E30 323i v8 build

[Ocky]

Hello there! So I'll try keep this as documented as possible, I do have ongoing projects with other vehicles! So time is precious! And this one is in home garage with minimal space!

So arrived in South Africa 4 months ago, after spending a few years in Australia working as marine engineer. Johannesburg was a slight adjustment! But one massive benefit. No rust!:ty:

Straight away I decided I needed to build an e30. Something that would be OEM+
I purchased a 1985 323i chrome bumper 2dr auto e30.

After driving her home.
I reversed it into the driveway and left it for several days. Figuring out a direction to go with the car.
I have 90% settled with doing a full v8 build including interior upgrade and suspension upgrade along with adequate reinforcement.
In short
-e36 M3 suspension up front along with e36 M3 coilovers and e30 camber plates.
-Z3 rear end
-m62b44 with 6 speed manual.
-interior to be re-upholstered along with leather seats from a 135i.
-full cage.
-engine bay resprayed and unused brackets removed.
-Car fully stripped and under sealed.
-cosmetically the car is clean, where it had been reversed into a poll. The bumper is dented. But that will be rectified!

 

[PLV]

Going to love seeing this!

Subscribed! :smilebounce:

Good luck! :thumbs:

 

[Loom]

Straight away I decided I needed to build an e30. Something that would be OEM+
...
In short
-e36 M3 suspension up front along with e36 M3 coilovers and e30 camber plates.
-Z3 rear end
-m62b44 with 6 speed manual.
-interior to be re-upholstered along with leather seats from a 135i.
-full cage.

That is hardly OEM+! Good luck with the build!

 

[Ocky]

Regardless of the plan. The old m20 was to come out!
Along with basically stripping the whole front end, rear end and the very tired interiormgwaiting:

The next fun job would be The engine bay.

With the interior out i dropped off the panels and dash and all bits a pieces to be recovered.still to get a good price for new molded carpetp:dunnoanymore:

 

[DINODENASH]

:smilebounce::chef:
http://car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=101302

 

[Ocky]

That is hardly OEM+! Good luck with the build!

True as such, but I'm gonna keep it as 1985 as possible from exterior. Choose wheels that will just work with the chrome and colour

 

[Razz]

Looks like it’s going to be an epic build


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[NtandoN]

:thumbs: this is going to be epic

 

[sash]

That is hardly OEM+! Good luck with the build!

Original Equipment Manufacturer Plus, i think it would because all parts are from the BMW stable.

Guy put ///M parts on their non ///M or from another model normally higher up in the range and it is considered OEM +

Subscribed to the thread nonetheless.

 

[individj]

give me the diff lol...enjoy the project man..almost feel like you should start with a more molested example seeing that you're redoing everything & its so nice.

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oh ok you're starting now hahaha

 

[husaindindar]

Just a heads up...
This is SA and to top it off, JHB.

Careful the car doesn't get nicked...
Keep away from prying eyes!

 

[Ocky]

Just a heads up...
This is SA and to top it off, JHB.

Careful the car doesn't get nicked...
Keep away from prying eyes!

Aye I've been warned!, you can't just have a nice car anymore:dunnoanymore:

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give me the diff lol...enjoy the project man..almost feel like you should start with a more molested example seeing that you're redoing everything & its so nice.

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oh ok you're starting now hahaha

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I'm actually selling the diff!!
This car ticked all the boxes!
Early model
All the extras
Auto and never molested!
Trust me, find an e30 that hasn't been rust infused back in ireland:dunnoanymore:

 

[Nino Anthony]

Subscribed:fencelook:

 

[individj]

LSD diff?

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not because auto?

 

[Ocky]

LSD diff?

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not because auto?

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Yessir genuine 3.45 LSD
Incredibly tight

 

[individj]

price? i don't even have a e30 mgwaiting:

 

[Cornel]

Subscribed

 

[The Game]

Very nice project
Clean Chromie u have

I will be following this as I'm also on the verge of doing that same
suspension swop.

 

[Jeremy.d]

Gonna be an awesome build. Subbed!raise:

 

[Ocky]

So then the tedious job of prepping the engine bay. In total. Close to 100 hours. Prep is key.
Firstly removed the brake lines and booster.
Then a full degrease!
Followed by any unwanted brackets in the bay. This involved some degree of angle grinding and steady hands.

I decided at this stage to remove the wings so i could prep underneath for new underseal at the same time.

Using wire bush attachments, i cleaned the complete bay back to bare metal. Ready for primer.

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After many many more hours prepping. It was time to lay down some good primer:smilebounce:

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price? i don't even have a e30 mgwaiting:

I must find out what they are making!?
Its a shame as its the cleanest tightest e30 lsd ive ever had... alas, it won't work for my application.