Resto-mod e21 BMW
Discussion
Cage was painted and went in, once floor had strengthening plates welded in. I don't think there's much point in having a cage otherwise.
Car has gone to www.questmotorsport.co.uk today and is having some mods to the six branch and twin silencer system. Most of the conversions that have been done so far, just cut & shut the OE e36 manifolds to clear the steering column. This was actually an aftermarket e36 manifold, that came up cheaply and luckily there's just one pipe that needs some attention.
I could have just gone with a regular single exit system, but the 323 twin is one of the styling cues I like most on an e21. Mind you, had I realised what a pain in the ass it was going to be, I might not have been so keen. The rear chassis rail and silencer mount is unique to the 323 and NLA from the factory. I had to drive bloody miles to get one and chop it out of a scrap car. It's been a lot of effort but am sure it'll be worth it. I just need to find some tailpipes that resemble e46 M3 ones now, but I want twin single pipes, not duals.
Car has gone to www.questmotorsport.co.uk today and is having some mods to the six branch and twin silencer system. Most of the conversions that have been done so far, just cut & shut the OE e36 manifolds to clear the steering column. This was actually an aftermarket e36 manifold, that came up cheaply and luckily there's just one pipe that needs some attention.
I could have just gone with a regular single exit system, but the 323 twin is one of the styling cues I like most on an e21. Mind you, had I realised what a pain in the ass it was going to be, I might not have been so keen. The rear chassis rail and silencer mount is unique to the 323 and NLA from the factory. I had to drive bloody miles to get one and chop it out of a scrap car. It's been a lot of effort but am sure it'll be worth it. I just need to find some tailpipes that resemble e46 M3 ones now, but I want twin single pipes, not duals.
New front coilovers landed from GAZ. I did have Bilstein inverted shocks but, in the 3 years they were stored, they corroded inside and were beyond saving. Fortunately the stub axle etc was fine and GAZ came through for me.
The Cossie discs we're using need drilling to 4x100 but once that's done, the brake kit can go on. The best thing about the brake conversion has been ditching the OE servo and convoluted linkage that BMW used to swap to RHD. I still have a servo but it's a much more compact, remote set-up. The whole engine bay is just so much better with all that scrap iron and clutter gone. I should finally have an E21 which will stop as well as it goes!
So, right now my car is at Quest having the custom exhaust and mods to the six branch. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do? It also means we can finally fire it up, when it gets back!
I've started building a replica of an Eggenberger Gruppe 2 car as well so might post about that here also, if anyone is interested in seeing it?
Period Engelmann mirrors look way better than the OE ones.
My pal also competes in an E21, although his is s50/3.0 powered. His M3 has an M5 4.0 V8 slotted in there.
The Cossie discs we're using need drilling to 4x100 but once that's done, the brake kit can go on. The best thing about the brake conversion has been ditching the OE servo and convoluted linkage that BMW used to swap to RHD. I still have a servo but it's a much more compact, remote set-up. The whole engine bay is just so much better with all that scrap iron and clutter gone. I should finally have an E21 which will stop as well as it goes!
So, right now my car is at Quest having the custom exhaust and mods to the six branch. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do? It also means we can finally fire it up, when it gets back!
I've started building a replica of an Eggenberger Gruppe 2 car as well so might post about that here also, if anyone is interested in seeing it?
Period Engelmann mirrors look way better than the OE ones.
My pal also competes in an E21, although his is s50/3.0 powered. His M3 has an M5 4.0 V8 slotted in there.
After my old car caught fire, due to an electrical short, I decided to junk the original 30 year old wiring and replace it with a modern loom. An added bonus is being able to junk the bullet type fuses that are always corroding and breaking circuits.
I found www.kwikwire.com in the states and they came through with this....
Whatever the wire is dedicated to is written down the whole outer casing, in order to guard against mistakes when fitting.
I'm off to Essex tomorrow so hopefully there will be more progress.
I found www.kwikwire.com in the states and they came through with this....
Whatever the wire is dedicated to is written down the whole outer casing, in order to guard against mistakes when fitting.
I'm off to Essex tomorrow so hopefully there will be more progress.
Initially, I will use OEM and have it remapped to suit the cam & inlet manifold mods. I'm told it should cope well enough anyway. Once my wallet has a chance to recover though, I would like to go with Omex or something?
The looms are definitely a far better option than 30 year old wiring and bullet fuses. I am going to exchange mine for the deluxe kit, as it has a fuse box cover and inbuilt kill switch etc.
I went to see the exhaust today and am disappointed to say that it still hasn't been done. I had hoped the whole car would have been finished by now and the delays are getting frustrating. I hope things start to push ahead soon.
The looms are definitely a far better option than 30 year old wiring and bullet fuses. I am going to exchange mine for the deluxe kit, as it has a fuse box cover and inbuilt kill switch etc.
I went to see the exhaust today and am disappointed to say that it still hasn't been done. I had hoped the whole car would have been finished by now and the delays are getting frustrating. I hope things start to push ahead soon.
Front suspension arrived from GAZ.
Because of the dual hangers, the rear of the system won't take the same route as the stock one. It should be finished later today....
Plan to use the original silencers from MIB but may opt for different tailpipes.
Hopefully, once the exhausts are finished, we can get the suspension on and finish the brake conversion.
Because of the dual hangers, the rear of the system won't take the same route as the stock one. It should be finished later today....
Plan to use the original silencers from MIB but may opt for different tailpipes.
Hopefully, once the exhausts are finished, we can get the suspension on and finish the brake conversion.
Well my car finally made it back to Pristine and the 6 branch fits perfectly. The system isn't quite as wanted but it'll mean we can finally fire the engine up!
Next on the agenda is to fit the new Gaz front suspension and WMS Braking Systems kit. The new loom needs finishing too. There still a way to go but we're getting there!
Next on the agenda is to fit the new Gaz front suspension and WMS Braking Systems kit. The new loom needs finishing too. There still a way to go but we're getting there!
The manifold mods and exhaust are complete now.
The new front coilovers are GAZ golds although we painted them black as they're a bit more subtle.
The boot spoiler is a fiberglass copy of a genuine BMW Motorsport ''ducktail'' which means I can prep and paint it in body colour. I really like how squat and agressive the stance is and the spoiler really adds to that.
Next week should see the brakes finished and the final ride height set.
The new front coilovers are GAZ golds although we painted them black as they're a bit more subtle.
The boot spoiler is a fiberglass copy of a genuine BMW Motorsport ''ducktail'' which means I can prep and paint it in body colour. I really like how squat and agressive the stance is and the spoiler really adds to that.
Next week should see the brakes finished and the final ride height set.
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