e30mclow's latest e30

[e30mclow]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

I haven't been on here in ages as I have relocated three times since being semi-active in the Eurodrivers breakfast scene.
These days I live in Newfoundland, which I never imagined happening.

Firstly, yummy


I'll start another thread for some other e30 goodness, but in the meantime, the 1J managed to eat the read end of the car last year so I needed to do some crude structural enhancements.
While at that, I also changed the gearing for the much coveted 200mph potential (that I'd never attempt, and it would never achieve)

OE Diff mount following some rippage






The cure:


I built a "Drop In" cradle to assume diff support and ARB mount duties. I also upgraded to an e36 twin mount setup.


















New shafts and I spacers to compensate for the loss of stroke on the splines given my tendency to run the car relatively low.


3rd gear 200tw tire testing - All good!


I changed up my spring rates also, which made a HUGE improvement





I also snagged some perfect spec BBS RXs in 16x8 et20 for $400. Noiceeeee.


I bought a stash of 200TW drift tires for Auto-X use, which have proven to be far far better than $$$$ alternatives. I'm sadly down to the last set :(


I've also been squeezing 225/45r16s in all four corners, which is so meaty.






Then, all of a sudden, it was time to move again. This time it was from Ottawa to St. John's NL.
Hint as to what the new thread will be on the trailer.


The choice was fitting the furniture or the car, so the furniture went on Kijiji.
Spot the white car lol


Straight out of the truck and to auto-X!


I helped mark the course with some bold black lines. In doing so, I hit a cone and made a batman face




It was then going swimmingly but my differential proved itself to be the next weak point.




I replaced everything from seals to bearings, while also adding Porsche friction plates and raising the lock from 25% to 40%.






With my new mega gearing, I need to redo my cluster. While at it, I changed the tach to 9K RPM


Following appropriate bedding in of the clutch plates in the diff, it was time to really test thing.
A 37year old man clutch kicking a 32 year old car in 4th gear at 6K RPM is never going to go perfectly.
As the stresses make their way forward from the beefed up rear end, things are getting stressed lol





So, the twisted splines simply mean no more of that business for now.
The car is actually my 100% daily for the last 6months and beside what may seem like large issues, it has been perfect. I make the issues, then enjoy fixing them.

[e30mclow]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

Rolling with the crew











I'm also trying out some mega 245/40r17 on the back to see if it'll hook

[e30mclow]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

Nothing to say besides I'm loving this thing









I cleaned up the track wheels on the weekend. I used paint stripper on the lips then spun them on the car in 3rd gear while going to own with sand paper and polish.











Once the sticky 215/45r16s come in they'll look great

[Circuits]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

Car is looking great buddy!

[e30mclow]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

Yummy

[e30mclow]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

Good eye


I bought that in October 2019 and it served as a daily driver for over a year, until I bought the cheap 7 series to relieve it of the salt. It is such a nice example that I'd hate for the salt to eat away at it.

[jacktown]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

Ok freaking love the heckblende. Looks so different to anything I’ve seen in a long time. You forgot to roll back the tiny little numbers on the Speedo though!

Now tell me more about the Pajero Evo lurking conspicuously to the side of the E30.

[e30mclow]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

Thanks Boys - I've got updates for days!
I gave all day Saturday on the car and got a decent amount done.

"M3'd" my cluster (red needles) and polished the plexiglass screen so that it is nice and clear




I addressed my non-functional reverse lights, since the Nissan trans wasn't enjoying the Wiring Specialties harness. I made a little jumper harness up and installed a new detent switch.


I finally wired up the launch control/2 step switch, then spliced the controller into the ECU


The controller is seen here, to the right side of the cubby area with 3 buttons and an LED.


I then wrapped the lever in neoprene from an old wetsuit lol


I'll clean it up a little more after a few weeks of use. I tested it out in the garage and it certainly builds boost and works, so I'm happy.
With that, he interior is all back in and looking sweeeeeeeeeet


With that, I'm onto getting the outside presentable. I gave the car a full exterior detail as there was 6 months of dust on it.


I'll get "after" photos up once the sun is out.

I've also started the rear end refresh with some uber German 80s funk.
Love it or hate it, it is an incredibly rare SedanKing Heckblende

BNIB since 1989






I'm 99% finished making a license plate relocation with integrated lighting, but it is certainly different (I also straightened the bumper, which was crooked in the above photo).


With all that, I'm only waiting on tires for the RSs, but will soldier on using my PEASANT spec 16" style 5s.

[jacktown]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

Please keep the updates coming! I'd love to see more activity like this on the board because I'm sure some of our old members are still plugging away at projects (big and small) in their garage. This site is like the vinyl records equivalent of builds IMO.

Love everything about this build and the fact that you auto X it too.

[nismodrifter]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

My goodness.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

Such an insane project, to me that level of work is mental!!!

[e30mclow]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

I really should update this thread properly sometime. I'll be back daily driving the e30 in a few weeks so I'll get real photos then.

New wheels!
Fronts:16x8 et11
Rear:16x8.5 et5

Perfect spacer-less fitment for my homebrew 5x120 brake setup.




Just waiting on some ultra sticky 215/45r16 tires to arrive.

Converted the front core support from a welded to removable. I can now pull the motor in under an hour.








New timing belt, water pump, pulley and tensioners ahead of 2021




New throwout bearing, as the old one was certainly pooched






ABS removed and brake lines cleaned up






Wiring simplified and re-run throughout (note the disgusting carpet for later)








Some very painstaking heatshielding exercises






The boost solenoid and vacuum hoses are not shielded away behind the downpipe shield I made from some scap


Some "magic wand" modifications






Just before Christmas I drive 4 hours each way for a clean carpet - totally worth it as these are impossible to find






Found a clean sunroof panel


Started wiring in launch control + 2 step, which will be activated via a momentary switch mounted in my gearknob.






New door hinges


Did some science and altered my front camber plates for increased caster




She's now 99% back together, with only a handful of small items left to do. I should be driving it to work as of April 1st.

[nismodrifter]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

Love both cars. Usually not a fan of the "Bangled" 7 series, but with the sport package the car looks great.

[e30mclow]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

That E30 is ridiculous! I have to say however that I think the Alpina front spoiler looks too "heavy". The balance front to rear (Looks wise) to me looks off!

That's what sideskirts are for! But I must say, the thought of drilling into the side of my perfectly clean rockers has been putting me off

[GINCH]

Re: e30mclow's latest e30

That E30 is ridiculous! I have to say however that I think the Alpina front spoiler looks too "heavy". The balance front to rear (Looks wise) to me looks off!