Project: R3D3MPTION?

[*insertusernamehere*]

Project was abandoned by due to uh...circumstances...

Well...abandoned by me, found by someone else. As DJ said, stay tuned.

[*insertusernamehere*]

Began to take the engine out of this on Sunday. Then rain happened. Exhaust, driveshaft and mounts are all that's left to remove. We'll get back to it this weekend and clean up the bay.
[youtube]UZRKFtDOh_E[/youtube]
[youtube]yL2hgcf-spc[/youtube]

I make myself laugh lol. More things to look at:





The simplicity of e30's vs e36's is amazing, no complaints.

[JPolen01]

So who owns it now?

[davej]

So who owns it now?

I suppose I do, technically.

If you guys can keep an eye out for an s50 header, I might want to pick up one for the exhaust.

Warning:

[SlimKlim]

Oh boy something I can help with.

You don't want an S50 header, they are made out of pig iron and super restrictive at that. The S52 however actually has tubular headers. The S52 also has a significantly less restrictive midpipe (it uses an H-pipe instead of a Y-collector).

Here's the good part, the S52 and M52 used the exact same headers and midpipe, so you ought to be able to kick up a set for next to nothing at a junkyard or from someone doing a 328i part out. All you need to do is weld or safety wire in a plug for the pre-cat O2-sensors. You can use a couple of oil drain plugs from Autozone to do it, they are M18x1.5. :thumbup:

[davej]

I'll have to grab some photos when I get home for you. It looks like I have a stock-ish iron header on there now, but yeah, would prefer something that breaths better. I've also got a 3" (maybe?) stainless supersprint I'll get pics of, but I don't even know if that setup will fit on the e30.

[SlimKlim]

If its iron I'm sure it's stock. I just threw mine away they are so undesirable. I'm not sure about the rear can fitment, although I'm pretty sure I've seen the guys that do these conversions into E30s talking about running the OBD-II midpipes, but possibly having to slightly shorten them and/or the rear section? Definitely something I'd look into, reusing the cheap OEM bits is definitely the way to go for a budget build, especially when they offer pretty decent performance for the 3.0L, I had a butt-dyno-noticeable improvement in mid-range when I added the 2.8L midpipe.

[D_Eclipse9916]

If its iron I'm sure it's stock. I just threw mine away they are so undesirable. I'm not sure about the rear can fitment, although I'm pretty sure I've seen the guys that do these conversions into E30s talking about running the OBD-II midpipes, but possibly having to slightly shorten them and/or the rear section? Definitely something I'd look into, reusing the cheap OEM bits is definitely the way to go for a budget build, especially when they offer pretty decent performance for the 3.0L, I had a butt-dyno-noticeable improvement in mid-range when I added the 2.8L midpipe.

OBD2 midpipes are not cheap since they contain cats ($200), obd2 headers are however for about $75.

[SlimKlim]

I paid $50 for a good OBD2 midpipe...

[D_Eclipse9916]

I paid $50 for a good OBD2 midpipe...

You got a steal, the cats are worth more than that alone to recycle.

[SlimKlim]

You got a steal

Even a stopped watch is right twice a day.

[davej]

Just a few days late.
stock s50 headers?


Rest of the exhaust.

[SlimKlim]

Oh I didn't realize you already had an aftermarket midpipe, disregard everything i said about an OBD-II one. I'd definitely look for the OBD-II headers though, it'll remove the last choke point in that setup and if it's anything like when I switched to long tubes, really open up your top end.

You should also just go ahead and get 24# injectors, 3.5in MAF and an appropriate tune. And cams. And upgraded valve springs. :twisted:

[davej]

neither did I, this was the first I've really looked at it since throwing it off the truck in the corner.

I like your style though, keep the bad ideas coming.

[SlimKlim]

keep the bad ideas coming.

That is an incredibly dangerous thing to say to me.

http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com/...arger.html

[davej]

Finally got this mess back on track. Swap parts have been acquired and delivered to DJ last weekend. Big thanks to Taylor for hauling up the engine on his way to an interview.


Loading a non-running car by myself was interesting, prayed the brakes held as i coasted it down the driveway and tried to ramp it up on the trailer. Got 1/2 way and used a come along to pull it the rest of the way.


I must not have learned from Ryan and didn't check all the parts of the trailer that well. Busted strap had the broken piece rolled up in the ratchet, probably last user trying to hide the damage.

Had to run back to U-Haul but no problems pulling one off another trailer.

First time trying to tow a car more than 2 miles with the Highlander, I don't think I'd make a habit out of it, but it all went pretty smooth. OBC claimed 16.5 mpg for the trip to Reston.


First time towing on an open trailer also, and every now and again I'd catch some A-hole BMW tailgating in my rearview mirror and do a double take.


Thanks to DJ, Jake, Joey and Matt for helping unload. (and Jess for putting up with us burning your Saturday morning)

I didn't get any photos of unloading, but DJ's winch set up is equal parts genius and terrifying.

[EclipseTurbno93]

Glad to see this is still moving along, can't wait to see more progress!

[D_Eclipse9916]

I didn't get any photos of unloading, but DJ's winch set up is equal parts genius and terrifying.

I went that afternoon to get a synthetic cable. That metal cable has scared the shit out of me the half dozen times I have used it. Not worth losing my legs :lol:

Engine and Trans came last Friday and I started pulling it apart to see what it needed.



Replacing the usual gaskets is on the list and pulled off the transmission and exhaust. My first suggestion was to get rid of those awful stock M50 headers and slap some S52 headers on. $75 later to my doorstep, big upgrade for little cost. Already arrived at the door step, just gotta weld up the SAP holes and slap em on.



Up on the lift ready to get started.




This will be a little longer project as I told Dave as I have some other house projects and and an S54/E36 to finish up. Convinced my buddy to come over this Sunday and knock out the rod bearings on his S54 so I can get my engine stand back and do all the gaskets/oil pan swap to the S50. Should have enough time to pull the old M42 out as well.

There is grime everywhere in the engine bay, Dave is going to owe me for pulling this out in the driveway and giving it a good rinse down :lol:

[Senor_Taylor]

Oh, my turn!

That certainly was an interesting day with the hour delay on 81 coming back down to JMU to make it to the football game.

[V1GiLaNtE]

So whose "project" is this now? DJ? What's the plan here? Drivetrain swap? When can I come play?