Resto-mod e21 BMW
Discussion
Started body prep at last, now all the wiring is finished.
Popped all the glass out today. Front screen put up a fight but came out eventually. Found this in the bottom corner, where it seems the rubber retains water. Easily ground out and repaired though fortunately.
Also found this beneath the rear side window. Still, not bad for 32 years I suppose.
Popped all the glass out today. Front screen put up a fight but came out eventually. Found this in the bottom corner, where it seems the rubber retains water. Easily ground out and repaired though fortunately.
Also found this beneath the rear side window. Still, not bad for 32 years I suppose.
320is front lip arrived. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a warp in the bottom edge.
20 minutes with a hot air gun and it went back to the original shape. It'll get a bit more working once it's fitted. I still haven't decided between this or the Ronal spoiler though?
Deleted one wiper hole and screen surround repairs are finished.
Deleted the rear trip and welded up the holes. Going to go and do the prep work myself next week and it should finally be painted next Saturday.
Nice early tii turned up for restoration.
20 minutes with a hot air gun and it went back to the original shape. It'll get a bit more working once it's fitted. I still haven't decided between this or the Ronal spoiler though?
Deleted one wiper hole and screen surround repairs are finished.
Deleted the rear trip and welded up the holes. Going to go and do the prep work myself next week and it should finally be painted next Saturday.
Nice early tii turned up for restoration.
Have been considering the aesthetics and decided to paint the rims dark gold, like the Campagnolo on Magnus Walkers blue 911.
New gear lever arrived, along with quick shift. Gear changes feel very positive and MX5 like, combined with the weighted gear knob I got from Storm last year.
New front top mounts from Comp Brake replaced the Gaz adjustables, which I found were just over kill on a road car and pretty harsh. I've also gone with a 50 profile tyre, as opposed to the 45's, because the LEDA suspension is quite stiffly sprung. I've got adjustable front and rear ARB's, which I will look at adjusting if need be?
NOS headlights.
Right now we are just aiming to get the car running, so that it can go for a live mapping session using the OE injection and ECU. By rights we should see an easy 240bhp, so anything over that figure will be a bonus. We can then add the 75bhp Nitrous to try and beat 300bhp per ton.
Hopefully there will be some more updates later this week.
New gear lever arrived, along with quick shift. Gear changes feel very positive and MX5 like, combined with the weighted gear knob I got from Storm last year.
New front top mounts from Comp Brake replaced the Gaz adjustables, which I found were just over kill on a road car and pretty harsh. I've also gone with a 50 profile tyre, as opposed to the 45's, because the LEDA suspension is quite stiffly sprung. I've got adjustable front and rear ARB's, which I will look at adjusting if need be?
NOS headlights.
Right now we are just aiming to get the car running, so that it can go for a live mapping session using the OE injection and ECU. By rights we should see an easy 240bhp, so anything over that figure will be a bonus. We can then add the 75bhp Nitrous to try and beat 300bhp per ton.
Hopefully there will be some more updates later this week.
Thanks. I wasn't entirely sure on the rims but a dark gold will be a nice contrast with Laguna Seca blue paintwork. I really can't wait till the e21 is finished. It's been a lot of work, an awful lot of running around for bits and more cash than I want to even think about. Mick at Pristine Bodyworks has really surpassed himself though and the attention to detail is something else. The whole braking system has been redesigned and only the pedal is original. There all new custom loom, with a proper blade type fuse box hidden away inside the car. I've managed to get a 3:45 crown wheel and pinion for the e12 LSD, which should make it a little quicker off the line. Mind you, it was never going to be slow.
Yeah, if I had the funds I would have loved to do something with the e12. It's going to my partners son though and hopefully it's going to be lowered on the 7J spoked rims, once they've been refurbished and had the lip diamond cut. I'm glad it's going to him as it's a really nice car and I know he really likes it.
Yeah, if I had the funds I would have loved to do something with the e12. It's going to my partners son though and hopefully it's going to be lowered on the 7J spoked rims, once they've been refurbished and had the lip diamond cut. I'm glad it's going to him as it's a really nice car and I know he really likes it.
Have been @ Pristine sorting bits for my car. Decided to go with brushed aluminium finish on my rad etc. Have also got all new stainless bolts and hose clips etc + silicon hoses. Spent ages getting with wheels right, so that the fronts don't look wider than the rears. Just about there now and ride height pretty much how I want it. The rear arches have been pretty extensively re-worked.
I took these a couple of weeks ago but there's been quite a lot of work done since. I was going to post a pic or 2 of the bodywork as it is today, but decided to wait till it's finished. Hopefully it'll be done for the open day at Pristine/Quest next month.
I took these a couple of weeks ago but there's been quite a lot of work done since. I was going to post a pic or 2 of the bodywork as it is today, but decided to wait till it's finished. Hopefully it'll be done for the open day at Pristine/Quest next month.
. I did my winter rally wheels in a Lotus type homage gold, I absolutely love them.
That's great - thanks. I think that shade should work really well. 
I opted to buy a new electric fan today. I also ordered a new thermo switch. I did think about trying waterless coolant, after I saw it used on an episode of Wheeler Dealers, but figured I would try and get some input from someone else running it first. It's pretty expensive but the claims are pretty good.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-LITRE-EVANS-WATERLESS-...
I opted to buy a new electric fan today. I also ordered a new thermo switch. I did think about trying waterless coolant, after I saw it used on an episode of Wheeler Dealers, but figured I would try and get some input from someone else running it first. It's pretty expensive but the claims are pretty good.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-LITRE-EVANS-WATERLESS-...
Car is coming along nicely. Been working on the details with under bonnet wiring, so that lambda sensors remain hidden, along with injector wiring.
New top mounts are in and the 'to do' list is certainly getting shorter. Decided to get the seat mounts sorted today, which is going to mean removal of the original runner mounts. We sat the seat on some wooden blocks, so that I could try the seat and make sure the height is correct. I'd been worried that the seats may have been too wide, as they're larger than the stock e21 type Recaros, but they actually fit really well. They're also really comfortable, which is an added bonus, as I'm a bit of a lump.
I also got the banded steels, which I'm thinking of doing in a dark gold colour, to contrast with the blue body colour. I also managed to get a shorter ratio CWP for my e12 sideloader LSD. It's a 3.45:1 so will help with acceleration.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to finally having an e21 to smoke around in again.
New top mounts are in and the 'to do' list is certainly getting shorter. Decided to get the seat mounts sorted today, which is going to mean removal of the original runner mounts. We sat the seat on some wooden blocks, so that I could try the seat and make sure the height is correct. I'd been worried that the seats may have been too wide, as they're larger than the stock e21 type Recaros, but they actually fit really well. They're also really comfortable, which is an added bonus, as I'm a bit of a lump.
I also got the banded steels, which I'm thinking of doing in a dark gold colour, to contrast with the blue body colour. I also managed to get a shorter ratio CWP for my e12 sideloader LSD. It's a 3.45:1 so will help with acceleration.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to finally having an e21 to smoke around in again.
Is that an aftermarket fan? Looking like I'll have to replace mine as it's done the traditional E36 thing- and seized!
Progress looks good. Love the Recaros. I'd really like to have the Recaros they fitted to either the DC2 or Accord Type R in mine, but am unsure how to go about it...
Progress looks good. Love the Recaros. I'd really like to have the Recaros they fitted to either the DC2 or Accord Type R in mine, but am unsure how to go about it...
Yes, I got it from Car Builder Solutions, although eBay have some for about £18 I think?
The Recaros were an absolute steal at £200. I found them on eBay and the seller took pity on me when MIB went up in flames. They're is great condition and about as comfy as you can get. The added width is a real bonus too.
The Recaros were an absolute steal at £200. I found them on eBay and the seller took pity on me when MIB went up in flames. They're is great condition and about as comfy as you can get. The added width is a real bonus too.
e21Mark said:
Yes, I got it from Car Builder Solutions, although eBay have some for about £18 I think?
The Recaros were an absolute steal at £200. I found them on eBay and the seller took pity on me when MIB went up in flames. They're is great condition and about as comfy as you can get. The added width is a real bonus too.
Awesome. Are they pretty easy to wire in? As far as I'm aware, the E36 uses a 2-stage electric fan... or am I barking up the wrong tree because I'm a posh boy with air con? The Recaros were an absolute steal at £200. I found them on eBay and the seller took pity on me when MIB went up in flames. They're is great condition and about as comfy as you can get. The added width is a real bonus too.
That is a billy bargain! Good shout! As much as I love the OEM+ nature of my Vaders, I can't help but miss Recaros massively.
carpetsoiler said:
e21Mark said:
Yes, I got it from Car Builder Solutions, although eBay have some for about £18 I think?
The Recaros were an absolute steal at £200. I found them on eBay and the seller took pity on me when MIB went up in flames. They're is great condition and about as comfy as you can get. The added width is a real bonus too.
Awesome. Are they pretty easy to wire in? As far as I'm aware, the E36 uses a 2-stage electric fan... or am I barking up the wrong tree because I'm a posh boy with air con? The Recaros were an absolute steal at £200. I found them on eBay and the seller took pity on me when MIB went up in flames. They're is great condition and about as comfy as you can get. The added width is a real bonus too.
That is a billy bargain! Good shout! As much as I love the OEM+ nature of my Vaders, I can't help but miss Recaros massively.
Talking of cooling, I also opted for Evans Waterless Coolant instead of a regular water / antifreeze mix. I've read plenty of positive comments and like the fact the system won't be under pressure when hot. I believe you have to prep the system, by using another product first, but then it'll be good to go.
I'm also got everything needed to install the throttle body, induction kit and air box. Everything is coming together nicely and hopefully April should see us finish. Mind you, I said that last year.
Spotted an 02 in laguna seca too.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff