Author Topic: monty23psk (Read 140627 times)

quinn11m20 · « **Reply #60 on:** November 08, 2009, 05:07:36 PM »

Looks good. Keep it up.

monty23psk · « **Reply #61 on:** December 28, 2009, 10:07:07 PM »

Finally got to fix a little electric wire issue. The radiator temp switch wire plug had the 3 connector plastic or rubber insulation completly cracked and gone for the most part. So not to worry about connections when summer comes, I got the replacement part from BMW and spliced them in. Here is a before and after. The wire only comes in the green so I had to leave a little of old wire exposed below to make it easier to find the color code for each wire.

Before: note the wire connector going into the housing, almost gone.

After:(sorry for blurry picture)

monty23psk · « **Reply #62 on:** January 13, 2010, 08:07:52 PM »

Just the other day I recieve one of those special made OBC temp sensor for the e30 designed by George Graves. He is on the e30 boards and sells them cheap with insturctions and all. Great craftmanship on the part. Since having my car, always had the -22F. Decided with the cold weather in Miami, I should see how cold it is outside.

Installed it today and it was a breeze. Hard part was finding the wires as they were coiled and tucked under the ABS pump. Also looks like they were cut and spliced in the past.

My car is missing the brake duct but I plan on getting it and then drilling a hole and installing the sensor with the grommet that came with it. Here are the pics:

monty23psk · « **Reply #63 on:** February 14, 2010, 10:10:22 PM »

So on to my next addition / mini project. I wanted to start cleaning the moldings on the car, mostly engine plastic and light grills. So first wanted to start with the firewall cover. I purchased an e30 m3 cover and then compared it to the original, and noticed 2 things. First, I will need to cut a slit for the main harness cabling and 2, the orginal cover black paint is very faded. I bought some SEM trim paint and SEM soap for the prep work. I painted the original and it came out great. But it doesn't quit match the texure of the new pieces, so will do the new peice during the week after I cut the slit. On to the pictures.....

Here is the newly redone firewall piece, forgot to take before pic:

Here is the m3 cover piece and part number sticker:

Here are the old and new to show the difference and where the cut needs to be made.

I will take more pics of it fully installed in the engine bay later in the week. I need the paint to fully cure, 48 hrs, and do the same with the new piece.

monty23psk · « **Reply #64 on:** February 23, 2010, 11:47:01 PM »

Got the new M3 cover plus the newly re-finished firewall cover installed. I had to cut a slit to allow the oxygen sensor, spark plug distribution wiring and a ground cable through the opening. Cleans up the engine bay nicely. Next will refinish the engine bay headlight covers while I wait for my OEM euro grills to arrive. Then will redo the grills plus black out the kidney grill.

monty23psk · « **Reply #65 on:** February 27, 2010, 09:59:09 PM »

While I keep renewing the trim in the engine bay, waiting on 48 paint cure time, I received my next project item. BMW OEM Euro grills. I got some from a board member an another e30 forum and these things are like new. It freshen the front as my old grills are very faded and the black was looking white. I will freshen the new ones plus the kidney grill as I need to get more SEM trim paint. Here are some pics of before and after. The difference is not much but more noticeable with the lights on. I rather get these grills than eyebrows and would only get OEM not aftermarket. On to the pics...

Before:

After:

Lights:

monty23psk · « **Reply #66 on:** April 14, 2010, 11:34:25 PM »

Got a few things done since the last update. I finished going through all the plastic covers in the engine bay with SEM trim paint. I need to wash the engine bay and take a pic. What a difference. Painted the light covers, spark plug cover, fan shroud, firewall cover as posted above, and even the radiator support. I decide to continue on the exterior and do the kidney grill. The euro grills were nice so this will complement them. I have this on the m5 which also has all shadowline trim. I will post pic of the it installed tomorrow with sunlight. If anyone is wondering, you can remove the chrome rings from the backplance. There is a grommet with a plastic pin at the top and bottom of each side. You just need to push the pin out and magic.

Pics of before, the pin location and after:

I also resurfaced my rear brake rotors and bought new pads. Porterfield's to match the front. I had installed new ATE oem ones almost 5 years ago. Now the brakes bite when you hit it. No more squel either. Did a good bleed with pressure bleeder and my Pentosin racing brake fluid. Pic of the rear brake pads box. I recommend these as they are for the street.

Last, I got my little project under the way. I found someone on the 2002 forums and he rebuilds BMW oem seatbelts as a hobby. I gave him my hardware and he installed my red webbing. I figured this was possible by taking a seatbelt apart. Came out really good and paid half of the new m3 evo ones. I also got the receptacle webbing replaced which is not even availabe from BMW from the rears. He even stiched on the BMW tags. The stiching is not the best, but like he explained it is done with laser machines at the factory. I found few companies that would restore them but about the price of just getting new ones. Here are pics of the rear ones. This will go nice with my micro suede rear panel and the mtech cloth interior I am about to install. If someone would like the seatbelt guru's contact information, PM me. Enough explaination, here are the pics.

monty23psk · « **Reply #67 on:** April 17, 2010, 07:09:04 PM »

I finally installed my rear shelf. It went in real easy. Also installed the new rear seatbelts. I need to now figure out where the bottom receptacle will go as I will be installed the e30 m3 rear seats. This will require the bolt/bracket to be moved to the center. You can see how bad my rear seats are but looks nice with the red belts.

Before:

After:

monty23psk · « **Reply #68 on:** April 24, 2010, 06:28:25 PM »

Got some more work today. Added some new hood insulation as the original was all shot and missing in most areas. I found a company that uses a material that will not absorb water and oil. http://www.bonnetliners.com is where I got them. You can also get them from ZM Blue Devil (Levent) on some of the boards. I got the 1/4" instead of the 1/2" and it fits perfect. The slots for the insulation are about 1/4" in depth, so just right. It was only a about $15 more that the OEM pads and are much better in quality. They are FAA approved and used in firewalls on airplanes...good enough for me. Here are a few pics of them them before and after.

Before:

Prep:

Halfway on removal:

New installed:

I also replaced a worn out OEM sticker in the engine bay.

I also ordered the OEM floor mat locks. I decided to try this on my not so good aftermarket floor mats to see how they work. You will see I also need to replace the whole carpet if a good cleaning does not work. I will also go from gray to black, but this is in the future for now. Installation was easy, just need to cut a hole big enough on the mat. I just measured it to try to keep them even.

Only negative is the tab the swivels to lock it is a little too tall for the hole and in the picture it looks like it is sticking up.

Here are some pictures of my brushed aluminum rings and painted needles. I did it as a rough draft as my guage faces need replacing and one of my needles is bent. I have another cluster that I have a few ideas in the works. The picture is of the cluster with the clear plastic off. I have it ready and polished with 3M's clear plastic polish. I used a enamel hobby paint "Bright Red" for the color. Testors required me ordering but the other brand had it in stock. I can't recall the name.

Lastly a pic of the exterior that I just liked.

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #69 on:** April 24, 2010, 06:39:36 PM »

That old hood insulation is a bitch to get off, I spent quite a few hours one day with a can of mineral spirits and a pressure washer to get it off and leave no residue. The car looks like it has come a long way. In that bottom picture the pain looks a little oxidized, you can polish it bring some life back to it. Keep up the good work

monty23psk · « **Reply #70 on:** April 24, 2010, 09:44:09 PM »

That is actually dust/dirt. I do need to give it another polish, but the clear coat is almost gone throughout the whole car. The car looks more pink than red depending on the light. I am saving for a complete re-spray.

monty23psk · « **Reply #71 on:** May 03, 2010, 10:19:38 PM »

Got to install the George Graves interior light dimmer. Product is very cool. Do recommend it to all.

Here are a few pics...

The unit itself:

Relay connected, but in the end my car did not have the factory delay so had to splice it as per his instructions which were very easy:

Here is a pic of the driver side kick panel with the speaker removed. Under the black plastic cover at the bottom, which just pulls out, is the plug for this relay. Also there mounted on a bracket with the two phillip screws is the central locking module:

Slick92GS-R · « **Reply #72 on:** May 05, 2010, 10:48:42 PM »

Great write ups Alex.. you definately love that car ...

monty23psk · « **Reply #73 on:** May 06, 2010, 04:27:12 PM »

I try. Have big plans but just slow due to $. Hopefully fully done with in the next 2 years.

monty23psk · « **Reply #74 on:** May 27, 2010, 03:28:20 PM »

Another quick update which might benefit others. SEM trim paint is the best for exterior trim, but what about interior trim. Duplicolor makes a product but you have to know which black to use. I didn't want to deal with that and researched. I found a product, Colorbond by Bryndana that has color swatch and has many for BMW factory colors. They have a BMW black which I got. It was dead on. Can be used for door panels and even dashboard. Here are a few pics of the rear seatbelt plastic trim.

Before, item installed:

Items side by side before:

Items after:

Item installed: