318 Modified

[Nero]

First,

Hi to all, I'm a new member here and I apologize for my english

I have registered to this forum to share my experience with the e21 and to ask for tips and practices.

Two years ago, I have bought abandoned project car.

Car was rust and accident free, painted (not so good, but OK), but not running, interior stripped out etc.

Base was 315? I think, but it had a 1,8 M10 engine from an 1987 e30. It also had a poorly fitted twin dellorto 40's, 5 speed from an e30, driveshaft was too long, brakes didn't work....a lot of work.

Few pics





I had these seats form a previous car







First thing you do when you buy an unfinished car is....buy the wheels for it

These are 8x15 ET0







Love the look. I know that they are ''replica's'', but in my opinion they look great on the car.

When we started to work, I saw this ''solution'' for a gearbox mount:





Luckily, there are parts for bimmers, so I bought an used mount:





I had two shafts, but one was too long and other too short:



I have taken it to the local machinist, and he has shortened it for me and it fits perfectly.



After that, I have taken the car to the exhaust specialist (there was no exhaust on the car):

[nic65]

Engine is ex 318I e30....Good

[Jeroen]

Welcome here! Thanks for taking the time to share your actions with us, you've already done a bunch of nice things! Perhaps there's still a lot of work to be done, but it looks very close to driveable to me now, or not? Keep us posted, and we will try to help you where possible!

[Nero]

When we tried to run the car, car was not working properly. After couple of hours of tinkering, we have found a problem. Car has a 300? degree cam fitted by previous owner, but it is for a M10 before the 79' and it spins in the wrong direction.



Solution was to find the correct distributor



I have found one, but it's an old type distributor with points.
I have updated the distributor with an electronic ignition and car run smoothly



After that, it was time for an suspension update. Car was fitted with an Golf mk1 coilovers, I have just changed the bushings to the strongflex:
Before:



After



Also, I have bought an front and rear 323i sway bar (23,5 mm and 16mm)







At the same time, I have done the brakes refresh











Rotors are stock, pads are EBC Yellowstuff

Also, I have noticed that previous owner has done some ''funky'' stuff, probably to fit the oversized wheels:



As I have rear 323i subframe, I have done just a quick fix



And car was on the ground.



New radiator hoses:



New radiator:



I have removed servo brake drum and fitted a pedal box with wilwood master cylinders



As I decided to move the battery to the trunk, I've bought a Motamec battery tray



Some more test rides















Brakes are underpowered to the spirited driving







One of many emulsion jets...



First ride



Car is fitted with an e30 gearbox, so there is no speedo pinion. I have bought and GPS speedo from aliexpress:



First test



And then, fitted it to lock ''stockish''



Tried the Alpina wheels, didn't like it

[Nero]

Bought a set of Fondmetals 7x15 ET13



















New fuel pump



First service



I have also fitted an oil cooler:







Stock look for MOT



Back to 8x15



Random shots












Decided to put the air filters on:

[nic65]

great job, i did a similar thing on my 316 '80

[Jeroen]

Some serious work done sir!!!!

[uwbuurman]

Whow, great story, your English is pretty ik, keep it up!

Love the wheels, love what you have done to the car!. The front 8x15" wheels do hit the front wings, by the looks of it? What is the status of the interior?

[Nero]

Decided to switch from Golf coilovers to Koni's and H&R











(it was a mistake)

[Nero]

Whow, great story, your English is pretty ik, keep it up!

Love the wheels, love what you have done to the car!. The front 8x15" wheels do hit the front wings, by the looks of it? What is the status of the interior?

Yes, I have done the arches later (work in progress), 8'' ET0 in the front is a bit too much without fender rolling

[Nero]

First event










Just a few days before the first event...due to my driving:



I've got a first failure



As I've got a parts engine, I have used those rocker arms and fixed the car for the first event.



I'm searching for stronger rocker arms (contacted KM cams and Korman auto works but still no response), do you know where I could source them?

Also, I would like to buy a stronger sway bars, but I don't see any options in EU, do you have an idea where to find it?

And what coilover do you suggest for fast street/track use? I'm not satisfied with Koni&HR combination.

In the meantime, I have and LSD and brake upgrade on the shelf, I just need some time to do it

[Nero]

And also, I'm quite happy with the cars performance:



But I have a lot of issues with carbs and I'm thinking about ITB's and EFI..

[BertjeConti]

Welcome here, love all the work you've done to the car.

It seems you know a lot about bmw's, exept the max RPM of a M10 engine LOL. I think that hurts.

Acceleration spec is impressive too

Wilmo is the M10 ITB and EFI expert here on the forum

Keep up posting here, we like it.

[Nero]

Welcome here, love all the work you've done to the car.

It seems you know a lot about bmw's, exept the max RPM of a M10 engine LOL. I think that hurts.

Acceleration spec is impressive too

Wilmo is the M10 ITB and EFI expert here on the forum

Keep up posting here, we like it.

Max RPM is just a number Until you lose your rocker arms

Is there a topic with Wilmo's build?

[Wilmo]

https://bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=16205

It’s in Dutch, but ok.


Very cool build! And it looks like we’ve faced similar challenges. I have just ended up at the topic of suspension. I’m going to make a height adjustable suspension, with Bilstein B6 dampers and different springs.

It looks like you could use electronic ignition so there is a very specific rpm limiter which you can tune.

Your acceleration is impressive. We’ve got similar engines but I have injection with ITB’s. A theoretical best 0-100 run is around the same number but in reality it was around 8s. Before I shifted quicker than I can do now :p