be dblias.

As much as I would like to do cams as well, I would like to increase lower end torque too. This would be my first engine build, but It is definatley something I'd like to learn how to do. I will be reading up on everything I can!

11

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / dynotech motorsports budget turbo build

« on: March 09, 2012, 03:25:15 PM »

I want this turbo manifold.

12

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / Turbo charging, engine swap, A frame build...

« on: March 09, 2012, 03:15:12 PM »

Well either y'all don't know, or you have knowledge and don't wanna' share... lol! Its okay, that is a great way for me to stop posting here, because if theres no love, I'd rather be elsewhere. I believe regardless, a functional BOV,WG, and that awsome Tru Boost controller I got---->she'll be fine and fun with 4-6psi. For a new member here, I figured there would be a bit more response considering we all love the same kind of car... At least I had someone try to help on the (unrequested and known) correct way to pull an engine.

PEACE.

We all love the same motor and car, but this is a very small community. Only 5000 or so e30 M42's were built, and there are probably less on the road today which means we have small numbers of online people. Still we do have a lot to offer. As for your PSI and such I was beginning to research and I think 5psi would be just fine on the stock injectors/fuel pressure. I know DASC ran 7psi and they used a RRFP regulator that was the only mod to stock. I also think 4-5psi would be alright on the stock compression ratio. If I were to do a turbo build on the stock motor I would only work with about that much, then I would be looking at lower boost and such. I am still interested in your build, and look foward to seeing you post more pictures. Also who made your turbo manifold?

13

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / Turbo charging, engine swap, A frame build...

« on: March 02, 2012, 01:56:57 PM »

Oh man you are way out in West Texas! Can't wait to see pictures of that either. If it's not too much trouble let me know if you run into any snags. I will be pulling a parts car engine out in a few weeks.

14

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / Turbo charging, engine swap, A frame build...

« on: March 02, 2012, 01:44:30 PM »

Where in Texas are you? Looks like your A-frame build is coming along.

15

Off-topic discussion / Sold my red 1990 BMW 318i coupe

« on: March 02, 2012, 01:41:27 PM »

Bummer...After 220,000 km and $32,000 cost and some $12,000 in maintenance and repairs, I sold the bimmer for $3000 to a young fellow.

Did you buy the car new in '90? That would be so tough to let go! My dad has had an e30 since new and I don't think he will ever part with it.