Resto-mod e21 BMW
Discussion
e21jason said:
You had the geometry set-up yet looks a bit camber happy in the rear, or have you gone all stance bro
Not yet, although it's not as bad as it looks in the pic above. I'm still keen to go back to 13's with balloon tyres. Maybe staggered 7 & 8 x 13 dished Minilites & Hoosier?Beautiful car, fantastic colour and superb engine. I love the wheels too, but think the car is "hindered" by the stretched tyres/camber look.
Some nice slimmer period look wheels with sensible tyres and fitment would make it perfect, but hey that's just my opinion.
That said it doesn't take away form what a lovely car you have ended up with.
Some nice slimmer period look wheels with sensible tyres and fitment would make it perfect, but hey that's just my opinion.
That said it doesn't take away form what a lovely car you have ended up with.
Thanks. I'm just waiting on hearing from Compomotive re wheels. I'm hoping to go with staggered 7 & 8 x 15 Minilites. I had thought I might go back to 13's but they won't clear the brakes.
I've been enjoying the extra grunt of the M52, over the M10.
https://youtu.be/cX7UP8ql1cQ?t=19s
I've been enjoying the extra grunt of the M52, over the M10.
https://youtu.be/cX7UP8ql1cQ?t=19s
Managing to make any E21 a bit different, to the others out there, is getting tougher. One of the reasons I sold my rear window louvre is that there are now quite a few available, partly due to all the copies where people are trying to cash in on the rarity and value of the genuine Autoplas items. The Prototipo steering wheels are also incredibly popular, hence my looking to replace my own. I also wanted something that suited the overall look I was going for. Anyway, I found just the wheel in Holland. It's a rare 2 spoke wheel and is in awesome condition too!
Goodbye louvre.
Hello funky steering wheel.
I know it won't be to everyone's taste but I think it's really funky and certainly pretty rare.
I've put about 1000 miles on the E21 in the past few weeks and it's proved pretty reliable. It's certainly pretty accomplished on motorways and it'll cruise at 80+ with ease. Where laws allow, it'll pull through to 130+ but it's obvious you're in a 70's car. The M52 makes a great noise and is an absolute bargain really. That said, I may look to fit an S54 eventually.
The only 2 issues I need to remedy are a slight problem with the remote servo and the exhaust manifold touching the steering column under extreme load. Both are easily sorted though I hope and the car is at ARM as I type. Overall though, I am really happy with the way it has turned out and it was even placed in the top 5 at last weekends BMW Show at Santa Pod. It has also been invited to be shown as part of a Wheel-w
es stand in November and there are a couple of magazine articles coming up.
Goodbye louvre.
Hello funky steering wheel.
I know it won't be to everyone's taste but I think it's really funky and certainly pretty rare.
I've put about 1000 miles on the E21 in the past few weeks and it's proved pretty reliable. It's certainly pretty accomplished on motorways and it'll cruise at 80+ with ease. Where laws allow, it'll pull through to 130+ but it's obvious you're in a 70's car. The M52 makes a great noise and is an absolute bargain really. That said, I may look to fit an S54 eventually.
The only 2 issues I need to remedy are a slight problem with the remote servo and the exhaust manifold touching the steering column under extreme load. Both are easily sorted though I hope and the car is at ARM as I type. Overall though, I am really happy with the way it has turned out and it was even placed in the top 5 at last weekends BMW Show at Santa Pod. It has also been invited to be shown as part of a Wheel-w
es stand in November and there are a couple of magazine articles coming up. 
Thanks guys. 
Yes, it's definitely fun to drive and certainly quick enough to entertain. It's remarkably stable at speed too, especially when you consider the kind of performance the factory gave it back in the 70's. It's for that reason I fitted the rear cage and harnesses.
It's currently over at ARM ( http://www.armbmwandmotorsport.co.uk/ ) having a couple of minor tweaks. The exhaust manifold would catch the steering UJ occasionally, which was easily sorted, but the remote servo has been playing up. Unfortunately, the suppliers don't have a replacement in stock so I'm kinda stuck for now. I've found one other supplier, who has one on the shelf, but it's £300 I just can't justify spending right now.
I've been invited to show the E21 at an event in Telford on November 1st, so have everything crossed that I can get the brakes sorted by then.
Yes, it's definitely fun to drive and certainly quick enough to entertain. It's remarkably stable at speed too, especially when you consider the kind of performance the factory gave it back in the 70's. It's for that reason I fitted the rear cage and harnesses.
It's currently over at ARM ( http://www.armbmwandmotorsport.co.uk/ ) having a couple of minor tweaks. The exhaust manifold would catch the steering UJ occasionally, which was easily sorted, but the remote servo has been playing up. Unfortunately, the suppliers don't have a replacement in stock so I'm kinda stuck for now. I've found one other supplier, who has one on the shelf, but it's £300 I just can't justify spending right now.
I've been invited to show the E21 at an event in Telford on November 1st, so have everything crossed that I can get the brakes sorted by then.
Digitalize said:
Ah, will be great to see it again at Ultimate Stance.
Funnily enough, my E30 will be there also, so my partner is going to drive the E21 up with her son. Right now though, I am trying to solve the issue I am having with the aftermarket servo. The manufacturer is in Spain and by all accounts, they're pretty slack when it comes to meeting deadlines. I read of one guy who had to wait a year for delivery! So, right now I am searching for somewhere in the UK who might be able to take a look and repair it for me instead? If anyone knows someone who might be able to help, please let me know.
I'm looking at dropping down to 13'' wheels and am thinking banded steels in 8 & 9J with 205/60 and 215/60 Yokohamas. I still plan on doing them the same bronze colour though. So if anyone is interested in the Rotas (with plenty of tread on the tyres) just say.
These could be for sale.
These could be for sale.
We'll see. I'm pretty confident the deep dished 13's will look every bit as good.
We stripped the servo yesterday and it was clear that, despite being a new part, someone has had it apart before. The small bolts that hold the 2 sections of the resevoir together were only finger tight and when I tried to nip them up, it soon became clear why! The threads were all pretty much knackered, as the metal seems really soft, so it's unlikely an airtight seal could be achieved. Considering it's a £300 part, I'm not best pleased. Hopefully we can rebuild it though and get it sorted once and for all.
We stripped the servo yesterday and it was clear that, despite being a new part, someone has had it apart before. The small bolts that hold the 2 sections of the resevoir together were only finger tight and when I tried to nip them up, it soon became clear why! The threads were all pretty much knackered, as the metal seems really soft, so it's unlikely an airtight seal could be achieved. Considering it's a £300 part, I'm not best pleased. Hopefully we can rebuild it though and get it sorted once and for all.
Well we stripped the servo, had a nose at the internals, put it back together and it seems to have sorted itself out. The reservoir is holding a vacuum anyway, which it wasn't doing before hand. We are going to make new gaskets and replace the monkey-metal bolts with some decent quality stainless items. This is (hopefully) a weight off my mind as a replacement just cannot be found and I certainly don't want to have to redesign the braking system around alternative servos! Anyway, fingers crossed, it'll continue to work and endow my e21 with brakes that match the engine for increased performance?!
I'm also on the hunt for a new CD head unit. I was told Nakamichi had a reputation for being a little fragile and mine has developed an annoying habit of skipping whenever I drive over a bump. If the volume knob hadn't been lost, I would probably just use a lead to connect my phone instead, but I'd like something that looks a bit more period, such as a Pioneer KEH. I just need to be sure that whatever unit I get has an auxiliary input.
Anyway, am off to fit this servo.
I'm also on the hunt for a new CD head unit. I was told Nakamichi had a reputation for being a little fragile and mine has developed an annoying habit of skipping whenever I drive over a bump. If the volume knob hadn't been lost, I would probably just use a lead to connect my phone instead, but I'd like something that looks a bit more period, such as a Pioneer KEH. I just need to be sure that whatever unit I get has an auxiliary input.
Anyway, am off to fit this servo.
Digitalize said:
Id imagine a Blaupunkt would be the easiest period one to get hold of? They pull a premium now though.
Yes, been looking at those, Pioneer and some early Clarion. I don't need anything too specialised, as I only listen to Radio 4 and Podcasts really, but it needs to have the right look.Well we got to the bottom of the braking issues and they finally perform as I'd hoped they would. In fact, they're really powerful now and about the best brakes I've experienced on an e21. I really rate Hawk pads and think they're some of the best available for the money. (they're very reasonably priced)
While the front wheels were off we checked the bearings and they're pretty worn, so opted to replace them rather than try and adjust out any play. Hopefully that'll be it for a while now, although I'm also looking at fitting an accusump oil tank to try and increase oil capacity for the engine.
Well I've been making the most of the good weather and enjoying the e21's effortless performance. I don't know why more people don't like the M52/2.8 engine, as they cost peanuts and it sounds great. There's just something so right about a straight six and BMW make some of the very best. Anyway, as the Mrs is away tonight and I'm having to fend for myself, I figured a trip to the shop for a curry was in order. Unfortunately, when I came out, I was met with the sight of a slick of oil running from beneath my car. Closer inspection revealed a small but steady stream from the rear corner of the sump. Bummer. 
I wasn't aware of my hitting anything but it's a sump I rescued from my old, orange 323i and it's probably due for replacement anyway. Well it is now!
Fortunately ARM, who look after my car, are only a mile or 2 away and with a bit of coasting on the downhill bits I was able to get it there without doing any damage to the engine. We're going to increase the capacity of the sump though, as opposed to simply repairing the leak.
I wasn't aware of my hitting anything but it's a sump I rescued from my old, orange 323i and it's probably due for replacement anyway. Well it is now!Fortunately ARM, who look after my car, are only a mile or 2 away and with a bit of coasting on the downhill bits I was able to get it there without doing any damage to the engine. We're going to increase the capacity of the sump though, as opposed to simply repairing the leak.
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