Broken Piece on Throttle Body

[jolle21]

Hey Guys,

The below image highlights the area of the m42 throttle body that happens to be broken on my engine.

What exactly is that part and how will it affect the performance of the throttle body if it were to be removed?

Thanks for your input.

[wazzu70]

That part holds the throttle cable. The cable inserts in the rubber gromet.

[jolle21]

That part holds the throttle cable. The cable inserts in the rubber gromet.

Thank you sir.

Glad you responded...I'm actually using your M42 build that you did back in 2010 on e30tech as guide for my "refresh". I appreciate the detailed pics and descriptions from that build. Although I've only been able to read up to page 11 so far (dont want to miss anything), I'm sure the turbo part of that build is amazing.

I'm sure you'll be chiming in here and there when i need help with my build.

Again, thanks!

[DesktopDave]

+1 - don't remove that plate...you won't have any leverage to open the throttle plates...

I mounted the other cable when I installed cruise control, great mod.  I highly recommend it if you do highway driving.

[wazzu70]

Glad my thread is useful! At the time I did that, I couldn't find many detailed threads on the M42 so it was my goal to make something that could be used for reference

If you have questions you can always PM me too if no one is answering them here.


Unfortunately my car is not turbo yet. I havent had much time or money for the project lately. Its still progressing, just very slowly!

[jolle21]

+1 - don't remove that plate...you won't have any leverage to open the throttle plates...

I mounted the other cable when I installed cruise control, great mod.  I highly recommend it if you do highway driving.

Hey Dave - Thanks for the input. I'll make sure to replace the part. Luckily I won't have to replace the entire throttle housing unit (ITEM 12, on the image below). That particular component is a bracket that can be purchased as a separate peice. Phew...thank the Gasket Gods.

Not sure if I'll be able to do the cruise control option on my e21. The wiring harness from the e21 needs to be mated to the e30 C101 connector and the wiring is really limited. There will only be 8 connection points, the rest will be unused. Along with that, I haven't found a speedo cable that will work once the swap is complete. Most of the e21/m42 swaps are done without a working speedometer. I'll have to hold off on the awesomeness of cruise control 



Part Number: 13541739241

[jolle21]

Glad my thread is useful! At the time I did that, I couldn't find many detailed threads on the M42 so it was my goal to make something that could be used for reference

If you have questions you can always PM me too if no one is answering them here.


Unfortunately my car is not turbo yet. I havent had much time or money for the project lately. Its still progressing, just very slowly!

It'll be worth the wait. I'm looking forward to your build. Thanks for keeping your door open, I will definitely have questions.

[DesktopDave]

Hey Dave - Thanks for the input. I'll make sure to replace the part. Luckily I won't have to replace the entire throttle housing unit (ITEM 12, on the image below). That particular component is a bracket that can be purchased as a separate peice. Phew...thank the Gasket Gods.

Not sure if I'll be able to do the cruise control option on my e21. The wiring harness from the e21 needs to be mated to the e30 C101 connector and the wiring is really limited. There will only be 8 connection points, the rest will be unused. Along with that, I haven't found a speedo cable that will work once the swap is complete. Most of the e21/m42 swaps are done without a working speedometer. I'll have to hold off on the awesomeness of cruise control 

Sure thing.  Wish I knew earlier - I have a spare throttle body I'm not using.  Unless you got a really good deal on that bracket I'll bet mine would have been a few $$ less.

The E21 uses a cable-drive speedo, doesn't it?  If so, use one of the cruise units from the E12 or early (<82) E24.  They're not impossible to find.  Seems like you have plenty on your plate right now, though.