Resto-mod e21 BMW

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e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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The waterless coolant arrived from Evans yesterday. Ordinarily you have to prepare the system with their product for removing the final traces of water. As this engine and rad has been empty for a while, I'm guessing we won't need to be doing that?





There's actually been a fair bit of progress and alterations made to the new engine mounts, with the engine now 6mm further forward. It isn't a huge amount but it has just meant everything lines up much more neatly. The gearchange is also way better and much slicker as a result. The new CWP is in the diff' and the exhaust etc has all be re fitted, as the whole rear beam came out to allow access to the diff.

Initially we will be putting some miles on the car and ironing out any problems, before we finally install the Jenvey ITB's and DTA ECU.

We're only a few days from paint now and the arches have been thoroughly re worked. An arch roller will only go so far and because the the design of the rear arch, plus the thickness of the steel used, rolling too much just causes the quarter panel to warp. Instead the metal has been stretched, re welded and dressed. It surprising just how much clearance there is now and even with suspension wound right down, there's no rubbing. The doors, bonnet and bootlid are all finally prepped.



Not everyone's cup of tea, but done satin black, I think it's period correct and definitely unusual.



Edited by e21Mark on Friday 18th April 08:23

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
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Well all the wheel arch mods are finished now and the returns have been put on the arch lip to give some rigidity back to the wings. There is no fouling on the tyres now, even on full lock with the suspension wound right down. We started messing about with various front spoilers yesterday too, but it's still either the Ronal or the US spec 320is one that I prefer.



One of the toughest and longest jobs has been the wiring. We've deleted all but the crucial parts of the e36 engine bay loom now and have hidden nearly all of it from view. The ECU will also be hidden where the glove box used to live, with the lid now being a cover for access to the fuse box and ECU serial port. Also we'll be running the DTA S60 Pro eventually, we will put some miles on the engine using the stock system and single throttle body. We will get some 'before' dyno runs too, so we can see exactly what gains the Jenvey ITB's give us.



The newly rebuilt e12 LSD is back in and now runs a 3.45 CWP instead of the original 3.07, which was a little too tall.



We are finally getting close to the end now and the finished car is due to be in a couple of magazines this summer. The fun bit, of fitting all the parts I've been collecting for the past 18 months, can now begin.








e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Friday 9th May 2014
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Big box arrived yesterday. smile

Shiny shiny!



The quality of this kit is awesome. I know that Jenvey make absolutely everything ''in house'' and cast their own manifolds etc, and the finish is superb. Excuse the phone pics as I don't think they do justice.





Just sat on top of the OE system, to get an idea of how it'll look. There certainly aren't any obvious clearance issues and hopefully we can run some longer velocity stacks once installed?



The kit comes complete with a linkage kit and cable





Will be running DTA standalone management.



Initially, will be running the M50 inlet and single TB, doing some dyno runs and then installing the Jenvey kit, to measure gains.

Edited by e21Mark on Friday 9th May 13:25

Keri

156 posts

229 months

Friday 9th May 2014
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I like lots! biggrin

GreatGranny

9,097 posts

225 months

Friday 9th May 2014
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e21Mark said:
Big box arrived yesterday. smile

Shiny shiny!



That is very nice!

carpetsoiler

1,958 posts

164 months

Friday 9th May 2014
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Jesus.

That. Is. Porn.

Love it, can't wait to hear what this sounds like!

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Friday 9th May 2014
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This is another Jenvey equipped M52. I'd like to think it'll make 260+ bhp which should make things fun. smile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49TxkWyf7BA

Sf_Manta

2,188 posts

190 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
e21Mark said:
This is another Jenvey equipped M52. I'd like to think it'll make 260+ bhp which should make things fun. smile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49TxkWyf7BA
Engine porn at it's finest cloud9sperm

smiles1

543 posts

221 months

Friday 9th May 2014
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I have no doubt that will sound great. An M52 can sound nice with the right exhaust, but with throttle bodies it will be even better! Great choice smile

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Friday 9th May 2014
quotequote all
smiles1 said:
I have no doubt that will sound great. An M52 can sound nice with the right exhaust, but with throttle bodies it will be even better! Great choice smile
I really like the M52 and think it's a bargain compared to trying to get the same power from an M20. My old cars engine was pretty much stock, save for an M50 inlet swap and reflashed ECU, yet made a reliable 222bhp. It sounded great through a 323 style, twin silencer system. I've got someone to fabricate a new coil pack cover to resemble the old M88 engine. Combined with the ITB kit we should lose all the black plastic that covers so many modern engines.

smiles1

543 posts

221 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
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e21Mark said:
I really like the M52 and think it's a bargain compared to trying to get the same power from an M20. My old cars engine was pretty much stock, save for an M50 inlet swap and reflashed ECU, yet made a reliable 222bhp. It sounded great through a 323 style, twin silencer system. I've got someone to fabricate a new coil pack cover to resemble the old M88 engine. Combined with the ITB kit we should lose all the black plastic that covers so many modern engines.
I'm pretty much running the same spec as your old engine (with the addition of a lightweight flywheel) and custom map on my E30, and through a custom exhaust it sounds lovely. I'm just trying NOT to convince myself that I need throttle bodies as that sounds one step better! smile

smiles1

543 posts

221 months

Saturday 10th May 2014
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smiles1 said:
I'm pretty much running the same spec as your old engine (with the addition of a lightweight flywheel) and custom map on my E30, and through a custom exhaust it sounds lovely. I'm just trying NOT to convince myself (and failing rapidly) that I need throttle bodies as that sounds one step better! smile

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Wednesday 21st May 2014
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smiles1 said:
e21Mark said:
I really like the M52 and think it's a bargain compared to trying to get the same power from an M20. My old cars engine was pretty much stock, save for an M50 inlet swap and reflashed ECU, yet made a reliable 222bhp. It sounded great through a 323 style, twin silencer system. I've got someone to fabricate a new coil pack cover to resemble the old M88 engine. Combined with the ITB kit we should lose all the black plastic that covers so many modern engines.
I'm pretty much running the same spec as your old engine (with the addition of a lightweight flywheel) and custom map on my E30, and through a custom exhaust it sounds lovely. I'm just trying NOT to convince myself that I need throttle bodies as that sounds one step better! smile
I simply cannot praise the kit from Jenvey highly enough. It's way, way better than the ITB's I saw from Dbilas and I'm sure that will be reflected in the gains we see eventually.

We've also opted to replace the stock injectors and went with Bosch 412cc.


carpetsoiler

1,958 posts

164 months

Wednesday 21st May 2014
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What's that equate to in pounds? I'm only used to dealing with injectors in lbs after spending too much time on US sites... boxedin I know standard pink injectors are 21lb... the uprated ones most people go for over there are 24lb.

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Sunday 25th May 2014
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carpetsoiler said:
What's that equate to in pounds? I'm only used to dealing with injectors in lbs after spending too much time on US sites... boxedin I know standard pink injectors are 21lb... the uprated ones most people go for over there are 24lb.
I'm not sure what it equates to in lb's to be honest? I think it's more than 24 though. (happy to be corrected) I've been unwell for the past week or so, but hope to go check progress on MIB within a few days. I'm really hoping we're not too far from it being finished now though, as I really want to put a few miles on the engine / cams before we fit the ITB kit. I also want to get a base figure on the dyno, so that we can see exactly what gains are made.


carpetsoiler

1,958 posts

164 months

Sunday 25th May 2014
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e21Mark said:
I'm not sure what it equates to in lb's to be honest? I think it's more than 24 though. (happy to be corrected) I've been unwell for the past week or so, but hope to go check progress on MIB within a few days. I'm really hoping we're not too far from it being finished now though, as I really want to put a few miles on the engine / cams before we fit the ITB kit. I also want to get a base figure on the dyno, so that we can see exactly what gains are made.

Just checked... they come out at 39lbs apparently. nuts 24lb injectors are 252cc. So yeah... that's a lot of fuelling going on there! biggrin

I'd be very interested to see the gains that ITBs give. They are absolutely gorgeous, and sound incredible.

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Thursday 10th July 2014
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Been a bit hectic over the past couple of months and was fortunate enough to spend a few weeks in Barbados. I tried to catch up with my old ex Khumo track car, which now lives on there as a classic rally car, but couldn't agree suitable time. I did spot a couple of e30's out there though. Once home again, we moved down to Cornwall and am finally getting organised.....sort of.

Anyway, MIB is still coming along slowly but should be going to the trimmer soon for new carpets. The auxiliary gauges are in now and I'm really pleased with how they fit and look. The panel came from Germany (thanks Gunther) and as well as being practical, they add something to what is a very basic dash. The Prototipo steering wheel is most likely going to be recovered in grey alcantara to match the Recaro seats. I did toy with the idea of a black headlining but the original is just so mint, it seemed a shame to change it.



I'm really looking forward to finally getting MIB finished but have been a bit distracted with the e30. I fitted the single wiper today, along with some Schnitzer mirrors. I'd hoped to be able to take the e21 to Retro Rides this year, but might have to be the e30 after all.






Edited by e21Mark on Friday 11th July 07:56

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Friday 11th July 2014
quotequote all
Forgot to mention we finally have the battery mount in the boot and cables run for power and earth. The battery tray also doubles up as a rear brace between the suspension turrets, although I'm not sure how much of an effect it'll have? Nil I imagine. smile



Once the engine is running and we put a few miles on the new cams, it'll be getting the ITB kit fitted, so for now I just went with the M50 inlet and a decent quality cone filter. I still need to make a heat shield up though. The rad mount has been dropped slightly and I deleted the expansion tank as thanks to the waterless coolant, it'll no longer be a pressurised cooling system.





Whilst I was at it, I slotted in an alloy rad for the M3 too.







Stuart Thompson

581 posts

162 months

Friday 11th July 2014
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Mark have I ever mentioned how jealous I am of you? Lol MIB is starting to look fantastic! And that M3 pure car porn!

e21Mark

Original Poster:

16,205 posts

172 months

Saturday 12th July 2014
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I'm very fortunate. smile I did serve an apprenticeship smoking around in old dogs though. Lol

I'm really looking forward to finally having MIB finished. It'll be interesting to see how it suits Laguna Seca blue, as I've not seen another e21 painted that colour. I'm used Magnus Walkers blue 911 for a bit of inspiration. Obviously the e21 is no 911, but it's the rake and staggered wheel look I've tried to mimic. I think the Rotas should look good in gold and I haven't seen any others painted. I'd really like it ready for Retro Rides next month but might be pushing it a little.