Resto-mod e21 BMW
Discussion
The devil is in the detail and I managed to find myself a pair of genuine Engelmann mirrors, which are period correct. I think they just look way better than the later OE door mirrors. The only problem with removing the stock mirrors is that you're left with exposed metal and mounting holes. The earlier cars had door mounted chrome mirrors, with slightly different frames. So, to use the Engelmann, we will have to fabricate some blanking plates. It's a bit of effort but certainly worth it, to make the change. I had planned to use some copies that I had hidden away, but they're nowhere near the quality of the originals.
They just need painting satin black.
They just need painting satin black.
The last weekend was spent doing some of the fun stuff, like chipping away at the sound deadening that BMW attach to the floor pan. A combination of a chisel, heat gun and enough thinners to make you trip out, eventually did the trick. After that the inside and the cage was sanded and prepped ready for etch priming. There's still the alloy rear bulkhead and boot floor to go in but it's coming along now.
The bonnet pins are all done now too and the fiberglass panels fitted. I'm looking forward to seeing just how much weight has been lost. Hopefully it will be primed and painted before the weekend and then the poly windows can go in.
The bonnet pins are all done now too and the fiberglass panels fitted. I'm looking forward to seeing just how much weight has been lost. Hopefully it will be primed and painted before the weekend and then the poly windows can go in.
sprouting said:
Pics not working for me
I'll try again.This came in the post today. PI are now owned by Cosworth so I am waiting for them to get back to me with details. It'll be ideal for my needs although I'll only be using the rev counter, oil pressure and water temperature.
I need to sort the wiring loom and sensors out.
I still need to lose the naff chrome look finish on the alloys. I think satin black will be the easiest option. I also want to try some different spacers in order to fill the arches properly.
The 2002 is still doing daily duties but the shocks are a bit tired. I went for a pair of Bilsteins and got a new steering wheel from the same guy. Result!
Final job will be to drop the LSD in.
I also added another e21 to the collection.
Thank you.
Been sorting the aluminium boot floor and rear bulkhead. Once they're in the paint can finally be finished.
Plan to do Cornwall Speed Championship next year (hopefully anyway) so keeping weight to a minimum. Got 12 litre tank and 2 litre swirl pot to go in, along with 3kg gel filled battery.
Pretty much ready for paint now.
Plan to do Cornwall Speed Championship next year (hopefully anyway) so keeping weight to a minimum. Got 12 litre tank and 2 litre swirl pot to go in, along with 3kg gel filled battery.
Pretty much ready for paint now.
It's funny but it's only recently that I've given much thought to the fact that I drive the 02 as a daily. I started driving them about 25 years ago, because they were cheap and simple to maintain. We've just been to Birmingham for the weekend and it blasted 130 miles up the M40 and the same again back again, but via the A roads. It never missed a beat. One of the best things about it is the reaction of other road users who beep, wave & smile. Mind you, the mrs wasn't so happy about the pretty blonde who waved.
If you can find a pair of US spec M3 cams, they seem to go for about £250 - 300. Obviously you need to be sure you're getting the right thing as there have been cases of ordinary, non M3 cams being sold. Obviously there are new cams from Cat and Schrick.
The track car is hopefully being painted right about now.
If you can find a pair of US spec M3 cams, they seem to go for about £250 - 300. Obviously you need to be sure you're getting the right thing as there have been cases of ordinary, non M3 cams being sold. Obviously there are new cams from Cat and Schrick.
The track car is hopefully being painted right about now.
Mick and www.pristinebodyworks.co.uk are moving workshops but his brother has been working through some of the jobs needing to be finished on MIB. All the brake lines - solid and braided flexi - have been changed. The servo has been mounted in its final spot and the wiring has been worked through. The fuse box was replaced with a blade type fuse box and it's now inside the glove box. In fact, there is pretty much no wiring under the engine bay now. The ECU is going to Lukaz at BMW-ECU-Tuning and he's removing EWS and installing his 243bhp map. I've spoken to a couple of people who've used his services and they were all happy but I'll still have it mapped live - eventually.
Mick is going to get the arches shaped and crack on with the paintwork next.
The race car is also still being painted. It's being done in sections, so that the cage etc is all covered properly. I did think about leaving the new rear firewall in plain aluminium (it does look pretty!) but I figured it might glare on sunny days? Anyway, I opted to paint the whole car white, inside and out.
I'm still trying to find some wheels for the race car too. Ideally I want a 15'' crosspoke in staggered 9 & 10J with a 0 offset. In fact, staggered 8 & 9J would probably be better, as getting the rims on and off can be a real PITA with the Group 2 arches in the way. You have to slide them up from beneath the arch lip. Using wheel bolts makes this a little easier although I would usually prefer to convert to studs. The other solution would be using removable fasteners to mount the arches, but I'm not sure just how feasible that really is?
Next time I post it'll be with pics of the painted race car.
Mick is going to get the arches shaped and crack on with the paintwork next.
The race car is also still being painted. It's being done in sections, so that the cage etc is all covered properly. I did think about leaving the new rear firewall in plain aluminium (it does look pretty!) but I figured it might glare on sunny days? Anyway, I opted to paint the whole car white, inside and out.
I'm still trying to find some wheels for the race car too. Ideally I want a 15'' crosspoke in staggered 9 & 10J with a 0 offset. In fact, staggered 8 & 9J would probably be better, as getting the rims on and off can be a real PITA with the Group 2 arches in the way. You have to slide them up from beneath the arch lip. Using wheel bolts makes this a little easier although I would usually prefer to convert to studs. The other solution would be using removable fasteners to mount the arches, but I'm not sure just how feasible that really is?
Next time I post it'll be with pics of the painted race car.
strummerville said:
I'm really enjoying this thread. Makes a cracking alternative to a Mk2 Escort!
I think they make a bargain alternative. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djv_2AEN6vIWell the car isn't quite painted yet. They've made a start though.
The final gussets have been fabricated and welded in too.
The column has been dropped slightly, as the seat is going to be floorpan mounted, in order to get me as low as possible in the car.
Hopefully we are close to getting the car down to Cornwall for the final engine & box install. Hopefully.
More delays due to poor quality of the arch kit from Pesch Motorsport in Poland. There are just so many repairs needed but hopefully they're nearly all done now and the final paint can be done.
Hopefully I've found some staggered crosspoke design alloys in 8 & 9J x 15 with a suitable offset. I quite like the Minilites but the crosspoke look more period. I've been thinking of using an E46 M3 engine, instead of the 2.3 on triple carbs. A reliable 320+bhp would make this a seriously quick car but I would also need to upgrade the E21 LSD to an E12 sideloader so it could cope with the extra grunt. In an ideal world I'd fit an s14 but they're just way too expensive now.
I'm hoping tomorrow will finally see the car in paint at last.
Hopefully I've found some staggered crosspoke design alloys in 8 & 9J x 15 with a suitable offset. I quite like the Minilites but the crosspoke look more period. I've been thinking of using an E46 M3 engine, instead of the 2.3 on triple carbs. A reliable 320+bhp would make this a seriously quick car but I would also need to upgrade the E21 LSD to an E12 sideloader so it could cope with the extra grunt. In an ideal world I'd fit an s14 but they're just way too expensive now.
I'm hoping tomorrow will finally see the car in paint at last.
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