Luke's E21 316

[Jeroen]

With the new suspension on all 4 corners now I guess it handles a lot better! Makes it a fun car to drive!

[Luke328cab]

I got the car back from the garage last night at about 10pm after a looooong wait. So I decided once I got it home I would crack on putting the wheels on
It was a bit of a bitch doing it in darkness but I managed. I didn't get any pics as it was obviously dark and the suspension wasn't adjusted. So when I got home today I set about adjusting the suspension.
Now, I'm unsure of the drop but the difference is noticeable. I'm not going to drop the front any more until I get a sump guard made as I'm scared I may smash the sump if it goes any lower.

Anyway here are some pics:











And this is the rear arch



And this is the front



I took a pic of the clearance underneath, the 250ml can of WD40 is for scale



I do however now have an issue getting on my drive. I can get on it from a different direction but it only just clears. This attempt however it didn't clear




Opinions welcome

[cobbler2u]

looking good.
low rider

[Luke328cab]

I decided to take the car to my local rolling road today to have the carb set up properly.
The day started off well, with me getting there early and being able to have a nose around a mk1 Capri that had a river v8 fitted to it

As soon as they tried to get my car on the rollers though it soon became apparent that it was far too low to go on. Apparently it isn't the first time a car has been too low but it was the dirt time that a car hasn't been able to go on because the whole underside was touching (apparently its usually the exhaust that catches).

After getting over that obstacle by just using the front rollers it went well. The fuel mix was spot on and it only needed the timing adjusting. So after setting an initial run of 84.6hp the timing was adjusted and the fuel mix checked again. The overall outcome was 89.2hp, which I am really happy with. 29 years ago when the car was shiny and new BMW quoted 90hp so to lose 0.8hp over 29 years isn't bad.

Good news is that they said the engine is really strong and nice and smooth so no issues to worry about there. On the downside they said the backbox baffles have collapsed, so I will need a new backbox, which is no major problem.

Some pics from today

[Mihajlo]

That's 89 WHP ?
niiice!

[jls7]

I'm guessing that's engine/crank hp, not at the wheels since he's comparing it to the 90hp that BMW quote, which I'm very sure is just at the engine. To have only lost less than 1hp after 30 or so years is amazing though.

I reckon the wheels look superbly good. I don't think I've seen them on an e21 before. They particularly suit the car in that colour. Done well mate.

[arshad76]

AGree with jls, I think the colour and wheel combination work together really well. Losing one hp in 30 years is quite amazing too!

[Luke328cab]

Thanks guys
Yes I believe it is engine horsepower and not at the wheels

There was a little southwest meet today, so here are a few snaps.

[bnu]

great to see the car getting the love it deserves and was looking really good today mate

[Luke328cab]

Thank you mate.

Got this pic as well

[Luke328cab]

A week ago my mrs pointed out to me that I don't have any reversing lights. So after a quick bit of fault finding I.e checking lamps and visible wiring. I am gambling on it being the reverse light switch that screws into the rear of the gearbox.

So when I get chance to use a set of ramps I will fit this



And hope that it cures the problem.

[Luke328cab]

Since I have had the car the hazard light switch has always been a little dodgy. As in, when you turn the hazards on they wouldn't turn back off.

I did a little bit of reading on here I found the guide on how to fix the switch.

So after 10 mins of wrestling with the little switch it was back in the car and working perfectly

It may only be a little fix but its the little things successes that keep me happy

(Sorry about lack of pics, i completely forgot to take some while I was doing it)

[Jeroen]

And another problem fixed!

That's why I refuse to use the hazard switch, afraid it will break on first use

Hope your reverse switch does the job, I tried to replace it but without success, it appears a small batch of gearboxes uses a different type, reminds me I still have to order that one...

[Luke328cab]

Got home today to find another parcel waiting for me, I managed to grab this at a stupidly cheap price from good old ebay

I have wanted to make the interior of the car more in keeping with the age of it. It currently has a minidisc player for a head unit, which is fine as I only use the radio but as I said I wanted to make the interior all in keeping with the age of the car.

I decided that a cassette player would look the part and still have use of the radio. It is new old stock and comes with a pair of parcel shelf speakers and new antenna. It even comes with the original guarantee card and invoice of sale (to a member of staff). The guarantee card is dated 39/04/1989 :smt003 and the original sale invoice is priced at £55.25

Anyway, here are a few pics. I haven't had chance to fit it yet but I'm really looking forward to it :smt003

[Jeroen]

Will suit the car just fine! LOL full auto stop cassette man, wow!